muc_marlin Posted March 19, 2013 Share #21 Posted March 19, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) I just arrived at home from my vacation ( post #2 ) and want to share my experience. In 4.5 weeks I had temperatures from +4°C to -28°C, spend in the cold period 10 nights in a tent, the rest were day trips from the camping bus and the MP worked just flawlessly. Doing the nights in the tent I left her in the cold and doing the day I carried her in a small LowePro bag around my neck. To my surprise I even didn't need one of the spare batteries the same with the external exposure meter. The handling with thin wool gloves was also no problem at all. Greetings muc_marlin Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 19, 2013 Posted March 19, 2013 Hi muc_marlin, Take a look here Leica MP in extreme cold?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
k_g_wolf ✝ Posted March 19, 2013 Share #22 Posted March 19, 2013 Great! Many photogs don´t know, that a LEICA can stand much more than most of their owners. Are you pleased with the photographic results of your trip? Regards GEORG Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrid Posted March 19, 2013 Share #23 Posted March 19, 2013 Anyone any experience of using a Leica MP in Lapland - temperature likely to be around -20C. Thanks, David I've shot my M6ttl at -28 C in Germany. It hung around my neck for prolonged periods of time, while I also juggled a Nikon F2. No problems. Wind the film slowly, because it can become brittle at such low temperatures. I don't believe that static buildup still is a problem with modern films, but advancing carefully also eliminates that issue. Lithium batteries perform better in the cold than alkaline. The biggest problem is bringing the camera inside a warm area or building, because of the potential for condensation. I place my cameras in ziplock bags or if I don't have one, I wrap them in an article of clothing, so they come up to room temperature slowly. The worst part of shooting in such low temperatures was my runny nose sticking to the back to the cameras. You may already know this, but once temperatures drop past -25 C the potential for frostbite rises dramatically. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
muc_marlin Posted March 20, 2013 Share #24 Posted March 20, 2013 Great! Many photogs don´t know, that a LEICA can stand much more than most of their owners. Are you pleased with the photographic results of your trip? Regards GEORG yes, I am very pleased with the results and the quality of the slides. It is a joy to get a sparkling, crystal clear with great color slide just "out of cam"! I very, very much enjoyed shooting the MP and instead of sitting in front of my laptop working on some digital files, I spend the time to read a good book. I only used the D3 for two nights when the northern light was visible all the rest was taken with the MP! Greetings Peter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Pop Posted April 4, 2013 Share #25 Posted April 4, 2013 I regularly use my film cameras in cold weather (-15 to -35C) while ski touring or on climbing trips. I'm careful in loading the film and winding (and rewinding) as it gets colder, but that's about it. I carry my MP (and the M6TTL before it) in a neverready case across my shoulder, bring a spare battery (but never had to change it out there). My first film camera (back when there was only film) was an Olympus Trip 35. No problems there. Neither with my Pentax KX which was my main camera until I got into Leica. It has faithfully served me through multiple (very) cold trips; the only time it jammed up was actually in summer back in the mid-80s and I had a CLA done and it's been fine ever since. The only time I've witnessed anything freezing up was a friend's Minolta which was a highly electronic model (can't remember...this was 1987) on an expedition in Alaska. The rest of us had mechanical Pentax and Nikon cameras with no issues at all. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulus Posted April 6, 2013 Share #26 Posted April 6, 2013 Anyone any experience of using a Leica MP in Lapland - temperature likely to be around -20C. Thanks, David I have prepared an M6 for Siberia for my brother , who was going to Siberia - 40 Celcius. First we have sent the camera to Leica for "thinner oil". He had no problems with the camera at minus 40 celsius. Only problem he had, was that the camera froze to his nose once. You better tape the chrome parts camera in the vicinity of your nose. MP = M6 so it must get the same results. He also to another camera. ( Minolta ) but the shutter froze after 6 slides. When coming indoors, hang your camera above the heating to dry. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stealth3kpl Posted April 6, 2013 Share #27 Posted April 6, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) I carry my MP in a neverready case across my shoulder I'm quite recently back from ski touring in Norway (at worse -20C). I found that, without a case, moisture from my body would condense on the surface of the camera and instantly freeze. Crossing a lake at the end of the day a last shot was missed through the camera seizing. It quickly came back to life in the warmth of the hut. After that I carried the camera on its strap across my chest but enveloped the camera body in an Xped dry bag with the fastex buckle locked which held the bag in place. This stopped any condensation on the camera. No more seizing up and no more wiping frost off the viewfinder. My friend's new Canon G15 seized up, lens out and was inoperable for the rest of the trip, and my other companion's camera had a folder error so couldn't be used on the trip. I would say that film won hands except for me not inserting the film properly (Olympus OM1) giving me that sinking feeling when I'd reached exposure 39 on day 2 Pete Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob139 Posted April 6, 2013 Share #28 Posted April 6, 2013 ...giving me that sinking feeling when I'd reached exposure 39 on day 2 Ouch! I can feel it to. