Cameras and low temperatures

[Actor]

My circumstances force me to store my super8 cameras in my shop. I am also forced to heat this area with electric space heaters, and heating it 24/7 through the winter is prohibitively expensive. I heat it for only a few hours per day. Once I cut the power it takes about an hour for the temperature in the shop to drop to the temperature outside.

With the really cold temperatures we're experiencing this year I'm concerned this freeze/thaw cycle may damage the cameras. Moving them to a permanently warm area is problematic. Would it be better to move them to another area where they would be cold all the time?

[super8man]

Personally, I would not worry about it. Super 8 cameras are pretty much indestructible in the sense you are concerned about. I would be more concerned with humidity and warm temps (like in Mexico/etc). That will rot rubber/plastics and cause glass to fog, etc. While cold may make things brittle if you were to abuse them/use them whilst super cold, again, typically the cameras just sit so no harm.

Of course, if you have a favourite one, then put it in your closet but at the end of the day it really won't matter much.

[Will2]

I was just shooting here in Dallas at some Super Bowl events outside and with temperatures at 15 degrees Fahrenheit (crazy cold for here) I found my Scoopic would lock up periodically and mysteriously start working after I warmed it up in the media trailer.

As long as dew or moisture doesn't collect on the gear and then freeze multiple times, cold in general is fine if you're not actually using the equipment.

[Andersens Tears]

I was just shooting here in Dallas at some Super Bowl events outside and with temperatures at 15 degrees Fahrenheit (crazy cold for here) I found my Scoopic would lock up periodically and mysteriously start working after I warmed it up in the media trailer.

I have shot with a Canon 1014xl-s at minus 30 C and it worked fine. Just made sure I let it warm up slowly in a sealed case with outside air.

I shot recently at minus 24 C with my Elmo 3000AF and the low temp killed off the Autofocus!