mats nilson photography Posted January 24, 2003 Share Posted January 24, 2003 This christmas we had -40 for several days (same in both F and C, actually) and I don't know about cameras, but I don't work in that. - 20F/-30C is closer to my limit and we have that regularly. It's OK to use an SLR in low temperatures, as long as the batteries don't give up on you, but how do you manage to focus an LF camera without breathing on the groundglass? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_hamley Posted January 24, 2003 Share Posted January 24, 2003 Mats, Sounds like you need a lot of cheap antifog. Get a bar of gelatin soap (actually any good soap will do), rub it across the ground glass and then polish the excess off with a dry cloth. Instant antifog. Thanks! Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_kadillak6 Posted January 24, 2003 Share Posted January 24, 2003 You use a reflex focusing device such as the ones offered by Linhof and Sinar. I have found my linhof viewer to have satisfactory magnification to focus well within acceptable standards with many photographs such that it did not require a loup. I will admit that there are situations where checking the ground glass will be necessary. For those circumstances swing the device away from the ground glass take a deep breath and get after it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
george_jiri_loun Posted January 24, 2003 Share Posted January 24, 2003 If you are in -40 you need it anyway - use a balaclava, it will do the service! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim_atherton2 Posted January 24, 2003 Share Posted January 24, 2003 "Sounds like you need a lot of cheap antifog. Get a bar of gelatin soap (actually any good soap will do), rub it across the ground glass and then polish the excess off with a dry cloth. Instant antifog" I can assure you that little trick doesn't work at -30/40c... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave schlick Posted January 24, 2003 Share Posted January 24, 2003 riflemen have the same problem with scopes.. you should be able to hold your breath for a minute, that should get simple focus.. if youve got a lot of focusing to do, you can get a tube about 18 inches long, breath in your nose and blow out the tube hanging down below.. but ill warn you you may be arrested, probably committed if your cought.. .. dave.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_baggett Posted January 24, 2003 Share Posted January 24, 2003 Use a large drinking straw (in your mouth, pointed downward) and exhale through it while focusing. (The kind that have a bendable "elbow" are best.) Carrying this to the extreme, get a "snorkel" tube with mouthpiece from a set of cheap swimming goggles and do the same thing, although you will look very funny doing it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mats nilson photography Posted January 25, 2003 Author Share Posted January 25, 2003 Thank you for good suggestions. The simpler the better! I guess I will be able to conceal the snorkle under my parka and only secretly pull it out under the dark cloth :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_sampson Posted January 27, 2003 Share Posted January 27, 2003 I'd love to see pictures made at -40F. Where are you that it's so cold? It's 0 degrees F today where I live (upstate NY, USA) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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