How to protect your camera from snow. Eleven tips: how to avoid damaging your camera and get great pictures in winter

How to protect your camera from dust, rain and snow?

Some simple techniques to protect the camera from adverse environmental influences.

Sometimes it becomes necessary to take photographs during rain, snowfall or in very dusty conditions. In such cases, you can protect the camera with an ordinary plastic bag. More details at https://site/ru/

The method was tested several times during rain and snowfall.

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What you might need.

1. Plastic bag.
2. Stationery eraser.
3. Protective filter (UF).
4. Hood.

The best bag is an ordinary rectangular one, transparent and without handles at the top. The polyethylene should be thin so that it does not interfere with operating the camera or using the display. https://site/ru/

An example of dust and moisture protection for a non-mirror camera.

To install a filter and lens hood on a non-DSLR camera, you may need an adapter.

The bag is placed on the camera from the display side. The edge of the bag is attached with a rubber band to the rim of the filter or lens hood.

You can protect a DSLR camera in the same way.

For protection only SLR camera The bag needs to be slightly modified. Using a notch of suitable diameter, you must first cut a hole in the bottom of the bag.

A notch (punch) can be made from any piece of thin-walled tube, for example, a pen cap or a broken telescopic antenna from a radio or TV.

If necessary, you need:

1.Align the hole in the bottom of the bag with the camera eyepiece.

2. Stretch the hole in the bag and put it on the camera eyepiece so that the edge of the hole fits into the eyepiece groove intended for attaching the eyecup.

3-4. Place any eyecup on the eyepiece.

If you have a small bag like this in your case, you will always be able to protect your camera in adverse weather conditions.

Disadvantages of the method.

The disadvantages of the method include the inability to use the built-in flash and autofocus illuminator. In addition, the technology requires the use of consumables. One bag is only enough for one shoot.

Winter is an integral part of the year and the beauty of Russia. It is not surprising that many photography enthusiasts take their pictures and gain inspiration during this frosty time of year.

However, our cameras are very vulnerable in the cold season and we try to protect them from negative factors.

There are many myths surrounding this issue, and photography enthusiasts have many questions. Let's try to understand the situation.

There is one way to ruin your camera in winter - take a cold camera into a warm room.

THE MAIN ENEMY OF A CAMERA IN WINTER IS HEAT! No matter how paradoxical it may sound, in the winter season you should try in every possible way to protect the cold camera from the warm air. When a cold camera enters a warm room, moisture immediately condenses on it. It's a disaster if moisture forms on the surface; it's worse when the moisture condenses inside. IN best case scenario the lens will fog up from the inside and will have to be dried; in the worst case, the camera will fail.
That's why:

• We store the camera in a case. The case protects the camera from changes in temperature and humidity;


• After the walk, keep the camera in the case until it warms up for at least 2-3 hours, preferably 6;


• We never take a cold camera out of its case in a car, tent, or when entering a room;


• If you take it out and condensation forms on it, then UNDER NO EVENT do we move or remove the lens, open the caps, or press the buttons. We wipe the camera with a soft cloth and put it back in the case. When the lens moves, warm, moist air is sucked into the camera. This may damage the camera;


• If you plan to take photographs in warm weather, do not take your camera out;


• We do not store the camera under clothes;

We have protected ourselves from the worst, now let’s try to figure out what else threatens us when using a camera in the cold.

1) To what temperature can the camera be used?

Almost all instructions for cameras indicate that the operating range is from 0 degrees Celsius. There are exceptions, but not often. However, this does not prevent us from taking photographs at almost any reasonable negative temperature. Of course, when the temperature drops, sooner or later the electronics may fail, but there are many factors involved and it rarely occurs before -25 degrees.
In my experience, I saw only one failure: Nikon d3200 refused to take photographs at about -35 degrees, when it got a little warmer, everything got better. My Nikon d600 worked fine.
In the cold, people usually fail faster than cameras.

2) Does cold affect camera batteries?

Yes, it does. In the cold, the batteries' ability to deliver current decreases. As a result, they discharge faster. If you plan to take a lot of photographs in the cold, then it’s worth stocking up on batteries. In severe frosts, they should be kept warm, under clothing, and inserted into the camera immediately before shooting.

In cold weather, you should reduce the power consumption of the camera as much as possible: if possible, turn off the display, flash, focus tracking, etc. This will help extend the life of the batteries.

3) How does cold affect the mechanics of a camera?

