Digital Photography below Freezing?

[LinusF]

How does one use digitals in sub-freezing weather? A number of cameras, maybe all, have severe limits on use in low temps. For instance CANONs stop at 32F (0C). It is colder than that outside right now.

[Brian]

Well, there's a practical limitation for cold weather that all electronics have. The 32F number though is only going to be a concern for long term exposure of the camera. If you take it outside, it should start out at 70 degrees or better, so it would take a long time for the cold to affect it. If you were to leave it in your car overnight and it's very cold outside, you could have a problem. Even so, the ratings are pretty generous for liability reasons. If you need a rugged camera, I'm sure such things exist, or perhaps a housing or case that's more protective.

[mattfenn]

Howdy,

I use a Canon a510 for work in Michigan and haven't had any real issues taking pictures in cold weather. The biggest problem is the lens fogging from time to time, but I take many cold weather photos. In fact, the biggest problem I have is going from cold to warm. When I was working hurricane damage in Biloxi, I had a huge problem taking the camera from an air conditioned car to the humid heat outside.

[Fable]

Would wrapping it in a woolen case/cover help?
I imagine this could increase the perceived temperature of the camera?

[Wail]

Keep in mind that you don’t want to expose the camera / lens to extreme temperature variations as that may cause water droplets to form inside the camera / lens case. Not only would this cause problems to your picture taking, but it would also corrode the insides of your camera, over time.

[Jessica]

Thats right Wail.
Any sort of moisture can spell disaster for a camera. Personally i wouldnt take my good camera out in freezing conditions, I would get a cheaper one for that purpose, just in case.

[Wail]

Aha! But “cheaper” is all relative! One person’s cheap camera is another persons’ expensive camera … would you not agree?

Most people don’t have two cameras, and unless they are serious hobbyist or professional photographers then the one camera is all they have. That said, I would agree with you, if someone is on the look out for an expensive camera then they should also contemplate a cheaper model that can be used under more harsh environments.