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Posted by Bill S on February 3, 2008 at 9:16:49 pm EST
In reply to Northern Alaska winter trip posted by Oferguson on January 27, 2008 at 5:01:51 pm EST

That's much too long a subject for here, but a few hints. Check what your camera manufacturer says about extreme cold conditions. I use Nikon SLRs and DSLRs, and have had no problems in the Arctic Range (all the way to the top of Denali) and in Antarctica at temperatures in the -30 and below range (look at my article on Antarctica in the News section of Trailspace). On the other hand, I did have a problem in Antarctica with Barb's little Canon P&S due to the cold between Low Camp and High Camp headed down from Vinson. That camera takes AA batteries. Canon is very explicit to NOT use lithium AAs in their P&S cameras that accept AA batteries. Several people down there told me that they had problems with Canon DLSRs, particularly the zoom lenses. Keeping the camera warm seems to help - keep it inside your parka where possible, but shield it from moisture (for example your perspiration inside your parka can condense on and in the camera, then freeze quickly when you take the camera out). Chemical handwarmers in the camera case help a lot (I use Zing neoprene cases, and sometimes use the foot and toe warmers with adhesive to stick to the back of the camera close to the battery compartment, though I only used the warmers one day in Antarctica, and that was on the Canon P&S after the day it froze up). Most of my group in Antarctica had Nikon DSLRs, none of which had problems.

There are some tricks to imaging aurorae. I would suggest you get one of the very good books on shooting aurorae and in cold conditions. Your neighborhood Borders has a good selection of nature photography books these days, many digital, many including cold weather tips.

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