Can the temperature cause damage to the camera?

I'm wondering if there is a temperature range that the Canon T3i won't work in. I know that the manual says not to use it below 32°F, but

it doesn't say what temperature to not shoot at if the temperature rises above a certain amount. I have found that the camera becomes

hot if left on for too long, and it kills the battery, but I want to take some pictures of the desert area around Farmington, NM, but I don't

want to destroy my camera in the process. Can anyone please help me with this? I'm new to photography, and am limited on funds. I

actually spent more than I could afford on my camera, and want it to last me for quite a few years. At least 10 to 15 years, if this is

possible. Thanks for your time, patience and understanding.

<p>Bring extra batteries and don't leave the camera on the seat of a closed up car in the summer sun all day. </p>

<p>Make sure you bring lots of water for yourself. </p>

<p>People have been shooting photos in the desert with digital cameras for a long time now.</p>

<p>[[i have found that the camera becomes hot if left on for too long, and it kills the battery]]<br /><br /><br>

Are you using live view a lot?</p>

<p>Hi Daniel, I don't think you have much to worry about with just a little common sense and care. </p>

<p>The hot-to-the-touch temperature (or "ouch" temperature, typically around 45 degrees Celsius) is well below what would harm the camera's electronics or mechanics. The only caution is that sustained high temperature exposure can deform plastics and cause adhesive failure so keep it out of direct sunlight if locked in a hot car, for example. </p>

<p>If you live in that area, you no doubt have at least one good cooler. Consider using it (without ice) as a container - in the car - for the camera gear. You're not looking to keep it cold, but it can help push back the time when the car's heat makes the camera as hot as it would otherwise be. This time of year, I usually sling the camera bag over my shoulder rather than leave it in the car when we're in mid-to-upper 90's. Desert temps are certainly worse. <br /><br />I've used the cooler trick more than once, and if your cooler is the kind that's well insulated enough to keep ice for at least 24 hours in very hot temps, it's certainly going to let you start at room temp in your house, and keep the gear much less hot in the car for at least a few hours.</p>

<p>Here is the specified external air temperature range from Canon for your camera:<br>

Working Temperature Range <br />32-104°F/0-40°C<br>

The internal temperature is designed to run higher then that since electronics do dissipate some heat as the battery is used. Typically design includes covering running at the high external air temperature at heavy use. Personally I think I would wear out before the camera at that temperature.<br>

I think it was already mentioned to use common sense care to have it last a long time. That said, how long your camera lasts depends also on the amount of use and maintenance. It is not just electronics yet also of lot of mechanical moving parts. Most shutter assemblies of higher end DSLRs are speced for 200,000 shots with lower end expected to be in the 100,000 to 200,000 range (many lower end cameras don't spec the limits). I think the norm over 10 to 15 years would be that you would need a trip the repair shop once or twice in that time frame. I have had my Nikon D200 with a few lenses for 8 years and so far I had to take only my zoom lens in once yet nothing else. That was for what I would say is light use for that particular camera at a few thousand shots per year.<br>

There is a worse outcome than having a camera wear out - and that is having it lasts 10 to 15 years due to lack of use. Go out, take tons of shots and enjoy your camera. Just a suggestion.</p>

<p>I think the general consensus is that you will want to pack it in before your camera does. That applies to both hot and cold temperature extremes. When it gets to be too uncomfortable for you, you're still well below the threshold for potential camera damage. And of course the 0°C/32°F temperature that most manufactures specify as a lower limit is just plain silly, as millions of photos are taken with these camera at temperatures of -20°C/0°F and much colder. Again, you (or your batteries) will want to quit before your camera suffers any damage.</p>

<p>So take the simple precautions noted above (coolers, keep it out of direct sunlight, etc.) and enjoy your photo excursion to the desert. And post some pictures here when you return. :)</p>

<p>One precaution you may see listed in instruction manuals (I seem to recall seeing it in some of Nikon's manuals) is that exposure to extremely high temperatures *may* cause LCD displays to darken or "black out". But the effect is temporary and ultimately harmless, and the LCD display will return to normal function when the unit cools down.</p>

<p>I have a Nikon which at 10 years is well on the way to 15years and still working perfectly and I doubt if a Canon will be any different .... that I rarely use it these days is that while it was the 'state of the art' when bought it is even today very much behind the times ... it still takes great photographs as good as ever within its limitations.<br>

I hope this re-assures you. We live in a disposable age with great pressures to abandon what we have even thougn it is not worn out and buy more ... it is hard to resist ... I am afraid I have not.<br>

Treat it with care and respect that a precision instrument deserves and remember to top up the battery every two or three months if you are not using it very much</p>

<p>These aren't necessarily the limits but I've used Canon dslrs in Death Valley at rather more than 105F and in Utah's higher areas at about 10F. The latter requires more batteries. <br>

I keep the camera/lenses in a solid camera bag in the trunk or whilst I'm carrying it. The camera has never felt particularly warm or cold to my hands when I take it out. I think Mr Freeman's point that you'll want to packit in before the camera limits you is true for most people, and certainly for me. </p>

 

<p>Thanks for all the responses. I'll give the cooler thing a try this week. I really want to thank John Wheeler and Michael R. Freeman for their contributions. I think that the screen black out is what happened to me before, and that is what got me on the idea of damaging my camera. Thanks for all the great replies, and I hope to post some photos here this weekend.</p>

<p>I did manage to find the LCD blackout "caution" in one of my Nikon manuals. The note shown below is for a Nikon F100 film camera, but an LCD is an LCD, regardless of whether it's installed on a 35mm or DSLR body.</p><div></div>

A common problem is the lenses can leak that very light oil. I've repaired a lot of lenses and an oil leak can cause the les to freeze open and your exposures will be over exposed. I don't fix camera bodies other then the older Hasselblads. Pre-digital. The 503CW camera bodies is as far as I go.

<p>I have been in Tucson photographing this past July. The temps were 108*. I used precaution when leaving my camera in the car. I would cover it with an insulated foil blanket but it still got very hot. I have seen older cameras have the seals melt and had to have the camera rebuilt. I am not sure what the newer cameras use for materials with their seals and gaskets. It is a risk leaving your camera in a hot vehicle for a long time. I have used frozen water bottle in a cooler and then covered the cooler with the blanket before. I wouldn't suggest leaving it there for hours but it will help for short periods when the car is sitting in the hot sun with the windows up<br />