In addition to electronics, modern cameras use a lot of precision mechanics. This is the shutter, the mirror, the moving parts of the lenses. Grease thickens in the cold. As a result, in severe frost the following negative effects can be observed: stiff lens travel, slow focusing, increased exposure time.
When the camera warms up, everything will return to its place.

I love going on winter hikes and taking photographs while there. The average duration of the trek is 10-12 days along the route. All this time I carry the camera on me during the day, and at night I store it outside in a case. I never bring my camera into a tent, and if I do, I put it in a trunk in the farthest and coldest corner. This way the camera is protected from unwanted temperature changes. I always keep spare batteries in my breast pocket. In temperatures below -20, I keep a working battery in my chest pocket between shoots.

Proper use of your camera in winter will prolong its life, and you will enjoy the wonderful photographs.

Good afternoon, dear nature lovers, today we will talk to you about what modern camera models allow us to capture frozen moments of fishing, since a long time ago, fishing for the vast majority of anglers ceased to be just a way of getting food.

For most of us, the mining component seems to be on the back burner, and for some, it was never included in the list of reasons why we are adherents of this exciting hobby.

For each of us, there are many aspects and moments that make the heart beat faster just at the thought of fishing; each of the fishermen finds in this activity something individual for themselves.

I think each reader will agree that it not only gives you interest and pleasure, but also most of its pre- and post-components. How sometimes it’s nice on a stormy autumn evening to watch videos about fishing trips with friends or look at photographs that warm the soul of varying degrees of age.

Looking at some photographs, it is as if you are mentally transported to those very unforgettable moments in time frozen in these photographs. Like thunder from a clear sky, all the thoughts and experiences you experienced at that time fall upon you, making your soul feel cozy and warm again.

Photography, as one modern philosopher said, has the remarkable ability to reveal the depth of feelings and rich imagination, to capture frozen time, distorting the depicted facts in any direction you like, invariably preserving, as it is, the whole mystery of the world.

Probably every modern angler has at home some photographs of fishing trips in printed or electronic form, but not everyone pays enough attention to this point.

Low quality blurry photo taken mobile phone, otherwise it may appear in a high-quality digital version, taking into account factors such as scale, lighting angle and others. On it, your fishing trophy will be captured in its full glory and will be preserved for many, many years.

And how nice it is during fishing stories to demonstrate those same beautiful photos from those very fishing trips, with the corresponding dates and signatures. But for all this you will need, at a minimum, the object itself for filming, that is, a camera.

There is a huge variety of cameras available these days. Industry market variety of filming equipment, one might say, is oversaturated, but make a choice in similar situation is quite a difficult task.

To select the appropriate device, you will need to know exactly the necessary criteria, which will subsequently guide you. First of all, it’s worth talking about one of the main points - the type of camera.

The twentieth century has sunk into oblivion, and with it film cameras. They have been replaced by more thoughtful and advanced, digital and modern camera models.

In the first years of their appearance, the owner of such a camera stood out from the general number of amateur photographers thanks to his acquisition, which almost limitlessly expanded his possibilities for filming. But soon digital cameras entered the masses of users, and now surprising someone with the presence of a digital camera has become quite a difficult task.

The functions that most models of cameras of this type are rich in have properly raised the level of quality of captured images, and allow, in various rather critical situations, the creation of photographs of decent quality.

Models of digital cameras are divided in turn into classes such as

• cameras for beginners,
• amateur cameras,
• professional cameras,

however, the last class is definitely not suitable for us due to its size and price, and the penultimate class is a rather extreme measure for very undemanding snobs and rather specific situations. For the rest, let's look at the first two classes of cameras, comparing them according to different functional characteristics.

Your choice of camera brand from foreign companies

Of course, one of the most important points when choosing a camera model is the quality of the images taken. But the quality of photographs directly depends on the insides of the models themselves, that is, the matrix and shutter device. The number of megapixels does not have as strong an impact on the quality of photography as is commonly thought.

This indicator has more to do with the main screen of the camera, on which we are given the opportunity to see the picture itself before and after shooting, its size and quality. The higher the number of megapixels in a particular model, the better and clearer the picture itself will be visible - its size and grain will be larger.

In our case, five or seven-megapixel camera models from various foreign companies will be quite suitable for shooting fishing scenes.

To be honest, from my own own experience, when choosing a device, I do not recommend that you focus your attention on cheap Chinese models. This is the same as in the environment of cheap spinning lures - against the backdrop of the overall unfavorable picture, only a few individual ones work stably.

