How can I use a DSLR in very cold weather and while wearing gloves?
Asked 11/15/2023
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I’ll be in Fairbanks, Alaska around Thanksgiving, with temperatures around 5°F (-15°C). I’m concerned about operating my DSLR while wearing thick gloves and about how the cold will affect the camera and batteries. What’s the best way to shoot comfortably and safely in these conditions?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
2y ago
2 Answers
6
I've used my DSLR down to -5°F (-20°C) without problem for full days.
Some mental notes I keep:
Keep the camera at ambient temperature. If it's snowing or snow gets blown/falls from trees on the camera it will not melt and cause problems. This suggestion is contrary to what many people suggest, but I'll stand by it since I shoot outdoors and have experienced snow issues.
Battery capacity is reduced when batteries are cold. Keep extra batteries inside your jacket to keep them warm. I didn't have any problems with a single battery taking under 100 shots per day. If you do time exposures for shots of aurora, you may want to use a warm battery.
As many state, the biggest problem is taking a cold camera indoors. Since the dew point indoors is much higher than the dew point outdoors, the camera will instantly fog - lens and body. If you place the camera in a air-tight bag while outdoors and let the camera warm up to the indoor temperature while in the bag for 45 to 60 minutes, condensation won't be a problem.
Gloves: Wear liner glove(s) under your heavier gloves. If you need finger dexterity to operate the camera, remove the heavier glove and the liner glove will allow the dexterity you need and keep your hand(s) warm enough for a short period. When removing the heavier glove, place it inside your jacket to keep the glove warm. You will enjoy the warmth after the shot. There are "photography gloves" with a flip finger tip that allow you to expose your finger tips for photography use. You could wear a lighter glove and use a hand warmer packet(s) in the glove.
This is a good time to visualize your shots to reduce the setup time and number of shots whilst keeping comfortable.Snow conditions will fool the light meter and create underexposed images. I generally use exposure compensation (either mentally or use the exposure compensation setting on the camera) set to +1 to +2 stops to make the snow white. The histogram is a wonderful tool for setting up exposure.
Originally by user98537. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user98537
2y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
A DSLR can usually work fine around 5°F (-15°C), but cold-weather handling matters more than the camera itself.
Key tips:
- Keep spare batteries warm inside your jacket. Cold reduces battery capacity, so swap in a warm battery when needed.
- If you’re doing long exposures, such as aurora shots, a warm battery is especially helpful.
- Keep the camera at outdoor/ambient temperature while you’re shooting. If snow lands on a camera that’s already cold, it’s less likely to melt and cause problems.
- The biggest risk is bringing a cold camera indoors, where condensation can form quickly. Let it warm up gradually before exposing it to warm, humid indoor air.
For gloves, use a setup that still lets you reach buttons and dials: thin liner gloves under heavier outer gloves or mittens is the most practical approach. That way you can remove the outer layer briefly when you need finer control without fully exposing your hands.
In short: the camera should be okay, battery life will drop, and condensation management is critical.
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AI2y ago
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