required to be winterized. Ensure that camera equipment has been lubricated before operating in a cold climate.
a. Whenever possible, use camera equipment that is well worn. If you take a new, unused camera to the
arctic, you will find it very sluggish. A camera that has been operated for a least a few months will work better.
This is because the parts have been worked and any microscopic burrs have been worn down.
b. As an operator, there is no lubrication you can perform on your equipment. This must be done by
your maintenance personnel. If you are about to deploy to an arctic region, you should make arrangements to
have your equipment winterized in accordance with applicable TMs. You should only operate a camera without
lubrication in emergencies.
2.
If for any reason you cannot have your equipment winterized, keep your camera and equipment clean.
This will help keep them in good operating condition. A small film chip or lint could stop the function of
equipment. Always clean out the film compartment of the camera before loading another roll of film.
Learning Event 3:
STORE AND OPERATE CAMERA EQUIPMENT IN COLD WEATHER
1.
Cold weather conditions, and particularly sudden temperature changes, can have an adverse effect on
photographic equipment and film. Special attention must be given to the storage of photographic items.
2.
When cold photographic equipment or film is brought into warm places, moisture condenses on surfaces
of equipment and film. This causes rusting of metal and swelling of film emulsion. If the equipment or film is
returned before the moisture evaporates, the moisture will freeze and cause damage to these items.
a. Whenever possible, store camera equipment in unheated rooms. If you are shooting outdoors in very
cold climates and need to shoot photographs indoors, allow the camera equipment to warm up slowly. If this is
not done, there could be an adverse effect on the lenses, causing them to crack, check, or separate. After
equipment is warm, do not place it in subfreezing temperatures without again cooling it down slowly, or you
could cause similar problems.
b. Film should be stored at the same temperature as the equipment it will be used with. For short
storage, film and paper should be stored at temperatures of 50F or lower (10C or lower).
(1) All film should be kept in its original container and packing until ready for use. Allow film and
paper to come to the surrounding temperature before opening it.
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