Shooting in sub-zero conditions

[Don Wallace]

If I am shooting outdoors in temperatures well below the freezing point, it seems to me that large format film would freeze inside the holder. Is this a problem? Does it affect exposure? Any thoughts on this?

 

[bfurner]

I have shot large-format in sub-freezing conditions without any noticeable problem with the film (TMX and HP4). One problem I have had in such conditions is with the copal shutters on a few lenses running slow because of the cold. This isn't an issue with timed or bulb exposures obviously, but at faster shutter speeds, you might want to run some tests before you shoot.

 

[Phillip P. Dimor]

The coldest i've shot in was about -2F with wind chill. I used a speed graphic with focal plane shutter and had no issues but -2F with wind chill isn't that cold I suppose. I agree with the last poster and have heard the same about older hasselblad lenses getting slow in very cold weather.
The film otherwise was fine. My metal tripod was the worst part but I guess that's another post.

 

[mabman]

...
The film otherwise was fine. My metal tripod was the worst part but I guess that's another post.

You're not supposed to lick it. Silly Americans...

 

[panastasia]

The late Fred Picker would always run the shutter a few times in cold weather - to warm it up - then make the exposure.

 

[PhotoJim]

The coldest i've shot in was about -2F with wind chill. I used a speed graphic with focal plane shutter and had no issues but -2F with wind chill isn't that cold I suppose. I agree with the last poster and have heard the same about older hasselblad lenses getting slow in very cold weather.
The film otherwise was fine. My metal tripod was the worst part but I guess that's another post.

Wind chill won't affect your gear significantly. Your gear will cool off a little more quickly than it will with less wind, but it will still only cool to ambient temperature.

I've never been brave enough to drag my larger gear out into the winter air, but I've done a lot of 35mm photography at -20 C and below. Battery life is a serious issue so having good mechanically-timed shutters in good operating condition is very desirable.

As far as film holders go, I doubt you'd see any issues. You can get static marks on 35mm film shooting in very dry, cold air, when you rewind the film. If the dark slides contact sheet film you might have the same happen, but as best as I can determine, they don't.

The comfort of the operator is always going to be the tricky issue. Large format photography is not fast. Dress warmly, put some of those heating pads into your gloves, and consider having a thin set of gloves underneath a warm pair of thicker gloves (or better, mittens, which keep your fingers warmer) so that you can remove the outer layer from your fingers but still have protection against the cold and wind.

 

[bfurner]

Another minor annoyance in shooting LF in cold conditions is occasional fogging of the ground glass and/or focusing loupe when you get under the darkcloth since your breath and body heat are so much warmer than the camera.

 

[Eric Rose]

Another minor annoyance in shooting LF in cold conditions is occasional fogging of the ground glass and/or focusing loupe when you get under the darkcloth since your breath and body heat are so much warmer than the camera.

use a swimming snorkel. works great and makes you look really scary. No one will come around and bug you.

 

[nworth]

I've shot at about -10F. There is no problem with the film. Some people have shutter problems (the lubricant freezes or the parts rub together too closely and stick), but I didn't encounter this. The main problem is condensation when moving between warm and cold. With view cameras, this can be a problem inside the camera as well as outside. There is usually no problem going from warm to cold (but check anyway), but going from cold to warm can be a nightmare. If possible, keep your camera and lenses out in the cold. Batteries sometime fail in the cold, so keep the light meter in a warm pocket except while using it.

 

[tim_bessell]

That's really funny, Eric!!!

Seriously, one point to remember when shooting in the cold, enclose your camera/lens in a plastic bag BEFORE returning indoor to a warm house. Keep the gear in the plastic bag until it reaches room temperature. This will prevent damaging condensation from forming inside the lens.

Of course everyone knows this already, just a reminder. thanX

 

[MurrayMinchin]

I've been to -20C without any film/exposure/shutter issues at all. Be sure to hold your breath whenever you're close to the ground glass or setting the lenses aperture, and to let your camera bag warm up slowly when you bring it back in the house. I've never had static electricity problems, but then again I live in a moist environment. Go for it

Murray

 

[tim_bessell]

Looks like nworth bet me to it by several minutes, lol

I fogged a lens a little going from an air conditioned house to the outdoors on a very warm humid day. I noticed it in time to return to the cold environment and prevent any damage. Wrapped the camera in a bag and left it outside for awhile before use.

