I was wondering how everyone here deals with cold weather. I know that my digital is only rated fro temperatures from 0-40C (32-104F). I know film cameras will go down to about ?20 but even then there are issues before that like brittle film, meters not working properly, etc. So how do you compensate? I really want to get some images of an Ice Storm if we ever have one. Not that I want one but if we get one I am ready, I even know which trees I want to shoot! I am just afraid that not only will my camera not work but that I may do some type of permanent damage to it. Does anyone have any experience doing cold weather photography? Or should I just move to Key West? zhounder aka Magick Michael

Keep a set of batteries in your pocket to keep them warm in case the set in the camera go down. I've heard of people using pocket warmers inside of their camera bag (not right next to the film or directly touching the camera bodies) - but I haven't tried it - seems the lenses would fog up as soon as you took them out. I usually worry more about keeping myself warm more so than my equipment. Get a pair of gloves that you don't mind cutting the tips of the fingers off, then get a pair of wool socks and cut about 5 or 6 inches off the toe. Sew the toe sections to the glove at about the knuckle with the open end of the toe facing the tips of the fingers. That way, you can flip the sock portion over your fingers to keep them warm, and flip it back off when you need to adjust camera settings. then again....Key West sounds pretty good....?

I often carried my camera around my neck and stuffed into my jacket, up against my body to keep it warm.... never had a problem with the batteries or anything, but Wolfsnap is right about keeping extra batteries in your pocket. Nifty tip with the socks!

I am, therefore I create.......
--- michelleamarante.com

Live in the Tropics! hahahaha :-) Then you'll have humidity and mildew/moisture problems. :-P LOL (*

starshuffler - But then I can clean it on the beach! Magick Michael

I compensate by living in Texas .) we don't get much cold.

I've done a lot of work in cold weather. Not with digital, though. I imagine, besides batteries, the needs are the same. When I ran around with my SLR, I usually kept to the small zoom lens (to avoid changing too often) 35-105, I believe. With care, changing lenses shouldn't be a problem. Running outside your house for 15 minutes shouldn't be a problem much either. But if you're going to be gone a while, I'd suggest a floppy coat to pull over the camera. It's going to get cold anyway if you are out several hours (depending on how long the camera is poised outside to the elements). The main things to remember are: Take a ziplock baggie (I used 2 in my days) or baggies if you are taking extra lenses. Before going back inside, place all camera lenses and body into the baggie. (I usually put THAT baggie into another one). Any condensation will form on the baggie(s)...not on the mirror, lenses, or between the lens elements (the worst). Also, the film should go in a baggie or snapped tightly in the plastic film cannister (if there was one). For film cameras, let the extra film get cold. Just keep it in the camera bag. It can fog, too. Especially in wet winter places like Germany. Be careful when changing film or lenses not to breath on any of it...just keep your distance. (from your mouth...hehe) Just as you would avoid pointing a "filmed" camera directly at the sun with the lens cap off, watch for glare from sunny snow. Since SLR cameras use mechanics, be careful of extremely low temperatures. Not directly related to the cold, but if you are shooting lots of snow, be aware of the exposure problems. Bracket your shots. Remember, ALL cameras look at an exposure as a zone five gray. Snow is more likely zone seven or eight, depending on shadows and overcast.