Electronic camera sluggish when cold. Would this worry you?

bvy · Mar 18, 2018

I bought a small but expensive point and shoot from an online seller recently. It's all electronic -- auto focus, advance, rewind, etc. It arrived and sat in the cold (around 25F) on my front stoop for several hours. When I brought it in, I immediately opened the box and powered it on. It didn't do much. Power came on but the lens didn't extend. Shutter wouldn't fire. It was very cold to the touch. After several minutes (and it warmed up) everything worked as expected. But now I'm nervous. I'm not in the habit of freezing my cameras, so I don't know if this is normal. Even outdoors on a cold day, I keep it on my person. It's a Yashica T4 and runs on a CR123A battery. It's in superb condition otherwise -- looks like it was gently used, and it has a later serial number...

Willyekerslike · Mar 18, 2018

Hi,

When a battery gets very cold it will operate a camera as you describe if at all. Thats just what batteries are like.

On bringing the camera inside and opening it straight away, well thats a bit of a mistake. Cold camera in a warm house = condensation. Would have been better to let it sit in the parcel for a couple of hours. When I have been out with my camera in the very cold I slip it into a ziplok bag before taking it into the house, let it sit for an hour or so to warm up. No condensation in the camera or lens that way.

I think your camera will be ok, just a cold battery problem.

Regards...W

adelorenzo · Mar 18, 2018

That's not nearly cold enough to seriously affect the camera operations. Probably just weak battery power.

Is it a lithium battery? If not I would replace it with one, they make a huge difference in the cold.

WilmarcoImaging · Mar 18, 2018

Weak and/or cold battery. Replace with a fresh battery and give it a go.

Les Sarile · Mar 18, 2018

As I understand it, all CR123A batteries are lithium which I wouldn't suspect would loose power like that. Now that it's been warmed up, is it still sluggish?

bvy · Mar 18, 2018

Les Sarile said:
As I understand it, all CR123A batteries are lithium which I wouldn't suspect would loose power like that. Now that it's been warmed up, is it still sluggish?

Not at all. Strange behavior lasted maybe two minutes. I cycled the power a couple times and it was fine.

Sirius Glass · Mar 18, 2018

Batteries do not do well when cold. You may need fresh batteries, but cold weather effects the camera's operation. That is one of many reasons that I prefer all mechanical cameras.

Les Sarile · Mar 18, 2018

bvy said:
Not at all. Strange behavior lasted maybe two minutes. I cycled the power a couple times and it was fine.

I suspect there are gears and lubricants that are affected by the cold. Unfortunately all moving parts are subject to some wear over time and use.

Sirius Glass said:
Batteries do not do well when cold. You may need fresh batteries, but cold weather effects the camera's operation. That is one of many reasons that I prefer all mechanical cameras.

Since the batteries are lithium, I don't suspect it to fail in this manner. Depending on era of camera, the mechanical and electronic versions are equally susceptible to cold weather due to the condition and types of lubricants.

BrianShaw · Mar 18, 2018

Isn’t that camera 20 or do years old? It probably needs a good servicing. That’s not strange or unusual to me.

benjiboy · Mar 18, 2018

It's a fact of physics that batteries don't give out power at low temperatures..

Les Sarile · Mar 18, 2018

benjiboy said:
It's a fact of physics that batteries don't give out power at low temperatures..

Different chemical compositions of the batteries are affected by environmental temperatures differently. Lithium cel dishcarge characteristics have a far wider temperature tolerance then alkaline for instance.

guangong · Mar 18, 2018

Sirius Glass said:
Batteries do not do well when cold. You may need fresh batteries, but cold weather effects the camera's operation. That is one of many reasons that I prefer all mechanical cameras.

Ditto.
Also, leave camera in camera bag, case, pocket or under jacket to warm up gradually so as to avoid condensation when coming in from the cold. The reverse is also true; stepping outdoors in Florida during the summer from a frigid Florida dwelling will cause camera to fog up.

Paul Howell · Mar 18, 2018

BrianShaw said:
Isn’t that camera 20 or do years old? It probably needs a good servicing. That’s not strange or unusual to me.

+1, it's a nice camera, I would have it serviced as a matter of course.

Sirius Glass · Mar 18, 2018

Paul Howell said:
+1, it's a nice camera, I would have it serviced as a matter of course.

+1

bvy · Mar 18, 2018

Paul Howell said:
+1, it's a nice camera, I would have it serviced as a matter of course.

I would happily, but have had no luck finding someone.

film_man · Mar 21, 2018

Really sound like a weak battery that warmed up and got working. Bear in mind that it could be sitting in a cold warehouse and van as well before spending half a day in the cold outside your front door. That would make the battery even weaker. I would just get a new battery and not worry about it.

Russ - SVP · Mar 23, 2018

adelorenzo said:
That's not nearly cold enough to seriously affect the camera operations. Probably just weak battery power.

Is it a lithium battery? If not I would replace it with one, they make a huge difference in the cold.

Yes. Go with lithium battery.

KK

Fritzthecat · Mar 23, 2018

Prolonged exposure to cold will definitely affect the lubricants, servo's, and battery in the camera. Keep the little gem in a pocket when it's cold out and you should be fine.

removed account4 · Mar 23, 2018

everything is sluggish in the cold, people too.

Electronic camera sluggish when cold. Would this worry you?

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