990 temperature tolerances

[Deborah]

I was hoping to take my camera up to a farm this weekend, locking it in the trunk during the days and taking pictures for only a few hours. I see in the manual that you're not supposed to expose the camera to temperatures over 120F (? can't remember exactly; don't have it in front of me), but I'm sure the inside of the car could get that hot, given that 95-100F is predicted outside.

Anyone found clever ways of dealing with this? Should I bring along an empty cooler and stick the camera in that? I know some might question the wisdom of keeping the camera in the trunk, but I'm going to a very rural area and will never be far from the car. I think the camera would be in more danger if I were to drag it around with me for two whole days, and I want to be unencumbered for part of the trip.

 

[Frank20888]

Just a guess:

Like all electronic devices, there are temperature vaiables that can cause damage to the device, like moisture, excessive heat, ect. The limitations are operating ones, i.e taking pictures in below zero or above 100 degrees temps could result if poor performance. As far as storing it in a trunk, keep it up front with you, on the car seat or floor (in a good camera bag). It should be fine. Try not to use the camera in extream temperatures, i.e excessive cold or heat, then change to the opposit, ie, hot to cold, cold to hot, this may cause condensation inside the camera...which is a bad thing for sure! If you do find your self using the camera in excessive heat, then wind up in airconditioning, wait a while before turning the camera back on so that the camera adjust to the new environs. Its the new goldfish rule, you bring the fish home in its own little water bag, then let it sit, while still in the bag in the aquarium until the water temp matches..less shock to the fish..same goes for the camera!

happy shooting.

Frank

 

[Deborah]

Just a guess:

Like all electronic devices, there are temperature vaiables that can
cause damage to the device, like moisture, excessive heat, ect. The
limitations are operating ones, i.e taking pictures in below zero or
above 100 degrees temps could result if poor performance. As far as
storing it in a trunk, keep it up front with you, on the car seat or
floor (in a good camera bag). It should be fine.

I was under the impression that the camera shouldn't be in conditions hotter than specified, whether it's in use or not--maybe I'm wrong.

The problem is that we're going to a conference on a ranch, so the camera would be sitting in the car for hours when the car's not running.

Actually, I'll probably chicken out and not bring it--don't want to worry about it the whole time!--but I'd like to know for future reference.

 

[Tom Friend]

I've been leaving mine in the trunk all the time; we haven't had too many hot days, but we've had a few (Massachusetts). It's 90 out right now, and the camera's in the trunk. I just went and looked at it; no problem. Also, I don't know about other people's cars, but my cars have always seemed to be cooler inside the trunk than in the car.

If you put the camera in a cooler, don't put any ice or other frozen things in the cooler; you'll have condensation problems.

Good luck.

I was hoping to take my camera up to a farm this weekend, locking it in
the trunk during the days and taking pictures for only a few hours. I
see in the manual that you're not supposed to expose the camera to
temperatures over 120F (? can't remember exactly; don't have it in front
of me), but I'm sure the inside of the car could get that hot, given that
95-100F is predicted outside.

Anyone found clever ways of dealing with this? Should I bring along an
empty cooler and stick the camera in that? I know some might question
the wisdom of keeping the camera in the trunk, but I'm going to a very
rural area and will never be far from the car. I think the camera would
be in more danger if I were to drag it around with me for two whole days,
and I want to be unencumbered for part of the trip.

 

[Will Perlis]

I was under the impression that the camera shouldn't be in conditions
hotter than specified, whether it's in use or not--maybe I'm wrong.

It depends on whether the temps are specified the operating or storage temps. I don't have the Nikon manual handy, but I'd be surprised if the storage temp was as low as 125F, considering how hot it can get inside a tractor-trailor rig or warehouse in the sun.

Also note that car radios work in pretty high temps, and survive while off inside sun-baked cars day after day. That's of course not proof, but it's a hint.

