Camera care on Denali?

[mawhyyouare]

Hi,

I am doing the denali west buttress route 2011 june. I have a Nikon D300 which i plan to take along with a Canon S90 with extra batteries and memory cards.I am a bit nutty about photography and am willing to carry this extra load on top of the 100 odd pounds.I am curious about the effects of high altitude and cold temperatures on these cameras,lenses,batteries,memory cards and what care needs to be taken.

 

I have never been this high ,my highest being mount whitney and wanted to know how easy or difficult is to handle these cameras above 17000 feet? All advice appreaciated.

Edited December 30, 2010 by mawhyyouare

[JeffreyR]

Your batteries is bound to not perform well if it gets cold. I have a Nikon battery that sucks in temps below 25 F. Also, your lcd screen could freeze in extreme teps. It has never happened to my camera, but to other electronics. I usually keep sensitive items like that stored inside my jacket in cold weather, which could be a hassle with a D-SLR.

 

I don't believe the actual elevation would have any negative effects, but I have no experience with anything quite that high.

[Valhallas]

a friend of mine climbed denali earlier this year and the lcd froze, destroying the camera. he said it looks like he smashed it on a rock, so thats something else to consider.

[YakCLimber78]

I was on Denali in June 2007 with temps down to about -20. I used a point-and-shoot (I'm a keep-it-simple type of photographer) and had absolutely zero problems with my older Canon.

I found that using a camera that uses simple AA or AAA batteries was the most reliable and simple. As for altitude and moisture, don't worry..... just keep your camera in a jacket pocket.

Edited December 30, 2010 by YakCLimber78

[Alasdair]

The D300 works great on Denali. You can get by with 3 new batteries fully charged. If you are really worried about it pick up a battery grip and use Lithium AA batteries as a back up. Cold could theoretically cause problems with the LCD, but I have never heard of it happening, and it is much more likely that a little bump of the LCD while cold breaks it vs. the cold all on its own breaking it. I have used the D300 in temps below -40 and not had issues. Dont keep the camera warm. Cold does not bother electronics, mositure and heat can. If you keep it in your jacket or some other warm place you camera will get moisture issues. Do not keep the camera in your tent. Keep it in you backpack in the vestbule (sp?) You do not really need to take the batteries in and out unless they dont have much charge. Keep one fully charged battery for summit day.

Edited December 30, 2010 by Alasdair

[Alasdair]

This should answer most of your questions. If you have any more feel free to PM me.

 

http://alasdairturner.blogspot.com/2009/03/this-is-article-i-wrote-few-months-ago.html

[billcoe]

On Everest, I heard that the tradition is for Tibetian Sherpas to wrap it in sheepskin (traditional) or a plastic bag and stuff it up a Yak or Pony's ass until you get to high camp. Unless you're a tightwad or an obnoxious woink, then they stuff it up a mongrels butt, no plastic. (Everyone knows that dogs are reincarnated evil people, so they deserve this)

 

I think that might be my Lumix under the tail there.

 

 

It's either that or a hard case, Lithium Batteries, and keeping it as close to your body as you can get (or not, as noted above). Hope we get some pics when you get back.

 

Safe journeys!!

[ScaredSilly]

While most DSLRs have few moving parts there is still a mirror that moves. It used to be that I would have the grease removed in my SLR and have it dry lubed. I would do the same my lenses (all manual). With all the auto-focus lenses I am not sure what lubricants are used these days.

 

With any camera in the cold I tend to keep it stuck down in my coat. It keeps it warm enough but not so warm that it fogs up.

[mawhyyouare]

Neat info everyone! Alasdair - awesome blog.Thanks everyone, that is indeed a load off my mind on this piece.