Need Help: Using Sony A300 in sub zero

[asthio88]

Hi all,

I am heading to Korea and understand the temperature is currently below 0degC. I wonder whether A300 (with the kit lenses) is able to handle and works ok. Appreciate your comments on the same and maybe other points that I should take note of.

Many thanks & cheers...

[jammerwong]

Hi Asthio88,

My A-300 survived the 4th station at Mount Fuji just last week. I am not sure the temperature, but I guess it should be closed to 0. My children were having snow fights.
Its my hands that cannot take the cold....

Happy holiday....

[Rashkae]

1. Yes.

2. Try a search, there are MANY such threads here.

[asthio88]

Originally Posted by jammerwong Hi Asthio88, My A-300 survived the 4th station at Mount Fuji just last week. I am not sure the temperature, but I guess it should be closed to 0. My children were having snow fights. Its my hands that cannot take the cold.... Happy holiday....

hi jammerwong, thanks for the help cheers....

Originally Posted by Rashkae 1. Yes. 2. Try a search, there are MANY such threads here.

i did run a search, there are MANY bt thr was no mention specifically on A300, just want to be sure. thanks anyway.

[psdcrdsc]

the worry shld be more on batteries than the camera. lithium batteries can last much better in cold. no worries

[asthio88]

Originally Posted by psdcrdsc the worry shld be more on batteries than the camera. lithium batteries can last much better in cold. no worries

yup, thts one of my concern too so bought an extra oem battery to go along with 2 original batts..

[boombox]

Originally Posted by asthio88 Hi all, I am heading to Korea and understand the temperature is currently below 0degC. I wonder whether A300 (with the kit lenses) is able to handle and works ok. Appreciate your comments on the same and maybe other points that I should take note of. Many thanks & cheers...

Yes, it should handle okay...

Rashkae - brought his a100 (a300's predecessor) to the top of mount Kilimanjaro (sub zero, with glaciers) - and it worked fine there. So the a300 shouldn't have any problem as well.


It helps to keep your batteries warm. - Do keep the extra batteries tucked inside an inner pocket under your coat.

My last trip to Mount Kinabalu averaged about 6 deg w/o wind chill at 3000m and colder temperatures at the top. Taking more degrees down is the wind chill. While batteries do last a little shorter in the cold. It really works well - and I see that the only cameras that were snapping away without a blip at the summit are the DSLRs - most P n S cameras (that I see at the top of the mountain) are fumbling.

It helps to keep your batteries warm in your inner pockets under your coat and you can cycle them when they start to give up, bringing a warm one into use. I had to make a battery change - cycling a 1/2 full battery when it showed up with lesser charge when I reached the summit. The second battery lasted the whole day - and the battery that was cycled subsequently regained its charge after it had been warmed.

[Rashkae]

Originally Posted by asthio88 i did run a search, there are MANY bt thr was no mention specifically on A300, just want to be sure. thanks anyway.

It's the same advice in general no matter what cam.

also, remember that your camera was designed in Japan, where it gets very cold too... So of course it'll work!

[Rashkae]

Originally Posted by boombox Yes, it should handle okay... Rashkae - brought his a100 (a300's predecessor) to the top of mount Kilimanjaro (sub zero, with glaciers) - and it worked fine there. So the a300 shouldn't have any problem as well.

Aiyaaaa... You still remember that? Dang bro!

[asthio88]

hi Rashkae, boombox, thanks for the help
leaving tonight, hopefully end results is ok
cheers....

[pipo999]

Originally Posted by Rashkae It's the same advice in general no matter what cam. also, remember that your camera was designed in Japan, where it gets very cold too... So of course it'll work!

It does not neccesarily mean that the camera's are tested under the stated conditions. Tests normally take place in lab environments. All electronic equipment (apart from camera's) may fail if thresholds of operability are reached.

Give you a nice example; every computer manufacturer will state that the equipment can run under high temperatures, up to 50 degrees Celcius. Absolutely true but they don't tell you for how long.

Similar stories with batteries, which is most likely your biggest concern here. They will perform but drain enormously at the same time, due to the stated conditions. Advice, protect electronics to the max and don't complain if it fails (and/or cause a total breakdown), that is simply a risk you are willing to take.

[boombox]

Originally Posted by Rashkae Aiyaaaa... You still remember that? Dang bro!

Yes, I do remember that in particular.

Originally Posted by asthio88 hi Rashkae, boombox, thanks for the help leaving tonight, hopefully end results is ok cheers....

Have a good trip!

[doomslayerz]

is there any chance that the lcd screen would freeze?

[Rashkae]

Originally Posted by pipo999 It does not neccesarily mean that the camera's are tested under the stated conditions. Tests normally take place in lab environments. All electronic equipment (apart from camera's) may fail if thresholds of operability are reached.

And immediately after that, Sony sends sample units and reviewers out to all corners of the earth to test it. Some get sent to northern canada (cold!), others to southern china and thailand, and others to australia.

That's how you properly test a camera.

[Rashkae]

Originally Posted by doomslayerz is there any chance that the lcd screen would freeze?

No.

[pipo999]

Originally Posted by Rashkae And immediately after that, Sony sends sample units and reviewers out to all corners of the earth to test it. Some get sent to northern canada (cold!), others to southern china and thailand, and others to australia. That's how you properly test a camera.

Sure they do, and still they fail every now and then although the assumption is that they don't. Don't patronize me, I too have seen the sample shots of the guy holding a prototype 900 in Alaska. I'm working for more then 20 years in high-resilient environments and teach on similar topics and guess I pretty much know what I am talking about.

[Rashkae]

Originally Posted by pipo999 Sure they do, and still they fail every now and then although the assumption is that they don't. Don't patronize me, I too have seen the sample shots of the guy holding a prototype 900 in Alaska. I'm working for more then 20 years in high-resilient environments and teach on similar topics and guess I pretty much know what I am talking about.

I'm not patronizing you. I'm just stating that it's a fallacy to assume tests are only done in a lab environment without actual environmental testing. With your experience, I'm sure you'd agree to that statement at least.

[pipo999]

I totally understand the level of testing, unfortunately there is no fool proof scenario for electronics once released to the field. No hard feelings though, don't get me wrong.

[tgtan]

Originally Posted by asthio88 Hi all, I am heading to Korea and understand the temperature is currently below 0degC. I wonder whether A300 (with the kit lenses) is able to handle and works ok. Appreciate your comments on the same and maybe other points that I should take note of. Many thanks & cheers...

i guess the only thing to take note is not to get up the tour bus without putting it back to your camera bag. great change in temperature may cause problem.

-13.9degree

[asthio88]

hi guys, just to update, my cam work fine while in korea. lowest temp at -7degC, average 0degC bt really chilly. no battery discharge problem, was able to take bout 600 odd shots/charge. zooming & manual focusing isn't as smooth. one little problem, when using slow shutter (long exposure), there's a very distinct noise. tried again when back in singapore, the noise can still be heard. is this normal for sony cam?

some shots taken while in the ski resort, last pic is of the sweet ski instructor will post more in the gallery section. thanks again for all the help & comments.

cheers,