How to Protect Your Camera in Bad Weather

[@liutauras8086]

This is the most informative video that I have found for camera protection in bad wheather. Thank you so much!

[@rippasnortus]

I read somewhere that our camera batteries should be at room temperature before we put them on the charger. They get plenty chilled after 8+hours on the snow shoe trail at -25 C and take a while to warm up. I never cover my camera up in the rain or snow. It has even sat out all night on the deck in the pouring rain on the tripod, but it was dust free by morning. Any decent, modern camera is well sealed, so I never worry about the weather. I am more worried about it banging off trees and rocks when I am moving through the woods or over cliffs. Like your channel and I have subscribed. Thank-you!

[@otonielvj874]

Very helpful thanks

[@bobwollenberg9160]

Definitely going to get some hand warmers...thanks for the tip. When coming in from the cold I just keep my camera in the bag until it's up to temp. Of course, my favorite way to protect my gear is to stay in bed until spring.!

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

LOL! That's one way of doing it! :) I found the hand warmers in my pocket trick most helpful last year in the Yukon. It was so cold that I had to keep my liner gloves on inside of down mittens with the hand warmers. Of course, that meant it was impossible to handle my camera. I realized having the hand warmers in my pockets meant my hands would warm up while my camera was shooting, and I wouldn't have to fiddle with the mittens.

[@alceganyau5526]

Thank you so much for the Tutorial. Wishing you all the best for 2023

[@wbwright79]

super silica gel advice. thank you very much!

[@AndreadePoloSaibanti]

Thanks for the tips. Very handy

[@silas1414]

Brilliant. So much knowledge here. Super helpful.

[@MortenHolmboe]

Fantastic tip Brenda regarding the silica gel in the bag before entering the house. In Scandinavia we get our part of the world's poor weather, and your video most definitely inspire to "get more out there". Thank You ;-)

[@RoyMundson]

really smart solutions! would love a version 2

[@tysonator5433]

Some great advice. Brendan Von Son has a great suggestion which I use a lot and that is a hotel complementary Shower Caps. These things are cheap, easy to carry, and wok well.

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Good tip - thanks!

[@berniestang2616]

Love it 🥰 Absolutely love your videos … keep them coming !!!

[@christopherchall7056]

Hi Brenda, thank you for all your advice. Putting the silica gels in a bag is pure genius. The microfiber cloths are good. A bulb blower clears the surface without touching the filter/lens. The Peak Design cover looks like a perfect protector ($$$). The Ruggard clear protector looks far more practical ($). Thanks again!

[@mauricioposada8270]

Practical, excellent advice! The silica gel packets tip is a gem. Thank you!

[@michaelrobbins1632]

Great tip Brenda regarding the silica gel in the bag before entering the house , one thing I`ve found good for rain/snow on the lens is my rocket blower you don't get the streaking as with the cloths.

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Great tip! Thanks for sharing. I haven't tried that - will give it a shot!

[@thosyoung373]

Thanks for putting this together. I’m from Alaska and do a lot of astrophotography, wildlife, and landscape photography: fighting the elements is always a problem. Your video has excellent suggestions, especially that of drying the camera out (or keeping it dry) during the shooting day. Your video makes many good points, especially concerning the problem of how to charge batteries... as cold weather hammers battery performance badly. (I keep my batteries inside my coat to use body warmth to keep those lithium ion batteries as warm as possible before use.) Great tip about the USB charger for the car while driving. I’m out shooting photos 8-14 hours at times: charging camera batteries is a real problem. I’ll post this for your consideration: I connect a 1000w Goal Zero battery to my vehicle’s recharging system so it charges while I’m driving; not only do I connect my camera battery rechargers to its USB ports, but if I have several other batteries to charge, I connect a power strip to the battery’s inverter (115v AC power) and charge my camera batteries faster than the USB ports allow. Having this 1000w battery allows me to charge batteries while the vehicle isn’t running. I use my hotel room’s power to charge the large battery quickly while I sleep, as well as charge any batteries that need charging after using them during the day (I use a SmallHD LCD display when shooting landscape photos, and these are gluttonously power-hungry). I’ll typically use 6 or more batteries in a long day of photography, and the large 1000w battery has solved the problem of having freshly-charged batteries for use at all times.

