Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 (Tek) 9/26/83; site mako.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxj!houxm!vax135!cornell!uw-beaver!tektronix!orca!mako!jans
From: jans@mako.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.rec.photo
Subject: Re: Re: Cold Weather Photography
Message-ID: <312@mako.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 22-Sep-84 20:45:03 EDT
Article-I.D.: mako.312
Posted: Sat Sep 22 20:45:03 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 26-Sep-84 06:32:30 EDT
References: <486@hou2d.UUCP> <206@gargoyle.UChicago.UUCP>
Organization: Tektronix, Wilsonville OR
Lines: 37

[]

>	1.  Sometimes the shutter freezes on standard 35mm SLRs
>	    will freeze (open or shut), or the mirror will freeze
>	    at low temps.  Keeping the camera inside the coat and
>	    removing it only for photos will help; avoid exposure to
>	    wind for the same reason.

True, the shutter may freeze, but go on...

>	3.  Going from outdoors to indoors to change film can cause
>	    condensation on the film and spots on the negative.  Let the
>	    camera come to room temperature before opening the back.
>	    It might be a good idea to wait until room temp to rewind an
>	    exposed cartridge (see #2).

For this very reason, DON'T keep the camera inside your coat if you are
doing anything more strenuous than a slow walk!  Shutters are lubricated with
light machine oil and will generally only freeze if the camera gets some
moisture in it to begin with.  The same goes for point 3, above, with regards
to changing lenses after coming inside.  KEEP THE HUMIDITY OUT TO AVOID
FREEZING!  Keeping the camera inside the coat while skiing will really fog
things up the moment you take it out!

I also use an external battery on my Olympus cameras: I purchased an extra
battery compartment cover and jury-rigged a sub-mini phone jack in it.  I run
it off of a couple of alkaline batteries in my pocket.  Lithium batteries are
now available to take the place of two MS76 type cells, but the jury is still
out.  Liths have excellent low-temperature characteristics, but have a lower
capacity and tend to run out at the wrong time.  (Carry a spare... they shelve
nicely for years and years.)

The only time I ever had a frozen shutter was when I followed point 1, above.
The camera repairman who fixed it afterward told me the truth!
-- 
:::::: Jan Steinman		Box 1000, MS 61-161	(w)503/685-2843 ::::::
:::::: tektronix!tekecs!jans	Wilsonville, OR 97070	(h)503/657-7703 ::::::