 

[richard ide]

A snorkel is fine but you have to walk backwards to keep the tips of the fins from digging in to the snow.

 

[Uncle Goose]

Leaf shutters tend to go slower if it's too cold. I never use my Bronica Etrsi in the winter because it tends to go slow on the speeds. The meopta Flexaret IV I use in the winter is also a leafshutter but seems to hold out a little better.

 

[Phillip P. Dimor]

Mr. Mabman, I would post some sort of witty reply but unfortunately I can not come up with one. Instead, I would like to explain why I want to leave America and emigrate to Canada. I hear you have universal health care. I like the snow. Snow shoes are cool. I like Tim Hortons. Also, Canadian women have sexy accents. Why is dual citizenship so difficult? *sigh*

 

[film_guy]

Philip, you don't need dual citizenship to stay in Canada. All you need is a Permanent Residence. And not all provinces (states) in Canada have universal health care. Snow is fun, until you have to shovel through 3 feet of it to get out of your house. Sure, our currency is stronger than yours right now, but we still overpay for many of the same items you get in the US. Can't complain about Tim Horton's, and can't comment on the women here since I'm into Asian women only (no offence to the other races, but I'm of Asian heritage).

 

[vdoak]

The biggest problem I have exerienced shooting 4x5 here in Norway in the winter is condensation. Just like taking film out of the freezer, when I come back in to a heated area I let all my camera gear/film warm up slowly. If I will only be inside for a short time I let my gear and film stay out. I do keep a set of batteries for my light meter on an inside pocket.

Victor

 

[analogfotog]

Mr. Mabman, I would post some sort of witty reply but unfortunately I can not come up with one. Instead, I would like to explain why I want to leave America and emigrate to Canada. I hear you have universal health care. I like the snow. Snow shoes are cool. I like Tim Hortons. Also, Canadian women have sexy accents. Why is dual citizenship so difficult? *sigh*

Universal health care? Now THERE is a can of worms! Yeah it's "universal" all right; it's also coming apart at the seams, at least here in Ontario. And no, you can't purchase supplemental health care insurance. Canada stands tall, being one of only three countries in the world where you are not allowed to purchase said insurance...the other two being Cuba and North Korea. For what we pay in taxes, we should be getting the best system in the world...but it isn't. Sorry; this isn't supposed to be a political forum. Do yourself a favor and query a bunch of Canadians BEFORE you make your move.

You like snow, or just think you like snow? We had enough of it this past winter; we came within about 8 inches of the all-time record, the winter of 1970-71. If you think that the 8-foot high banks along my driveway were something to be desired, then next time it snows (maybe Wednesday of this week, the weather forecasters say), YOU can come and remove it! My nine year old grandson likes to run my snowblower (under my close supervision, of course!), and declared that he would help me every time it snows. Feel free to get in on the action; I'll be inside, with a hot cup of coffee, watching.

Tim Hortons? I prefer Dunkin' Donuts, myself. I have a friend who lives in Texas; every time he gets to Ottawa, he fills up his trunk with gallon cans of Timmy's best, to sustain him, until his next trip north.

No argument about about the women; they ARE sexy. And I'm married to the best looking one of them all!

 

[AgX]

That's really funny, Eric!!!Seriously, one point to remember when shooting in the cold, enclose your camera/lens in a plastic bag BEFORE returning indoor to a warm house. Keep the gear in the plastic bag until it reaches room temperature. This will prevent damaging condensation from forming inside the lens.
Of course everyone knows this already, just a reminder. thanX

The inside of a lens would (if at all) show condensation if taken into the cold.
Bringing it from a cold into a warmer environment would lead to condensation of water vapour from that environment onto the outer parts of the lens.

 

[PhotoJim]

Universal health care? Now THERE is a can of worms! Yeah it's "universal" all right; it's also coming apart at the seams, at least here in Ontario. And no, you can't purchase supplemental health care insurance.

Are you sure? You can in this corner of Canada (Saskatchewan). Also, most employers provide such supplementary insurance.

 

[tac]

Some silica gel wouldn't hurt, either

 

[vdoak]

Some silica gel wouldn't hurt, either

Can film get "too" dry if it is kept in a sealed container (ziploc) with silica gel?

Victor