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les_Sismore Posted April 7, 2013 Share #29 Posted April 7, 2013 I'm probably taking my MP and M6 into some rather cold places (Antarctica) and will take all recommended precautions - fabric tape on exposed metal, sealed bags for warm-up, etc. Some questions about film use: . Do you reduce the effective film speed at these low temperatures, e.g. expose Tri-X as 160-200 ASA? . How do you then develop the film: with the manufacturer's ASA rating, or the lower rating used for exposure? . What about colour film, e.g. Portra, Velvia - manufacturer's ASA, reduced ASA? Any advice / instructions to the processing lab? Thanks in advance Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted April 7, 2013 Share #30 Posted April 7, 2013 I'm probably taking my MP and M6 into some rather cold places (Antarctica) and will take all recommended precautions - fabric tape on exposed metal, sealed bags for warm-up, etc. Some questions about film use: . Do you reduce the effective film speed at these low temperatures, e.g. expose Tri-X as 160-200 ASA? . How do you then develop the film: with the manufacturer's ASA rating, or the lower rating used for exposure? . What about colour film, e.g. Portra, Velvia - manufacturer's ASA, reduced ASA? Any advice / instructions to the processing lab? Thanks in advance What time of year (season) will you be travelling? I took an M6 and M7 as well as M8 and M9 to Antarctica in January/February (Summer) with no problem at all. I exposed and processed all films (B&W and Col) exactly as normal. No problems. One thing I meant to do and omitted was to attach a short piece of wool to the bottom plate release catch to facilitate opening without removing gloves in cold weather. I ended up changing film in Neptune's Window at Mystery Bay needing to remove two pairs of gloves to use my fingernail on the catch because of my omission! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les_Sismore Posted April 7, 2013 Share #31 Posted April 7, 2013 Many thanks Erl! We're probably travelling in late November / early December or during the Antarctic Summer, so I have time for some tests of refrigerated cameras and films. If January / February I do not expect any equipment problems, but we are well aware of the need to get enough sleep during the long hours of light. The suggestion of a wool tag on the base release catch is very ingenious! Thanks again Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted April 7, 2013 Share #32 Posted April 7, 2013 Les, I found my M8/9 batteries lasted OK till lunchtime. I always changed them at that time even if they were OK. I didn't notice any effect on M6/7 meter batteries but I would carry spares for them as well. Cheap insurance. Another tip. When shooting ashore and then returning to the mother ship for lunch, leave your camera gear in the mud/changeroom (assuming it is not heated). Condensation on cold surfaces eg. lenses, front and rear elements, will fog over rapidly when returned to a warm environment. This can destroy an afternoon shoot for some time while the camera gear acclimatizes. While waiting on deck to board the zodiac in the morning, I used to open my camera bag and play with my gear to bring its temp down to outside before going ashore. Final tip. Take at least twice as much film as you think you will use. You WILL use it all, and don't shoot too anxiously at the beginning as the opportunities get better as you progress. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les_Sismore Posted April 8, 2013 Share #33 Posted April 8, 2013 Thanks Erl! I had a good look at your Antactica galleries on your website - these are photographically very interesting and informative. My usual practice when travelling with Leica is to take double the amount of film I think I will use. Invariably, surprise surprise, I always seem to return home with only one or two rolls to spare. Many thanks again for all your very practical advice gained from real experience. It is most appreciated. Kind regards Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulus Posted September 19, 2013 Share #34 Posted September 19, 2013 Anyone any experience of using a Leica MP in Lapland - temperature likely to be around -20C. Thanks, David MP Camera is the same ( or better ) in this way as the M6. I have an M6 which endured minus 40 Celcius in Siberia, Minus 48 in Jakutsk and minus 20 degrees in Tierra del Fuego. This one had special grease put in by Leica. Maybe the MP needs this too. Film roles were no problem. Only changing the roles in the cold was a real challenge. ( We put a little rope on the bottomplatelock) so that we could use it with the very thick gloves. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblitz Posted September 19, 2013 Share #35 Posted September 19, 2013 i can remember some very cold winter days in nyc, -10F in the late 70s, was using a canon TL with FD lenses and the only thing that slowed noticeably was the focus ring on the lens. i know its not a leica, etc, but thought to throw this in anyway. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotohuis Posted September 29, 2013 Share #36 Posted September 29, 2013 -22C in Prague/Praha and -25C in Kiev was my lowest temperature with my M7. It all still worked, even the batteries without any problem. But somehow there will be a point when the camera will stop working. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Pop Posted October 1, 2013 Share #37 Posted October 1, 2013 Glad your trip worked out well. I've always chosen film over digital in any of my extended/cold weather backcountry trips. I've never had a problem; have used my M6TTL ski touring in storms and intense cold, likewise my MP. No issues. My old (1977) Pentax KX likewise...climbing expedition in Alaska, no issues. I do take care to load the film in extreme cold, and don't wind (or rewind) aggressively. Otherwise, good to go. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
akitadog Posted October 11, 2013 Share #38 Posted October 11, 2013 You have a great website. I think that your images are awesome. I used to go to thule Greenland many years age while in the RCAF. Keep up the great work. It is nice to see B/W film images. Regards, Akitadog Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevesurf Posted October 17, 2013 Share #39 Posted October 17, 2013 Hello from arctic Greenland. I never had any problems with my mp in -25 Celsius. When I come inside my home I wrap my MP inside a jacket to avoid condensation. Continued MP addiction Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD OT, I must say, the time lapse video of Greenland is amazing, and an excellent guide to the photographing the changing sky! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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