Canon EOS Battery Freezing

by Ian Mcleod
(Aklavik)

My battery in E0S keeps freezing. Is there a better quality battery or better, an independent power source that can stay in my jacket?

Hi Ian!

Yes, you have several strategies to use with regard to getting the most out of your camera battery when shooting with a Canon EOS camera in cold conditions. Whether you're shooting outdoors in frigid conditions or doing an indoor commercial shoot in a meat locker, it can be challenging to avoid battery power issues.

Battery power is reduced by about half for a drop in temperature of 18 °F.

How To Shoot In Cold Weather

Here are 6 ideas to help you avoid your EOS battery failing you in cold shooting temperatures:

1. NEW BATTERY. As batteries age, their capacity decreases. A brand new, fully-charged battery will outperform a used battery every time, even in cold weather.
2. SPARE BATTERIES. Having a spare battery (or two) is a must-do in any kind of weather. Non-Canon batteries have the same capacity and your camera won't care how it gets its power. They are priced at a fraction of the ones Canon sells with their Canon label attached.
3. CAMERA WARMTH. This is my favorite technique. My camera hangs by a strap around my neck and inside my winter parka. It's got plenty of room for me to zip up and keep my camera and its battery warm against my chest as much as possible. I think out the photos I'm about to take as much as possible before unzipping and shooting.
4. BATTERY WARMTH. Chemical hand warmers come in a few sizes. Once activated, you can warp them around individual batteries to keep them warm or use the same idea and wrap the battery compartment area of your camera with a warmth-retaining wrap of some kind.
Alternatively, have a few backup batteries in an inside pocket to keep warm from your body heat. You can frequently switch between a warmed-up battery and a cold one.
Canon AC Power Adapter


5. AC POWER. Depending on the model of your EOS camera, you can get AC Adapters to power your camera directly from an AC power source. It can be plugged directly into a small power station, like a Jackery, which you would have to carry with you.
6. ELECTRICIAN. If you do a lot of cold weather shooting, find an experienced electrician/handyman that could custom adapt your ac power cord to attach to a larger battery that could be kept inside your coat.


Ian, I hope this answer helps!

Good Luck,
Bruce

Tips On Canon Batteries

This post contains affiliate links and the publisher may be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links, at no cost to you.


KEH: WHERE I BUY CANON GEAR
"I've found that the condition of the used equipment from KEH is excellent and a whole lot cheaper than buying new" - Bruce, the Canon Camera Geek