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Operating temperature range
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Let me first start by saying that I'm convinced the 40D is a great camera giving a lot of possibilities.
Still, last week the weather was great for winter scenes and I spent a whole day enjoying taking shots of it although it was -4 deg. C.
It was only afterwards that I was surprised that the specifications for operating temperature is between 0 and 40 deg. C.
Strangely enough the specification for the lenses I've used don't make any mention of this.
Knowing that commercial grade electronic components are indeed starting only at 0 degrees I'm more worried if I've put to much stress on the mechanical parts inside like shutter and mirror.
Anyone who has more info on what the major effect is when going overlimit on this?
Anyhow I'm still surprised that a very interesting opportunity for making nice pictures is not covered by the camera. I'm planning to go on a skiing vacation so it would be interesting to know if I'm not reducing the lifetime considerable by doing this.
Posted at 2:34AM, 26 December 2007 PDT
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focusbeam [deleted] says:
Hardware operational temperature range is the tested range in their own lab, mostly sensor, electronic chips, if you use the camera beyond that range you're on your own, however it doesn't mean that your camera will break down depends on the quality of those sensor and microelectronic chips and circuitry components. In my opinion, there is a difference between a well known chip maker and an aftermarket one where they tend to cut cost and use less quality materials. You can see Canon and Nikon cameras are used by National Geographic photographers everywhere in the world in cold and hot climate, war correspondences use them in Iraq, Afghanistan, Russia independent states...
What I want to avoid is expose any device at two extreme temperatures hot and cold in a short period of time, that's how they tested the chips, first in a cold chamber then take them out to let them settle in room temperature, then put in hot chamber and take them out again to let them cool down, the lab technician will seperate the failed one.
Posted 54 months ago.
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I seriously doubt that the NatG folks are running around with consumer grade 40D's... they're using the 1D's. But that's beside the point.
Your logic is sound, redstream. I'd add that if you're shooting in very cold temperatures, that you should put your equipment in a ziplock or other plastic bag while outside. If you have to process your images immediately, take the memory cards out first, and put them in your pockets to warm up... outside. Take that bag inside, and don't open it for several hours. This prevents condensation from forming on the interior components.
If you need to shoot photos in Siberia, though, buy a 1D series...
Posted 54 months ago.
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As someone living in Canada, let me say that thus far the camera has outlasted my fingers when dealing with the cold. And I don't zip-lock, but I DO put the camera back into the weather-resistant LowePro and zip that up, and then leave the bag to warm up slowly.
Thus far, no problems.
Posted 54 months ago.
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Or if you can't be bothered getting ziplock bags or so, I'm in sub zero temperatures and I put my camera into a bin bag (keep it away from people who like to clean stuff up) and seal it with an elastic band.
Just wait a few hours until it doesn't feel so cold.
Don't forget to keep spare batteries on your body somewhere warm! Swap the batteries when they die - it might just be from the cold and will work again when warm!
Posted 54 months ago.
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The zip lock lets the camera warm up faster because it provides no insulation. For protection a regular back works just as well.
Posted 54 months ago.
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focusbeam [deleted] says:
No, BoldPuppy, I'm talking about the chips/circuitry/electronic parts of any camera that they test, (we call it environmental test). A chip manufacturing company can supply to all kind of electronic devices, it could be cameras, computers, communication systems... Camera makers don't put cameras in the hot and cold chamber.
True, Nat Geo guys don't use prosumer bodies like the 40D, their gear are heavy duty ones.
I live in a warm climate area, I put my XTI camera all this past summer in the trunk of my car where the outside temp is above 95F, in the car is always hotter, the camera still works well.
Another incident last year, I went shopping in an electronic store, I stopped by at the camera dept, I wanted to check out the Canon 20D but there a teenager kid was playing with it so I have to wait, he.........pressed the shutter down in a rapid fire mode for at least 10 min, 5fps for 10 min without a pause that's a lot of shots, the shutter generates heat, when he left I came to try that 20D, to my surprise it's still alive, that why I jumped ship and bought the XTI. I hope Canon don't ever think about cutting cost and use less quality parts in their cameras no matter what model.