But unlike lures, the risk of funds spent on purchasing a low-quality camera is usually not worth the candle. Of the well-proven brands, it is worth noting such as Casio, Olympus, Sopy or Phillips. But even now we cannot opt ​​for any particular model from these companies without considering several more quite important factors.

Using the camera in any weather conditions

One of them is batteries, that is, the type of batteries used, or, more precisely, a rechargeable battery. There are two main types here

• ordinary batteries and finger-size batteries (AA), simple or with the possibility of multiple charges,
• branded batteries.

Of course, the first option will be the most preferable in our case. Since the use of batteries of this type immediately frees us from constant worries about the battery charge level and carrying a branded charger with us.

And this question, I tell you, sometimes arises very acutely, especially with frequent multi-day fishing trips. In such cases, an additional pair (sometimes two) of ordinary AA batteries stored in advance in the pocket of your backpack will never be superfluous.

Now let's talk about another important point - the memory of your optical assistant.

The rule that there can never be too much of something is fully in effect here.

As a rule, everyone has a small amount of built-in memory. digital camera, but the main amount of memory for photos is located directly on such a necessary additional device as a MegaCard or memory card. This small black rectangle in your camera is the entire amount of memory for all your captured images.

The size of most memory cards usually ranges from 16 megabytes to 2 gigabytes. Although cards of 16 and 32 megabytes in size are usually sold with the camera itself, the number of photographs stored on these cards, unfortunately, is very small. In such cases, you usually have to separately purchase a much larger memory card, which, by the way, costs quite a lot of money.

Factors that are also worth paying attention to include what the body of the model you like is actually made of.

The best option, as I see it, is, of course, a metal case, and it would be great if it had the inscription All-weather, which translated into Russian means any weather.

Such camera models are usually sealed and are not afraid of minor contact with dirt and moisture on their surface. If such embarrassment occurs, then after wiping the camera with a soft cloth or napkin, you can continue to use it with confidence.

And if your camera is still exposed to most adverse external factors, then a special, sealed silicone case, which is designed specifically for your camera model, will come to your aid. This can be bought in specialized branded stores industry-specific equipment, after which you and your assistant will not be afraid of any.

Also, in any case, it doesn’t hurt that your camera, when you are wearing it, is always in some kind of fabric or leather case that protects it from shocks and scratches. If you have to use the camera in winter at sub-zero temperatures, then the best place to carry it will be the inside pocket of your jacket, in which even very low temperatures will not have any negative effect on your camera.

It would not be amiss to note that all modern camera models are quite easy to use and with a little additional configuration, in the right situation you will always be able to do best shot. You just have to remember to take it with you fishing and it, in turn, will always serve you faithfully and will become an indispensable attribute of all your trips, your friend forever!

Thank you for your attention, my precious reader. I hope you had a good time reading the new article. I would like to know if you liked my article. Maybe it awakened or reminded you of something. If you have any questions or suggestions, please express them in the comments below. You can also rate the article using the 10 system, marking it with a certain number of stars.

In order not to miss another interesting article and discuss it, you can subscribe to blog updates. Come visit me and bring your friends, because this site was created specifically for nature lovers. Well, I’m always glad to see you and I’m sure that you will definitely find a lot of useful and interesting things for yourself here.

In this article we consider the issue of protecting the camera in cold conditions - when shooting in winter or high in the mountains.

Actually digital reflex camera– the device is very reliable, and can take photographs in both hot and cold weather, although many manufacturers do not recommend taking photographs at air temperatures below zero degrees. However, not everything is so simple...

So, how to protect your camera in winter? Not only from the cold...

How to protect your camera in winter. From cold, condensation and other “winter” dangers!
This is a cold shoot from Nina Matthews Photography

1. Take a spare battery

The first trouble a photographer encounters when photographing in the cold is the rapid drainage of the camera battery. A camera frozen into ice works much worse than a warm one! Therefore, sometimes you have to literally warm up a frozen battery! When shooting in the cold, as well as when shooting in high air humidity, the battery discharges faster than usual. The ideal option would be to use two batteries: the first one will be in the camera, and the second one will be in the inner pocket of the jacket - heated by the heat of your body. If necessary, the batteries can be replaced; put a frozen battery in place of a warm one - it will warm up, and part of the energy stored in it will also “melt”, so you can take a few more shots with it.

