Cold weather shooting M8

[soboyle]

I was hiking this past weekend, temp was about mid 20's F (-4 C), and my M8 stopped working after about 45 minutes. Battery was showing full charge, took a shot, and everything went blank.
Later, once the camera warmed up, everything worked fine again, battery still showing a full charge.
Any similar experiences?
A bit dissapointing since I missed a lot of good shots on this hike because of the camera quitting.

 

[TimWright]

Yup, keep it inside your coat or in camera bag or pocket with a hand warmer. The batteries are definitely not going to last as long but I have spent quite a few winter days with 3 batteries.

 

[soboyle]

So you think it was the battery, even though it showed full charge before quitting?

 

[TimWright]

Yes I have experienced the same thing a few times. Doubt there is anything wrong with your camera or battery.

 

[soboyle]

Which leads me to a battery question, are there any aftermarket batteries worth considering for the M8, or should I plunk down for the Leica battery?
Thanks.

 

[TimWright]

I have heard mixed reviews. I bought some aftermarket batteries for my Canon gear, some were great the others useless. I now use an M9 and I figure that after the cost of the camera and lenses the battery price is kind of trivial. I would research the aftermarket ones and only get ones where there have been no negative comments.

 

[drxcm]

I would guess having a metal body is disadvantageous for cold weather work, keeps the camera colder for longer...

 

[leif e]

But -4 C is shocking:wtf:
I´ll be without a camera from now till the end of March! :deadhorse:
Where´s that TriX?

leif e

 

[akiralx]

I can confirm that the M8 batteries perform fine in high temperatures (38C today in Melbourne)...

 

[leif e]

That´s soothing news!

 

[jaapv]

But -4 C is shocking:wtf:
I´ll be without a camera from now till the end of March! :deadhorse:
Where´s that TriX?

leif e

I've been out for 4 hours in -8C today with the M9. No problem...:salute: