Leica M9 and below zero temperatures

[brownbagboy]

Hey guys!

Just wanted to ask if it will be ok to use the m9 in below zero temperatures as I was thinking of using it to photograph the aurora borealis...

Has anyone here tried to photograph the northern lights using the m9 with success?

Should I just use my canon 5Dmk 2 instead?

Thanks in advance!

 

[nsng]

Hey guys!

Just wanted to ask if it will be ok to use the m9 in below zero temperatures as I was thinking of using it to photograph the aurora borealis...

Has anyone here tried to photograph the northern lights using the m9 with success?

Should I just use my canon 5Dmk 2 instead?






Thanks in advance!

Last Dec, I used the M8 in Inner Mongolia, where the temp dropped to -25C. Unfortunately, it stopped working after about 20 min. I believe the M9 uses the same battery as the M8. Fortunately, my M240 worked perfectly. The M240 battery has a larger capacity.

 

[shierwin]

Cameras should work... but batteries "lifespan" is shortened in the cold. Bring extra batteries

 

[nsng]

At extremely low temperature, the battery internal increases and the output drops. However, once the battery is brought back to room temperature, it functions normally. The focusing and zoom functions in one of my R lenses became stiffer at this low temperature. Others with DSLR have reported the AF became sluggish. But for shooting landscape, AF is not really necessary. You could use chemical heat packs to keep the camera and batteries warm. Of course keep yourself warm as well! Good luck.

 

[brownbagboy]

Thanks so much fellas… I was planning on keeping the batteries inside socks until it was time to shoot hehe

 

[crispy12]

Thanks so much fellas… I was planning on keeping the batteries inside socks until it was time to shoot hehe

Keep your batteries in your inside jacket pocket so that they are close to you. Your body heat will keep them warm. No use keeping them in socks (unless socks are on your feet already!)

 

[Redsun]

no worries your M9 will work well
i brought it with me to iceland to shoot the aurora

 

[brownbagboy]

Redsun that's EXACTLY what I was intending to do! Share some pics??

Travel tips too for this would be great lol

 

[brownbagboy]

Keep your batteries in your inside jacket pocket so that they are close to you. Your body heat will keep them warm. No use keeping them in socks (unless socks are on your feet already!)

Lol yeah... What's clear is really to keep the batteries warm

 

[brownbagboy]

no worries your M9 will work well
i brought it with me to iceland to shoot the aurora

btw, how long did a full battery on the m9 last you once you put it in?

 

[Redsun]

btw, how long did a full battery on the m9 last you once you put it in?

hmm iirc i had to charge at the end of everyday
i brought 2 batteries with me so i could alt them

 

[Redsun]

Redsun that's EXACTLY what I was intending to do! Share some pics??

Travel tips too for this would be great lol

here's my iceland album

https://www.flickr.com/photos/redsun81/sets/72157631871318580/

 

[artspraken]

Theoretically its a question what is the temperature. If it is low enough the chemical reaction of the battery wont happen to create electricity. I cannot remember what temperature is threshold for battery chemicals like lithium. There is alot of literature on the internet.

 

[jrdlim]

here's my iceland album

https://www.flickr.com/photos/redsun81/sets/72157631871318580/

Beautiful images.. what focal length lens did you use for the landscape shots?

 

[Redsun]

Beautiful images.. what focal length lens did you use for the landscape shots?

Thank you
i was using a 28mm

 

[jrdlim]

Thank you
i was using a 28mm

Thanks Redsun.... with a M8, that's about 35mm equivalent. The landscape shots look really wide angle

 

[Redsun]

Thanks Redsun.... with a M8, that's about 35mm equivalent. The landscape shots look really wide angle

You're welcome
oh sorry i forgot to mention,there're a few panos in there :bsmilie:

 

[miniform]

why not shoot with film? i travel with my m6 and m7 in northern japan during the winter. the m7 doesn't work well deal to the low tempature, while m6 work perfectly since it is a mechanical camera.