Guest aurora_borealis Posted May 20, 2009 Share #21 Posted May 20, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) (...) I assume that such conditions would be a case when a Leicavit is truly useful to operate the camera with your gloves on. (...) I think you are right. At least if it gets really cold and I have to wear the big gloves. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 20, 2009 Posted May 20, 2009 Hi Guest aurora_borealis, Take a look here 12 month trip to Greenland - what gear to bring?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
R.Morrison Posted May 21, 2009 Share #22 Posted May 21, 2009 I spent seven years in neighbouring Nunavut with an M4P and encountered no problems. I employed an Abrahamsson Rapid Winder (similar to a Leicavit) to make it easier to wind on whilst wearing pualuit. When coming in from the cold place your camera in a plastic bag and allow to come to room temperature before removing it from the bag so that condensation will not form. I have not had a problem with film breakage as long as my rewinding motions were slow and smooth. Yours, R. Morrison Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted May 28, 2009 Share #23 Posted May 28, 2009 I am not sure if you have left already, but I found some useful advice in Günter Osterloh’s excellent book, "Leica M Advanced Photo School". He says that Leica cameras operate at temperatures ranging from 70C to minus 20C. Cameras can be “cold-proofed” down to minus 40C. However, that makes them useless in normal temperatures because the focal-plane shutter and focusing helicals will no longer be accurate (I assume because of the difference in oil viscosity). That, and the expense, makes the exercise hardly seem worthwhile. Batteries will operate down to minus 20C. But of course they will wear down faster. Carry under warm clothing! Wind on film slowly and carefully. Otherwise the action may build up charges of static electricity. “Tiny sparks then discharge that build-up into the camera body, creating designs on the film like branches or flakes with fine branch-like lines, which, unfortunately, can only be detected after the film has been processed.” Osterloh says it’s a good idea to wear thin cotton gloves under heavy mittens. Skin can instantly freeze to bare metal. Pocket-heaters may be worth getting. Also watch out for the eye-piece. Give the camera time to cool down when you take it outside; bringing it into the arm can be worse. Use sealed plastic bags (as mentioned above). “They will steam up on the outside, but the objects inside the bags will remain absolutely dry.” If you take a camera suddenly from minus 20C to plus 20C the severe shock “may even cause the front elements of the lens to crack.” Yikes! The coldest I experienced was staying overnight in a cross-country ski hut in the mountains where it was minus 20 overnight outside. Camera was fine but when we got back to our car, eggs, shampoo and beer cans were all frozen solid! Also, I just read of a Kiwi rescued from Greenland who lost some of his feet after being caught in a whiteout. He had only gone out for short trip on his skidoo but didn’t take his complete comms and survival gear and then the batteries failed. It’s a hostile environment. Take care, have fun, and post some pics. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest aurora_borealis Posted May 28, 2009 Share #24 Posted May 28, 2009 NZDavid: Thank you! I am going in August. I will try and post pictures now and then from the M8. Not that I plan to use it very much. If any other of you photographers plan to go to Greenland during the next year, let me know, and I will buy you a cup of melted snow. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
poynterama Posted May 28, 2009 Share #25 Posted May 28, 2009 Also, I just read of a Kiwi rescued from Greenland who lost some of his feet after being caught in a whiteout. How many feet do you Kiwi's get?? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted May 28, 2009 Share #26 Posted May 28, 2009 I meant part, not some. Long day. Thanks for spotting! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don'tknowmuch Posted May 29, 2009 Share #27 Posted May 29, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi Jorgensen. Whilst you may already be inundated with posts, or, indeed, have set off... here's another post on your fascinating trip. I've just come across the work of Ragnar Axelsson photographer and thought of you. I believe he uses an M6, often with Tri-X in it, but you could ask him; there's a contact link on his site. Tellingly he also sketches, so it may be a good idea to take a pencil as well for backup, though you may not be able to hold it! Jim. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted May 29, 2009 Share #28 Posted May 29, 2009 If you liked his work you should get his book Faces of the North. Awesome. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest aurora_borealis Posted May 29, 2009 Share #29 Posted May 29, 2009 Hi Jorgensen.Whilst you may already be inundated with posts' date=' or, indeed, have set off... here's another post on your fascinating trip. I've just come across the work of Ragnar Axelsson photographer and thought of you. I believe he uses an M6, often with Tri-X in it, but you could ask him; there's a contact link on his site. Tellingly he also sketches, so it may be a good idea to take a pencil as well for backup, though you may not be able to hold it! Jim. Hi Jim, good idea! Yes I know Ragnar's work very well. I like it very much. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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