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by christypmaui on Sat Feb 21, 2009 11:21 pm
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Hi - I'm on my way to Churchill where it continues to be -35 - 45F with windchill and we'll be outdoors for 5 - 7 hours per day - brrr! I know to keep spare 1Ds3 batteries in my parka and I'll be stuffing pockets with warmers. The question is, does anyone know how long it takes to bring a battery back to normal in these extreme cold conditions?

I've read that a battery can slow down or go dead in a couple minutes, up to 15 minutes. So, I need to figure out if 3 spare batteries is enough.

Thanks for your help in advance ~/~

Chris

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by E.J. Peiker on Sun Feb 22, 2009 12:03 am
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In pockets with warmers, I think three batteris (one in camera, two in pockets) on a 15 minute rotation, whether they die or not, should work very well.
 

by christypmaui on Sun Feb 22, 2009 12:28 am
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E.J. Thanks a lot for the quick response ~/~
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by Wil Hershberger on Mon Feb 23, 2009 7:03 am
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Chas had a great idea many years ago of attaching a hand warmer to the camera directly below the battery thus keeping the battery warmer for a longer time. Gaffers tape would work well for this. I thought that Chas was making a neoprene boot that would do the trick but I never heard more about it.
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by Jim Zipp on Mon Feb 23, 2009 8:13 am
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I've used the 1DIII in sub zero conditions with no problems at all. Extended periods like you are describing might be a problem but the newer batteries used in this body are so much improved that it's nothing like it used to be. Expanding on the suggestion of the hand warmers, using a body cover like this one from Lenscoat
http://www.lenscoat.com/bodyguard-clear ... p-867.html
and sticking a couple of hand warmers in with it might really improve the battery life as well.
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by christypmaui on Mon Feb 23, 2009 4:10 pm
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Thanks for the suggestions ~/~ I was trying to think of a similar solution; i.e., a modified Lenscoat or Optec which I already have - or even a fleece half clava, etc. But then I had to start thinking about ergonomics since I'll be wearing four layers on my hands to avoid frostbite aka liners w/warmers, Windpro Patagonia/Marmot gloves, Swany insulated Toaster mitts (w/zippers to swing fingers out), and then for serious warmth, TNF Himalayan down mitts on top during the long waiting periods. The clear LenCoat cover is real interesting. I just have to figure out if my bloated fingers will fit through the holes ~/~ Gaffer tape might be the way to go in my situation.
 

by DMcLarty on Mon Feb 23, 2009 6:01 pm
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by GeneO on Mon Feb 23, 2009 7:03 pm
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I've been out 6 hours with my 1D Mark III in sub-zero temps with no problem (one battery). I noticed almost immediately the battery reading dropped to 67% but it lasted the whole day plus.

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by tringa on Mon Feb 23, 2009 8:22 pm
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I agree with the reports of great battery performance in cold weather. I was shooting my 1D Mark III at -20 - -30 F recently and for the most part the battery had no problem. Just once I got an error and had to swap it out with the one in my pocket. Three batteries is certainly enough, even two would probably be fine. Wind chill won't matter in terms of affecting battery performance, just the real temperature matters. Heat transfer rates out of the battery will be determined by the camera temperature, which will be roughly the same temperature as the surroundings, unless you go with the gaffers tape + heaters idea.
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by Dan Wolin on Mon Feb 23, 2009 8:55 pm
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I have had a similar experience in the -25 degree range - took two batteries and one pretty much lasted all day. I did put the other one in a fleece lined pocket and switched them out.
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by srfnson on Mon Feb 23, 2009 9:01 pm
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Chris,

I live in Manitoba so am all too familiar with -30c to -40c conditions (unfortunately). I'm using 1ds2 and 1dm2n bodies and don't use any special precautions with my batteries apart from having 2 spare in my chest pocket. I've shot in -50C with windchill and never experienced a battery go completely dead on me. I really like the idea of the Lenscoat as one of the biggest problems in shooting in these conditions is ice buildup on body due to condensation from breath.

Re gloves - what really works well for me is a thin glove perferably with silicon on the palm for grip and a down filled mitt with handwarmers inside that attach to your jacket via strings like we had when we were kids. Shoot with the glove on, mitt dangling at your side. When your hand is cold put it in the mitt and toast it up. I find this setup much better than the fingerless gloves. Here's the glove I use which I buy one size smaller to ensure a snug fit http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_deta ... 5440175170

Sounds like a fun trip...although batteries might be a secondary concern if you're outside at -45F for 5-7hrs. Don't think I'd last that long :)
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by walkinman on Mon Feb 23, 2009 10:50 pm
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Hey Chris

I've been shooting this winter a lot in sub -20 temperatures, with a Nikon D2x, and have had some trouble. The batteries lose their power, go dead, and I'll replace them with a warm one. But - the 'dead' batteries, once warmed up, won't revive. Even sitting them above the wood stove in the cabin doesn't revive them .. stone dead .. place them in a battery charger and it records them, as the camera does, as stone dead .. and then, with less than 5 seconds charge time, they kick back up to like 75-85% charge .. and work fine .. like they need a little kickstart after getting so cold .. it happened a number of times, with different batteries, none of which are old and dying. So be warned they can be somewhat finicky. Fwiw.

Cheers

Carl
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by christypmaui on Tue Feb 24, 2009 6:01 am
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Thanks again everyone for your positive battery feedback ~/~ I'll follow up with the Windstopper gloves (I bought WindPro and WindBloc but Windstopper might be better) and the LensCoat's new clear body cover.
Loves photographing big cats in Africa, polar bear babies and young Bengal tigers
www.wildliferhythms.com
http://chrisprestegardtraveltipcentral.blogspot.com/
 

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