[@franciscokloganb]

Last tip was pretty great. I actually did not consider this scenario in my preparations for Bohemian Switzerland in Febraury.

[@superspectator123]

Great video. Thank you.

[@bernym4047]

I ordered the peak design shell off your affiliate link. Thanks for the video.

[@mediaikonz]

Good video with great ideas!

[@anthonyhazlewood5788]

Good tips there Brenda... Thanks

[@Lizerator]

Great tips, very helpful, thanks

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

You're welcome!

[@mikegordonbrasov161]

Great tips. So, one doubt; i travel in a foggy, with lot of air moisture environment (Norway). Also raining and snow/cold. ¿As Long as I cover the camera with plástico, could i consider the camera enough protected? Do I also need some heaters, in order to fight against humidity in the air?

[@WeiChong]

Excellent tips. Thanks for sharing.

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Thanks so much, Wei!

[@PT-re2gi]

Awesome gear and tips. Thanks for sharing

[@allandavies1187]

Hello Brenda, some good tips there. I also keep a lot of silica sachets in in a little net which people used for washing machines. And I keep this in my camera bag to draw the dampness away...

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Good tip, thanks Allan!

[@bakerlima6811]

Thanks so much Brenda!! I am going to Scotland for Landscape photography and these tips will come in very handy!!!!

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Awesome! Glad they will help you out! I've never been to Scotland, but the photos I've seen online are amazing. Have a great time!

[@ReinholdFriedrichAuer]

Hi Brenda, when you are doing time lapse photography for several hours or maybe the whole night, how and where are you spending your time?

[@Just_Ve]

Thanks for the advice. I'm just surprised that people still using Fahrenheit for weather temperature :)

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

LOL - yep, just us Americans... ;)

[@SmartThis]

really informative, ty

[@mintmindy]

THIS IS SUPER USEFUL! Thanks!

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Great! No problem!

[@martinconrad9260]

ALL very helpful advice!

[@bobvandongen2599]

HI, You talk about the peak design raincover. It looks very robust. But It is very small, so I wonder how to make pictures when the cob=vers is over youtr camera. Or is is just for rain protection while going to a new shooting place?

[@victortoews3887]

As I live in Florida now I don't think I'll see cold weather soon. However, my family still lives in the cold weather and this video gives me good information to be prepared when we go back north in the winter. Thanks for the videos.

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Glad it was helpful!

[@gothamfotografia]

Have you considered placing a hand warmer over the battery compartment on the camera- under the rain cover etc?

[@davepreviti]

Hi Brenda, I have a Nikon D500. The heaviest/longest lens I have are Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 and an 18-300 f/3/5-6.3. I noticed you have the Peak Design Slide Lite strap ( appears to be). Any problem with the lite handling the weight of your body and lens you use? Thanks

[@rockchester1]

Thanks for all the advice!

[@scottmouse1921]

Cool video! Answered my questions.

[@radubarac]

Excelent tips! Thank you Brenda. Waiting for other tutorials as well. Best, from Transylvania!

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Thanks for watching, Radu!

[@SqueakyNeb]

Pretty good advice but I have a few sciencey nitpicks for the curious (and not faulting the advice - it's all right, for slightly wrong reasons). The first is the cold batteries: cold doesn't drain the batteries, it just reduces their performance while they're cold. Batteries are just a chemical reaction in a box, and all chemical reactions slow when cold. Cold batteries will actually self-discharge SLOWER than warm batteries, but when you USE them cold they underperform and appear to be flat. Keeping them inside your jacket so they're ready to go is good advice though! The second is the silica desiccant. Plastic-bagging the camera is great advice (keep the warm air and its moisture away from the cold object). The repurposed silica packets aren't doing anything for you though, it's fully loaded with moisture once it's been exposed for a few hours. HOWEVER, if you do want to be really thorough, you can apparently "recharge" it by baking the moisture out in an oven - I've never tried this myself though. I suppose this is slightly faulting the advice slightly, but only the silica bit, just leave that out unless you're drying them before sealing them in the bag.

