Protecting an a7 series camera in harsh weather

[jrboxer1]

I need some help here.  I'm going to a cold weather climate that is intermittently harsh.  Rain, ice, snow.  I hope to photograph the northern lights.  So how do you protect your camera, especially while shooting?  Thank you all in advance...

[Snowfun]

I regularly take my cameras to Lapland in winter. Temp -35 so rain not an issue! If it's snowing it just blows off. Main issue is that the camera gets very cold and once inside gets soaked in condensation. I leave everything to dry thoroughly before switching it on again (overnight). That does mean that popping in & out isn't an option. It has been suggested on the forum that putting it in a waterproof bag before going inside would reduce condensation.

Batteries - carry spares!

Overheating in 4k - guessing it's not an issue!

Practicalities - cold fingers and/or gloves operating buttons & menus.

In previous years I've taken Nikon, Hassleblad & Leica and not had a problem - now everything is Sony so hoping it's still good!

The cloud is still a problem however...

Tim

[JonathanStewartPhotos]

I've taken my a99 to -40 weather and it performed just fine.  If it's warm enough for rain, no need to worry about keeping your camera warm, just try to keep it dry by placing it inside a plastic bag. 

 

For super cold weather, I've used adhesive toe warmers placed over the grip, top by EVF and underneath the lens mount.  Not only will they keep the camera and battery warmer, but they feel good on your hands.  Be sure to put these on before going into the cold because they don't work about 1/2 the time.  http://www.amazon.com/Grabber-Performance-Toe-Heater-Adhesive/dp/B00Q1IO89O

 

The places I've been (Alaska, Mongolia, Siberia) are all really dry so condensation wasn't much of an issue.  But I did put everything into a giant ziplock before I went back inside, just in case.  

[jrboxer1]

Dear Jonathan and Snowfun,

 

Thank you for these quite helpful responses.  I'm looking at November in Iceland, so the wet isn't as much of a concern.  I think I have a game plan now.  Thank you again.

 

Jeff

[Snowfun]

I look forward to seeing your photographs - have fun!

Tim

[Guest all8]

Iceland, it has the worst kind of wet ... constant wind with mist, rain, driving rain and so on. Wet should be a concern!

 

 

I would suggest alternatives of Sweden or Norway for photos of the northern lights. It may or may not be better ... its just that there is more infrastructure and I think the atmosphere is dryer due to the extreme cold. I was there in February and the sky was so cold and crisp ... it was wonderful. You could fly into Trondheim and catch a train pretty much anywhere ...

[jrboxer1]

Hmmm. Maybe Europe after all...

 

 

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[Snowfun]

If it's just an aurora trip you should look at flying to Ivalo in northern finland. Easy flights from Helsinki. Head 30km south to Saariselka for some luxury or stay in Ivalo/Inari region. Obviously clear skies are not predictable but it's deep into the arctic so dark & cold.

Worth thinking about in addition to Norway & Sweden.

Tim

[jbwoodend]

Hmmm. Maybe Europe after all...

 

 

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Iceland ( which is in Europe) is an epic place to photograph aurora. What you need to do is to find an interesting foreground so the aurora has something to compliment it. Advantage of Iceland is there are so many brilliant foreground subjects.

Here are 2 of mine that are on the NASA web site.

http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap150310.html

And

http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap130807.html

If you need any additional advice you can find my email on my 500px site.

Best of luck

James

Best of luck !

 

 

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[jrboxer1]

Jim,

Your shots are breathtaking. Thank you. I'll be looking you up on 500px.

 

 

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[jrboxer1]

I'm sorry, I meant to write James.

 

 

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[K2Kevin]

Best protection I have used in the past was a Personal article policy from State Farm insurance. Other then that, I do leave my camera out of its bag for an hour or more when returning indoors, this seems to help with any condensation.