Gregory has the main key to cold weather excursions, layering. I start with polypro underwear, a thinner set for not too cold and a wool blend for really cold, both for really very cold. I use glove liners under fleece mittens that have access flaps to let my fingers out, a balaclava for my head, fleece layers over the undies, legs and torso, and wind/water resistant out layer (gortex). I only use two layers of socks on my feet inside my heavy hiking boots, a liner and a smart wool outer. Too much there cuts circulation and then the feet turn to ice cubes. I usually get cold feet after they've sweat from being too warm. My equipment has no batteries, so I don't have to worry about that, except my spotmeter. That stays tucked inside my gortex jacket. My Nikon FM2 has proven troublesome in cold temperatures. The shutter will stick open in sub-zero conditions. It's a mechanical issue as the batter only operates its meter. It stays at home most of the time. My ground glass will fog over if I'm under the dark cloth too long. A good cleaning with a micro fiber cloth helps quite a bit. The more the camera has a chance to cool down the less a problem this becomes, a good reason for keeping it on the tripod and out of the pack. The tripod legs have foam pipe insulation on the top sections which helps the fingers in cold weather. I always try to wait at least five seconds after pulling my darkslide before exposing the film no matter what the conditions. This gives the film a chance to acclimate from the conditions inside the holder and backpack to the conditions inside the camera and avoids any change in the shape of the film during the exposure. After I get back indoors, the equipment gets warmed up slowly. Then it all gets wiped down and air dried overnight. Peace! Sidney -- God said, Let there be light! Divine Light: Photography by Rev. Sidney Flack 2507 E. 2nd Street Tulsa, OK 74104-1903 http://www.divinelightphotography.com
