camera

Mainly I would have thought you will need to do some research on batteries & the different types on how much charge they may loose at below zero temps....

You may find that your only option is to have several batteries charged & ready to go. In my experience cameras with battery packs do tend to hold more charge than say a camera needing AA's....

Also to save battery power, choose a camera that doesn't use the battery to zoom in & out....

The only one I know of are the Panasonic FZ20,30,50 range - zoom is done by a rubber ring around the lens itself much like an SLR camera....

You will also appreciate the 12x zoom of these cameras. (420mm equivalent)

Cheers

Look for a camera with weather sealing. Most good quality DSLR's now are weather sealed and the batteries that come with them can handle cold temps very well. Search DP Review for more info on cameras and cold climate.

Cheers Matt

Why not ring one of the TV channels as they use stuff in bad weather.

Would have more idea than any of us.


Send an Email to the Natural History unit in Dunedin NZ

They went to the South Pole with David Attenborogh so would have had cameras to with stand the cold.

A friend oif mine was the Sound recordist on the trip.

He has retired I think so cant help you now.

Barry,
We went to Antartica a number of years ago and took our VHS video recorder which was much older technology than the current ones. I did make sure I had genuine Panasonic batteries.

When we were out in the cold I made sure that my spare batery was always in an inside pocket and that the camera was tucked inside my zip up jacket when not being used. I had no problems this way. I did notice that the battery life was lower but not dramatically so and by starting each day with 2 fully charged batteries I had no limitations. Our camera had a power zoom.

I think if you take the above simple precautions any good quality system will be ok.

Enjoy the trip we certainly did.

cheers