Lecia Says MP Meter NG in Cold Weather

[Roger Pellegrini]

I just got off the phone with Leica Techhical Services in NJ. They are telling me that the MP meter does not work at -3 degrees C because the battery gets too cold. Unbelievable!

[kavandje]

So don't meter. Sunny 16 and away you go. At least your shutter still works.

[E76]

I hardly see how this is Leica's fault. It's a well known fact that the output of all batteries, regardless of type, drops at low temperatures. Some batteries are better than others, but it still happens.

I wonder if there is anything like Mamiya's "External Battery Case" for the Leica...

[kristopher_lawrence]

Thats interesting,

I am using my M6 with silver oxide batteries way bellow that, we had many days between -20 and -30 in canada in the last weeks, never had a problem with the meter. This being said they might not use the same design for the meter. Maybe you should try different batteries?

[ath]

The more correct phrasing would be that Leica said the batteries are not good in the cold. This is a well known problem.

[budrichard]

I suggest that you get your information from someone at Leica that knows what they are talking about.
Leica M6's, M7's and MP's routinely work well below -3C which is about 26F.-Dick

[keithwms]

Could somebody say what kind of batteries we're talking about? I can imagine some workarounds.

[resummerfield]

......I am using my M6 with silver oxide batteries way bellow that, we had many days between -20 and -30 in canada in the last weeks, never had a problem with the meter......

I've never had a problem either, with both the M6 and MP. But I generally keep the camera under my coat, and don't let it cold soak. I remember Nikon had an adapter for the F3 for cold weather operations, which placed the battery in a separate case (connected to the camera with a cord), so the battery could be kept warm inside your coat. No battery will continue to work properly when cold soaked to -30.

[lns]

I've never had a problem either, with both the M6 and MP. But I generally keep the camera under my coat...

Ditto. And Chicago has cold, cold winters.

-Laura

[keithwms]

Thionyl chloride batteries can operate much lower than -30 dunno if the defense dept. will sell you any though!