Re: [Leica] CLA - Incredible Leicas -50 below!

["Bill Christensen" <kangwei@interaccess.com>]

A number of years ago, I shot the northern lights 25 miles north of
Fairbanks, AK.  At -47 degrees F, the R4s and 24mm worked perfectly even
though it was mounted on a tripod for 2.5 hours.  Upon returning to the car,
I inadvertently exhaled into a scarf which diverted the moist air toward my
glasses.  The spectacle lenses were instantly covered a solid white frost
and rendered useless.  That is one time when you don't want to breath on a
lens before cleaning it.

Bill Christensen
- -----Original Message-----
From: Ted Grant <tedgrant@islandnet.com>
To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Date: Thursday, December 10, 1998 1:02 PM
Subject: RE: [Leica] CLA - Incredible Leicas -50 below!


>Tim Atherton wrote:
>
>>I have never quite hit -50c, but I once tried to use my M6 at -48c during
my
>>sojourn in Tuktoyaktuk.  I think the body might have kept going, but the
>>lenses froze up solid. Literally, the grease thickened up so much you
would
>>have needed a pipe wrench to focus. In fact, it would happen at -40c
(which
>>I guess is also -40f), but not quite as quickly.
>
>Hi Tim,
>
>Whenever I work in the arctic my cameras are not out from under my oversize
>parka long enough to freeze-up. At least that's always the plan. :) The
>secret of keeping them running, lenses also, is how you carry them and you
>dress.
>
>I have an extra large parka, bought specifically for carrying cameras
>inside, it has heavy duty velcro tape down the front, as well as the usual
>zipper and toggle buttons. I hang the cameras from my neck & wear a soft
>down vest between me and cameras. The vest helps keep the cold at bay each
>time I quickly tear the velcro apart, out pops the camera, I shoot as many
>and as quickly as I can and then camera back inside.
>
>I've seen photographers shooting in the arctic with their cameras (non
>Leica) hanging from their shoulders just as though they were in California
>and in short time they're bitching about the "crappy batteries" and
>equipment. And at 40 below it's "real short time!" :)
>
>Me?  Mine are in and out constantly and always functioning, besides I don't
>have to worry about autofocus lenses and motors powering down.
>
>>Mind you, it wasn't long after the lens froze up that I didn't have
anything
>>functioning either! >>>>>>>
>
>Yep and that happens no matter how well dressed you are, the cold
>eventually works it's way through to the bones and bladder! Then you have
>to get inside real quick as you don't want to stand there and "p" only to
>find yourself frozen to the ground until spring or it breaks off, whichever
>comes first! :)
>
>ted
>
>
>
>
>Ted Grant
>This is Our Work. The Legacy of Sir William Osler.
>http://www.islandnet.com/~tedgrant
>
>
>