Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/11/30
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]At 1:26 AM -0500 12/1/99, csocolow wrote: >Ted Grant wrote: > >> Hi Carl, >> >> When I used to shoot a fair amount in the arctic, -25 to -50 below using M >> cameras I never had them "winterized" for better lubrication. I just took >> them north and shot away and they worked fine. >> >> I had read at one time that M Leicas' didn't really need to be winterized, >> so I never had it done. Sure things tightened up, as in focusing rings, but >> not stopped "cold!" :) >> >> ted >> > >When I used to shoot daily news I'd use my Canon mechanical cameras down >below zero with no problems or adjustments. Even today I have no >problems with my Hasselblads when they're cold. I've had problems with >later battery-dependent Canons in cold weather, however. The Leicas have >always performed well but I've only used them down to about 10 degrees >(remember those temperatures, Roger?). I have heard of leaf shutters >freezing and binding or breaking and was wondering if anyone on the LUG >has experienced that. I've also heard of film breaking or sprocket holes >stripping because it's so brittle. And I've heard of static marks on >film from using a motor rewind. Anyone have these experiences as well? >Also, can you use long underwear to clean long lenses? I've taken pictures in various temperatures down to 50 below C, and mechanical cameras have all been fine. That includes leaf shutter lenses, Leicas of various types and Konica Autoreflexes. Nikons I had trouble with (and to stay on topic re: the major thread here, I wouldn't want to take my Canon EOS-3 into the cold for long either). I never had film break, and static wasn't an issue as winding was manual (see above re batteries as in required for motors). I think 8fps is not a good idea at 40 below. As for the last point, no, don't try to use your long underwear. By the time you get it off, and stand there bare-assed polishing your lens, you'll think of a better use for it! * Henning J. Wulff /|\ Wulff Photography & Design /###\ mailto:henningw@archiphoto.com |[ ]| http://www.archiphoto.com