How cold Can you Go with the DVX100A

CookFX Productions

CookFX Productions

Well-known member
It's winter, of course, but I have yet to really get any outside shots with my camera, Im very carefull I didnt have a rain coat winter when I got her and now I do, pl use I got the camera there wasnt that much of a winter left. But the manual says 50 degrees. Can you push it and go lower>? I only live in michigan So were talking low 30's In to the 20's if i want to get a storm or something.

Brian
 
Ive had mine operating at -3 c which is about 25f, never had a problem. Have to watch the condensation, so acclimatise the unit.
 
CookFX Productions said:
How would I go about acclimatising my camera, Film school school drop out here. Most payed attention FCP and After effects.
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My guess would be to wrap your camera with towels before coming in into the heat. Otherwise you'll get tons of condensed water in and out of the camera glass. Jgastelb
 
I wouldn't trust towels; the trick is to very gradually warm the camera and let it come to room temperature.

I suspect the absolute lower limit to the temperature the camera can function at, might be the breakdown point of the lubricants used in the tape and the transport system.
 
I carry plastic bags (like the ones you get your groceries in), wrap the camera in it while in the cold environment, place it in your camera bag, then you can safely transport it into a warmer environment. Leave the camera in the bag until it is at room temperature. I've never had a problem when going from cold to warm.
 
Climate is a key factor here. If the place is really humid then you may encounter more issues.

Why is it that towels won't work though?
 
jgastelb said:
Why is it that towels won't work though?
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Because you'll have condensation inside the camera where the towels can't reach. I have 2.5 gallon ziplock bags that I carry with me and they work really well.
 
so if i put my camera in the bags that seems to be the method to use and set the temp on my car and started driving that should start the warming process from cold to warm and brouht the camera in for the rest of the process
 
I shot something in Oslo last christmas... it was -10 celcius (somewhere between -270 and +2000 degrees fahrenheit) and I had no problems. A friend of mine shot some stuff in Russia a couple of years ago. when the temp dropped below -30 the plastic on his camera started breaking off and his batteries lasted for about 2 minutes each but even so his footage was great.

I've seen these bomber-jacket type rain slicks for the DVX around. guessing they would be excellent but I dunno who makes them or how much they are. maybe just getting a Porta Brace rain slick and stuff it would work?

mor10
 
DVX has been used in Antarctica without any problems. The secret is to leave the camera to warm up befor using it again inside (I would say minimum two hours). Put it in a ziplock bag before getting inside with the cassette compartment open - it will speed up the process and if you are in a hurry you can turn it on inside the bag - DO NOT open the bag before it warms up thoroughly!!!
Batteries can be a bit of an issue in very low temperature - you can probably try and use a battery pack which you can keep under your clothes so it's warm.
 
anartica and michigan are a lot different, but the zip lock bag i guess is the suggested method of warming it up? Now for getting it warmer. how do you d it? in stages like the basement, then the backdoor hallway then upstairs where it is room temp? Not confused just interested on peoples methods.
 
Zip lock bag is not for warming up, is for stopping condensation. It doesn't matter how you do it, just take it inside and wait for it to get at room tmeperature, but while it's cold leave it in the sealed bag, this stops the water in the air to make friends with the camera.
 
ohhhhhhh, see i had it all turned around in my head, thats why i love this forum, you know i wish i just had a huge group of film friends that met every day. A film Mafia pursay, I guess it would help if i went back to film school but its so expensive, soooo expensive. But thats for the help friend.

Brian
 
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