The winter is coming. Actually, it's already here. Temperatures are dropping quickly and snow is falling, but we need to keep shooting and working. Here are few small (and cheap*) items that can help you survive the winter as a photographer, make your life easier and make the winter less annoying.
Hand Warmers
Probably the most important item on this list. When the temperatures drop and you need to shoot outside, there is nothing worse than having to work with freezing/frozen hands. Having hand warmers available can really save your day. Just keep few in your camera bag, and use when needed. It is great for hands, but of course can be used for feet warming, face unmelting or just in your pockets. Hand warmers are also great for keeping your camera or flash batteries alive, as cold temperatures can make them lose power quickly.
Single-use Hand Warmers
Single-use hand warmers will cost more in the long run, but they are easier to handle, they are warmer and last longer (~8-10 hours) than reusable hand warmers.
HeatMax Hot Hands 2 Handwarmer (40 Pairs)
Little Hotties Hand Warmers 40 Pairs Plus Toe Warmers 3 Pairs
Heatmax HotHands Hand Warmer Value Pack
Reusable Hand Warmers
Reusable hand warmers are the more economic and green option. One hand warmer can be used over 100 times. But there are few less-cool things about them: Heat lasts around 20-30 minutes, the temperatures are good but not very hot like the single-use hand warmers, and they require more work to re-activate them (need to boil them in hot water for 10 minutes).
HotSnapZ Reusable Round & Pocket Warmers
Comfort Zone The Heat Solution Instant Portable Heat Pack
Wonder Warmers Wonder Warmers Reuseable Hand Warmers Small
Gloves
Gloves and photography are great enemies. With standard winter gloves it's hard to do anything functional like pressing buttons, moving wheels or using your phone. This is why as photographers we need a different kind of gloves. We need thin (but warm) gloves, that will allow you to control your camera as well as controlling your cellphone. In the past few years many companies started making special gloves that can be used with touchscreens - and these can be a great addition for your winter collection.
Columbia Men's Bugaboo Interchange Gloves
Columbia Men's Trail Summit Running Gloves
Timberland Men's Knit Glove with Touchscreen Technology
Isotoner Men's Smartouch Fleece Lined Glove
Nike Lightweight Tech Running Gloves
Another type of gloves that can fit your needs are the gloves with the tips cut, so you can reveal the tips of your fingers when needed:
Freehands Men's Stretch Thinsulate Gloves
Seamless
It's freezing outside. Maybe it's raining, maybe it's snowing. It's probably also windy. Coming back from a long day of shooting, the last thing you want to do is to go out to the supermarket or to look for a restaurant around the neighborhood. I guarantee 'Seamless' is going to be your favorite app this winter. Just choose what you want to eat, and get it 20 minutes later directly to your door. No phone calls needed, no stepping outside. Bon Appetit!
Rain Covers / Camera Coats
If you take your camera outside during the winter, it's a good idea to get a rain cover for it. You can get one for very very cheap, and reuse it as much as you want. I bought one 4 years ago, it cost me maybe $15, and it's in my bag since. Anytime I have to shoot in the rain/snow, I take it out and use it. It's one of those products you should always have. After all, you don't want to have your cameras and lenses to get wet.
Ruggard RC-P18" Rain Cover for DSLR with Lens up to 18" (Pack of 2)
OP/TECH USA 18" Rainsleeve (Set of 2)
Think Tank Photo Hydrophobia Rain Cover 300-600 V2.0 (Black)
OP/TECH USA RAINSLEEVE- FLASH (Pack of 2)
Google Glass
ha, I wish...
Ziploc Bags
Ziploc bags are usually for food-related stuff.. like food. It seals whatever is inside and make sure nothing goes in, and nothing goes out. This is why we as photographers should always have few Ziplocs available in our bag. Shooting in the rain? have your memory cards in a Ziploc. Shooting in the snow? have your cables and batteries in a Ziploc. You can save so much equipment this way. Just get few different sizes and thank me later.
Ziploc Freezer Bag, Gallon Value Pack, 30-Count
Ziploc Storage Bag, Value Pack (Pack of 3)
Ziploc Easy Zipper Variety Pack - 140 Bags
Have more product ideas for the winter? share them with us in the comments.
You forgot a glass of Scotch to keep you warm!
Actually, a flask to take it with you...
