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Midnight Dan
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/23/08
Posts: 2768
Loc: Brockport, NY
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I just bought a Canon DSLR to start messing around with AP. The spec rates the minimum operating temperature at 32°F and this seems common across DSLRs that I've looked at.
So I was wondering what is the lowest temperature at which people tend to use these in the field? Obviously, the outdoor temperature can get much colder than 32°F. I've also seen posts where people are using peltier cooling or dry ice cooling to bring their DSLRs to colder temps than rated. What's the lowest temperature at which I can realistically expect to use my camera?
-Dan
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Scopes: Celestron NexStar 8SE, Orion EON 72mm ED/APO, Orion ShortTube 80
Mounts: NexStar Alt/Az GoTo, Orion Astroview (EQ3) w/single axis drive
Eyepieces: Baader Hyperion 36mm (Aspheric), 21mm 13mm, 8mm, 5mm;
Other: 2x & 3x Barlow, 0.63x Focal Reducer, Dew-not strips, DewBuster controller, SQM Meter
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beerman
member
Reged: 03/18/07
Posts: 97
Loc: Edmonton, Canada
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I've used my 40D in temperatures down to -25C with no problems other than severely shortened battery life. The LCD was getting a bit slow at that point but there sure wasn't much noise in the frames I took.
I always make sure to bag the camera in a ziplock bag before bringing inside from the cold. That keeps any condensation on delicate internal parts to a minimum.
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Jon
C6-SGT
Homebuilt 6" F6 newtonian
Canon EOS 40D
Rubinar 500mm F8
Bushnell 200mm F3.5
SPC900NC
DSI Pro
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wildernesswanderer
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WarrenS
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 03/04/08
Posts: 897
Loc: Orange County New York
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I've used my Canon 40D down to around 0 Fahrenheit with no ill effects. My manual also gives a low of 32 degrees F but that makes no sense as then no one can use a DSLR to take winter photos with snowscapes, ski photos etc.
For winter AP, you'll need an AC adapter to power the camera or a bunch of freshly charged batteries. Batteries drain after 30-40 minutes in zero F temps.
Edited by WarrenS (10/17/09 11:43 AM)
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John Wunderlin
Vendor - Spike-a Focusing Mask
Reged: 10/01/04
Posts: 699
Loc: Mineral Point, Wi
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I've been down to -10F without a problem. I use an AC adapter.
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John Wunderlin
Vendor - Spike-a Bahtinov Focusing Mask
Empire Ranch Observatory
Iowa County Astronomers
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s58y
Postmaster
Reged: 12/12/04
Posts: 5510
Loc: Eastern NY
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I've also used Canon DSLRs down to about 1F or 2F, with an AC adapter, with no problems.
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Hutech 30D, SBIG ST-402 autoguider
SV80S, TV102iis
Old camera lenses: 800mm f/5.6, 180mm f/3.4
AP900, Barndoor tracker
http://www.pbase.com/s58y
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Rankinstudio
sage
Reged: 04/05/08
Posts: 425
Loc: Salt Lake City, UT, Lake Powel...
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I've also ran mine down to -10F with a peltier cooler and it still shooting fine. Just make sure before you move it back inside after being cold, to put it in an air tight ziploc bag or something of the sort. You want the camera to achieve room temperature before removing it from the bag to prevent any condensation on the camera or in the camera.
Cheers
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David Rankin
http://www.rankinstudio.com
Astro Gallery
Orion 254mm F4.7 (imaging scope)
Baader MPCC
Quickcam pro 9000 (guider, imager)
Canon Rebel XSi (self modified)
Atlas EQ-G (EQ MOD)
Canon 50mm F1.8 II Lens
Canon 28-200 F3.2 Lens
DSLR peltier cooler
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Midnight Dan
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/23/08
Posts: 2768
Loc: Brockport, NY
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Thanks for the responses! Sounds like the camera will take more cold than I will  . I'm not too excited about going out when it gets below about 10°F so I guess I have nothing to worry about with the camera. I'll definitely have to buy an AC adapter, and that baggy trick is a great idea I wouldn't have thought of!
Quote:
My manual also gives a low of 32 degrees F but that makes no sense as then no one can use a DSLR to take winter photos with snowscapes, ski photos etc.
Back in my 35mm days (I'm dating myself!) if the weather was cold I'd always keep my camera inside my jacket until ready to use. And then its only out in the cold for a short time while shooting so it doesn't really have time to get too cold inside. Several of my friends who are avid DSLR users (non astronomy) do the same. But that's not something you can do for astronomy so I thought I'd ask.
Thanks again for the info!
-Dan
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Scopes: Celestron NexStar 8SE, Orion EON 72mm ED/APO, Orion ShortTube 80
Mounts: NexStar Alt/Az GoTo, Orion Astroview (EQ3) w/single axis drive
Eyepieces: Baader Hyperion 36mm (Aspheric), 21mm 13mm, 8mm, 5mm;
Other: 2x & 3x Barlow, 0.63x Focal Reducer, Dew-not strips, DewBuster controller, SQM Meter
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RogerRZ
Whatta you lookin' at?
Reged: 01/09/06
Posts: 2584
Loc: West Collette, NB, Canada
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I've used mine at temps around -30, with no problems, except for the operator...
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-Roger Pitre-
1 X 7 binocular Astro-Tech Imaging Newtonian MPCC
Starblast guidescope Starshoot autoguider
EQ6 Pro, HEQ5, Canon 50D, 70-200 f/4L
"He's got shoulders on him like a smelt..."--Anonymous
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=10723&id=509325956&l=79d06a1d10
http://ajpobservatory.isgreat.org/
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