Posted 54 months ago.
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Thanks all for the interesting discussion.
As a result a plastic bag is already part of my basic equipement for outdoor shoting these days.
It's clear that condensation and battery performance are the major issues in these circumstances. Two things one can be prepare for
I'm feeling a bit more comfortable by the records of people using the camera in even more harsh conditions. This accounts for safety margin used by Canon and the the fact that it is not a hard limit.
I checked the 1D specifications and apparently it has the same range.
There must be a reason why Canon does not want to garantee to go below zero although I'm sure it is done quit regularly without problems. But I second redstream's remark that for now and in the future, cutting cost strategies could change this.
I'm also still questioning the effect it has on the lubrication and how relevant it is in affecting the lifetime.
Point for me is that I don't want to test this myself and would rather be on the safe side when using my own camera.
But again, I guess there's no need to be paranoid about a few degrees below spec.
Posted 54 months ago.
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i am yet to have any problem with the weather, its still not cold enough to wear the long johns :) but i do know from experience that it could also be the CF thats causing a problem, as these also have problems working in colder climates... just keep things warm in between shots when outside, and u should be fine :)
Posted 54 months ago.
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For what it is worth, I have used my previous 300D in conditions as cold as 5F below zero with no issues. The only problem is battery life, but I don't count that as a camera issue.
As another weather point, I've used my 40D in the rain with no issues either. I did my best to protect it, but it did get wet. I was outside in the rain for 4-6 hours shooting soccer the whole time. Kinda relates to the condensation/moisture issue.
Originally posted 54 months ago.
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Ashton Photo edited this topic 54 months ago.
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focusbeam [deleted] says:
Actually you can't go wrong with Canon or Nikon, these two famous brands make cameras for pro shooters since the early film days. My partner at that time used a Canon F1 and two A1, I used a lesser popular brand, the shutter died after a few years, I wated 3 cameras like that , his Canons still work fine to this day after he retired a few years earlier during the digital revolution.
The shutter of the Canon F1 and A1 is reliable, he even used the motor drive to shoot fast sequence scenes. I've seen with my own eyes how other cameras failed to go dual with Canon or Nikon in real life. Any camera company can claim 100,000 or 200,000 shutter tested but in real life shoot out is a different story, in my case the shutter stuck, another friend of mine the shutter is ok but the mirror shattered, that's why when I switch to digital dslr I buy Canon.
When you have a chance to stop by at any electronic store or camera store, compare a Canon to other brands, look at the tiny Phillips screws on Canon and on other brands, you can see Canon screws are well defined, well made deep sharp + Phillips slot. Turn the main dial, (Auto, Tv, Av, M...) one click is one click, you can not rest in between modes, the internal gear is sharp, that's Canon unique way of making cameras, other brands you can rest the dial in between modes.
Posted 54 months ago.
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I braved the Cold with my 40D and can say that I had no problems shooting.
My camera with the 17-85mm IS lens with IS enabled, enjoyed a day in the cold from 9am to 3:30pm with only one visit inside the Coffee Shop. I shot 287 pictures in SRaw +jpeg. I did not turn the camera off once, except for the auto off mode when not shooting for 2 minutes.
It was a freezing experience that started at -12 deg and later warmed up to a whopping -5.5 deg.
The Evening on my return I planted the camera on the Tripod and did a Star Trail for around 40 Minutes, at that time the temperature was at -8 deg.
I thought you might want to know that this baby (40D) is worth every penny I spent and more.......
Posted 53 months ago.
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yes, i just received my battery grip, and it actually states that it will take 20% of what it normally would in below zero c's.... so, yeah... we actually had the chill factor of minus 20 the past few days, but to be honest, i was way too cold to do something about it, stayed indoors, and cleaned the flat instead :)
Posted 53 months ago.
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