by
Whitney Hubbard,
Staff
Photographer
As I write this, I am sitting in my warm apartment,
cloistered away from the icy roads and frigid air. I have
played with the idea of taking my camera out for some
fun photos in the snow, but I have to be cautious.
Taking photos outside in cold weather will require a
little forethought and some preparation in order to
protect my camera properly. Not many people realize
that the cold can pose a threat to their camera. So, in
the spirit of the inclement weather we've been
experiencing as of late, here are a few of my tips for
taking care of your camera in the winter time!
1) Keep your camera warm. Holding your
camera close to your body is the simplest solution to
this problem. The same goes for camera batteries, as
they will not hold a charge as long in cold weather.
Often, photographers will not even insert their
batteries into the camera until they are ready to shoot,
in order to lengthen their lifespan. Another way to help
with this problem is to turn off all superfluous battery-
draining functions until they are needed, like the LCD
screen or high speed shooting modes.
2) Protect your camera from moisture.
Although some are moisture-resistant, to a degree, it
is never safe to get your camera wet. Melting snow or
ice, and condensation are problems in the winter
months. You should even avoid breathing on your
camera, because the moisture in your breath can
cause damage. I've seen many photographers
breathe on the lens of their camera to clean it, but this
should be avoided when out in the cold.
It helps to store your camera in a sealed plastic bag
while you are transporting it, which will keep
condensation on the bag instead of your camera. If
moisture freezes on your camera or lens, it could
cause irreparable damage. If you notice this
happening, stop using the camera and quickly remove
the lens cap and battery, as well as the memory card.
Open all compartment doors and wait for any wetness
to evaporate.
3) Transition slowly. Take your time when
bringing a cold camera indoors. You want to allow it
proper time to adjust to room temperature before
using it. Leave it unused for around a half hour,
preferably in a camera bag to help minimize
condensation. Also, do not take the camera back out
into the cold again until all condensation has
evaporated, to prevent moisture freezing on the interior
parts.
It's a good idea to read up on your camera's
minimum
and maximum operating temperatures. This will keep
you knowledgeable about the limits of your camera,
and prevent you from invalidating your warranty by
exceeding them. You can find these specifications by
searching for your model on the internet, or by reading
the always handy manual that came with your camera!
