How low(temparature) can it go ?

I am planning on a winter trip this year end and I intend to bring my C3030 along. The specs indicate a minimum operating temparture of 0 degree celcius.

The place which I'm going goes down to -5 degree celcius. Did anybody try the camera out at these temperatures ? I really don't wanna ruin the vacation with a camera that does not work.

Do you guys have any tips on working around the problem - maybe any kinda case to recommend to keep the camera warm ?

Thanks for the advice.

Peter Ang

Peter Ang said:

I am planning on a winter trip this year end and I intend to bring
my C3030 along. The specs indicate a minimum operating temparture
of 0 degree celcius.

The place which I'm going goes down to -5 degree celcius. Did
anybody try the camera out at these temperatures ? I really don't
wanna ruin the vacation with a camera that does not work.

Do you guys have any tips on working around the problem - maybe any
kinda case to recommend to keep the camera warm ?

Click to expand...

I've used my C2100 out in 25°F weather with no problems.

The batteries get sluggish, the camera will complain the batteries are about to die alot, but you can take one shot and wait a little while to take the next one. If you need to take several shots keep an extra set of batteries inside your jacket and keep swapping them as the ones in the camera get cold. Or use the non-rechargable lithium batteries. The 2100 uses more power than the 3030 so it may not be as much of a problem (unless you use the LCD).

The small LCD on the 2100 worked fine, didn't try the large one, but I've seen the back lights on small LCD TVs not want to start up in cold weather.

One thing to be carefull of is condensation inside the camera if you go into a warm humid room with the cold camera. Either put the camera in a zip lock bag outside and let it warm up inside or wait a long time before turning it on.

I have not tried this but maybe it will work.

Put the camera in a camera pouch with a hand warmer. (You can get them in sport supply stores) It has a chemical reaction that will generate heat (not enough to burn skin) for an hour or two.
Let me know if this works for you. Oly 3000 in NJ. 9 degress this AM

Marty Schultz said:

Peter Ang said:

I am planning on a winter trip this year end and I intend to bring
my C3030 along. The specs indicate a minimum operating temparture
of 0 degree celcius.

The place which I'm going goes down to -5 degree celcius. Did
anybody try the camera out at these temperatures ? I really don't
wanna ruin the vacation with a camera that does not work.

Do you guys have any tips on working around the problem - maybe any
kinda case to recommend to keep the camera warm ?

Click to expand...

I've used my C2100 out in 25°F weather with no problems.

The batteries get sluggish, the camera will complain the batteries
are about to die alot, but you can take one shot and wait a little
while to take the next one. If you need to take several shots keep
an extra set of batteries inside your jacket and keep swapping them
as the ones in the camera get cold. Or use the non-rechargable
lithium batteries. The 2100 uses more power than the 3030 so it
may not be as much of a problem (unless you use the LCD).

The small LCD on the 2100 worked fine, didn't try the large one,
but I've seen the back lights on small LCD TVs not want to start up
in cold weather.

One thing to be carefull of is condensation inside the camera if
you go into a warm humid room with the cold camera. Either put the
camera in a zip lock bag outside and let it warm up inside or wait
a long time before turning it on.

Click to expand...

I used my C3000 out in -3°F(-20°C) weather with no problems yesterday.
http://www14.brinkster.com/happygeoffrey/pic60017.jpg

Geoffrey

Peter Ang said:

I am planning on a winter trip this year end and I intend to bring
my C3030 along. The specs indicate a minimum operating temparture
of 0 degree celcius.

The place which I'm going goes down to -5 degree celcius. Did
anybody try the camera out at these temperatures ? I really don't
wanna ruin the vacation with a camera that does not work.

Do you guys have any tips on working around the problem - maybe any
kinda case to recommend to keep the camera warm ?

Thanks for the advice.

Peter Ang

Click to expand...

There is no reason your camera can't operate in 0 deg F or lower temps. The problem is sluggish electron flow, meaning weak batteries and sluggish LCD operation. The hand warmer idea is OK, but what you really want to do is use battery power external to the camera. You can make your own 6V battery pack from Radio Shack components, and keep the unit in an insulated lunch bag, with the hand warmer. The warmer batteries will keep the camera operation longer. Also, look at the Radio Shack Portable Power Station (61-2801) that I mention in another thread. This device can power both the camera, and the electric socks that can keep the camera warm. The unit has power indicator lights, and when it is getting low in charge, just plug it into your car lighter plug, and proceed to give it more life. The unit has a 7Ah sealed lead acid battery, with two (2) 12V outlets, and miniplugs for 1.5, 3, 4.5, 6, and 9V DC supply. Great unit IMO!

Ciao....Barry

Peter Ang said:

I am planning on a winter trip this year end and I intend to bring
my C3030 along. The specs indicate a minimum operating temparture
of 0 degree celcius.

The place which I'm going goes down to -5 degree celcius. Did
anybody try the camera out at these temperatures ? I really don't
wanna ruin the vacation with a camera that does not work.

Do you guys have any tips on working around the problem - maybe any
kinda case to recommend to keep the camera warm ?

Thanks for the advice.

Peter Ang

Click to expand...

