N80 in the cold weather

[michael_pry]

While up in Northern Michigan on a ski trip I used my N80 to

photograph various skiers doing really cool stunts in the air off of

big jumps. The camera worked great .....for a time. Then the lcd

screen went blank and then nothing. I didn't have new batteries so I

put it inside my coat for awhile and it worked but sluggishly. What

do you guys do in cold weather shooting situations? Thank you

 

Mike Pry

[jorgeortega]

I take my FM3a. I love the F80 but it is useless at least under Quebec winter conditions

[ccfutbol]

During cold weather in NY my N80, without fresh batteries, went out on me and recovered later when the batteries warmed up. Important to have fresh batteries, and two sets, if you are going to work in cold weather. As many do, ... carry the extra set next to your warm body and switch them out every so often. I don't know if the 123A's are more susceptible than the double A's, which I don't use in this camera. Would like to know about that. If you practiced with it, ... you could probably figure out how often to switch them to keep working without problems showing up. Guess it could be that the battery chamber has a thin wall and is exposed to cold temps. CC

[Jerry_]

Next trip try to find a Nikon FM, FM2, FM2n, FM3a (already suggested,) or F2 body: cold weather may cause the battery-power for the meter to stop working, but the shutter will continue in the brisk temps of winter....

[seandepuydt]

I live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Winter is rough on batteries. I have a D1X and one battery, which usually lasts me about .5 an hour or a little more. My F4s has had much better luck dealing with the cold. Keeping them warm and buying more batteries is the only solution that I can see. Regards � Sean

[david_h._hartman]

<em>"I didn't have new batteries so I put it inside my

coat for awhile and it worked but sluggishly." --Michael Pry<br>

</em><br>

LCD(s) become sluggish when extremely cold. There may be an

explanation of this in your manual. Im pretty sure there is

one in the F3HP manual. Since the batteries in the N80, sans the

MB-16, are lithium its more likely a problem with the LCD

becoming viscous than battery failure. Low batteries do not cause

a sluggish LCD response.<br>

<br>

Consider a Nikon FM3a, FM2n, F2As, etc. These cameras give full

shutter function without batteries and have no LCD(s). Sometimes

low tech is better.<br>

<br>

Hope this helps,<br>

<br>

Dave Hartman.

[Mary Doo]

The N80 film camera does NOT have an LCD screen. You must mean a D100 or Fuji S2 -- which are built on the N80 body?

 

If possible, carry the camera close to your body.

[fourfa]

my N80 sure as hell does have an LCD screen

[ShunCheung]

I suppose we are talking about the LCD display on the top right side of the camera where it shows the frame counter, exposure compensation, etc.

[david_h._hartman]

<em>"The N80 film camera does NOT have an LCD screen."

--M D<br>

</em><br>

The N80 has no "LCD Screen" but it has two "LCD

Displays," an LCD Panel and LCD Viewfinder Display.<br>

<br>

<em>"The LCD panel and viewfinder displays tend to turn

darker at high temperatures and slower response time at low

temperatures. On the other hand, the LCD in the Nikon Advanced

Focusing Screen Display tends to turn lighter at high

temperatures and darker with slower response time at low

temperatures. In either case, when the temperature returns to

normal, the displays also return to normal." --Nikon F80

Instruction Manual page 4.<br>

</em><br>

The instruction manual may not be enjoyable reading but its

packed with information. A PDF version of the instruction manual

and Adobe Acrobat Reader 6.0 make finding specific information

quick and easy. A better reading source of information might be

the Magic Lantern Guide to the N80. There are other guides.

Perhaps someone who has one of the others will post their

suggestions.<br>

<br>

Anyone can download an F80 manual here...<br>

<br>

<a

href="http://www.europe-nikon.com/support.aspx?countryId=20&languageId=22"

target="_new"><u>European Support Centre</u></a><br>

<br>

Enter "F80" in the "Search Text (optional)"

dialog and click "Search."<br>

<br>

Nikon USA does not offer manuals on line.

[shem_compion]

I used my F80 in Switzerland photographing the Cresta Run. temps ranged between -5 and -22 degrees celcius, with the average being about -12 to -15. For the three months, I used the camera 5 hours a day in these conditions. I used a grip, so therebye had AA batteries.

Only once did the LCD display go dull, and that was an extremely cold morning of -22. The camera still worked fine though, and I continued shooting, as the display inside the viewfinder still worked.

 

Battery life averaged about 6 rolls per set of 4 AA alkaline batteries.

Hope this helps,

 

Shem

[keith_e]

I use my old school pentax k1000, also keep an extra battery in my pocket, along with some sort of liquid beverage for the boring times in upper michigan, where my toes seem to freeze, especially tip-up town two weeks ago, standing on ice all day long, thats just my theory

[oxskumxo]

I recently used mine in maine weather was -40F and it was fine i shot all day, wind chill was pushing -100F, i was skiing and when i wasent shooting it was in my bag, i didnt notice ant issues, my digital had issues tho

[manh_le]

Keep the camera warm; only expose it to the cold when taking photo. Have at least two extra sets of fresh battery.

[david_h._hartman]

One camera can�t do it all. It just makes sense to use the best camera for the job. If you regularly encounter problems with cameras in the cold get a camera that doesn�t have issues with the cold.

 

If photography is a priority consider a Nikon F100, FM3a duo. These two are reasonably light cameras with great performance for active photographers. The F100 can use AA lithium batteries and will probably have no problems with low temperatures until the LCD(s) fail. With winterizing the FM3a should keep running even in the Antarctic twilight.

 

The sun, moon and stars do not raise and fall for AF. Real men (and women) do use autofocus. With this pair you can have your choice and you can use what�s best for a given photographic challenge. There is a huge array of lens and accessories these two can share. Even in summer you�d have it made in the shade.

 

Best,

 

Dave Hartman.