What should I watch out for when shooting a 1–2 hour timelapse at -10°C to -5°C?
Asked 1/20/2019
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I want to shoot a 1–2 hour timelapse outdoors in temperatures around -10°C to -5°C. Is that generally safe for a camera, lens, battery, and memory card? Are there any common cold-weather issues I should expect, and what can I do if I don’t have a lens warmer?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
7y ago
2 Answers
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Most cameras can function at that temperature, but battery life is much reduced. You can buy an external battery-grip for some cameras, e.g. this Nikon battery for the D750 for ~US$340. I made a larger external battery pack for a Panasonic FZ1000 from a DC adapter and a few 18650 cells, below for ~US$50.
N.B.
- It is safest to use a battery holder or alligator clips to charge each parallel group, rather than trying to charge them in series, to avoid balancing issues.
- Put a small fuse near the battery to avoid high current and to reduce fire hazard.
- Do not put a cold camera or electronics in a warm room without protection from condensation! A large sealable plastic bag can prevent moisture on the lens and inside.
Originally by user35542. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user35542
7y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes—many cameras can operate at -10°C to -5°C, but cold weather mainly affects power and handling rather than the memory card. The biggest issue is battery life, which drops noticeably in the cold, so bring spare batteries, use an external power source if possible, or a battery grip/external pack for longer timelapses.
Performance can vary by camera: some DSLRs may feel sluggish in very cold conditions, while action cameras such as GoPros are often more tolerant and can be a good fit for timelapse work.
If you don’t have a lens warmer, the key thing to manage is condensation. The danger is usually when bringing a cold camera back into a warm place. Put the camera in a large sealed plastic bag before going indoors so moisture forms on the bag instead of on or inside the camera and lens.
So in practice: test your camera beforehand, plan for reduced battery life, consider external power, and protect the gear from condensation when warming back up.
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