Cold waether and K200D issues?

I'm doing a wedding tomorrow (first for many years), and I have heard tell that digital cameras can experience operating problems in cold weather, and it's sure going to be bloody cold. As above, I will be using a K200D, with a Sigma 24-135 as main kit, with a Fuji 9600 as backup. Flash is going to be a choice of either a Metz CT60 or Metz 58 AF-1. (plus a whip and a chair, obligatory for such events :mrgreen

It's likely to be taking place entirely within a hotel building, but the couple are likely to be wanting some outdoor images.

Advice in respect of temperature issues would be appreciated.

TIA

My K20D gives up the ghost at -11!.........you should have no trouble at all!....good luck........Ken

Shouldn't have any problems. Cold problems show up well below zero ( celcius ) not just at, what I am guessing, will be hovering around zero.

My K200D worked fine at 42c last summer don't know about the cold but your hands might be a problem and it might be a problem misting up when you go back inside

The problem is really the batteries. Their performance dips very fast at low temperaures, so keep plenty of spares warm in a pocket just in case.

My K200 has spent most of this week being lugged around various parks in the snow, total reliability!

Mind it is fitted with a battery grip!

Spot on as ever John.

I am planning a trip to see a polar bear. Probably Churchill.

I was thinking about carefully attaching a lead to the battery and keeping it next to my body so it kept warm and a plug on the other end that fits the camera.

(Oh and taking my OM1 as well:wink

Pentax used to make such devices for many models. You could look at Quantum battery packs link Robert White sell them in the UK

As previously said batteries are an issue in the cold.....

Also remember if you go straight from a warm room to the cold outside, your glass will fog up...... It will need time to acclimatise.

I forgot and left my K10 with grip in its bag inside the boot of my Jeep overnight, remembered it around lunch time the next day. It had got down to -8 overnight, all worked fine however when I tried it, battery power showing quite full.

The battery power may well have showed full, but if the battery remained cold and you then used it you would find it running low much sooner than usual.

Other way round surely. Coming into the warm from the cold usually causes the moisture in the warm air to condense on cold gear.

For that reason, I carry a large plastic zip-loc bag with some silica gel inside. Pop the cold gear into the bag before entering a warm environment and let the temperature equalise before removing it from the bag.

yeah its from the outside to inside that fogs the class up, the other way doesn't do nothing, and i have a plastic zip lock bag £1.79 with silica gel in i use to.
thats why lots of zoos have hand dryers outside warm rooms, so you can put your glasses under it, handy for cameras and quick.

Thanks for that the advice chaps. All worked fine,no problem. OTOH, I did have a few harsh shadows in the large group shots, due to the fairly hash sunlight and limited space outside. That showed me the limits in respect of light / shadow. Thank God for Photoshop!