Can I take pictures with Nikon D300 in cold weather?
I don't want it to brake. There can be condensation and stuff. It's not like it will freeze or something but I don't want anything bad happening to it.
The big deal is not exposing it to freezing temps for a long time. Taking it out to shoot for a couple of minutes won't bother. If you stay out tuck it in your coat while not shooting to keep it warm.
It'll be fine. Just always use your neck strap to keep from falling in the snow - a bad thing.
Have Fun!
It's a D300!
:-)
I've shot mine in pouring rain, sleet, snowstorms. I've had ice forming on it. Only things to consider are:
1.dry it off well when you get it inside again.
2. The battery's capacity goes down quite a bit after -10 degrees C ambiant temperature
Now, your lens may be another matter entirely.
If you follow Jim's advice the camera's lens will condense quite easily and will not clear for too long.
I used my D3100 in the cold a few days back, was out there for twenty minutes and didn't mess up.
I then got a bit more adventurous and went on a walk with it and after an hour and a half it worked fine in the conditions (not sure how cold it was but it made my fingers numb using it)
I have also used a bridge camera taking firework pictures in some pretty cold conditions, but if you have a bag to keep it nice and warm when your not working it should be fine!
If your still worried though you could take a cheaper camera, like a compact or something, to see if that works, and then you can go from there.
According to specifications, your camera will operate from 0 to 40 degrees C. That said, I have taken my D40 out in -12 deg C (10 deg F) temperatures for a few hours while x-country skiing. The camera was in a backpack. Worked fine. I purposely kept the camera below freezing due to the heavy snow.
Your battery capacity is reduced at lower temperatures, so be sure you start out with a full charge.
The Nikon D300 is well designed for weather extremes, with seals at all important places in the body.
http://forums.dpreview.com/...e=25877487
http://www.pbase.com/howzer/image/92465381
Look at the 6th picture on this page and read about how NASA uses unmodified Nikons in the extreme temperatures of outer space.
http://fpixel.wordpress.com/
Or, on a more down-to-Earth venue, check out this report about a D300 in Antarctica.
http://www.ces-show.com/0003/nikon/reviews/nikon-d300-review/
I use my D300 in cold and rain regularly when shooting UFL and NCAA football games. The camera's never failed me.