2. Reduce camera power consumption

If your camera has Live View mode, keep in mind that it consumes a lot of energy and it is better to turn it off. The brightness of the camera display should be reduced to the minimum possible, or turned off.

3. Use a memory card of the largest capacity

Using a memory card with the maximum possible capacity will save you from the need to frequently replace memory cards, but replacing a memory card in the cold is not a pleasant task, and the camera freezes even more...

4. Disable Lens Stabilization

Usually, the lens stabilization system “eats” quite a lot of battery energy, so it is also advisable to turn it off. Using autofocus also consumes some of the battery power; whether to use it is up to you to decide.

5. Use a tripod

On the eve of the long New Year holidays, many begin to study bright leaflets of travel agencies and plan which hot, exotic country to go on vacation this time. However, future new year holidays– this is also a great reason to enjoy the amazing winter nature, to go on a real winter journey, to the kingdom of ice and snow. This could be skiing and snowboarding or just an interesting holiday in the winter forest on the shore of the lake.

In any case, during the winter holiday you want not only to recharge yourself with a positive mood and have a good rest, but also to capture memories of holidays in beautiful, bright photographs. Many photography enthusiasts even like to shoot in winter, because a snowy winter opens up many opportunities for interesting shots. This is a great time to take up photography. The main thing is to choose the right photographic equipment for shooting and take care of your camera.

Beginning photographers often wonder whether it is possible to shoot with a regular digital camera in winter cold conditions or is it necessary to use some special equipment for this purpose? In reality, there are no special cameras for winter photography. True, today special cameras are produced in a durable, waterproof case that can operate stably in a wide range of temperatures and even under water, but in fact, any digital camera can take photographs in winter conditions. You just need to properly prepare your camera for shooting and protect it from the cold, because it is designed to work in normal conditions.

Of course, shooting in winter is a test for any photographic equipment, and the risk of damage or camera failure increases with decreasing temperature. Fortunately, there are several basic rules, the implementation of which will allow you to take photographs quite comfortably during your New Year's trip, even if the temperature outside the window drops to below twenty-five degrees below zero.

Modern digital photographic equipment, in general, has good reliability; it is able to function normally both under the scorching sun and in snowfall conditions. However, most manufacturers still limit the scope of their cameras to positive temperature conditions. There are various reasons for this, including, for example, the fact that in cold weather the LCD screen of a digital camera may malfunction. Therefore, by the way, it is better if your camera is equipped with an optical viewfinder.

The choice of a camera for winter photography should correspond, first of all, to your goals - whether you plan to shoot winter landscapes with high-quality detail and color rendition, or you want to get simple photographic images of your winter trip as a keepsake. You can use both a digital SLR camera and a compact Micro 4/3 format mirrorless camera with interchangeable optics. When going on a winter trip, it is best to arm yourself with a zoom lens with a focal length, for example, 18 – 200 mm.

Winter photography: protection against condensation required

In cold weather, you will need to protect your photography equipment from the risk of condensation. Condensation in the form of small droplets of moisture occurs when there is a temperature difference, in particular when you leave a warm room with your camera into a cold one, or vice versa. The moisture generated inside and outside the camera can seriously damage all electronic components and leave water stains on the lens lenses. You just have to turn on such a foggy camera for a short time and with a high degree of probability you will be guaranteed an expensive repair.

To reduce the risk of condensation, you need to ensure that temperature fluctuations are gradual. Therefore, for example, if you have just entered a room from the street and see that the camera is covered with condensation, you do not need to immediately turn it on. Remove the memory card and battery, and then allow the camera to warm up to room temperature for a while.

Do not expose the camera and optics to sudden temperature fluctuations. This means that before winter shooting you need to store the camera in some warm place - under a jacket or in a car. When you need to take a few shots, you take out the camera and in the frosty air it begins to cool quickly. After filming, it is placed back in place. If you repeat this procedure several times, condensation will inevitably form inside the chamber, which can damage expensive equipment.

There is only one way out of this situation - to use a special bag or case to store the camera. You should not try to warm your camera by breathing in cold weather - this will only lead to condensation. Each time after shooting, put the camera in a case or bag that will maintain a comfortable temperature. Your camera bag should be padded.

After completing the shooting, when you are already indoors with the camera, you should not immediately take it out of the bag and turn it on. Wait until it warms up. If droplets of condensation do appear on the lens of your camera, there is no need to wipe them off with your hands or any rag. You may simply damage the delicate surface. It is advisable to wait a little while for these droplets to evaporate from the surface on their own. It’s best to have at your disposal a special brush or a soft brush, which can also be used to remove snowflakes from the lens. Special lint-free cloths for cleaning optics are also sold for this purpose.

