Cold weather considerations?

[laz]

As I stepped outside with my pups this morning and realized Fall was really here and Winter was around the corner, I began to wonder if there are any particular equipment issues in LF cold weather photography?

My 8x10 is wood so I know the simple laws of physics tells me less condensation issues for the camera as a whole, but how about lenses especially our older types?

-Bob

 

[matt miller]

You'll get condensation on the ground glass if you exhale under the dark cloth. It's harmless, but annoying. I always exercise old shutters a few times before making an exposure. This is especially important in cold weather. I'm sure you know all about condensation issues with cold gear going into a warm house/car.

 

[r-brian]

I agree with Matt. Test your shutters before taking a shot. Last week my shutter on my SA 90, that works perfectly in the house, opened but did not close at zero degree wind chill above 10,500 feet. Not the time to find out.

Brian

 

[dphphoto]

Another instance where us LF'ers have it over the roll film folks. We don't have LED's and electronic shutters to worry about.
But...keep your meter warm. I usually have mine in an inside pocket of my coat, and I keep an extra battery around.
Also, I don't keep my car too warm. But Matt above mentioned something about that.
Dean

 

[wildbill]

I carry a piece of flexible tubing to breath through to prevent gg fog. It looks funny but doesn't someone with their head and shoulders standing under a white t shirt also.

 

[KenM]

Great advice above, especially the part about keeping your meter warm.

I would also suggest a pair of thin gloves that you can nest inside another pair of heavier gloves/mittens. This way, you can take of the 'keep my hands warm' gloves, and make adjustments with your hands still somewhat protected from the elements.

Also, when you take your camera bag inside after being in the cold for a while, don't open the bag immediately. Let it rise slowly to room temperature to avoid condensation on your lenses.

 

[John Cook]

One additional tidbit: take it easy, whipping those darkslides in and out. 'Tis also the season for horrendous static electricity.

 

[User Removed]

I often go out shooting in the middle of snowstorms, so here are some things I can suggest you taking.

First, an extra darkcloth. If your shooting in the snow, usually one will get wet or you will use the other for covering the camera. You can also take a trashbag or thick fabric to throw over the camera bellows, and leave the lens barly sticking out to focus, and make the exposure.

I have always used older lens/shutters...and they ALWAYS stick open on me! This past year, I started using new shutters (Copal) and I have yet to have it stick open.

I put that "No Fog" stuff that they use in snorkle/scuba masks...on my ground glass. This stops it from getting fogged up really bad.

A good lens hood is always a smart thing to have in blowing snow ect. It keeps stuff off the shutter and lens, unless its blowing into the camera of course.

Also, if its snowing when you pull out your darkslide, COVER IT RIGHT AWAY. You do not want snowflakes landing on your darkslide, then it being put back into the film holder and getting water spots on your film when they melt!

Have fun shooting during the winter and take advantage of it! It is my favorite time of the year to photography and their is nothing more exciting then hiking thru waist deep snow with an 8x10 over your sholder!

Ryan McIntosh

 

[laz]

Glad I asked the question; those darkslide issues I would have had to learn the hard way!

I gotta agree with Ryan on winter. It's pretty obvious why us B&W folks would enjoy the stark, well what else to call them, B&W scenes.

-Bob