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My M9 in winter in Moscow!


Fotomiguel

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Hello everybody!

Long time ago from my last post. It's been a while without photographing and using my dear M9. Now it's time to come back.

For the last year I've been learing russian and I'm planing to spend the winter in Moscow practicing, learning russian and again taking pictures.

Now, my experiences in cold weather with my M9 have been very hard. When temperature very low, the batteries don't last anything and the camera block itself very quick.

May be some of you have a method to work in cold weather.

Any russian leica lovers in this forum?

Thank you very much!

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Wear gloves :)

 

But seriously, cold weather is bad for all battery life. Beat bet would be to try and keep the camera out of the cold as much as possible. One idea can be to keep it in a pocket or in a bag in between shots, and maybe use some of those hand warming gel pouches in the pocket. However you would have to be careful of getting it too warm and causing misting up.

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Hello everybody!

Long time ago from my last post. It's been a while without photographing and using my dear M9. Now it's time to come back.

For the last year I've been learing russian and I'm planing to spend the winter in Moscow practicing, learning russian and again taking pictures.

Now, my experiences in cold weather with my M9 have been very hard. When temperature very low, the batteries don't last anything and the camera block itself very quick.

May be some of you have a method to work in cold weather.

Any russian leica lovers in this forum?

Thank you very much!

 

1. use leather half case if you can as it traps some heat

2. keep camera in closed bag if you can as much as possible (one with zipper)

3. carry 1-3 spare batteries in coat or jacket pocket not in bag. Keeping close to skin keeps warm.

4. Note that even when battery appears to be empty if you put in trouser pocket for 30mins will warm up and might work again

5. Note that battery life on latest firmware (1.96) is slightly shorter as it has less tolerance for voltage issues. This is a good thing IMHO as the camera is less likely to mis-record the photo or lock up.

 

use gloves ;)

 

best of luck!

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If it is any consolation, Russian winters in Moscow have not been so cold as traditionally in recent years. I spent two winters in Moscow in the 1960s, with my M3, when over 150 days per year Moscow was seriously sub-zero. But normal precautions apply. Patterns change. Perhaps you might consider an X1 or X2 which is easily stowable in a jacket pocket.

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Thank you for the nice replies!

Some years ago, I spent a winter in France ( Chambery). During 3 weeks the temperature were the coldest in many years: many times -25,-30 Cº. I had to wear the camera into my jacket all the time, keeping it warm with my body, keep the batteries in a warm pocket and change them every two minuts.

For me the problem is that the m9 seems to concentrate the cold in all his metal parts very quickly. I as well was thinking in the leather half case. This can be a solution. I've never used one of them. It's not a bit anoying to change the battery?

I have as a second camara the Leica C. How Nice!!!!!!!!! It's like a mini M9. For street photoghaphy is amazing.

Nice to know, that temperatures in Moscow are not as cold as before, but always when I go to a country, the impossible happens! :D

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Hello everybody!

Long time ago from my last post. It's been a while without photographing and using my dear M9. Now it's time to come back.

For the last year I've been learing russian and I'm planing to spend the winter in Moscow practicing, learning russian and again taking pictures.

Now, my experiences in cold weather with my M9 have been very hard. When temperature very low, the batteries don't last anything and the camera block itself very quick.

May be some of you have a method to work in cold weather.

Any russian leica lovers in this forum?

Thank you very much!

 

 

Beautiful portfolios!

 

No battery tips from me, but I liked your pix.

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I would recommend to use an external battery pack similar to what Leica use at their test stands in this video at 9:15 and again 11:15

 

Connect though a sealead hole or a connector to get the leads thrugh the bottomplate.

 

The M has this option via the add on grip directly.

 

Quantum makes many different external battery packs that could be suitable, nned to look into this 3.7 or 4 volt don't know how sesible the M9 is...

 

I would like to make such a winter bottomplate for myself, could be really nice for those longe kold winter days and nights :)

Edited by Erik Gunst Lund
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