Taking the Rebel XTi snow skiing?

[bcgvh]

I'm going to be making a trip to Colorado soon to go snow skiing, and I was wanting to take my camera with me while I'm on the slopes. However, I'm curious as to whether or not I could possibly run into problems or even damage my camera by keeping it in freezing temperatures for an extended period of time (all day), not to mention possible contact with moisture (although less concerned about that). Now I've shot many, many times in harsh weather conditions, but usually it was only for a brief time, whereas this time I'd have it out all day. Has anyone else taken their camera skiing, or even been outdoors with it for extended periods of time in freezing temps? I'm just trying to decide if this would be a smart move or not, and if it would risk damaging the camera...

Thanks

 

[Doug Pardee]

I'm curious as to whether or not I could possibly run into problems or even damage my camera by keeping it in freezing temperatures for an extended period of time (all day), not to mention possible contact with moisture (although less concerned about that).

You've got your priorities mixed up. Cold will not damage a camera. Water can totally destroy it beyond repair, by setting up a corrosion process that will slowly eat your camera's electronics. Canon usually won't even quote a repair price on a water-damaged camera.

Personally, I wouldn't take a non-sealed camera into wet conditions like snow. I have a waterproof digicam for that.

If you do take your camera out in the cold, be sure to take along a sealable plastic bag large enough to hold the camera. Before you take the camera back inside, seal it in the bag to keep the warm, humid air out. Once the camera has reached room temperature again, it's safe to take the camera out of the bag.

 

[Oilman]

during our winter vacation and have no problems. There are only a few things to watch for:

1) Have a good snowproof bag and one that will protect the camera if you fall. Keep snow off the camera.

2) When you return from a day outside, warm your camera slowly to prevent condensation. Put it on the windowsill and allow it to return to inside room temperature slowly. If you see condensation do not take it outside again until it is dry.

3) Have a spare battery handy. Battery life decreases significantly in cold weather.

4) Be sure to overexposure your pictures in snow. One to two stops works best for me Otherwise that beautiful snow will be 18% gray.

Others may have other tips





--
The first camera bag you buy is always too small

http://www.flickr.com/geofiz

 

[bcgvh]

Thanks for the tips! I know they will be quite useful! I wasn't thinking much about moisture because A) I wasn't going to take it if it was snowing hard, and B) I've been skiing enough that I'm not too worried about falling with the camera. However, keeping the camera inside a sealed bag would seem like a smart move, so I will definitely be sure to do that. In fact, I'll probably seal it in a bag and then carry it in a backpack when not in use. That still doesn't keep it warm though, so that's why I was wondering if those freezing temperatures would cause any harm after several hours.

 

[costojanku]

Thanks for the tips! I know they will be quite useful! I wasn't thinking much about moisture because A) I wasn't going to take it if it was snowing hard, and B) I've been skiing enough that I'm not too worried about falling with the camera. However, keeping the camera inside a sealed bag would seem like a smart move, so I will definitely be sure to do that. In fact, I'll probably seal it in a bag and then carry it in a backpack when not in use. That still doesn't keep it warm though, so that's why I was wondering if those freezing temperatures would cause any harm after several hours.

I´m not quite sure if you got it fully. You don´t have to keep it inside a sealed (plastic) bag when outside, that´s basically useless, you just keep it in your ordinary camera bag. You have to put it into the (plastic) sealed bag just before entering the warm area (pub, house, whatever) so that the cold camera is isolated and doesn´t get into direct contact with warm air, which would induce condensation and therefore moisture.

 

[Ear Mountain]

I have used my Rebel XTi every winter. I carry it in a regular camera bag and put that in a pack while I am back country skiing. Generally I am out 6-8 hours at a time. I take care to keep snow off the camera and carry an extra battery in a warm pocket. When returning to warm environments I just keep the camera in the bag until it warms up.

The camera can handle the cold. Just take the precautions to keep it dry.

 

[CityLights]

And I agree with your advice.

Some pictures are well worth bringing the camera out. Even though it is kind of hard to skii while looking through the camera viewfinder.



--
CityLights
http://www.pbase.com/citylights
.

 

[GeraldW]

The number one problem with taking a camera skiing is not damage to the camera - it's the damage to you if you fall on it. It's a great way to break a rib if you're skiing on a harder surface.

I always took a smaller, flatter camera with me, and kept it in a side pocket, so it was below my rib cage. My current S90 would have been perfect.
--
Jerry

 

[dsjtecserv]

I'm going to be making a trip to Colorado soon to go snow skiing, and I was wanting to take my camera with me while I'm on the slopes. However, I'm curious as to whether or not I could possibly run into problems or even damage my camera by keeping it in freezing temperatures for an extended period of time (all day), not to mention possible contact with moisture (although less concerned about that). Now I've shot many, many times in harsh weather conditions, but usually it was only for a brief time, whereas this time I'd have it out all day. Has anyone else taken their camera skiing, or even been outdoors with it for extended periods of time in freezing temps? I'm just trying to decide if this would be a smart move or not, and if it would risk damaging the camera...

I take my XTi climbing in the Adirondacks and other cold places several times each winter. There is not reason it can't function fine. Other posters have noted some key considerations and cautions; I just have a couple to add:

-Have a pair of liner gloves or other light gloves under your mitts so you can work the controls without exposing your hands.

-The batteries will be the weak link in all-day cold. The one you leave in the camera will become weak sooner than you normally expct. I'd suggest having several batteries available. Keep the extras in a small bag INSIDE your insulation layers (I hang mine in a bag around my neck) so you can readily change them when needed. The "old" battery will probably regain some charge once it warms up so you can cycle them in and out of the camera a time or two.

-Never put the camera itself inside your insulation layers; that's as humid an environment as you can get. Leave it in your pack or otherwise outside; the cold won't hurt it and if you keep your batteries warm you should be able to shoot all day.



Dave
--
http://www.pbase.com/dsjtecserv

 

[AvyMan]

Deep snow and cold (0 deg F; -18 deg C) turned me back yesterday morning before dawn. Didn't get to my destination for an anticipated sweet sunrise shot. Took an hour to get down out of the backcountry without the photos. But I had to take a picture of something . Here are a couple after reaching a road, watching the sun come up.





Am always really careful about all that's mentioned above. The 450D worked very well--for a while. Then the exposure level indicator in the viewfinder locked up. Thought it might be due to expansion/contraction of parts or electronic contacts. I made some exposure guesses (still shooting manual) and the camera seemed to work fine for the pictures above.

However, I noticed that my breath had been making a coating of frost on some of the camera surfaces. That may have been the real problem if it entered the dial wheel or thumb button areas.

The camera was saying "Let's get out of here." My fingers were screaming "Let's get out of here." The wind chill factor (27 deg below zero) was taking its toll.

Dave suggested above to use glove liners to work the controls. I picked up some today! (Great shot there, too, Dave.)

Here are a couple of other winter shots on a somewhat warmer avalanche rescue day. The 450D worked flawlessly all day.





Bcgvh, enjoy your winter skiing trip to Colorado. Follow the cold weather precautions and don't hesitate shooting a bunch of photos. Just watch out for "bad breath."

(Camera and fingers all worked fine after thawing out.)
--
photography -- a compatable blend of tech and art --