Looking for advise on batteries for Antarctica

[sscohen]

I keep reading that I should bring lots of batteries as the cold sucks the life out of them.  But no specifics on how many.  I will be in South Georgia & Antarctica.  I'm taking a Canon Full frame with a 24-70 and a crop sensor with a 100-400 w/1.4 extender as needed.  Both both bodies use the same batteries.  I plan on one battery in each body plus a spare for each.  We will have two excursions a day and an unknown time in between so I will need a second set.  It takes a while to recharge.  That's eight total.  Is that enough or should I bring a few more?  I have a bunch including the newer lithium's but it's the weight that worries me.

Any insight?
Thanks! 

Edited September 26, 2022 by sscohen

[donaldsc]

That is probably enough although a few more if you have the weight allowance would make me more comfortable since you are planning to use 2 cameras.  It can't be the cost of the batteries considering how much your trip is costing you and also the fact that you will probably never be back.  Just in case you run into a cold spell although Antarctica will probably not be as cold as you expect - I would bring some of those chemical hand warmers and keep my spares in a pocket with the hand warmer.

 

Not quite the same but I once did a February Fairbanks trip to do aurora photography.  It was really cold and I went through batteries really fast.  Antarctica will not be as cold as Fairbanks in February.  

 

I assume that you do know the trick for preventing moisture condensation on and in your camera.

 

DON

[Heidi13]

8 hours ago, sscohen said:

I keep reading that I should bring lots of batteries as the cold sucks the life out of them.  But no specifics on how many.  I will be in South Georgia & Antarctica.  I'm taking a Canon Full frame with a 24-70 and a crop sensor with a 100-400 w/1.4 extender as needed.  Both both bodies use the same batteries.  I plan on one battery in each body plus a spare for each.  We will have two excursions a day and an unknown time in between so I will need a second set.  It takes a while to recharge.  That's eight total.  Is that enough or should I bring a few more?  I have a bunch including the newer lithium's but it's the weight that worries me.

Any insight?
Thanks! 

 

I use the R6 and 5D MkIII bodies, which both take the E6 battery. For Antarctica, I plan on taking 8 batteries and 2 chargers.

[sscohen]

I expect it to be in the 30s.  It gets colder where I live but I'm not usually outside for 2-3 hours at a time with a camera.  I have an insulated pouch that can hold three E6s in it, along with a warmer that I plan on using.  I have three chargers but planed to take two.  Maybe I should tale all three.  I guess the issue is weight.  We have a charter flight from Santiago to Puerto Williams that has strict weight limitations.  I was just trying to cut back.  I have to carry on all the camera gear especially the batteries.

 

11 hours ago, donaldsc said:

I assume that you do know the trick for preventing moisture condensation on and in your camera.

I'm curious what your trick is.  Thought I would let the cameras sit outside for a short time to acclimate.

[sscohen]

You got me thinking about condensation and how I will be handling my gear.  I plan on using a drybag backpack.  I have a holster type camera bag and long lens case that both sit open in the drybag so I can pull out the camera I’m using.  I also use a black rapid harness.  Maybe I should get a second.  I planned on leaving the gear in the airtight drybag until it acclimates, but I’ve been reading it could take hours.  Longer than I expected.  So, I’m thinking once I’m back on board, before heading inside I should remove the batteries and cards and place them into a small ziplock to heat up before backing up.  And use a second set of cards and batteries with the gear, still sealed, on the next excursion.

Am I overthinking?

I also use a monopod with a quick release that doubles as a hiking stick.

[donaldsc]

2 hours ago, sscohen said:

You got me thinking about condensation and how I will be handling my gear.  I plan on using a drybag backpack.  I have a holster type camera bag and long lens case that both sit open in the drybag so I can pull out the camera I’m using.  I also use a black rapid harness.  Maybe I should get a second.  I planned on leaving the gear in the airtight drybag until it acclimates, but I’ve been reading it could take hours.  Longer than I expected.  So, I’m thinking once I’m back on board, before heading inside I should remove the batteries and cards and place them into a small ziplock to heat up before backing up.  And use a second set of cards and batteries with the gear, still sealed, on the next excursion.

Am I overthinking?

I also use a monopod with a quick release that doubles as a hiking stick.

