Canon t6i in snow or cold weather.

[sanny]

Can I use my canon t6i in cold weather (10-20F) or when it is snowing, since it is not weather sealed, is the snow going to be a problem? Could the snow or cold damage the camera?

[kvbarkley · Accepted solution]

If you read the manual, Canon says you should not use it below freezing, but I have found that above 0F is usually OK, it is a good idea to keep the camera in your jacket to keep the battery warm.

The snow is another issue. A few flakes quickly brushed off are not a problem, but a gob of wet snow allowed to melt on the camera is a no-no. Obviously there is a large range between these two.

Your camera is a tool. If you need to get the picture, you might have to take some risks. If the camera is damaged, time for a new tool. I took my T3i out on the tidepools and got splashed by a wave - I quickly dried off the camera, but that was enough for it to die. (The lens is still fine, though). I was upset, but knew it was time for a new camera, so I got my T6S.

[jrhoffman75 · Accepted solution]

Biggest issue with cold will be battery life. Have a second battery and keep in warm inside jacket.

You can jury rig a protective cover or get and OpTech cover for under $10.

[Waddizzle · Accepted solution]

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@sanny wrote:
Can I use my canon t6i in cold weather (10-20F) or when it is snowing, since it is not weather sealed, is the snow going to be a problem? Could the snow or cold damage the camera?

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I do not advise it with a Rebel.  

The lack of sealing means the cold will get into the camera faster, and any internal heat it generates will escape faster.  It is a risk, wrought with unknowns.  I would definitely wrap it up like a newborn baby.  Do not forget to protect your lens, too.

The battery is very sensitive to the cold.  It can register 0 volts on a voltmeter when it is exposed to 0F, but measure as fully charged when it is warmed up to a nominal 72F.  Same battery.  The only difference is temperature.

[jrhoffman75 · Accepted solution]

I have used my T5i for photographing winter wcenes, ice climbing events and ski races - all without a problem. Temps weren't down to 10F, but 15F was not uncommon.

Put a wether cover on and have a spare battery. As Wadizzle said, cold lowers battery performance but it returns wheh warmed up.. Swap them out as necessary and you should be fine.

Before you bring your camera inside to a warmer environment be sure to put iit in a plastic bag or something similar so you don't get condensation - it will fog up optics and take a while to disipate.

Same hold true going from an air conditioned environment to a humid outdoors.

[shadowsports · Accepted solution]

Even though most of the guys say no to easycover, I love mine.  Not an excuse to abuse the camera or expose it to water / snow / temp extremes, but adds a layer of protection $30.  I've put one every canon I've owned.  Locally available too.

https://www.easycover.eu/products/camera-cases/easycover-camera-case-canon-750d-rebel-t6i

[kvbarkley · Accepted solution]

If you read the manual, Canon says you should not use it below freezing, but I have found that above 0F is usually OK, it is a good idea to keep the camera in your jacket to keep the battery warm.

The snow is another issue. A few flakes quickly brushed off are not a problem, but a gob of wet snow allowed to melt on the camera is a no-no. Obviously there is a large range between these two.

Your camera is a tool. If you need to get the picture, you might have to take some risks. If the camera is damaged, time for a new tool. I took my T3i out on the tidepools and got splashed by a wave - I quickly dried off the camera, but that was enough for it to die. (The lens is still fine, though). I was upset, but knew it was time for a new camera, so I got my T6S.

[jrhoffman75 · Accepted solution]

Biggest issue with cold will be battery life. Have a second battery and keep in warm inside jacket.

You can jury rig a protective cover or get and OpTech cover for under $10.

[jrhoffman75 · Accepted solution]

I have used my T5i for photographing winter wcenes, ice climbing events and ski races - all without a problem. Temps weren't down to 10F, but 15F was not uncommon.

Put a wether cover on and have a spare battery. As Wadizzle said, cold lowers battery performance but it returns wheh warmed up.. Swap them out as necessary and you should be fine.

Before you bring your camera inside to a warmer environment be sure to put iit in a plastic bag or something similar so you don't get condensation - it will fog up optics and take a while to disipate.

Same hold true going from an air conditioned environment to a humid outdoors.

[shadowsports · Accepted solution]

Even though most of the guys say no to easycover, I love mine.  Not an excuse to abuse the camera or expose it to water / snow / temp extremes, but adds a layer of protection $30.  I've put one every canon I've owned.  Locally available too.

https://www.easycover.eu/products/camera-cases/easycover-camera-case-canon-750d-rebel-t6i

[Waddizzle · Accepted solution]

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@sanny wrote:
Can I use my canon t6i in cold weather (10-20F) or when it is snowing, since it is not weather sealed, is the snow going to be a problem? Could the snow or cold damage the camera?

---

I do not advise it with a Rebel.  

The lack of sealing means the cold will get into the camera faster, and any internal heat it generates will escape faster.  It is a risk, wrought with unknowns.  I would definitely wrap it up like a newborn baby.  Do not forget to protect your lens, too.

The battery is very sensitive to the cold.  It can register 0 volts on a voltmeter when it is exposed to 0F, but measure as fully charged when it is warmed up to a nominal 72F.  Same battery.  The only difference is temperature.

[ebiggs1 · Accepted solution]

Forget the cold. Not a problem. Do as instructed above by keeping a second battery in an inside pocket.

"...when it is snowing..."

Snowing or snow storm?  Snowing has never hurt any of the dozen or so Rebels I have used in the past.  There are great shots just waiting when there is light snow falling.  Go catch them.   Neither Rebel nor I will be outside in a snow storm! 

[wq9nsc]

Temperatures cold enough to bother the electronic components in your Rebel would take out you long before they would take out the camera.  As others noted, battery capacity is tremendously reduced in cold weather so make sure to have a spare and keep it warm.

If it is cold, dry snow then no real problem; just keep blowing/brushing it off so it doesn't melt and let moisture enter through the controls or lens interface.  Falling wet snow is not a good idea for a camera that isn't pretty well weather sealed and for those conditions provide some protection for the camera.  Make sure to blow/brush off ALL of the snow before bringing it back inside.

One caution:  After it has been out in the cold for a long period of time then seal it in a Ziploc or similar freezer bag before bringing it back inside and then let it warm up inside the bag.  Otherwise if you bring it into a warm environment it is going to act as a little dehumidifier causing moisture to collect on its surfaces since it will be much colder than anything else in the room.

Rodger

[shadowsports]

Easy-Cover.  I'm sure anything is possible.  However, I've not had any problems with mold and I've had my old Rebel and 6D2 out in a fair amount of rain.  I was sure to dry it off well before putting it away.  I think it comes down to how well you take care of your gear.  But like people say, cameras are tools made to be used.  The covers have worked well for me.  No problems with mold, heat, etc.

[ebiggs1]

"  But like people say, cameras are tools made to be used."

It is way too bad that most people don't realize that. However, they do look pretty sitting on a shelf all pristine and all.