Using 1DX in very low temperatures

[smi]

Dear all, I will be visiting Moscow next week, and temperatures are extremely low (around -10 to -15 degrees C or 14 to 5 degrees F).  I am wondering whether I should get my 1D X with me. Is there a chance to cause some damage to the camera or lenses? Thank you..

[ecka]

-10°C to -15°C are not extreme temperatures for Moscow. -20°C to -40°C are
However, Canon's recommended working temperature range is 32-104°F/0-40°C

[thethieme]

Shouldn't be a problem. I've used both my 7D and 1D4 in -20°C without any issues more than that the battery doesn't last as long as in warmer temperatures.. Just think of all the sports photographers that shoot skiing and snowboarding.  But as ecka said, Canon does not recommend going below 0°C. Don't know why though, maybe someone else has an answer for that?

Edit: If I couldn't take my camera out when temperatures drops below 0°C, I would not be able to use it for 3-4 months every year. It gets cold in here in Sweden.

[lonelywhitelights]

I've used a 7D in similar temperatures in Iceland and never had any problems - just make sure you have an extra battery - or two! =D

[Kernuak]

Ole Jorgen Lioden once did a review on the 7D and referred to use in the arctic. In that review, he compared to his 1Ds MkIII and 5D MkIIs and 40Ds used by others. He commented that the 40D and 5D MkII were apt to failing in the extreme temperatures, but his 1Ds MkIII and the 7D both coped without problems (he even dropped his 1DsMkIII in the Arctic Ocean). For the actual review, he used the 7D in deep snow, where it was actually covered in snow. I would therefore say that the 1D X shouldn't have any problems, as it is at least as weather sealed as the 1Ds MkIII and moreso than the 7D.

[SwissBear]

From a physical point of view:
- don't expose your equipment to rapid temperature changes
- the air inside your equipment should be very dry - else it might condesate/deposit and cause harm

So keep your equipment far away from the bathroom and when going outside, keep your stuff the first (half) hour in its bag...

[neuroanatomist]

I've used a 7D in similar temperatures in Iceland and never had any problems - just make sure you have an extra battery - or two! =D

I've used a 7D in near-zero (Fahrenheit) temps.  After a while (hours), the transmissive LCD (AF point display) stops working, but it's fine when the camera warms back up. Canon stated that they engineered the 1D X's transmissive LCD for better performance in extreme cold. 

Keep the spare battery in an inner pocket, close to your body.

One accessory to consider would be the anti-fog eyepiece.

[thethieme]

From a physical point of view:
- don't expose your equipment to rapid temperature changes
- the air inside your equipment should be very dry - else it might condesate/deposit and cause harm

So keep your equipment far away from the bathroom and when going outside, keep your stuff the first (half) hour in its bag...

I also read somewhere that you can put your gear in a sealed plastic bag before going inside and leave it there until it's at room temperature to prevent condensation.

[Viggo]

It can take it, trust me, lately i've taken it out in -25 celcius and into +25 inside several times a day' no problem! But wait until is more normal temp before opening and changing lenses, but i've also done that with no issues.

In Norway -10 is what we have in April, snow in May happens... I myself went out in -43 once, that was cold though 

[JPAZ]

Let me echo the comment about the plastic bag.  If you come in out of the cold, condensation can develop within the camera (weather sealing is not the same as absolute seal) and upon going back out, the moisture will turn to ice.  This can be avoided by using the bag for 20-30 minutes when changing temperature.

Don't know about the 1DX, but I've used a 50D in -30 (shooting the Aurora).  I concur that the battery life can be decreased and one should keep extra batteries in a pocket near your body.  The only issue I had was that after about an hour, the camera seemed to "die."  I was a bit concerned, but once coming out of the cold, it came back to life and worked flawlessly for the next two years (camera since sold to help finance the 5DDiii).

Also note that the media can potentially be an issue.  I shot the Northern Lights with Sandisk Extreme III CF cards because they are rated to work at such a low temperature.  I don't know if this mattered but know I was not going to have another opportunity.

[dpollitt]

Dear all, I will be visiting Moscow next week, and temperatures are extremely low (around -10 to -15 degrees C or 14 to 5 degrees F).  I am wondering whether I should get my 1D X with me. Is there a chance to cause some damage to the camera or lenses? Thank you..

Note: That is not extremely low temperatures.

The lenses, you have nothing to worry about. I'm assuming you have mostly L glass(ie sealed lenses). If you don't then that may be a concern, but probably not unless you get snow into them.

The body, you shouldn't worry about either. The main LCD screen may slow down a bit, and the secondary screen could even stop working temporarily, but I doubt it on a 1D X, it is designed for this.

The biggest concern should be your batteries. Make sure you have a few with you, and try to keep the ones not in use near your body so they stay warmer. Rotate them in an out of the area near your body and into the camera. Has worked great for me for years in a much colder climate.

[Quasimodo]

Ole Jorgen Lioden once did a review on the 7D and referred to use in the arctic. In that review, he compared to his 1Ds MkIII and 5D MkIIs and 40Ds used by others. He commented that the 40D and 5D MkII were apt to failing in the extreme temperatures, but his 1Ds MkIII and the 7D both coped without problems (he even dropped his 1DsMkIII in the Arctic Ocean). For the actual review, he used the 7D in deep snow, where it was actually covered in snow. I would therefore say that the 1D X shouldn't have any problems, as it is at least as weather sealed as the 1Ds MkIII and moreso than the 7D.

Where did he write this? I am norwegian and have one of his books, but I don't recall it there. Do you have a link?

[neuroanatomist]

It was on his canonfieldreviews website, which is defunct now. Mirrored here:

http://laamc.wordpress.com/2010/02/12/7d-1-weather-sealing/

[Quasimodo]

It was on his canonfieldreviews website, which is defunct now. Mirrored here:

http://laamc.wordpress.com/2010/02/12/7d-1-weather-sealing/

Thanks

[Kernuak]

It was on his canonfieldreviews website, which is defunct now. Mirrored here:

http://laamc.wordpress.com/2010/02/12/7d-1-weather-sealing/

Thanks Neuro, I hadn't realised it had been mirrored. There was another article that I was thinking of, where he photographed his dog running through snow, but I don't think he mentioned the arctic (or rather the Antarctic) in that one thinking about it.