If it were me (and it will be soon) I'd toss it inside a small styrofoam cooler and leave it in the trunk when not in use. My guess is the cycling of the temp extremes found inside a car are much worse for it than the more constant temps in the trunk.

Besides, it's still under warranty; now's the time to find out.

Will

 

[ssclaire]

I live in Florida and the excessive heat is a problem with photographic equipment (car temps easily 140+, trunks just a bit cooler).

I put a cooler in my trunk with a jug or two of water right out of the tap. The water keeps the air at cooler temperatures even longer, lasting for a good part of the day. Eventually, even the air in the cooler will heat up so the water is easily replace with cooler, fresh tap water to extend the time you can keep everything outside.

Anyone found clever ways of dealing with this? Should I bring along an
empty cooler and stick the camera in that? I know some might question

 

[Kurt20127]

Hi Deborah, I often get out to deserts where it hits 120 midday. Here’s what I do if I need to leave my camera in a car: I wrap it in some reflective blankets or cooler w/ a package of “Blue Ice”. If moisture/condensation is going to be a problem, I put it in a ziploc bag. When I remove the camera from the car, I wait until the camera reaches ambient temperature before I remove it from the bag so no condensation develops.

 

[Rob Patterson]

I never leave mine in the car. It's with me at all times while traveling. I keep it in a $20 dollar waist pack made by Eagle Creek. The pack is larger than necessary but contains additional room for filters, converters, lens cleaning stuff, manual, and batteries. It doesn't get in the way. If you slip on a mountain slope and land in the usual part of your anatomy, positioned as such affords ample protection. How many times have you fallen on your waist?

I don't like 120 degree heat. So, the camera never experiences it either. This particular pack has sufficient padding to actually insulate it from my body heat. It's always cool when I remove it from the pack for use. A flap over the zipper keeps rain out for quite a long period so I don't even worry about rain. I've lined mine with a plastic baggy, as the Gor-tex interior is a bit abrasive. Other models are available that have soft interiors for about the same price.

Smaller versions are available that will easily hold the camera. You may miss some really nice unexpected shots if the camera is locked in the trunk.

I wouldn't advise going swimming with this setup, but other than that, I rarely notice it's there!

I was hoping to take my camera up to a farm this weekend, locking it in
the trunk during the days and taking pictures for only a few hours. I
see in the manual that you're not supposed to expose the camera to
temperatures over 120F (? can't remember exactly; don't have it in front
of me), but I'm sure the inside of the car could get that hot, given that
95-100F is predicted outside.

Anyone found clever ways of dealing with this? Should I bring along an
empty cooler and stick the camera in that? I know some might question
the wisdom of keeping the camera in the trunk, but I'm going to a very
rural area and will never be far from the car. I think the camera would
be in more danger if I were to drag it around with me for two whole days,
and I want to be unencumbered for part of the trip.

 

[Mark Lemont]

An aside. Just so happens I left my 990 in the car all day yesterday while at work. The temp reached the mid 80s. When I got home and took the camera out it was noticably warm to the touch. I snaped a few indoor pictures. Available light, ISO 100, slow shutter speeds (I was toying with controlling motion blur). It looked as if my camera had the measles. Red and blue pixles all over the place. Awful. After it acclimated to the indoor temp (30 min or so, I wasn't paying attention) it worked just fine. I can't imagin doing this on a regular or prolonged basis would be of any benifit to the camera.

I was hoping to take my camera up to a farm this weekend, locking it in
the trunk during the days and taking pictures for only a few hours. I
see in the manual that you're not supposed to expose the camera to
temperatures over 120F (? can't remember exactly; don't have it in front
of me), but I'm sure the inside of the car could get that hot, given that
95-100F is predicted outside.

Anyone found clever ways of dealing with this? Should I bring along an
empty cooler and stick the camera in that? I know some might question
the wisdom of keeping the camera in the trunk, but I'm going to a very
rural area and will never be far from the car. I think the camera would
be in more danger if I were to drag it around with me for two whole days,
and I want to be unencumbered for part of the trip.