How to Shoot in Low Light and Snowy Conditions

In winter, problems often arise with insufficient stage lighting. If you intend to shoot amazing winter landscapes at different times of the day, then it is better to take a tripod with you. It will help you take more detailed, high-quality shots. It is probably more advisable to take a light plastic tripod with you, since using a metal structure in the cold will not be very comfortable. A tripod will also help prevent the effect of reduced image sharpness from hand shake when the stabilization system is turned off. While waiting to shoot with your camera on a tripod, you can cover it with a scarf or jacket.

It’s not very comfortable to shoot during a snowfall, since snowflakes tend to get on the lens or the camera itself. However, it is photographs during snowfall that, as a rule, turn out to be the most interesting and beautiful. Don't be afraid to shoot in the snow. To protect your photographic equipment from falling snow and moisture, you just need to use plastic bag or case. Be careful when changing lenses to ensure that snow does not get inside the optics and body if possible.

When shooting in snow, the key is to get a photographic image that is properly exposed. To do this, you will have to introduce exposure compensation (by one or two steps) and experiment with white balance. Before you start shooting, it is recommended to take a few test shots to determine the correct settings in snowy conditions to obtain high-quality photos. Experiment with your camera settings until you find what you need.

When photographing during snowfall, you can use a flash to lightly illuminate the falling snowflakes. To do this, you can use a simple diffuser attachment for the built-in flash, or a diffuser with an external flash. During snowfall, it is worth including people in the frame, for example, skiing or playing with their pets. The same winter landscape can be photographed in different lighting conditions, giving the picture a certain mood. Show in the photo how the snow turns one color or another in accordance with natural lighting conditions.

Memory card, battery and 3 ways to reduce power consumption

Of all the camera elements, the battery is the most responsive to low temperatures. A serious drop in temperature compared to room temperature reduces the battery life by several times. Therefore, in winter, the chances of the battery draining quickly are very high. In this regard, when going on a winter trip, always take one or even two spare batteries with you. Moreover, carry the battery in the inside pocket of your jacket or in your bag so that it does not freeze. Thus, best way To preserve the battery charge before using it, you can warm it up with your own body heat.

When changing the battery, place the discharged battery in your pocket to keep it warm. After some time, you will be able to use it again, taking a few more pictures before the battery is completely discharged. For shooting in the cold, more powerful lithium batteries that are resistant to low temperatures are best suited.

If you don't have a spare battery or the photography takes too long, you can try to increase the battery life by reducing the camera's power consumption. To do this, firstly, you can turn off the liquid crystal display (if the camera has optical viewfinder). A lot of energy goes into supporting LiveView shooting. IN as a last resort, you can simply lower the display brightness. Secondly, try to use zoom and flash less often. Plus, you can turn off image stabilization and even autofocus - they also “eat up” a fair amount of energy. Thirdly, try to turn the camera on and off as little as possible - during this process a lot of electricity is consumed.

In addition to the battery, in frosty conditions you also need to take care of memory cards. At low temperatures, the memory card may simply stop working. Therefore, it is better to purchase a memory card in advance, designed to work in low temperatures, or take several memory cards with you at once and store them, again, “closer to the body” along with a spare battery.

How to protect yourself

Don’t forget that in addition to photographic equipment, you yourself need protection from the winter cold. Preparing for photography in cold winter weather always includes choosing appropriate clothing. It is necessary to dress warmly and comfortably, for example, use a special warm overalls or a waterproof jacket, be sure to wear a hat and gloves. Clothing should be warm, loose, and preferably with a set of pockets where you can put memory cards and other accessories on occasion. This will allow you to stay warm and shoot in the cold to your heart’s content.

As for gloves, it probably won’t be very convenient to press buttons and take pictures with ordinary winter gloves. In addition, if you wear thick gloves, there is a risk that the camera will simply accidentally slip out of your hands and fall. Therefore, it makes sense to purchase special gloves for the photographer. They allow you to control the camera with your fingertips while keeping your hands warm.

Winter photography can be very exciting and interesting. Try to protect your photographic equipment from low temperatures and moisture, and also take care of your own comfort. Using the tips presented in this article, you can increase the time you spend outside in cold weather and, thereby, take more interesting, successful photos during the New Year holidays.