[@bsperka]

Excellent tips Brenda. Thanks for sharing this video. We're off to the Grand Canyon next week and the temps are forecast to be 34H-5L, so I'll put your tips to good use. Cheers.

[@javajack-1]

Thanks, all very good tips. I live in Canada but heading to NWTerritories for Aurora shooting. Did not know about the Peak Design soft camera covers. Looks excellent and will order right now. Love Peak stuff. Also ordering a usb powered lens warmer.

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Oh, I'm jealous! I've shot the aurora in the Yukon. Just incredible. I wish you clear skies!

[@JanieP53]

Nice video! I love your practical approach.

[@nicholascarballo8287]

Good advice!

[@rdevarney]

Love the tip. Vermont flannel?

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

But of course! ;)

[@ChrisSmith-wz4cc]

Thanks Brenda, some good tips there I haven't thought of...

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Great! Glad to hear it!

[@WandererByNature]

Lol just came back today from my first snowstorm shooting here in UK, quite a few of those tips would have helped, notes taken :) Very easy, useful tips, thanks

[@davidpower3102]

So many great tips. I liked the pace of this video. I'm going to use a lot of this advice.

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Terrific! Thanks for the feedback.

[@MerciersStudio]

Hello nice video just dropped on it... By the way what camera is that ?

[@up3up4sos1]

well done, Brenda. Thanks so much :)

[@ForGabeAndSammy]

AMAZING tips!!!

[@karenaWarner144]

Love your videos, they are so informative 👍🏻

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Great - so glad to hear that! Thanks!

[@Rodrigo-ty3go]

Very useful tips Brenda! Thank you! Excelent channel!

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Thanks so much, Rodrigo!

[@stephenoconnell4479]

Great Video really helpful tips thank you for putting out a great video,

[@Musiquedecor]

Thank you for this !

[@UnenthusiasticPerson]

Wow I learned a lot. I didn’t know any of these. It doesn’t snow where I live.

[@abhijithari6223]

Thank you mam for your valuable information to share with us

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Abhijit Hari :). Happy to!

[@TheDecollins]

When taking my camera outside,should I keep it in its case or just take it outside, from a warm environment to a cold one?Thanks.

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

It's more important to keep your camera covered when going from a very cold environment (outdoors) to a warm environment (indoors). When you go from cold to warm, the cold camera is likely to get covered in condensation from the moisture in the air of the warm environment.

[@TheDecollins]

Thank you!!

[@kareemosman3064]

from your experience is it ok to put a wet cold towel, or an ice bag on the camera while shooting in the desert . if not how would you deal with that .

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Hi Kareem - that's an interesting concept. I've not spent time in the dessert doing photography, so I haven't needed to deal with my camera overheating - is that what you are concerned about?

[@kareemosman3064]

@@outdoorphotographyschool7366 thanks for the reply. I decided to do most of the work in a stodio. white seamless background. and minimise the part taken outside. I will try to shoot in the morning to avoid the scorching noon heat:)

[@jerrysutherlin2002]

I've seen two of your videos and have enjoyed both, great content. Will the alcohol wipes have any detrimental effect on lens coatings such as Nikon's nano coating? I live in three distinct environments each offer their own challengers. I discovered one protective item useful in each environment, a 3ft x 3ft zip lock bag. Whole camera bags or vest can quickly be dropped in the bag and zipped close.

[@jlrbarron6348]

I had to pause the video I thought my Phone was ringing..then I realized it was the backroung jingle of the video lol

[@AndyStrappazzon]

Keep on !

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Thanks, Andy! I'll have a new video out this week - stay tuned! :)

[@darioiacopi6369]

very useful tips thank you ... ciao

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Great - thanks!

[@donnaarthur1214]

How do you keep your batteries from discharging quickly in the cold?

