storing digicams in hot cars....

Anyone have any bad experiences to share about storing inexpensive digital

cameras inside hot vehicles? I've always avoided storing any film camera inside

a hot car, but does the same hold true for digicams?

you might not make a habit of it. and it may not function properly if it is really hot. but it should survive w/o any problems if you let it cool down a bit before use.

I once saw a really good idea for this. Load the camera into a cooler and keep it there. Although not filled with ice or anything, the internal temprature of the cooler should stay cooler than the cabin temprature (assuming you load it in a relatively cool area).

I've heard that heat shortens the life of LCD displays. Whether the effect is strong enough to make a difference in the lifetime of a P&S camera I don't know.

Read the warning in every instruction manual ... "Do not expose camera to high heat."

Cameras are precision devices and should never be left in the hot interior of an automobile.

 

Godfrey

Sergio,

 

I live in the desert and deal with heat and cameras a lot. What I've found that works is a schoolkid's insulated lunchbox which can be bought all over the mall for about 7 dollars. A backup camera, gps, and some other gear lives in one under the back seat of my van to keep it out of direct sunlight (also vans have more air circulation volume than a compact car). I also carry camera, filters, remote release, memory cards, and batteries in one in my backpack.

 

And a dayglo colors means they're easy to keep track of 8-)

 

Photography and backpacking stores sell such things for 20-30 dollars, but I've not found any advantage in them over the lunchbox kind.

 

--

 

Don E

I've had my cameras in use and setting in temperatures both outdoors and in cars at around 117 degrees Fahrenheit. I speak of my point and shoots. Never noticed any issues

Taking reasonable care, the only apparent heat problem I've ever had here in Southern California was with the rubber armor on a Fuji HDS camera - it got very sticky in a couple of spots and the sticky goo got all over clothing, inside a camera bag and then on other things, etc.

Craig Gillette:<i><br>(SNIP)...was with the rubber armor on a Fuji HDS camera - it got very sticky in a couple of spots and the sticky goo got all over clothing, inside a camera bag and then on other things, etc.</i><p>Had you by any chance recently used ``Deet`` bug repellant? That stuff literally eats plastic (as does any bug remover/repellant containing any amount of Deet.</i>)