COLD temperature issues.

B

bsars

Member
Well, I am about to purchase an HPX. After reading a bit about temperatures I would like to ask the question thats in the back of my mind.

Will cold temperatures affect p2 performance and cameras with no moving parts?

I film mainly snowboarding at winter temperatures. I have been using a DVX for approx 3 years and have had no temperature issues even around -30 celsius. Of course battery life will decrease and camera will function marginally slower, focus ring will be a bit tighter etc.. but no major issues like data loss etc.

I was wondering if anyone had any advice or opinions on this.

I have comfortably shot with the dvx in winter conditions with no problems. I am worried that upgrading to a Hi def camera with no moving parts will either be better or could be worse...

if anyone can put thier 2 cents in it would be ideal as I am still torn on HVX or HPX....

thank you!
 
New HPX170 owner here. I am likewise curious. As a sidenote I was out hiking with my cam two weeks ago while it was around 38 F. I experienced the dreaded stiff/frozen focus ring. It about made the camera useless. Does Panasonic have a fix for this? Would a remote focus/zoom controller be a possible remedy for this?
 
It won't affect P2 at all, P2's been to the south pole and it works great. The Versus network and the Iditarod organization shoot about 300 hours of footage on P2 each year at the Iditarod, never a dropped frame or a lost clip or anything.

What you will run into is the focus ring freezing up. If you want to use manual focus in cold temperatures (sub-freezing), you're pretty much going to have to go with an external focus controller.

No fix has ever been mentioned by them.
 
still torn between hvx & hpx

still torn between hvx & hpx

I have read in another thread Barry Green stating that the HVX and DVX focus ring will not freeze up. but you say the HPX and HMC do freeze up.

what is true and why do they differ?
also, would it be a better idea to go with the hvx? wouldnt i rather have the camera where everything works in the conditions that i will be filming in most??

i need to be sure when i am trying to decide whether i what HVX or HPX

i dont understand why the hvx still exists? I can only think of one reason and its the sd and hd combo??

Can I still use the focus ring when it is cold? it will just be in extreme coll that i wont be able to?? or will i still be able to use it but it will be difficult?
also what about the manul zoom in cold temperatures???
 
bsars said:
I have read in another thread Barry Green stating that the HVX and DVX focus ring will not freeze up. but you say the HPX and HMC do freeze up.

what is true and why do they differ?
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According to the manufacturer, the lens on the HPX170 and HMC150 uses a different design from the earlier cameras, and it's because of that that this issue comes about. No further explanation was offered.

also, would it be a better idea to go with the hvx? wouldnt i rather have the camera where everything works in the conditions that i will be filming in most??
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If you're buying a camera specifically for use in cold weather conditions, certainly I'd say the HVX200A has the advantage.

i dont understand why the hvx still exists? I can only think of one reason and its the sd and hd combo??
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Correct.

Can I still use the focus ring when it is cold?
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Yes, you can still use the focus ring when it's 60 below zero. But not easily. It freezes up, and it takes effort to get it moving again. Once you get it moving, it works fine, stiffly but fine. But if you leave it alone for a few seconds it'll freeze up again and you'll have to go through the process to break it free and get it moving again.

also what about the manul zoom in cold temperatures???
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I don't believe that's affected at all.
 
So. I bought the HPX today. had a total of 39 hours on it. The previous owner bought it in july and had barely used it. I did notice a small crack in the protective plate right behind the ch2 audio gain dial. The previous owner told me i can get it fixed for around 250 dollars.

Spent some time fiddling with options and going through menus etc.

One thing i did notice that the channell one audio meter on the LCD isn't going back and forth like the ch2 audio meter is....

any opinions on this??

everything else works fine.

Also is it possible to replace original lens glass? i noticed 2 minor spots on the original lens. nothing to serious or noticeable...

I am stoked to own the camera but am a little skeptical now that the ch1 audio meter isnt showing up...

any opionions and/or advice?
 
I've had my (new) HPX out in temps a few deg F below freezing over the last week. The focus ring definitely sticks, it definitely breaks free and definitely does not 'render the camera useless'.........not by a long shot.

It's annoying but that's about it. I'll be shooting a good deal of snow sports this season too and I haven't had anything that makes it seem like a deal breaker.

But yeah if it seems like something you don't want to deal with, grab an HVX. But it doesn't take a rocket surgeon to realize you can just free up the ring before you press the magic red button.
 
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