 Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2014 3:24 pm Post subject: batteries expire sooner |
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paulhofseth wrote:
Years ago when I spent somewhat more time outdoors than nowadays, I sometimes stayed in tents and snowcaves in winter. A waste of rucksack space and weight quota carrying thermometres, but according to meteorlogists temeratures often were below -5C to -10C and sometimes very cold. After a night in a tent, the photogear held the same temperature. We were more concerned with the practicalities of getting to our aim than with taking pictures.
My little Bolex 2x8 and my Leica M3 worked without any problems, although it was rumoured that film would snap if cold enough. The most mechanically complicated lens I can remember once using in -10 or so, was an Angenieux 90mm Alitar with the strange wheel for setting the aperture. No problem.
Only caveat; if bringing cold equipment into a warm room, keep it in a closed duvet pocket or a fairly tight bag.
In tha past, only light meters had batteries -and before that they did without. Nowadays batteries are essential, and cold batteries have less capacity. I have had the more recent elctromechanical marvels stop working due to low batteries, but not because cold mechanics. On the other hand i have not had the cameras go colder than say -10.
In winter I do not usually bring anything which does not fit in a duvet pocket, so my few big autofocus optics rarely meet less than 0C. They might get sluggish and eat more currrent than usual.
p. |
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