Link to updated info on F3 feature film shoot in Africa

[G.P.]

I will be posting as much as I can while in Nigeria for the next month shooting with the Sony F3. We will be dealing with extreme conditions, so this is the ultimate test. Photos and details will be posted!

Follow along and ask questions here:

http://gpcinematography.blogspot.com...h/label/Africa


If any problems arise such as over heating and other info, I'll be sure to post!

[Duke M.]

I've had 10 cameras fail in Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria and Moracco. Bring an umbrella for shade, a rain jacket or plastic bag for dust, and watch for humidity causing a moisture error going in and out of air conditioned hotel rooms. Try to have someone important help you through customs in Nigeria. There bribery is a way of life.

Have fun. Wish I was there.

[TimurCivan]

Oh yea! I was recently in iraq shooting. In third world countries, a fixer is more important than anything.

[Fotojorno]

Oh yea! I was recently in iraq shooting. In third world countries, a fixer is more important than anything.

..and security with AK's. My EX-1 survived 120 degree Iraqi summers without shutting down, hopefully the F3 will do the same. It did get super hot though!.. Have a great shoot Giuseppe.

[Everts]

+1 on the Duke !

[Duke M.]

Remember ambient air temperature is different than direct sunlight. Officially the EX1 and F3 max temperature is 104. In direct sunlight my EX1 starts acting up around 105-110F, but works fine at those temperatures if shaded.

OTOH, my XH-A1 couldn't take anything over 105F. I think thats because it had more moving parts.

The biggie is dust if you are in an open top jeep on a dirt road. Plastic is your friend unless it picks up static electricity.

And lets not forget the real questions you ask yourself. A male lion is ten feet away by the side of the road. Which do you do:

a) Stick your head out the top with your camera thereby showing the lion there is no roof on the jeep when 10' is easy jumping distance for him?

b) roll down the window and making yourself a target within easy reach?

c) shoot through the glass and risk spoiling the shot of a lifetime?

I chose a) and told the driver to floor it if the lion starts to gather himself. hahaha

[G.P.]

Hello All from Africa, I have wifi! for now...

Hotel just lost power about 20mins ago, running off of the generator at the moment, I'll be posting an update with photos and video soon. Thanks for the good info on heat handling guys.

I just had my first major hickup with the camera, I went from the air conditioned room to outside in the humidity, and the lens fogged up to hell, I should have known not to do that, but.... I forgot. So the lens fogged up really bad, and I used my micro fiber cloth to clean, but it left a bunch of swirly cleaning marks... It seems like their is a fine coating of something on the front element, but I can't get it to go away, theres a very very slight purple/blueish coating that has swirls, and worst part is, for whatever reason my lens cleaning kit never made it with me to here...

Any ideas on how to clean the lens without scratching the glass? my micro fiber isn't doing jack, its just moving the swirl around.

[TimurCivan]

oh yea i forgot to mention,

get alchohol if you can. Third world countries burn alot of wood/paper/garbage and the smoke leaves a film on your lenses eventually, alchohol will take it off. you'll notice it in a couple days. take care of your lungs, and cover yor mouth with a bandanna if you can do so without getting into a "social" issue.

[G.P.]

I heard regular rubbing alcohol was bad for lenses, is that true? I don't really have a legitimate "1st AC" here, and they are usually the ones cleaning my lenses, so I'm not sure what to use/do about it. I'm not about to screw up my brand new lens. should I use cotton swab and rubbing alcohol or something else?

[TimurCivan]

not rubbing alchohol, the pure isopropyl, that u can cut w/ water. rubbing alchohol has additives.

the high grade stuff. this is just too get the film off the glass. its gaseos plastic (burned garbage) for the most part you need a strong enouhg solvent that won pitt the coating. if you can email a rental house they will have suggestions.