Just to share some tips to operating cameras in very cold conditions:
Because I am not very organised to purchase a camera that has been marketed for cold climes, used a friend's pentax, optio digital camera. It worked well and the ONLY damage was not cold related. Unfortunately my buddy accidently cracked the LCD, hitting it on a lump of ice.
1. Use lithium batteries - lasted all the way for the 4 weeks of photo taking.
2. Did keep the camera warm most of the time before usage (in my battery warming bra!). Camera does cool down very quickly once exposed to the air but still operated fine. Do note that you might like to keep electrical/batteries in a plastic bag before putting it next to the skin. One lass from another expedition suffered electrical burns from her batteries for her satellite phone.
3. Wrapped camera in a soft plastic material used to cover keyboards and keep them dry! Did this to prevent snow and condensation entering the camera as would be using the camera outside and inside tent. Temperature differentials will cause condensation.
Outside temps ranged from -40 degrees to a balmy -23 degrees C on the final day.
Inside temps got up to about 20 degrees C at the top of the tent.
Pictures have come out as well as an inexperienced photo taker like myself can expect
Like to share with you a picture of our mega star Arctic hotel. Was trying to capture the sun dog around the sun. Picture was taken at about 9pm.
Because I am not very organised to purchase a camera that has been marketed for cold climes, used a friend's pentax, optio digital camera. It worked well and the ONLY damage was not cold related. Unfortunately my buddy accidently cracked the LCD, hitting it on a lump of ice.
1. Use lithium batteries - lasted all the way for the 4 weeks of photo taking.
2. Did keep the camera warm most of the time before usage (in my battery warming bra!). Camera does cool down very quickly once exposed to the air but still operated fine. Do note that you might like to keep electrical/batteries in a plastic bag before putting it next to the skin. One lass from another expedition suffered electrical burns from her batteries for her satellite phone.
3. Wrapped camera in a soft plastic material used to cover keyboards and keep them dry! Did this to prevent snow and condensation entering the camera as would be using the camera outside and inside tent. Temperature differentials will cause condensation.
Outside temps ranged from -40 degrees to a balmy -23 degrees C on the final day.
Inside temps got up to about 20 degrees C at the top of the tent.
Pictures have come out as well as an inexperienced photo taker like myself can expect
Like to share with you a picture of our mega star Arctic hotel. Was trying to capture the sun dog around the sun. Picture was taken at about 9pm.