Using a camera while snowing - is it safe?

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I know that I can't use a camera in the rain for sure (Unless it's Pentax K-50 or some other costly "winter-proof" rarity), but can I use it in the snow? I'm not talking a blizzard, I'm talking nice and calm snow. Snow would hardly melt quick enough up to the point when I'd have to walk into a warm environment, which is when I can just wipe it off. Though for all I know, the camera body isn't sealed very well, so... Better safe with that, I couldn't afford another camera.

And speaking of snow, what about sub-zero temperatures? Logically I'd have to keep warming my battery up as it'd stop working in maybe half an hour or so (depending on how cold it is), but other than that... Is it bad for the camera in some way? I'm talking -10-20C, think most have experienced such cold in the UK, too.
 
As long as you don't slip and fall over it should be relatively safe.

I've shot my old 40D in a dry cold of -20C in Bayern without any problems. The biggest problem is warming the camera back up to room temperatures without condensation (warm slowly whilst keeping the camera in a moisture-proof bag).
 
Alastair said:
As long as you don't slip and fall over it should be relatively safe.

I've shot my old 40D in a dry cold of -20C in Bayern without any problems. The biggest problem is warming the camera back up to room temperatures without condensation (warm slowly whilst keeping the camera in a moisture-proof bag).
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Did you have serious problems with the battery?

Where would one procure such a bag appropriate for a camera, preferably on the cheaper side?
 
Most cameras are quite resilient to the odd drop of rain or snow - just shield them all you can really

My full pro spec D2Xs a few year ago was weather sealed, but I still treated it like my baby and kept nasty weather at bay - then I saw the same camera being used in a downpour with water pouring off it and thought, maybe I'm worrying too much lol - but still protect them all you can I say

The real problem is spots of rain/snow on your lens degrading the image, so keep the camera pointing down all the time you can

Batteries don't like cold, but I've only ever had one stop working for that reason and it was after 2 hours in -5 ish - so take two and swap them into your trouser pocket, you'll be fine

If you're traveling to an obviously cold shoot, put the camera in the car boot as its colder there, this helps to stop the lenses fogging up

Very cold weather can be FAB for photos - enjoy :)

Dave
 
Girlfriend/wife, umbrella sorted............................:)
 
DG Phototraining said:
Most cameras are quite resilient to the odd drop of rain or snow - just shield them all you can really

My full pro spec D2Xs a few year ago was weather sealed, but I still treated it like my baby and kept nasty weather at bay - then I saw the same camera being used in a downpour with water pouring off it and thought, maybe I'm worrying too much lol - but still protect them all you can I say

The real problem is spots of rain/snow on your lens degrading the image, so keep the camera pointing down all the time you can

Batteries don't like cold, but I've only ever had one stop working for that reason and it was after 2 hours in -5 ish - so take two and swap them into your trouser pocket, you'll be fine

If you're traveling to an obviously cold shoot, put the camera in the car boot as its colder there, this helps to stop the lenses fogging up

Very cold weather can be FAB for photos - enjoy :)

Dave
Click to expand...

Thanks for informative comments!

Idea for rain/snow spots on your lens - why not use a lens hood? I think they would protect it pretty well, unless the wind's blowing in your face, but even then it would probably cover the lens pretty good. Especially if it's a round lens hood.

sbowler579 said:
Girlfriend/wife, umbrella sorted............................:)
Click to expand...

Looking for more practical reasons to have a girlfriend/wife, eh? Haha.
 
OldPic said:
Did you have serious problems with the battery?
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I always have two or three spare batteries with me, I don't remember having any particular problems that winter. The coldest temperatures were walking back to where we were staying at night, during the day it as a balmy -5C and I tried to keep the camera under my jacket as much as possible. I always carried the batteries on the inside pockets of my jacket.

OldPic said:
Where would one procure such a bag appropriate for a camera, preferably on the cheaper side?
Click to expand...
Supermarket zip-lock freezer bag.
 
No problems with using my cameras in rain (not monsoon!), snow, the Arctic or Antarctic. Just don't point the lens upwards to collect rain or snow on the front element.
 
A large sealable freezer bag works fine. But sqeeze out as much air as you can.
then wrap the lot in some thing like a quilt or heavy jacket so that it warms slowly.
things like camera bags are best left closed for several hours to acclimatise.
The air outside on a freezing day is usually pretty dry, so wipe dry and seal every thing up before coming inside. That way there will be little moisture to condense.
 
I regularly take my D7000 and prime lenses out in the Alps , never skipped a beat.
 
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