Does Air Travel Cause Dead Pixels in Camcorders?

C

charlesme

Member
I recently attended a seminar regarding Panasonic P2 cameras and something was brought up that I had never heard before.

The Panasonic rep mentioned that dead pixels in a camera can be caused by exposure to Gamma radiation while being transported in airplanes during air travel. He suggested that it might be better to borrow or rent a camera for use on shoots that involved air travel if you don't want your own camera subjected to the possibility of damage to the CCD chips.

While I think the rep didn't really suggest much damage could happen because of air travel, there was still a possibility that it could happen. I have tried looking up articles on the internet to see what anyone else says on the matter and I haven't really found much.

Locically, one has to consider that after a camcorder is manufactured it is usually airshipped to a distributor, who then ships it to a customer, often by air, as well. So, I am personaly of the opinion that taking a camcorder with you on an airplane can't be all that hazardous to its pixel health.

However, does anyone know if air travel really can cause damage, even minor damage, to a camera's CCD block, and if it does, what reasonable steps can be taken to minimize the possibility of damage?

I own an HVX200 and also posted this comment there, but the question applies to any camcorder I would think.
 
Last edited:
I have traveled all over this country with my camera, and even a Digital SLR camera and I have never had a problem with this. As you said, cameras are more often than not air shipped, so the notion that flying in a plane will damage a camera does not really make any sense.
The biggest issue with flying is making sure you have your camera as a carry on. Even in a locked pelican case I don't trust the airlines to have my camera arrive in the destination in one piece. I always take my camera as my carry on.
 
Thanks scharky for your response. I really didn't think much damage could happen. It's like I said, I was at a seminar for Panasonic products and the rep said something about dead pixels being caused by gamma rays in air travel, and when I sort of questioned it, someone in the audience seconded the opinion. But I thought it sounded a bit farfetched. And yes, defintely keep your camera gear with you in the overhead when you travel by air--a cardinal rule for sure!
 
The gamma ray suggestions isn't totally "out there." People that fly often are exposed to a somewhat elevated level of radiation compared to those on the ground. In fact, astronauts (who are not protected by any atmosphere) have reported phantom flashes in their vision, and it was determined that it was caused by subatomic particles striking their retinas. I'm not sure if it was gamma radiation or not -- I'm not up on my physics. In fact, I don't even pay attention to the laws of gravity.
 
Yes I've heard that it can be an issue. Usually it's said in context with very long flights that fly very high; the higher you go the more likely it is to be an issue. A nonstop from Japan to Washington DC would probably qualify, but a little commuter hop from Richmond to NYC wouldn't.
 
I've done San Fran to Hong Kong 4 times with the DVX, lucked out so far. Glad I didn't know about this before those trips though, I'd be freaking out.
 
From what I understand it's more likely to happen to smaller pixels too, so a DVX is probably okay. An HD100 or XHA1 would be more of a concern, but even then the web isn't full of reports of dead pixels from flying...
 
I wonder if using a large FilmShield bag for the camera would work? For those that don't know what a FilmShield is, it's a plastic-coated lead foil bag used to protect film from x-ray machines.
 
This is another urban legend that has lots of fans. Along with the clunk in the DVX, the space dust contaminating the lens and Scientology, it is something you guys should learn to stop beleiving in when you are past 14 years old. If there's someone out there with a faulty CCD block as a result of air travel, he's welcome to send it to me (with appropriate proof)- I'm going to swallow it whloe, including the prism. Get a grip guys...
 
Well most of us aren't engineers, and what we've been doing is called "conjecture." However, I work with a bunch of engineers, so I can see where the attitude comes from.
 
I had an engineer argue with me about how many feet were in a mile once. She was so sure she was right she bet me 50 dollars. I have no idea where she came up with her figure, but it was good for 50 bucks. She ended up taking us all out to eat on her credit card.

Engineers.
 
The Engineer said:
This is another urban legend that has lots of fans. Along with the clunk in the DVX, the space dust contaminating the lens and Scientology, it is something you guys should learn to stop beleiving in when you are past 14 years old.
Click to expand...
huh? I take my DVX, tilt it, and hear a clunk. I believe in the clunk because I've heard it myself.(granted, although I know what it is coming from) How is that an urban myth?:(
 
>>how many feet were in a mile once

It depends on how many people are standing in that mile, right? :happy:
 
Yes I've heard that it can be an issue. Usually it's said in context with very long flights that fly very high
Click to expand...

This has happened to me! I owned a Sony DSR 300 (NEW) for a couple years that I paid about $12k for. I took it twice to India. I carried it onboard. Kept it with me at all times. When I got back from India the second time sure enough, there it was, a bright glowing pixel at the top center of my screen! Bright as the morning sun!!

Someone said to black balance repeatedly could help. So everyday for about a week I hit the black balance several times. Eventually it all but disappeared. You could barely see it only when shooting something dark. That was when I sold that camera faster than a speeding bullet! lol
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top