Using Olympus SLR in cold country

[bochikak]

Hi Guys,

Can anyone advise me if it is possible to use Olympus SLR in cold country? What are the measures to prevent freezing and moisture inside the lens? I am using E300 and will be going London which current weather is between 7-15C.

Greatly appreciate your kind advise!!

Cheers,

[Zoobiee]

Was in germany few months back when temperature was between -1 to 5 with freezing rain.

My e510/14-54 seemed unfazed without any extra precautions.

Z

[Mikefellh]

Originally Posted by bochikak Hi Guys, Can anyone advise me if it is possible to use Olympus SLR in cold country? I am using E300 and will be going London which current weather is between 7-15C.

7-15C...I thought you said a cold country!!!

Don't worry about it, that's not cold...not even chilly (although it may seem like that to you)!

If you look in your manual the operating temperatures is 0-40C and 30-90% humidity, but even those limits can be exceeded. I've regularly shot at -10C or even colder.

The danger is going from cold back into warmth, just think what happens to an ice cold drink on a hot summer day, how moisture condenses on the glass. Think of that happening to the circuitry inside the camera (even sealed bodies like the E-1/E-3).

What I normally do is take a large sealable plastic bag with me...when I'm ready to go inside what I do is fill the bag with outside air (do NOT fill the bag by breathing into it), put the camera in it, and seal the bag...then bring in the bag with the camera inside and leave it in the bag for at least 20 minutes until the camera warms up to room temperature.

Note if you do go out below freezing your LCD may slow down or even shut down...the "L" in LCD stands for LIQUID, and its affected by temperature.

[microcosm]

Lowest temperature that the E-3 was operated : -15 degrees C (northern China)
Condensation issue : After shooting in the cold, battery out, camera in bag, all zipped up, brought into vehicle, travelled back to house, took out gear, leave it in the room and not use it for an hour or two.

Note that England can be pretty damp in this time of the year... if you are really kiasi, which I recommend that you do, buy a pack of "thirsty hippo" (dehumidifying pack) and keep it in your camera bag after coming in from outdoors when/where it is wet.

More importantly, what E-System are you using? For E-3 and HG class and up lenses, do nothing. They are weather proof. Make sure when you are indoors, open the camera bag and air it to remove moisture... what I do is to take out the zoom lenses and give them a little work out to remove the damp air that is caught inside the lens when it was outdoors (zoom in and out).

Don't over worry about these little things... most importantly... enjoy your holiday.

[Mikefellh]

While in Niagara Falls (Canada) I shot with my E-300, even changed lenses...I even took my E-300 on Maid of the Mist (the boat that travels to the bottom of the falls, but I don't recommend it...I did use weather sealed lenses, but protected the body from the spray.

[aryanto]

you should worry more on the CF card you have and not the olympus camera.

[microcosm]

Originally Posted by Mikefellh While in Niagara Falls (Canada) I shot with my E-300, even changed lenses...I even took my E-300 on Maid of the Mist (the boat that travels to the bottom of the falls, but I don't recommend it...I did use weather sealed lenses, but protected the body from the spray.

Did similar things as well... but highly NOT recommended...

Originally Posted by aryanto you should worry more on the CF card you have and not the olympus camera.

Solid State Storage is more hardy than the camera anytime bro... anytime...

[egnaro]

dun forget about carry more batt. original preferred

[Octarine]

Originally Posted by microcosm Solid State Storage is more hardy than the camera anytime bro... anytime...

Confirmed. I even dropped a 2GB CF card into sea water. No issue at all after drying.

[microcosm]

TS, 7-15 degrees C is NOT cold at all... maybe a little chilly when there are strong winds, but the camera will happily perform well under those conditions. Batteries should perform normal too. It is only in sub temperatures that battery drain faster, so don't worry too much.

