Extend Your Battery Life in Winter Weather
Winter delivers some of the most dramatic and beautiful scenes of the year for photography, but cold temperatures come with one major drawback: batteries don’t last nearly as long. In freezing conditions, even a fully charged battery can drain faster than expected, and without a backup, you risk missing the shot entirely.
Here are a few essential steps to take to get the most out of your ProMaster camera batteries when temperatures drop.
Limit Live View
Live View is a fantastic tool for composing images, but it’s also one of the biggest battery drains.
When shooting in winter, rely on the viewfinder while scouting compositions. Only turn on Live View when you’re ready to fine-tune your framing or settings. Once you’ve captured your shots, turn it off again.
Leaving Live View running between compositions is a quick way to drain even a fresh battery. In extreme cold, this can cut your shooting time dramatically.
Power Down Between Shots
Another simple habit that can help conserve power is turning off your camera when you’re not actively shooting.
If you’re moving between locations, hiking, or spending time exploring before the next composition, power the camera down. While the savings may seem small, every bit counts in freezing temperatures and it helps your battery last longer throughout the day.
Insulate Your Camera in Your Backpack
When you’re not actively shooting, wrap your camera in a sweater or jacket inside your backpack. Even better, wrap your camera in a ProMaster Self-adhesive Cloth Protective Wrap. These wraps are made to be a soft and protective layer around your gear. The soft wrap sticks to itself, conforms to whatever you’re wrapping, and removes easily. The soft interior is gentle on gear and the wrap can be hand washed without losing its grip or softness.
This added insulation helps keep both the camera and battery warmer, slowing down power loss. It’s a simple trick that can noticeably extend battery life during long outings.
Keep a Backup Battery Close at Hand
Even with these precautions in mind, your battery will likely drain faster in colder weather than usual. It’s smart to keep an extra battery or two on hand, just in case. Keep these extra batteries warm in a Protective Wrap or inner, padded pocket of your bag to further extend their battery life.
If that extra battery is a ProMaster battery with USB-C charging built in, you’ll be able to recharge your battery in no time wherever you are. Plug a USB-C cord into the battery and attach it to a charging bank, laptop, car, basically anywhere with a USB connection! Just plug it in and wait for the battery's on-board LED light to change from red to green.
Winter Battery Tips at a Glance
To get the most out of your ProMaster camera batteries in cold weather, remember to:
Minimize Live View usage
Turn off your camera between shoots
Insulate your camera with a Protective Wrap when it’s in your backpack
Carry at least one spare battery, like a ProMaster battery with USB-C charging
Winter conditions are demanding, but with the right habits, and reliable ProMaster batteries, you can stay powered longer and focus on capturing the moments that matter most. Click here for tips on improving your Winter Photography from Frankie Spontelli and Ross Bernards.
