leaving your camera in the car

Joined: 01 Jan 2007 Posts: 33

Hello

Could someone explain to me why it is a bad idea to leave your camera in a hot/cold car? I’ve been searching the web but all I can find is that it’s bad for the battery and the possibility of it being stolen. The reason I’m asking is because I have done so on a few occasions and then way told not to without any explanation. Could I have damage my equipment by doing this?

Thank you,
Dee

Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 11:43 pm

A hot car is a bigger problem than cold. This is what happend to one of my cameras.

I left it in a hot car for a few hours the biggest problem was the oil in the lens got onto the elements and fogged it.

I don't know if the heat killed the camera but it wasn't long after I forgot my camera in the car the shutter control stopped working I can only shoot at 100th of a second on my old pentax film camera.

It can get hot enough in the window of a car to melt some types of plastic heat can be a big problem.

Joined: 13 Jun 2005 Posts: 564

Good points from Scott....Your manual should give you the basic operating temperature guidelines to follow...Also, cold weather can be a real problem...Leaving your camera in the car for long periods, then bringing into a warm house can cause condensation within your lenses and body...This could lead to mold/fungus, and possibly a short in the electronics if you turn it on before it has a chance to dry...Also, depending what kind of camera you have, I know that LCD screens have had problems with the liquid crystals freezing and seriously affecting its display...My advice would be to limit your camera to any extreme temperature exposure...Hope this helps. :)

Joined: 13 Jun 2005 Posts: 564

Whoops...Double post.

Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 34

If it's cold/freezing the LCD can crack since it's Liquid.

Joined: 24 Dec 2006 Posts: 58 Location: Clearwater, FL

This is some great advice, I've also wondered what would happen if you left your camera in a hot car.

I like taking my camera with me when out, but what do you do if you need to run into the store for a few minutes and it's 90deg in the shade? I try to keep the camera in the shade or cover it with something. I guess I could always take it in with me.

Again thanks for the advise.

Joined: 14 Mar 2005 Posts: 17 Location: Wyoming

I keep a small cooler in the truck with me if I leave the camera for a bit I just stick it in there so it don't get so hot.