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

The best way that I've found is to keep them close to your body temperature - like in a pocket inside your jacket. I also use multiple batteries and swap them out frequently. In really cold temps, some batteries that are not fully exhausted will actually work again if warmed up a bit. You can also put a handwarmer over your battery compartment. These tricks worked for me when photographing at -30F.

[@bobswezey7452]

good info....

[@omerozvardar8545]

Would that make sense to place two hand warmers on the side of the lens to keep it warm? Do SLRs function normally on -10 or -15C ? Thanks.

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Hi Omer - yes, cameras function normally at those temperatures if the batteries are kept warm. I've photographed at -37C before and so long as the battery worked, I was able to take images. I have had the LCD display not show and my breath freeze up on the camera, but other than that, it should work ok.

[@omerozvardar8545]

@@outdoorphotographyschool7366 Thank you. Does my idea of hand warmers around the lens make sense? I saw if in a few websites and videos. They put the warmers in a sock or similar fabric, and wrap around the lens to keep it warm as long exposures risk lens malfunction (they say).

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

@@omerozvardar8545 Yes - that works! I use handwarmers around my lens for night photography as well in order to keep dew from forming on the end of the lens. Keeping the lens barrel warm helps with that.

[@turkeylurkeyy4475]

If you put a light behind you, the camera won't search for focus like that . Great ideas!

[@DonnaCouture]

I always keep 2-3 plastic trashbags with ties with me because they are light and easy to carry and then pull them over my gear or bag.

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Donna Couture Great idea!

[@ML-ck4bk]

Thank you for helpful tips. Oh, and a small opinion, if I may. Nature does not have bad weather. :) Rainy, snowy, windy, stormy - perhaps. Bad? Nay.

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Ha - I like it! You are right. :)

[@hyperslavk8306]

Just checking if you really read all comments:-) Btw very useful tutorial!

[@karinaschneider3978]

Hi Brenda, this is again an amazing helpfull video. But i want to mention something regarding the batteries in genereal for everybody. The batteries that we use for the camera's ( even in phones's ) are known as LI-ION ( lithium-ion ) batteries. That means that the are classified as dangerous goods. When these batteries are exposed to extreme temperatures, like too hot or too cold or even when on the charger, they "might" ( not say they will ) catch on fire by themselves spontaneously. And these burn marks are no jokes. Please be carefull when you storage them close to your body.

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Thank you for the safety information! We all appreciate it.

[@JohnKidd]

Did you ever make a video on the topic at 5:40?

[@RuteandoEnLibertad]

Hola, no se si el traductor de Googlee, podrá hacer bien su trabajo. No hablo bien el ingles. Espero que esto lo entiendas. Me gustan muchos tus videos y espero que sigas subiendo nuevos videos en tu canal de youtube. Un saludo muy grande desde las Islas Canarias. España. De un compañero que le gusta mucho la fotografía nocturna.

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Hola, ¡muchas gracias por tu comentario! También estoy intentando traducir a google porque no hablo español. ¡Me alegra saber que estás disfrutando los videos! La mejor de las suertes con tu fotografía nocturna.

[@ibjp2004]

As a novice, I found all your tips EXTREMELY HELPFUL! Thank you...:)

[@nandig8049]

My CUTIE 🥰;

[@r.alecbowman1232]

Put a hand warmer in the pocket with your batteries to keep them warm.

[@outdoorphotographyschool7366]

Yes! Good tip!

[@Whisperingvoid_K]

use Gopro :)

[@minysmith9043]

Zippo handwarmers. Less wastefull

[@andrewgonzalez6208]

Below 15 degrees Fahrenheit?? I think I clicked the wrong video.

[@aaz148a]

Almost everything has been well thought off except for .... your poor cold feet. Electric Heated Socks are excellent to keep your feet warmed up standing on the snow for a while :-)

[@bamsemh1]

Don't buy canon, nikon or Sony. Easy.!

[@panagiotiszymaris914]

Ellen Degeneres?

[@blackmagickgenetics]

Wtf is that

[@GothicKittyMadness]

is this a man or a woman?