[pisduck]

coldest I ever used the E1 was I think around -10 to -20 deg C, on top of a korean ski resort during sunrise.

the E1 seems pretty ok but my hands really cannot take it. I took out the gloves to shoot but I think after a few minutes cannot take it.

the only thing I noticed malfunctioning was the LCD refresh. I think something froze and the LCD refresh became weird.

7-15deg C really is like normal temp overseas.

[Mikefellh]

Originally Posted by microcosm Solid State Storage is more hardy than the camera anytime bro... anytime...

Yup, memory cards have survived the laundry, even 9/11:
http://www.digitaljournalist.org/iss...gart_intro.htm

The only thing cards have issue with is the radiation from the post when they blast to destroy things like botulism...you don't have to worry about normal X-rays though.

[mojims]

Hmm... I've been to Switzerland and climbed two ice-covered glaciers (using trains of course)... my E-410 stayed intact...

It's just that metering is quite difficult due to the ice...

[blurboiboi]

no prob.. was in korea shooting in temp between -6 to 5 degrees with an E510 last time...
batt drains out fast though...

[Evilmerlin]

Keep your batteries warm to maintain their power. I put them in my jacket close to my body.

[bochikak]

Hi Guys,

Thank you for all the valuable advises!!! First time going to western "cold" country lah...

Anyway thanks to all helpful kind souls!!!

Cheers,

[OlyFlyer]

Originally Posted by bochikak I am using E300 and will be going London which current weather is between 7-15C.

Well, you made me lough...

I thought the title was "Using Olympus SLR in cold country". Where are you going after London? Where I live 7-15C is not an unusual midsummer temperature and when it is cold it looks like this in my garden or drive way.













All these images are taken with the E-500 I had at that time. The only reason I went inside was because my hands were too cold. Don't worry about you camera, 7-15C is well above the operating temperature specs.

[bochikak]

Quote: Well, you made me lough... I thought the title was "Using Olympus SLR in cold country". Where are you going after London? Where I live 7-15C is not an unusual midsummer temperature and when it is cold it looks like this in my garden or drive way.

Ha ha... pls forgive me i have never been to outside asia and using a SLR at the same time. The coldest weather i went to was Korea many year ago and i haven even pick up photography (just how much i missed) To me, below 15 and i am feeling very cold, probably my camera can survive my coming trip and not me... ha ha ha...

Anyway, thank you for the nice picture of your house, you have really assured me.

Cheers

[OlyFlyer]

Originally Posted by bochikak Ha ha... pls forgive me

Don't worry, I did not post it to make you feel stupid or anything like that, I just thought it sounded funny to me. Unfortunately, due to CS limitations, I could not add any smilies unless I left out images. I was hoping you would not feel embarrased and would understand the irony in my post. I am really sorry.

Just to make you feel better, I will tell you a story. I moved to South Africa long time ago, in my early 20's. After five years I returned to Europe, and since I returned in February, the coldest periode, I knew I will need warm clothes, so I bought the warmest stuff I could find. You think that was enough? I was freezing like h*ll upon my arrival. All shops closed for two days, some because of weekend, some because of exceptionally bad weather. My South African winter stuff was good for the Swedish spring, but not for the winter of 1980, almost the coldest in modern times. Fact is, during my five years I forgot how cold is COLD weather, and adjusted my feeling for climate the Africa way. Back than, 6-15C WAS indeed VERY cold.

[Blu-By-U]

Not that bad..Camera will survive that. Only batteries run out of juice faster.

Here is my take.. January I was in Harbin/ North China. temperatures of -18C to -26C depending on time of day and which part you happen to be in.

Batteries are kept in my inner vest near my heart. (talk of keeping your passion at heart) 3 pieces of BLM1. 1 in the camera, 1 on the left vest pocket and 1 on the right. When the camera battery shows low, I swap it with another. First left, then right. The cold battery will revive itself when it's warm. BUT make sure you charge them all at night.

Lens..that's the major headache. Try to keep the lens in as low a temperature as possible. fogging will take place inside the lens if the temperature change is too drastic. My lenses were kept in my sling.

Me..