SD Cards and Cold Weather

Tom Tom

Tom Tom

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Just a quick question regarding SD Cards and Cold weather. Ill be over in Iceland with temperatures dipping to around -15 at night. I currently use Sandisk Ultra Cards. I have a 16GB and 8GB 30MB/sec Class 10. Should i be concerned about their performance? The last thing i want is for them to pack up.

Ive been looking at the Extreme and Extreme Pro Cards to be safe.

Extreme-
http://www.7dayshop.com/sandisk-ext...iLWZsYXNoLWRyaXZlcz9icmFuZD0yOTUmY2F0PTQ5Mw==

Extreme Pro-
http://www.7dayshop.com/sandisk-ext...tdXNiLWZsYXNoLWRyaXZlcz9icmFuZD0yOTUmY2F0PTE2

Is the extreme suitable for cold weather? or do i NEED the Extreme Pro.
 
Just reading about the operating specifications on 7day shop....

Ultra - Operating temperature: -13ºF to 185ºF (-25ºC to 85 ºC)

Extreme - Operating temperature :-13°F to 185°F (-25°C to 85°C)

Extreme Pro - Operating temperature: -13ºF to 185ºF (-25ºC to 85 ºC)

No difference?
 
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I believe the main differences between them is the speed in which case my Ultra ones should be fine (i hope!) as in terms of durability they all have the same operating temperatures. Someone mentioned i will need an extreme or extreme pro I'm just trying to clarify whether thats the case.

Each card under durability...

Durable Design SanDisk Ultra SDHC UHS-I Cards are designed to handle whatever life throws at them. These cards are shockproof, X-ray proof, and waterproof. The card operates in temperatures ranging from -13 to 185 degrees Fahrenheit, so you can capture memories in almost any climate. Your SanDisk memory card will survive, even if your camera doesn't.
 
Tom Tom said:
Someone mentioned i will need an extreme or extreme pro I'm just trying to clarify whether thats the case.
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No. There might be good reasons for buying Extreme or Extreme Pro cards, but durability and cold survivability isn't one of them.

The things you do need to worry about are your batteries. Really cold weather drains batteries very quickly. Take spares and make sure you keep them somewhere warm (eg inside jacket pocket) before use.
 
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StewartR said:
The things you do need to worry about are your batteries. Really cold weather drains batteries very quickly. Take spares and male sure you keep them somewhere warm (eg inside jacket pocket) before use.
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Down your pants! :p
 
StewartR said:
No. There might be good reasons for buying Extreme or Extreme Pro cards, but durability and cold survivability isn't one of them.

The things you do need to worry about are your batteries. Really cold weather drains batteries very quickly. Take spares and make sure you keep them somewhere warm (eg inside jacket pocket) before use.
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I have 5 batteries :D lol. Thanks Stewart ill stick with the Ultra SD Cards then :)
 
True i might just pick up at 8GB extreme to be safe, its only 8quid. But i have Sandisk 16GB, 8GB, Transcend 16GB, Kingston 8GB.
 
Have a load of 2GB SDs tucked in a little pocket of the camera bag, just basic ones but should do i guess! I know what you are saying though. Does anyone know if the write speed is effected in cold weather??
 
Tom Tom said:
Have a load of 2GB SDs tucked in a little pocket of the camera bag, just basic ones but should do i guess! I know what you are saying though. Does anyone know if the write speed is effected in cold weather??
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I would say that only in the sense that the cold could affect your battery performance :)
 
I've never had a problem with cards in temperatures like that, in fact probably colder than that. Batteries need to be kept warm for optimum use obviously.

Another couple of things I'd suggest taking, some kind of detachable crampons, not necessarliy full blown ones but something to give added grip. Another thing would be a couple of long walking poles. You could be walking on all sorts and wading through boulders covered in 3-4 feet of snow.
 
Well if we're talking about the performance of humans in the cold, the single best recommendation I would offer is a pair of thick woollen insoles for your walking boots. I bought a pair before I went to Iceland in December 2012, and when I was standing around in the cold at night photographing the stars and the aurora they made a *huge* difference.
 
StewartR said:
Well if we're talking about the performance of humans in the cold, the single best recommendation I would offer is a pair of thick woollen insoles for your walking boots. I bought a pair before I went to Iceland in December 2012, and when I was standing around in the cold at night photographing the stars and the aurora they made a *huge* difference.
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And just as important - fleece lined trousers - essential.
 
I've taken SD and CF cards as far as 80°N and 68°S (and to the Equator and as high as 15500') and have never had any issues with cards or batteries.
 
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