Question for cold weather photographers

[HappyCynic]

I've looked at the specs of my cameras and they list a minimum operating temperature of 0 deg. Celsius (32 F). If the temperature drops 10-15 degrees below freezing, is it wise to use the camera? If not, will putting a heat pack in the camera bag and only taking the camera out for brief periods of time keep the camera itself warm enough?

[Blue_In_AK]

1. When I'm out in the cold weather,

I keep my camera zipped inside my coat until I'm ready to shoot. I also carry a plastic bag with me so that I can put the camera inside it before coming into a warm place. Otherwise ice will build up on the lens. This was a big issue in Nome last winter where the temperature only got above 0 a couple of times.

I also notice that batteries don't last very long in the cold, so I carry several extras.

[alfredo]

2. Take the battery out, put it in an inner pocket next to your body. Only take

it out when you are ready to shoot.

[Blue_In_AK]

3. Yes, I've done that, too.

[alfredo]

6. Of course, sometimes it's just too damn cold to open your jacket to retrieve

the battery.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

4. biggest problem I have is

lens fogging

[Blue_In_AK]

5. I had that issue, too,

when we were in New Orleans a few years ago. I forgot how much colder that air-conditioned hotel was than the outside ambient air. When I looked through the viewfinder, I thought something was wrong with my camera!

[HappyCynic]

7. Thanks for the advice

Thanks for the advice. It'll be a while before it becomes an issue for me but I'm sure others will be able to make use of your shared knowledge much sooner.
I'll definitely have to remember the plastic bag and the extra batteries.

[debbierlus]

8. I keep my camera on a strap round my neck tucked beneath my jacket

And, pull it out whenever I want to take a photo. Easier to access. I have a LOT of opportunity to photograph in the cold weather, though fingers and toes crossed, it has been warm thus far!

[ManiacJoe]

9. When doing cold weather photography,

while not a frequent thing for me, I carry an extra battery in a warm inner pocket. When the battery in the camera gets too cold to work well, I swap them, repeating as necessary.