Ambient Temperature?

YOT

Senior Member
I'm just curious about the camera working in a frigid climate. Is it ok to leave it in a car all day is sub-freezing temps and use it in those conditions? I can't seem to find anything about that.
 

AC016

Senior Member
In your manual, there should be a line in the specs which states what the operating limits are. The upper temp and lower temp shown are most likely minimums and if you choose to operate your camera in temperatures above or below given numbers, you run the risk of a malfunction. I would say that leaving you camera in the car all day in sub-zero temps is probably not the best idea.
 

YOT

Senior Member
In your manual, there should be a line in the specs which states what the operating limits are. The upper temp and lower temp shown are most likely minimums and if you choose to operate your camera in temperatures above or below given numbers, you run the risk of a malfunction. I would say that leaving you camera in the car all day in sub-zero temps is probably not the best idea.

Thanks. Note that I didn't say "sub-zero".
 

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
As mentioned the manual states the range of temperatures under which normal operation can be expected - outside that all bets are off. More important than whether or not you leave you camera equipment in a sub-zero car is how you bring it back up to room temperature since condensation can wreak havoc in both bodies and lenses. Even a warm, dry house has more humidity than the outside air, so you want to bring the temp up slowly, and if possible in a sealed environment like a large ziplok that gets put on outside in the cold.
 

YOT

Senior Member
As mentioned the manual states the range of temperatures under which normal operation can be expected - outside that all bets are off. More important than whether or not you leave you camera equipment in a sub-zero car is how you bring it back up to room temperature since condensation can wreak havoc in both bodies and lenses. Even a warm, dry house has more humidity than the outside air, so you want to bring the temp up slowly, and if possible in a sealed environment like a large ziplok that gets put on outside in the cold.

Usually in a nice warm, dehumidified safe. Also, I ALWAYS safe those little desiccant packets that come in pill bottles and bubble wrapped packages and such. Those go in the dehumidified safe, too, to keep them fresh. Those are perfect for inside the ziplok bag as you mentioned. I intend to take a short walk today with the camera. It's about 28°F outside with partly sunny sky and light wind. It's fairly dry. I'll let you know how it goes.

Side note: I always wondered why some places still use Celsius, when Fahrenheit is so much more accurate, temperature wise.
 

AC016

Senior Member
Usually in a nice warm, dehumidified safe. Also, I ALWAYS safe those little desiccant packets that come in pill bottles and bubble wrapped packages and such. Those go in the dehumidified safe, too, to keep them fresh. Those are perfect for inside the ziplok bag as you mentioned. I intend to take a short walk today with the camera. It's about 28°F outside with partly sunny sky and light wind. It's fairly dry. I'll let you know how it goes.

Side note: I always wondered why some places still use Celsius, when Fahrenheit is so much more accurate, temperature wise.

Most countries in the world use Celsius. Those that use Farenheit include: USA, Bahamas, Belize, Cayman Islands, Palau, American Samoa and the US Virgin Islands. Puerto Rico and Guam use either Celsius or a mix of both.
 

Fred Kingston

Senior Member
Nikon lists the temp variables for the D3200 as 32º to 104º... with a humidity of less than 85%.. It's on that camera's spec page for all the Nikon cameras...

edited to add: That would be Fahrenheit
 

pk63015

Senior Member
Most countries in the world use Celsius. Those that use Farenheit include: USA, Bahamas, Belize, Cayman Islands, Palau, American Samoa and the US Virgin Islands. Puerto Rico and Guam use either Celsius or a mix of both.

To Canadians us " Southern Boys " just don't like the Metric System..we have fought this battle for nye on 40 Years !!! ;) ;)
 

Rob Bye

Senior Member
I have no idea why people get worried about this. Any camera I've used in extreme cold worked just fine. My D300 has seen frequent use down to -45C. So far, my new D7100 has only seen -35C, but winter is just getting started here. The only trick is to power the camera up on occasion - and of course take a few images every now and then.
 

paul04

Senior Member
I personally would not leave my camera in the car in freezing temperatures if I did not have to,

could you not take it with you, or leave it at home.
 

YOT

Senior Member
I personally would not leave my camera in the car in freezing temperatures if I did not have to,

could you not take it with you, or leave it at home.

Unfortunately, I very often have to opt to leave my camera at home because of the weather, and several other factors.

As far as working in the cold today it did fine, as expected. It was definitely too cold to sit and wait for any birds or wildlife, although I did see a deer running a couple hundred yards away. The skies clouded up and the wind was strong. I did take some photos that I'll be posting in other sections.
 
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