Digital camera in winter

[Joshua Szulecki]

Wolf,

If you don't mind shooting film, you can afford a really good manual focus SLR right now. Film SLR's, especially manual film cameras like the old Pentax K-1000 and similar knockoffs, often sell for a few bucks on the used market, and many older Pentax lenses sell for a song. I sold two Pentax K-1000 type cameras and a half dozen lenses about two years ago. I made $70. 

A K-1000 type camera with a 50mm lens and some cheap extension tubes makes a great macro lens.

See: keh.com

Even some dSLRs are getting really cheap on the used market. The problem there is that, at least with Canon, the lenses are still just as expensive as always.

[Rob]

I just came back from the Smoky Mtn. after 9 days of hiking in the back country for several of those days with my Nikon d80 DSLR and the only real issues I had was the lens kept fogging and freezing over due to EXTREME cold weather (15*-20* with snow blowing at high elevation) no battery issues and I even overnighted at Icewater springs shelter on the A.T. (horrible little place, but served it's purpose). Weather was not at all conducive to photography efforts. I did get a few photos that I will post in my gallery for all to see soon.   Note to self.......... Never again hike to Charlies Bunion in almost 2 ft. of snow, especially by my self.

[Southlady]

Rob you are crazier than I am hiking in 2 ft of snow by yourself.