Hello !

Its cold here in sweden now . -25 degrees now.

My question is. Is it dangerous to use my nikon d700 and 14-24mm outside
when its so cold . how much cold can the ecuipement take.

Anyone out there who have any experience?

Thanks Markus T

I don't think you need to be afraid of using the equipment, it should take it. But the batteries will drain quickly when cold! Keep them warm, in your pocket for example, between shots.

thanks for a your anwser Thomas !

I remember shooting with my 1D years ago in the temperature and the thing didn't want to work right. I got some good shots though. Thomas's advice is excellent. Batteries will drain ridiculously fast.

Nikon FG in manual mode, a couple of AIS primes. Very light weight and won't care about the cold I suspect. Don't need a battery. I paid $45 for mine and then paid $60 to have it CLA'ed and new seals. Good gloves required. I must admit I've never shot in temp's that cold. I remember shooting in NYC once years ago and it was @0 F. Good luck. Good tip @ the batteries btw.

I have had my cameras out in -52C and lower for hours at a time. Your electronics will start to get a bit slow but I've never had a problem with mine, thereafter, and I've never used any bags or anything fancy. Often I just put them in the back of the car, turn them off and then wait till the next morning before checking them. Take back up batteries, though I have gone for 6 hours with the 50D shooting constant high exposure and constant high ISO...it shouldn't be a problem as long as your batteries aren't duff to begin with. The longest I've ever been out in one sitting was about 10-12 hours.

Its more likely your mind will break at such temperaures, or your body :) so rather than splurging on unnecessary gear to protect your machine...protect yourself. I recommend Snowgoose jackets and a good pair of gloves. Boots rated for -40C or lower are even better. Protect your extremities. Make sure to use a touque and keep your body moving, even if you're stopping for a shot - try not to cramp up or sit down out there, you get cold faster.

If you don't believe me about he -52, check out my blog post about it. Also check out what kinda gems you can get if you're willing to stand out in the cold for a bit http://www.synergystudiosphotography.com/blog/2009/12/21/slipping-meteors-shifting-skies-and-sleepless-nights.html

No Problem as you use pro equipment! The only thing which faced was on my 14-24 that the auto focus motor refuses to work properly! Just keep in mind to get her slowly to this temperature and also slowly back to the normal temperature! Some of the electronics will become slow and your accu will refuse very fast so keep a spare accu under your arm to keep always one warm! But the best is you use a film camera! My D700 survived -52 in Russia!

Robert

-25º ??? 8-()

That is very dangerous to mee ... i only see that inside a industrial refrigerator ... brrrr

I'm sure your goats will do fine..
I found my batteries in D300 drained fairly quickly at just under zero C, but on long exposures too, so that will have to have influenced the battery time. I would not worry about the equipment,

put your camera in a plastic bag when you put it from cold to warm. this will prevent the lens from getting foggy.

watch your fingers, i remember changing film at a protest at -10°, very hard and painfull!

No worries, markus - I found slower AF in the air (flying) at -10 - -15 deg C and serious reduction of capacity of batteries; you may add the effect of wind (60-80 km/h), so I wouldn't worry. Adaptation to environmental conditions definitely help, as mentioned before. Avoid fast changes from cold to warm and vice versa. Hope it was of some help; wishing you a nice forthcomming season! Matjaz

that won't be a problem. I have used it in even colder environments. So leave it in the bag when you go from outside back in.

thanks for your anwsers :)

As Remo said it, the problem is not the cold, but the enormous change of temperature between the outside and the inside.... be very careful with that Markus :-) Best wishes for your photographs !

I think it is more dangerous for you!!!!

lol yea... umm... your gear is the last thing you should worry about. just like jorge said worry about your health first :)

how did it go?

If you use a camera at -25°C is not dangerous... not for the camera!

My D80 in Finland has worked fine at -28°C!

-33°C, this winter - north Norway, Sony A700 + Minolta 80-200G - no problems at all;) ... superior resistant playstation press :))))))

Film tends do be a dimishing help when it starts to get pretty cold. It gets fragile and tends to break - not good. If your film cam is motorized - might be worse: the air is very dry and you might get static discharges inside the cam which might expose parts of the film..... ;)

Andy