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450 stored in hot car all day ..... DISASTER?

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cbcs

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L.A.(lower alabama), US
The Canon manual states 104 degrees F as the max "working" temp (pp183)

I didn't see any mention of max "storage" temp. I live on the Alabama Gulf Coast and bright sunny days can drive ambient afternoon summer temps to 95-100 F.

I placed a thermometer in the trunk(where I was stashing the camera while at work). It got up to 112 F. Inside the car on the floor was just as hot. I keep all my photo gear in a padded LowPro bag but I doubt that is much in the way of insulation after sitting hours in that heat. I also tried the Igloo cooler route but it heats up too after all that exposure.

I stopped taking the camera after recording the high temps and do not see any damage as yet.

Does anyone leave their camera and gear in their car or truck for any extended
time?

Anyone know Canon's stated max storage temp?

I know a lot of you will cry foul on keeping the camera in such heat. And it's probably well founded but I wanted to be able to stop on the way home
and shoot as the opportunity presents. It's a 1 hour drive to and from work.

My workplace is a "NO CAMERAS ALLOWED" industrial plant so I can't carry my backpack in and out every day.

Any comments or advice ?

----tia
cbcs
http://www.pbase.com/digital_graffiti

450D / 18-55 IS / 55-250 IS / 420 SpeedLight
3021BN Manfrotto Tripod w-3047 Head
Canon G2
 
Nearly middle of June, and the daytime high is close to 8-10 degrees below normal. Thats 15 in Fahrenheit.
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See Death Valley; China; and Cuba
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I am sure you can find an insulated cooler and a couple of frozen packs that will keep your gear at a reasonable temperature for the workday.
 
Living in Saudi Arabia, I have the same problem, maybe to a higher degree. Here the temperatures often reach 120F. I try not to leave my camera in the car but it has happened a few times, with no problems so far.

I would not leave my camera in a hot car every day. Also beware of storing the camera inside a container that would keep it much cooler than ambient. This could cause condensation inside the camera when you take it out.

Best I can suggest is to make friends with the security folk at the plant and leave your camera with them for the day.

-----
Gys
 
I haven't seen any problems on these forums with heat. Most (computer) chips are rated -20 to +70 deg. C for working temperature and about -65 to +150 deg. C for storage (absolute max.). What the working temp. is for grease I don't know. I guess quick, large and repeated changes in temperature are more damaging than extended periods of high or low temperatures. Batteries may deteriorate faster in colder and warmer temperatures other than +20 deg. C. I'd try to put your car in the shade, or put something reflective over it if the car has a dark paint job. You could put ice covers for windows on it to protect against the sun. Maybe there's a ventilation system that tries to keep the inside of the car at the ambient temperature without exhausting the on board battery?
cbcs said:
The Canon manual states 104 degrees F as the max "working" temp (pp183)

I didn't see any mention of max "storage" temp. I live on the Alabama
Gulf Coast and bright sunny days can drive ambient afternoon summer
temps to 95-100 F.
I placed a thermometer in the trunk(where I was stashing the camera
while at work). It got up to 112 F. Inside the car on the floor was
just as hot. I keep all my photo gear in a padded LowPro bag but I
doubt that is much in the way of insulation after sitting hours in
that heat. I also tried the Igloo cooler route but it heats up too
after all that exposure.

I stopped taking the camera after recording the high temps and do not
see any damage as yet.

Does anyone leave their camera and gear in their car or truck for any
extended
time?

Anyone know Canon's stated max storage temp?

I know a lot of you will cry foul on keeping the camera in such heat.
And it's probably well founded but I wanted to be able to stop on
the way home
and shoot as the opportunity presents. It's a 1 hour drive to and
from work.
My workplace is a "NO CAMERAS ALLOWED" industrial plant so I can't
carry my backpack in and out every day.

Any comments or advice ?

----tia
cbcs
http://www.pbase.com/digital_graffiti

450D / 18-55 IS / 55-250 IS / 420 SpeedLight
3021BN Manfrotto Tripod w-3047 Head
Canon G2
Click to expand...
--
Imqqmi



http://www.pbase.com/imqqmi
 
could be a problem for lubricant inside a lens tube. It could temporarily lose viscosity and runs on the lenses. I had a rifle scope (attached to a rifle in the trunk) ruined in this way.
 
Appreciate everyone that took the time and effort to offer comments and suggestions. I will have to give this some thought .... I'd love to always have my 450D close by but not at the risk of damage. I may keep my G2 in the car and leave the DSLR at home during the weeks travel back and forth to work.

A low humidity. mild temp drop 12V insulated cooler that was easy on the car battery would be just the ticket ........ yea, I know..... I'm dreaming.

Again, thanks for your input.

----
cbcs
L.A.(lower alabama)
http://www.pbase.com/digital_graffiti

450D / 18-55 IS / 55-250 IS / 420 SpeedLight
3021BN Manfrotto Tripod w-3047 Head
Canon G2
 
Agreed with FFS,
electronics should take it ok but remember that a camera is not just chips.
any kind of lubricants, rubber seals could suffer.
also think that some plastics may bend or twist under high heat.
Carry a minimum and make friend with security..
FFS said:
could be a problem for lubricant inside a lens tube. It could
temporarily lose viscosity and runs on the lenses. I had a rifle
scope (attached to a rifle in the trunk) ruined in this way.
Click to expand...
 
"Do not leave equipment inside a car under thee hot sun or near heat source. The equipment may overheat and cause skin burns."

"Do not use or leave battery pack or battery back-up in hot environment. Doing so may cause battery leakage or a shorter battery life. The battery pack or or back-up may also become hot and cause skin burns."

... and finally for the camera and such:

"Do not leave camera in excessive heat such as in a car in direct sunlight. High temperatures can cause the camera to malfunction."

Do not leave the CF card in direct sunlight or near a heat source. Doing so can warp the cards and make them unusable.

jp
 
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