One of the most frustrating things about photographing in cold climates is funnily enough the cold. Well not really the cold, rather the problems that arise during cold photography expeditions.
<br><br>
First and foremost we always look after keeping ourselves warm. That’s something we can do quite easily by donning layer upon layer of clothing with an outer layer of GoreTex. Good boots, neck scarf, beanie, and nice thick gloves.
<br><br>
Warm, dry, water resistant and wind proof. But operating a camera from within the confines of ones toasty dry Michelin Man impersonators outfit can be frustrating to say the least for a number of reasons. First and foremost is actually putting your hands on the camera.
<br><br>
Personally I use a custom focussing button setup which means i need my thumb and index finger for focussing and shutter release. To actually attempt to use my camera with normal cold climate gloves is a bit of a hit and miss scenario both with using the camera as well as getting the results I want. With the gloves on, my DSLR feels more akin to a GoPro due to the size and non-tactile nature of my old gloves.
<br><br>
Chemical hand warmers can be used if you are happy to go glove free for short periods of time. Personally I prefer the warmth of a glove but I was really after something that allows the best of both worlds (yes! I want to have my cake and eat it too!!) and well there is a glove out there that meets my needs …the Freehands Stretch Thinsulate Gloves.
<br><br>
%%wppa%% %%slideonlyf=2%%
<br><br>
As far as photographers gloves go the Freehands are ideal. They are made from a stretchy material with Thinsulate insulation for warmth. They provide a layer that is waterproof and wind proof for the back of the hand.
<br><br>
But more importantly what they provide the ability to expose your both your index finger and thumb on each hand without removing your gloves. This is done by ‘flipping’ the glove tips on each of the index finger and thumb over onto the back of the glove. The trips are held in place by a series of small magnets keeping them out of the way. An ingenious design that just works works. Both hands have the index finger and thumb flippable tips which means if you need to do any intricate manipulation that requires two hands it can be done quite easily.
<br><br>
Now these gloves aren’t the warmest gloves in the world. They’re not designed for use in -33 deg C that you can experience in the colder regions and polar extremities. But when the choice between going bare handed with chemical hand warmers or using the Freehands gloves I know which I’d prefer. That said if one was to be exposed out in the open in freezing temperatures I would recommend wearing a glove more suited for the conditions and then put on the Freehands when it came time to shoot.
<br><br>
As far as photographers gloves go, these gloves are extremely good value, they are available from B &H Photo for around $30 US. I’ve yet to determine the durability/longevity of these gloves but at that price they are downright good value.
<br><br>
1 comment for “Photographers Gloves – Freehands Stretch Thinsulate – Review”