Total Myth and a dangerous one - alcohol does NOT keep you warm, it's a vasodilator and actually causes more rapid heat loss, especially in the extremities. Put hot tea in the flask instead and keep your body core warm to then keep your fingers and toes warm.
I think he was trying to be funny, but I understand the necessity of correcting him.
A note of caution about hand warmers. They can be dangerous in really cold environments. One side of your hand will be warm while the other side is getting frost bite. You won't even notice because of the warmth on the other side. Please use caution. They are actually banned in the Army for that very reason.
Battery heated gloves are a better solution. Different models can be seen here:
http://www.ebay.com/bhp/battery-heated-gloves
http://www.hammacher.com/Product/Default.aspx?sku=81192&promo=Appare...
never seen this before.. and dont know why, it scares me a little. But if it works it's great
I have Ansai Mobile Warming vest and jacket. No need to be scared of these. These are pretty decent for walking or hiking. Not super warm but they'll certainly help. You can see some more vest here: http://www.ebay.com/bhp/battery-heated-vest
On the glove front, I'd vouch for fingerless (and thumbless) gloves as well, especially the ones with flaps so that you can convert the glove back into a mitten when not shooting and have use of your fingers and finger-tips when you are.
From fall until the spring, when I know I'm shooting outside I never leave home without my Airblaster Ninja suit. If it's below freezing, it's a no brainer. It's too easy to underestimate how long things can take and how cold your body gets if you're not actively moving around. I'd rather be too warm and have the option to take off a layer, then be too cold and shaking miserably, being cold can affect your motivation and work ethic.
http://www.amazon.com/Airblaster-Ninja-Suit-Mens-Black/dp/B009GFKSIO/ref...
A good flask of hot chocolate is all you need
Condensation can certainly be a problem, I do however remember taking shots in Romania in the middle of winter and having to take the shot as quick as I could before my hands would stop functioning properly. Taking off my gloves had to be done so fast!
www.photographystudies.com.au
When shooting in the cold, how do you handle moisture from building in your camera? Do you just bring it to room temp gradually?
you will only get moisture issues when you bring cold gear into warm places.. so make the transition a very slow one, or use airtight containers to warm your gear (tupperware that will just barely fit your body and lens..)
Thanks
I have a set of Pow gloves, not the warmest but they work. This looks like a newever version-> http://www.powgloves.com/shop/utility-series/transfilmer-mitt-ws/
If you want to keep your fingers warm you need to keep your core warm - a flask of hot tea works well.
Not about clothing, but cameras etc. make sure every bag compartment has a silica gel sachet in. Draws any condensation out. About £5 on eBay for 25 sachets, 3G. They can be non indicator or indicator which turn colour, usually orange to green so you know when they are depleted. Can stop condensation/mould/fungus forming in lenses. Do they work? Yes. You won't buy a lens without one in the transit box. For £5 it's worth the peace of mind you know you are addressing the problem.
Bags get moved from sub zero to 20deg. when you return.
Leave your camera, lenses, everything you have taken in their bags for 2/3 hours before removing to let the temperature of the equipment stabilise.
There are silica/desiccant packs in varying sizes and ones that also are reusable by heating up. I am in the process of researching which ones work best for me, as well thinking that larger packs may be used to protect my gear in my bag as it can provide impact resistance in addition to removing moisture.
Protect gear with silica gel indicator sachets, (turn orange to green) £5 on eBay for 25 / £8 for 50. Especially in Ziplock bags, cheap as chips and could save your £3,000 lens or camera from water damaged electrics or fungus in lenses.
Leave gear in bag on return to a heated home, for temperature to stabilise for 2/3 hours. No damp and no dreaded fungus or is it fungi? forming in your lens.
I will recommend as well to use silica gel sachets, this how I damaged two hensel lights by using it during cold weather and moving from a warm place to a cold place and back to quick.
For when it's really cold those gloves don't cut it and this year I finally nailed down the best winter photography glove/mitten set up for landscape photography in cold weather. Check it out over on the blog: http://www.rfarrenphoto.com/2014/best-gloves-for-winter-photography/
Nice, but not as good as these ones:
http://www.theheatcompany.com/en/gloves/heat-3-smart
Here is a review on them:
http://coolwildlife.com/blog/
http://www.theheatcompany.com/en/gloves/heat-3-smart