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Filming in the snow

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grassojack
Posts: 63 - Karma: 69
Okay so today I was hoping to get some shots with my dslr, but its snowing. I know this may seem like an obvious question, but can I still shoot in the snow?
Feb 15 2015 8:02AM
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HarkStudios
Posts: 243 - Karma: 121
1. What kind of DSLR?

2. What Lens?

3. Temperature?
Feb 15 2015 11:16AM
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grassojack
Posts: 63 - Karma: 69
Canon T5i

Kit 18-55 mm lens (don't judge, I'm a noob)

10 degrees, fahrenheit that is
Feb 15 2015 11:28AM
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LynxNation
Posts: 780 - Karma: 5,853
You absolutely can shoot in the snow but it's not the easiest. A lot of extra variables come into play, like how much it's snowing, the size of the flakes, how cold it is, moisture.

You want to make sure your shutter speed is quick enough to stop-motion the flakes otherwise you'll have snow trails and a blurry outcome.

If you're using auto focusing because you're shooting a moving object, make sure the focus ends up on your subject rather than the snow flakes falling before or around it.
Single point focusing rather than a multi-point helps a little on that aspect.


Make sure you have a clean fiber-free cloth to wipe your lens with because it will most definitely get wet and watch for the foggy effect cold air and moisture will cause on the glass.

When you come out of the cold and the wet you want to give your camera a "rest time" because the switch from super cold air to the warm air inside can cause condensation on your camera, glass, everything and it can cause a problem. I usually let my camera sit in my bag with it unzipped for at least 10 mins and gradually take it out the more it transitions to the new environment.
Feb 15 2015 11:30AM
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HarkStudios
Posts: 243 - Karma: 121
at 10 degrees as long as you are wiping off the snow every few minutes you should be fine.

if it was like 35 degrees and snowing really heavily then i would say dont do it,

just be careful.
Feb 15 2015 11:52AM
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Jamartini
Posts: 408 - Karma: 1,663
also pick up a cheap lens hood so snow does not fall directly on the lens if you're standing still
Feb 15 2015 12:04PM
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HarkStudios
Posts: 243 - Karma: 121
Jamartinialso pick up a cheap lens hood so snow does not fall directly on the lens if you're standing still


this is key!, another thing is, while you arent filming/taking photos, put the camera under your sweatshirt or jacket to keep the snow off of it... or you can pick up this type of thing for pretty cheap http://www.amazon.com/EzFoto-Protectors-installed-Panasonic-Fujifilm/dp/B00589LQ10
Feb 15 2015 12:13PM
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HarkStudios
Posts: 243 - Karma: 121
LynxNationMake sure you have a clean fiber-free cloth to wipe your lens with because it will most definitely get wet and watch for the foggy effect cold air and moisture will cause on the glass.


Pointing your camera down is also the next best thing, when you are not shooting, poin the lens down so the snow will not hit it.
Feb 15 2015 12:33PM
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HarkStudios
Posts: 243 - Karma: 121
LynxNationMake sure you have a clean fiber-free cloth to wipe your lens with because it will most definitely get wet and watch for the foggy effect cold air and moisture will cause on the glass.


Pointing your camera down is also the next best thing, when you are not shooting, poin the lens down so the snow will not hit it.
Feb 15 2015 12:33PM
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NMMedia
Posts: 982 - Karma: 1,700
Guys its snow, frozen water, a solid, it wont even get your camera wet. Really the only thing you have to do is remember to blow/brush it off before you go inside so it wont melt onto your camera. I routinely film in heavy snow, last season probably 20+ full days of filming in strait up blizzards and I never once took special precautions or did anything other than brush the snow off before going in where it would melt.

As to things like putting your camera under a jacket etc when you aren't shooting this increases the likelyhood of doing water damage. If there is snow in it you'll melt it into the camera. Also once you take it out of your jacket the lens and possibly the internals will fog up.

Having fog issues? Let your camera cool down before you shoot with it. If its at air temperature you wont get fog (unless you breath on the lens) I usually leave my camera in the far back of my car for the ride to the mountain, it stays pretty cold back there. Then by the time you walk onto the hill its cooled down, no fog, no melting snow, happy camera, happy cameraman.
Feb 17 2015 12:25PM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,313
Dry snow does jack shit.

If you are truly worried cover it in a Hema bag and fasten it with a ND filter.

Feb 17 2015 1:31PM
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CameraWiz
Posts: 735 - Karma: 2,112
EDolloStonelike 35 degrees and snowing



I'm no scientist, but that's not possible.
Feb 17 2015 2:24PM
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erikK
Posts: 3245 - Karma: 2,328
CameraWizI'm no scientist, but that's not possible.


Sure it is
Feb 17 2015 2:37PM
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butterfactory
Posts: 33 - Karma: 68
EDolloStoneat 10 degrees as long as you are wiping off the snow every few minutes you should be fine.

if it was like 35 degrees and snowing really heavily then i would say dont do it,

just be careful.



>Snowing heavily

>35 degrees

let's think about that one for a second
Feb 26 2015 4:00PM
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DorianF
Posts: 239 - Karma: 882
use a clear garbage bag (for leaves and yard waste, could use a normal garbage bag, but its harder to use the controls on the camera if you cant see them), cut a hole in it, and use an elastic band to hold it to the lens hood
Feb 26 2015 10:41PM
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CameraWiz
Posts: 735 - Karma: 2,112
Go watch my latest edit and I filmed in snow and was totally fine.
Feb 26 2015 10:45PM
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bieberhole69.
Posts: 654 - Karma: 1,387
CameraWizI'm no scientist, but that's not possible.


38 and snowing is why my home mountain can exist at 3000'
Feb 26 2015 11:01PM
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HarkStudios
Posts: 243 - Karma: 121
CameraWizI'm no scientist, but that's not possible.


butterfactory>Snowing heavily

>35 degrees

let's think about that one for a second


Clearly neither of you have ever gone outside in the spring. It most certainly can snow at 35 degrees. If it is cold enough to freeze the water droplets in the atmosphere, then it can snow...


Have you ever heard of Hail? Last time I checked, it hails in the summer and in the spring and in the fall.

When it is well above 32 degrees...
Feb 26 2015 11:07PM
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Michael_Thatcher
Posts: 523 - Karma: 3,469
EDolloStoneClearly neither of you have ever gone outside in the spring. It most certainly can snow at 35 degrees. If it is cold enough to freeze the water droplets in the atmosphere, then it can snow...


Have you ever heard of Hail? Last time I checked, it hails in the summer and in the spring and in the fall.

When it is well above 32 degrees...


You guys are both kind of right/wrong. Snow forms in clouds above the earth's surface. The temperature inside of the cloud is well below 32 degrees (zero celsius). At the surface, temperatures are measured just a few feet from the ground. As the snow falls from the clouds it doesn't melt fast enough before it reaches the ground.


So basically snow can't form above 32 degrees (technically it can with changes to atmospheric pressure, but lets ignore that) but it doesn't mean you can't have a day above 32 degrees with snow.
Feb 26 2015 11:12PM
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