Advice on Sony Z1 and extreme cold

[Topper Harley]

I am going on an expedition to a mountain in China in August and I want to make a documentary about it. I need advice on what camera to use. Right now I have an XL2, but I have ruled out using this because it is just too awkward a shape, making it hard to fit in a rucksack and also it is pretty heavy (around 4.5kg with battery + tape) and weight is one of the most important factors. Also, I'd prefer it if it was HD.

I was thinking of using a Z1, which at least according to the stats on b&h's website is 1.9kg (so I guess with batt + tape 2.5kg) which I think I could just about manage. Also, it doesn't have an awkward shape like the XL2.

So, my questions are:

1 Has anyone used a Z1 in extreme cold conditions, and if so, any advice on keeping it running smoothly? B&H's stats says its temperature range is 0 - 40 C but it will probably be as low as -20C on the mountain if not lower. Will the camera work at that temperature?

2 What is the sound quality like from a Z1? I use an AT4073 mike with my XL2 and it produces sound that I think is very good. Will the Z1 produce good sound with this mike or is it messed up like a pd150?

3 Is it possible to get a solar charger that will charge the Z1's batteries, and if so, from where?

4 I had also thought a bit about using the sony hvr a1, but I don't know much about it. The main advantage is that it is very light (only about 1kg) B&H stats mention that its temperature range goes as low as -20C, which is good. Is its picture quality significantly worse than the Z1s? What is its audio quality like, as it seems to have an XLR adaptor attached to it, not built in like the Z1s. It seems to have few manual features but I can't seem to find much info on it.

Thanks for reading all this, and I'd really appreciate some advice on any of these questions.

 

[Proteus]

I can't answer directly to your questions (I'm waiting for my Z1) but I know it's certain that:

1. If -20oC temperature reach the inside parts of the camera, the electronics will stop functioning and the mechanisms will possibly fail or will be damaged (assuming the camera will be exposed for enough time).

2. Consumer electronics are usually rated at 0-70oC but there are also Automotive, Industrial and Military versions with extended temperature range. It's unlikely for a camera of Z1 or A1 class to have ALL it's electronics rated at extreme temperatures and even if it had them all, I doubt if it's mechanisms with plastic parts, plastic lenses cheap motors etc would be able to work at these temperatures. Of course I can't imagine what will happen to tape during recording... maybe it will be converted to confetti in real time, at the rate of one piece per frame!

3. Even if everything else would work, it's certain that the capacity of the battery will drop exponentially as the temperature is getting lower so you have to keep the batteries warm like having them in your pockets until you are ready to change each one.


So I would get a heated cover specifically for my camera that will keep it warm (e.g with air-activated warmers) like the following:

http://www.portabrace.com/product_detail_A.php?id=1717

There *is* one advantage with cold though: If the sensor will operate at its lower temperature limits, you might be able to capture less noisy footage!

 

[Topper Harley]

Thanks for the suggestions Proteus. The stuff about the cover is very useful You don't happen to know if its possible to get a solar charger that would work with the Z1's batteries do you?

Also does anyone know why the Sony HVR A1's operating temperature is -20C while the Z1's is only 0C? Could that just be a mistake in the specs? Or could it be because it has a CMOS instead of CCDs? If it is true then that plus its lightweight and affordability might swing it.

 

[Proteus]

Also does anyone know why the Sony HVR A1's operating temperature is -20C while the Z1's is only 0C? Could that just be a mistake in the specs? Or could it be because it has a CMOS instead of CCDs? If it is true then that plus its lightweight and affordability might swing it.

Just received my Z1! In the Z1's manual (and in the following link for A1 specs in brochure) it says:

(From A1 & Z1 specifications):

Operating temperature
0oC to 40oC (32oF to 104oF)

Storage temperature
-20oC to +60oC (-4oF to +140oF)

This means you can leave it in your refrigerator (protected from humidity) but you definitely can't operate it in there!

http://bssc.sel.sony.com/BroadcastandBusiness/minisites/HDV/products.shtml

You don't happen to know if its possible to get a solar charger that would work with the Z1's batteries do you?

The Z1's battery charger is rated at 25W and can accept input from 12-24V DC so it can be used with any dc source at that voltage range that can provide about 3 amperes output (more than required to be sure).

After a little search, I found that you can buy a foldable(!) solar panel very lightweight and durable. You can combine more than one in parallel to increase the current output (amperes) and most of them output about 15volts.

You may get away with only one, that depends on the battery you will use (and the panel). To find out, place your desired battery on the Z1's charger and plug it into your car's cigarette connector with an appropriate adapter. If someone can measure for you the current with an ampere-meter in series during charging a complete discharged battery, that will be the current you need from the solar panel(s).
I might do this measurement some time after I get a car adapter + connector for the charger and then I will post the results.

Before you buy a solar panel I'd suggest you to email the company and let them verify that everything will work as expected for you, or to advise you with any additional electronics (such as regulators) needed. It's important to ask them if their products can operate in ...-20oC too! Anyway, the sun might help here by heating a bit these thin panels.

Check these links:

http://www.ascscientific.com/solar.html

http://www.sailgb.com/p/powerfilm_rollable_solar_panels/

http://www.sailgb.com/p/folding_uni_solar_panels/