Disposable Cameras In Cameras

[twjolson & Kay]

I have a disposable camera in my cache, and I am wondering if anyone has prior experience with leaving them in during the winter. Not too harsh a winter, mostly it hovers around 32f but can get down to -20f or lower for a short spell or two.

If I leave it out, will the camera stop working, and/or will the pictures already taken be ruined?

[+kevenh]

I think the worst thing would be moisture getting in your cache. Is it in a location likely to get damp?

 

I expect condensation from using the camera and it warming up then cooling down might not be to bad.

 

A silica gel bag stored with the camera might help, but there could be a health hazard if a child or animal swallows some of the contents.

 

If the camera stays dry I think you'd be OK.

I've taken cameras skiing and not had problems.

Edited September 14, 2005 by kevenh

[+Ambrosia]

I'm thinking cheap camera + cold - not worth it. I've always removed mine for the same sort of winter conditions that you describe, so not sure if the cameras would be ok or not.

[+Ladybug Kids]

I developed and posted the photos for the cache camera I left in Arboreal Off The Bike Path. The camera survived temperatures down to -40° F and up to +90° F and most of the photos turned out well (you can see them in the cache page's photo gallery). Since we have so little daylight up here in the winter, I switched to disposable cameras with with a flash to give people a chance to get a good photo under poor lighting conditions. The camera was placed in a ziplock baggie to keep out any moisture and spent about seven months (December through July) in the cache before all frames were used up. Overall, the results were very encouraging, so I continue to put cameras in my ammo can caches.

Edited September 14, 2005 by Ladybug Kids

[+ParrotRobAndCeCe]

... Not too harsh a winter, mostly it hovers around 32f but can get down to -20f or lower ...

Dunno about the camera, but I'd hate to see what you DO call a harsh winter!

[maggiebelle]

as far as the camera getting wet..they have waterproof disposible cameras. the cold i dont know about but if someone says it survived then try it...most you'll be out is like $10-$20. And living in maine....i call 32f a good temp for the winter we had one winter...i think it was january...was -40(with windchill) for 2 weeks

[Mustcache]

I placed mine in ammo cans and the contents including the camera stayed completely dry through the winter.

 

This camera was placed in January and removed this summer in perfect condition.

[+briansnat]

It should stay fine as long as someone doesn't try to use it. Film becomes brittle at very cold temps.

[+Frodo13]

If the camera wasn't too expensive lets make this a test. You might even send the pictures to the camera manufacturer, they love stories about how well their products perfromed.

 

My wife is from Poland, they invented really cold winters. She laughs at all of the winter clothes in the stores here in Alabama. She says how silly we all are. I have spent two Christmas holidays in Poland and there are not words to describe the Siberian wind slicing through your tender parts at 50 MPH when is - 15C. Brrrr seems too tropical.

 

Good luck with the camera

[Mustcache]

It should stay fine as long as someone doesn't try to use it. Film becomes brittle at very cold temps.

I'm not so sure of that. For years and years I have kept my bulk film in the freezer to preserve it and have never had a problem like that.

If ever got cold enough to cause film to get brittle, your hands would get frostbite trying to take the picture.

[+StarBrand]

I've left them in my caches for years. Recently developed a camera that has been in the cache for 3 years straight in Wyoming. Winter weather down to -35F and summer heat as high as 108F (I know because that was the temerature when I picked it up). All the pictures came out great. The expiration date was Nov 2004 as well. Picturers showed cachers bundled in parkas and wearing t-shirts and shorts.

 

Of the 35 or so cameras I have put out only one ever had bad pictures and then only 3 were bad.

 

One camera sat for 2 years at 10,800 foot elevation and was covered by snow for 9 months a year. Beautiful pictures from that one! I am certain it got as low as -50 there. (Of course 15 foot of snow helped to insulate it)

 

A friend that used to work at Kodak told me that freezing film actually helps to prolong the "life" of it.

 

BTW - I mostly use ammo cans so everything stays nice and dry.

[twjolson & Kay]

I'm not using an ammo can, nor lock and lock. It's just a simple plastic container. But, it didn't leak at all during the summer, and the camera is in a ziplock, so moisture shouldn't be a problem.

 

I think I got my answer, thanks everyone.

[+Criminal]

A silica gel bag stored with the camera might help, but there could be a health hazard if a child or animal swallows some of the contents.

Good there's someone watching out for us....

 

Sheesh

[+Ladybug Kids]

It should stay fine as long as someone doesn't try to use it. Film becomes brittle at very cold temps.

I routinely shoot aurora borealis at -20 F during the winter without problem. Key thing is to advance the film slowly to avoid breaking it. Nice thing about the disposable cameras is that one has to move the film advance wheel several times to move the film one frame.

[+pcsenn]

According to Kodak, a disposable camera left in alternatingly cold/hot conditions over a period of more than 5 years might experience difficulties. However, due to the newer technology, the film is not going to be the problem. Film manufactured in the '70s was of a different composition, and had brittleness at cold temperatures. Those used today, even in the disposable cameras, is made of materials that maintain their functionality even at extremes (although if the camera shell is on fire, it probably is too hot to handle the situation)

[+The Leprechauns]

Here is a link to an old post from my Dad, a retired chemical engineer at Eastman Kodak. This question comes up before every winter season.

[+The NEOGeodogs]

I'm not a chemical engineer, professional photographer, nor do I have any other qualifications to testify on single use camera performance in in front of a senate subcommittee, but I have put several cameras in caches (Lock n Lock & Drybox) over several seasons and had no problems. This is in North East Ohio, so there was plenty of cold, snow, rain, heat and humidity. Used the bargain brand Office Max camera and a Wal-mart special. Judge for yourself, the pics are posted on our website under the "Cache Photo Albums" link.

[+Ambrosia]

Well, this has been interesting. Good to know that it should be ok to leave a camera in the cache over winter. Thanks for the info.

[+TeamAO]

Moisture will be your worst enemy. If you can beat that, temperature shouldn't effect it, unless it's EXTREME cold. For the most part, 20-30 degrees shouldn't have an effect on the camera. My digital camera have been left outside in the cold when it was -10 degrees while hunting, and they still turned on and took pictures.

[JJNAHANKS]

why not use one of the new disposable underwater cameras they have now. some of my friends are into scuba and have used these with great results..

[twjolson & Kay]

ok, I'll leave the camera in the cache, but if it doesn't work after the winter, you guys owe me $3.75

[+StarBrand]

ok, I'll leave the camera in the cache, but if it doesn't work after the winter, you guys owe me $3.75

It will work.

[+Airmapper]

Does price matter? I can get two one time use cameras for $5 at the dollar store, but will they hold up to the elements like a Kodak.