Here is a photo of the unit, go to the RS web site for details:

Barry Carter said:

Ciao....Barry

Peter Ang said:

I am planning on a winter trip this year end and I intend to bring
my C3030 along. The specs indicate a minimum operating temparture
of 0 degree celcius.

The place which I'm going goes down to -5 degree celcius. Did
anybody try the camera out at these temperatures ? I really don't
wanna ruin the vacation with a camera that does not work.

Do you guys have any tips on working around the problem - maybe any
kinda case to recommend to keep the camera warm ?

Thanks for the advice.

Peter Ang

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Just two days ago I took a picture of a frosty landscape and it was really cold outside. The wind was blowing and it was definately below zero. I took some pictures of a sunrise (see http://www.kersbergen.com ). Because I was photographing a sun I used the bracketing mode of the 3030z. When I got home I noticed that one of 5 photos in bracketing mode had an incorrect date. It did have the correct serial number (photo number 256 on the card) but the date had been reset to 1st of January.

So the camera works as in it took the picture but the date for that one picture was corrupted. I did take some more photos afterwards and the date was correct on those. Just to give you an indication, I don't think my temperate was below -5 degrees Celcius although the wind may have caused a few extra drops in temperate due to chill factor.

Just my 2 cents,

Robert
http://www.kersbergen.com/

Peter Ang said:

I am planning on a winter trip this year end and I intend to bring
my C3030 along. The specs indicate a minimum operating temparture
of 0 degree celcius.

The place which I'm going goes down to -5 degree celcius. Did
anybody try the camera out at these temperatures ? I really don't
wanna ruin the vacation with a camera that does not work.

Do you guys have any tips on working around the problem - maybe any
kinda case to recommend to keep the camera warm ?

Thanks for the advice.

Peter Ang

Click to expand...

Peter Ang said:

Jonathan Ratner said:

I am planning on a winter trip this year end and I intend to bring
my C3030 along. The specs indicate a minimum operating temparture
of 0 degree celcius.

The place which I'm going goes down to -5 degree celcius. Did
anybody try the camera out at these temperatures ? I really don't
wanna ruin the vacation with a camera that does not work.

Do you guys have any tips on working around the problem - maybe any
kinda case to recommend to keep the camera warm ?

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

I take my 3030 hiking in the Whites with me - and the temperatures thus far have been 5 degrees F. and that's without the windchill -- I don't use the LCD and keep all the noises turned off - I keep it in a camera bag hanging from my pack belt and it's worked really well -- I love this camera - only problem I've encountered is steaming up the viewer-

Wind Chill is a parameter that is designed for "humans" with "exposed" skin. For "objects" wind chill is meaningless. It's the "real" temp that matters for the camera. Just be careful about letting water vapor from your breath condense on the lens; which will surely turn to ice! No terrible impact, except loss in speed and sharpness IMO. Most of the auto-focus/point and shoot 35mm film camera's use batteries, so this is not unique to digicams. As I pointed out in a previous thread, keep the batteries warm. Forget about the 32 deg F (0 C) warning, the camera will be OK. I have been out for hours with the temps in single digits deg F, with LCD on (does provide heat), doing astrophotography. In fact I want the camera to get cold, as I can take those long exposures with little noise in image; the colder the better IMO. BUT, I do use AC, or have my battery pack. Treat your camera like your hands, feet, and head in cold weather, and all will be well.

Ciao..Barry

Linda Hoffman said:

Peter Ang said:

Member said:

I am planning on a winter trip this year end and I intend to bring
my C3030 along. The specs indicate a minimum operating temparture
of 0 degree celcius.

The place which I'm going goes down to -5 degree celcius. Did
anybody try the camera out at these temperatures ? I really don't
wanna ruin the vacation with a camera that does not work.

Do you guys have any tips on working around the problem - maybe any
kinda case to recommend to keep the camera warm ?

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

I take my 3030 hiking in the Whites with me - and the temperatures
thus far have been 5 degrees F. and that's without the windchill --
I don't use the LCD and keep all the noises turned off - I keep it
in a camera bag hanging from my pack belt and it's worked really
well -- I love this camera - only problem I've encountered is
steaming up the viewer-

Click to expand...

Beth wrote:

Here's a 'low-tech' solution. Yesterday I was out in -0 wind chill weather. I 'wore' the camera around my neck and zipped it inside my jacket. When I wanted to take a picture, unzipped and shot. The camera was held at or near body temperature and was cold only for a few moments at a time. Worked fine for me! (This was the Oly C3000...might be more difficult with an SLR...they're so big and bulky...one of the disadvantages of SLR from my perspective!)

Barry Carter said:

Ciao....Barry

Peter Ang said:

I am planning on a winter trip this year end and I intend to bring
my C3030 along. The specs indicate a minimum operating temparture
of 0 degree celcius.

The place which I'm going goes down to -5 degree celcius. Did
anybody try the camera out at these temperatures ? I really don't
wanna ruin the vacation with a camera that does not work.

Do you guys have any tips on working around the problem - maybe any
kinda case to recommend to keep the camera warm ?

Thanks for the advice.

Peter Ang

Click to expand...

Click to expand...