Can my digital camera be damaged shooting in extreme cold weather conditions?
Hi! Thanks for the question.
It seems that the main problem with digital cameras during cold
weather is not with the camera itself but with the batteries.
Batteries tend to drain fast in cold weather conditions.
"My camera doesn't work well in cold weather. It will often make my
picture too bright, or stop working all together. How do I stop this
from happening?"
"The problem isn't with your camera, but actually with your batteries.
Batteries are greatly affected by the cold and many of them can be
sucked-dry in minutes by sub-zero temperatures. The worst-performing
cold weather batteries are Alkaline batteries. These are common,
inexpensive non-rechargeable batteries. The capacity of these will be
greatly reduced by cold weather, and you will have lost your
investment, because they are non-rechargeable."
The author suggests that you use Nickel Metal Hydride or lithium
batteries instead.
"TAKEgreatPICTURES.com - FAQ"
http://www.takegreatpictures.com/faq/Default.asp?page=5
"The chemistry and physics of how batteries generate electrical energy
means that at very low temperatures all batteries lose power. They're
just not as efficient. This is a particularly serious problem with
today's auto-everything cameras that are totally dependent on battery
power. So, when you take your camera and strobe out into the cold, you
should anticipate a loss of battery power."
Here are some tips on how to solve this problem.
"First, by keeping the camera and strobe (and their batteries) as warm
as possible, even outdoors. To do this, when you go outdoors, carry
them close to your body, for example, under your coat. "
"The second way you prepare for the expected loss of battery power in
the cold is to bring spare batteries with you when you go outside. And
keep these spares close to your body too; for example, in a shirt
pocket where they will also benefit from your body heat."
"How Should I Handle My Camera in Cold Weather?"
http://www.nyip.com/tips/topic_coldtemps01.html
"Your camera needs cold relief as well. When you first take the camera
outside, the optics will probably fog up. Never, ever, wipe the
moisture off the lens! Give the camera a few minutes to adjust to the
cold and the fog will lift naturally. If you wipe it, you'll possibly
scratch the lens, undoubtedly wind up with smears, and in general,
make a real mess."
"Because they're electronic devices, digital cameras don't function as
well in cold conditions as in the heat of summer. Indeed, some digital
cameras have a harder time in the cold than SLR cameras, because
they're not built as ruggedly. Nonetheless, you can prevent most
unexpected failures by keeping the batteries warm. If the batteries
get too cold, they'll simply stop working."
"Digital Focus: Take Great Winter Photos"
http://www.pcworld.com/howto/article/0,aid,78424,00.asp
Search terms used:
"digital cameras" cold weather
I hope these links would help you in your research. Before rating this
answer, please ask for a clarification if you have a question or if
you would need further information.
Thanks for visiting us.
Regards,
Easterangel-ga
Google Answers Researcher
Thanks for a great answer!
#If you have any other info about this subject , Please add it free.#
