Dr_Crash Posted December 7, 2004 Posted December 7, 2004 Hey, I just ordered a Canon S70 to replace the crappy and old DSC-P1 which is dying at home (can't charge batteries anymore). I am going to get a 1 Gb Compact Flash card. Lexar makes a fast one for $75, and Sandisk makes a similarly fast one for $100, but whose operating temperatures go as low a -13 F (-25 C) versus the regular 32 F (0 C) of other cards. Does anybody have trouble using regular flash in low temperatures? I mean, the camera's rated to 32 F too, and I know it will work below that. I'd expect the same for the compact flash, no? Is the 32 F rating simply because the card or the camera are not moisture-proof (and moisture could then freeze inside at these temperatures)? YA Quote
Macson Posted December 7, 2004 Posted December 7, 2004 I suspect the temperature rating of the camera has more to do with the lcd screen not working in freezing temps, than any problems with freezing parts. On my camera I just disable the lcd screen when it gets cold because it seems to get really sluggish with it on in the cold. Also, I can't say enough about the AA lithium batteries. My camera is a battery hog! My rechargable NiMH batteries were typically good for 100 or so pictures if I used the lcd sparingly. I put in lithiums when I realized I fogot the others on a trip back in July. That one set is still showing full bars on the camera and I've taken 400 plus pics on them, plus they're good for extreme cold. Quote
olyclimber Posted December 7, 2004 Posted December 7, 2004 I would expect first limiting factor you would experience from the cold would be the battery life. I've used my Canon S400 (uses compact flash) in temps well below freezing, and the only problem I have had is shorter battery life. Quote
John Frieh Posted December 7, 2004 Posted December 7, 2004 We actually sort Flash chips at -25 C. Its not the chip... its the batteries most likely. Quote
Dr_Crash Posted December 7, 2004 Author Posted December 7, 2004 I also think battery life will be a greater issue. The Canon comes with a Lithium Ion battery, so hopefully the battery life will be okay even in cold. The S70 cannot take AAs unfortunately. I seriously considered the A95 which can, but in the end, the wide angle of the S70 got me. Speaking of batteries, any idea if the cheap replacement batteries are also Li-Ion or can they be anything at all as long as the form factor, voltage and rate are the same? How to know which is which? drC Quote
Gary_Yngve Posted December 7, 2004 Posted December 7, 2004 I have an S400 too. Low battery life is an issue, though Lithium-Ion batteries fare better than others. One time I might have had moisture freeze in the mechanical parts covering the lens. No problems with Compact Flash. In Winter, I keep my camera in a pocket of my jacket or in my sleeping bag. If my batteries are almost zonked and need a little extra zing for that one last picture, I'll stow the batteries in my underwear. Quote
Macson Posted December 7, 2004 Posted December 7, 2004 note to self: no borrowing batteries from Gary. Quote
thelawgoddess Posted December 17, 2004 Posted December 17, 2004 how long do your s400 batteries typically last? do you carry a spare? or two spares? how many would you take and would you be worried if you were going on a two-week trip to the backcountry and planned to take a ton of pics? Quote
thelawgoddess Posted December 18, 2004 Posted December 18, 2004 drc, i read you can get industrial compact flash cards that will operate in some insanely low temps! does anybody have recommendations for fast 256 or 512 cards? i'm not finding my internet search very helpful. Quote
Dr_Crash Posted December 18, 2004 Author Posted December 18, 2004 drc, i read you can get industrial compact flash cards that will operate in some insanely low temps! Yes dear, those are the ones I mention in my original post (down to -13 F). does anybody have recommendations for fast 256 or 512 cards? i'm not finding my internet search very helpful. 1. Look at the debit that Nx (as in 40x or 80x) gives you, or read the card's spec (find that info on Sandisk or Lexar sites). 2. Get a good review of your camera to see what debit you need (see dpreview.com and others); some cameras, for example the Canon A95, do not benefit from an accelerated card. 3. Once you know what you need, shop for price. eCost.com which generally has good price, or one of the many price comparisons networks will get you there. I solved my 1 Gb problem for now by getting a Kingston 128 Mb card (doesn't list acceleration) for $3 (if the rebate check ever comes in). It will be fine for doing some 5 MP shooting on short day trips, and I'll get a bomber 1 Gb later, or a 2 Gb, seeing as prices drop all the time... drC Quote
Distel32 Posted December 18, 2004 Posted December 18, 2004 yeah, taking 5 mp pictures your 128 card will fill up rather quick. max 60-75 pictures depending on what you're shooting Quote
Dr_Crash Posted December 18, 2004 Author Posted December 18, 2004 60-75 pics a day is good; add a dozen or 15 more w/ the 32 Mb card that came with the camera. I am there to climb, not shoot And I could drop to 3 MP, I am not even sure why I have settled on 5 MP (oh wait, it's because it's less wasteful than the 7.1 MP ) drC Quote
thelawgoddess Posted December 20, 2004 Posted December 20, 2004 drc, i read you can get industrial compact flash cards that will operate in some insanely low temps! Yes dear, those are the ones I mention in my original post (down to -13 F). ok. the ones i was reading about would operate down to -40c or even -50c, though. 2. Get a good review of your camera to see what debit you need (see dpreview.com and others); some cameras, for example the Canon A95, do not benefit from an accelerated card. that sounds helpful - will do. thanks! Quote
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