Home » Digital camera care » Digital cameras, weather and water » Digital cameras & cold weather

Digital cameras & cold weather

Cold weatherYou have more to worry about than just fingers freezing when taking photos in cold weather. Special care needs to be taken with your digital camera.

The camera lens can fog up, batteries will lose power more quickly than usual and condensation may form on all parts of the camera. The LCD and any other camera displays may flicker in and out.

Keep the camera and batteries warm

When venturing out in cold weather, keep the camera close to your warm body, inside a pocket or coat. Also keep at least one set of spare batteries in a pocket close to your body. Some photographers don’t insert batteries in the camera until they are ready to begin taking photos.

Place the camera in a plastic bag to help prevent the lens from becoming foggy. If condensation forms, it will do so on the bag instead of the camera.

To conserve power turn off battery-consuming features such as the LCD and continual autofocus until needed. After taking photos, put the camera away until ready to use again.

Don’t let water freeze on the camera

When the temperature is at or below the freezing point, melted snow on the lens can freeze and potentially cause damage. Don’t breathe on your digital camera either as the water droplets from your breath causes condensation that can freeze. Wipe off any moisture immediately with a lint-free cloth.

Bringing a digital camera in from the cold

When bringing the camera inside from the cold, give it time to adjust to the room temperature. First put the camera in an unheated room for about a half hour before bringing it into a warm area. Also place it inside a camera bag to help minimize condensation.

If condensation forms on the camera, stop using it immediately to prevent damage. Remove the battery, memory card and lens cap, keep compartment doors open and don’t use the camera until the condensation evaporates.

It’s better not to take the camera out into the cold again until the condensation is completely gone. The moisture may freeze causing permanent damage.

Digital camera operating temperatures and operating humidity

Your camera manual specifications list the minimum and maximum operation temperature and humidity for you model. If those specifications are exceeded, it could invalidate any warranty that is still in effect.

7 Comments (add »)

  • On 3 February 2010 at 11:55 pm Terry said:

    You need to re-think the advice of keeping the camera in your coat. A coat is not only warm, it is also moist. When the camera is then taken out into the cold, the moisture condenses, not just on lenses, but also electronic circuitry, lens cams, etc. And if that moisture then freezes you can have other problems. Cameras are better off in the dry cold. Keep a change of batteries in your pocket and switch them for batteries that weaken in the cold.

  • On 5 February 2010 at 12:58 pm Gail Bjork said:

    Thank you for this additional and very fine suggestion Terry, especially coming from a seasoned photographer like you.

  • On 17 January 2011 at 7:31 pm peter tennant said:

    Thanks gentlemen, very helpful info. I’ m just off on a [non] skiing holiday and will stick to your recommendations.
    Cheers,
    Peter.

  • On 6 December 2011 at 9:55 am kashyap said:

    Hi,
    The tips are very helpful. I plan to travel to Ladakh, Indis this Jan 12 where temp are expected to be minus 30Celsius. Any special tips? Will a bag of Silica Jel help?

  • On 7 December 2011 at 3:17 pm Gail Bjork said:

    kashyap, the silica gel will help with condensation when you bring the camera into warmer rooms. It won’t protect the camera from the cold. Check the camera specifications in the manual for the Operating Temperatures. I also recommend you can the manufacturer tech support for suggested care for the camera in very low temperatures.

    This article has many of the tips offered at this site, but some additional information about using a camera in extremely cold weather.

  • On 5 February 2012 at 7:07 am Avinash said:

    really helpful.
    i am just learning photography and i lack creativity can someone please help in how to train your eye and be more creative..please..
    i have a nikon D7000 with a standard lens. as i am learning it is more than i could ask for..
    I am in Paris right now and i am struggling with clicking monuments..help needed..
    Many thanks
    Avi

  • On 5 February 2012 at 7:30 am Gail Bjork said:

    Avi, congratulations on wanting to improve you photography. The article about how to compose photos should help. There are photo illustrations to give you some ideas.

Leave a comment