 

Actually Antarctica may not be as cold as you might imagine.  Remember that you will be there during their summer.  Your guestimate of "in the 30's" might be a bit optimistic but it will not be like the stuff you read about in books about the Antarctic explorers.  

 

This is a quick description of what you should do to stop condensation - https://www.adorama.com/alc/winter-photography-tips-protect-your-gear-in-extreme-cold-2/#:~:text=If you bring a very,condenses inside its internal parts..

 

I spent a week one year north of Fairbanks in February doing aurora photography.  The nighttime temps at Chena Hot Springs was -17 at ground level and we went up on the mountain to get better photos.  It was COLD!!  Bagging the camera before I came back into my room worked.  

 

BTW - I see that you will be on S. Georgia in addition to being in Antarctica.  A trip to Antarctica is great but visiting S. Georgia is a life changing experience.  I spent 10 days there a few years ago.  There is no way that you can imagine what S. Georgia is going to be like until you are actually there.  You will be on beaches with 300,000 nesting pairs of king penguins as well as thousands of elephant and fur seals none of which have any fear of you.   

 

One final suggestion that I am sure that you have already thought about.  There are no photo stores in either Antarctica or S. Georgia and the few photo stores in Ushuaia have a limited stock of stuff so make sure that you bring 2 or more of everything that you have to do.  If you forget anything you are SOL.  On my S. Georgia trip one person forgot his charger.  Luckily others on the ship had chargers that he could use to charge his batteries but he could have been in real trouble.

 

Enjoy!!  I am jealous and would love to go back. BTW - we live in the same state.  My home is in Las Vegas.

 

DON

Edited September 26, 2022 by donaldsc

[eileeshb]

I’d add another tip to deal with condensation when the camera is adjusting to warmer/cooler temps, get some dehumidifier sachets, even just build up a stash of silica gel sachets and keep them in the bag the camera will reside in. I keep a wardrobe dehumidifier sachet in my camera case whenever I’m dealing with wet or cold weather. 

[sscohen]

Thanks.  I bough a box of larger ones to stick in my dry bag.  They're rechargeable but I will just use a new one a each day.  I will not open my drybag in between excursions inside.  I will leave it outside on the balcony and switch out batteries and cards there.  Only at the end of the day will I bring the bag inside and let it climatize for a few hours before opening and getting ready for the next morning. 

Hopefully this should keep my lenses safe.  Now, if I only had more weight allowance.

[Paul S]

We had a tight weight limit on our flight from Santiago to Punta Arenas. I got round this by wearing a Domke photographer’s gilet jacket and stuffing out all of the many many pockets including binoculars and ipad.

[bikeboy999]

On 11/18/2022 at 1:38 AM, sscohen said:

Thanks.  I bough a box of larger ones to stick in my dry bag.  They're rechargeable but I will just use a new one a each day.  I will not open my drybag in between excursions inside.  I will leave it outside on the balcony and switch out batteries and cards there.  Only at the end of the day will I bring the bag inside and let it climatize for a few hours before opening and getting ready for the next morning. 

Hopefully this should keep my lenses safe.  Now, if I only had more weight allowance.

Curious how it went, If I am not too early. Also, do you tie the camera bag up to something, as the water can be a bit rough. I am also interested as I thought about bringing 4 batteries for 1 camera for a Norway trip. I have time to get more. 

 

Brian

[sscohen]

Went well but I only needed four batteries.  I took almost 4000 shots and never had to change out while on excursion.  Only in between.  I did use my balcony to remove cards and change batteries.   Then sealed it and brough inside unopened until acclimated, about three hours.  But the reality is I never needed to open it unless we were going by some cool scenery.  I left a large desiccant in the dry bag and never needed to change out. Gave the other eight to the onboard photography guys.

Drybag was just held between my legs on the zodiac.  It did get slashed but nothing too bad.  It was never rough enough to need to tie the bag down.  Probably would not have allowed landings if seas were like that.

I'm going to the Arctic next and will cut back on batteries to four and leave my ultra wide angle lens at home along with the assortment of filters.  Never really needed beyond 24mm.  

I used my 100-400 for wildlife and the 24-70 for landscape.  I am really glad I brought two bodies.  also managed a few on my phone.  

I brought some nice waterproof ski gloves and never used them.  I used some photographers gloves that the finger tips folded off.  Highly recommend these.  Other photographers used thin gloves or took off the thick ones to shoot.