raneparish
Active member
Has anyone had any success keeping the DVX warm enough to shoot in cold weather?
thanks- Rane
thanks- Rane
Cold Weather Shooting...
- Thread starter raneparish
- Start date
Re: Cold Weather Shooting...
First, how cold is cold?
I've been out shooting in the cold and snow several times with decent battery life. I just tried to keep my hands on the battery at all times. Then again, it wasn't frigid either.
You could probably concoct a DIY battery extender type thing by using the power cord that connects straight to the camera and run that to the battery (you would need to find a way to connect the battery though). That way you could keep the battery in your pocket while you shoot.
First, how cold is cold?
I've been out shooting in the cold and snow several times with decent battery life. I just tried to keep my hands on the battery at all times. Then again, it wasn't frigid either.
You could probably concoct a DIY battery extender type thing by using the power cord that connects straight to the camera and run that to the battery (you would need to find a way to connect the battery though). That way you could keep the battery in your pocket while you shoot.
Re: Cold Weather Shooting...
Li-ion batteries like the one the DVX uses are pretty good in the cold. I've never had any problems with the batteries dying when shooting at 15-30 F. If it's really cold you could buy a belt battery pack or do what I do--keep your battery spares in your clothes pockets--so they're warm when you need them.
Li-ion batteries like the one the DVX uses are pretty good in the cold. I've never had any problems with the batteries dying when shooting at 15-30 F. If it's really cold you could buy a belt battery pack or do what I do--keep your battery spares in your clothes pockets--so they're warm when you need them.
Re: Cold Weather Shooting...
I just used that method Barry_S described, and it works great. The nice thing about the HyTron 50 verses a regular battery belt, is that it's only one cell and worn either on a belt or in a large pocket, etc. I have found a regular battery belt much more uncomfortable, whereas this one was no problem at all.
Vince
I just used that method Barry_S described, and it works great. The nice thing about the HyTron 50 verses a regular battery belt, is that it's only one cell and worn either on a belt or in a large pocket, etc. I have found a regular battery belt much more uncomfortable, whereas this one was no problem at all.
Vince
raneparish
Active member
Re: Cold Weather Shooting...
Thanks for the tips on batteries but what I wanted to know was does cold weather harm the electronics of the camera? The dv tape? The manual says not to use when temperatures are under 32F. If that's true, can an underwater housing be outfitted someway to accomadate a heater of some kind?
-Rane
P.S.
I bought this thing called "The Eliminator" which is the size of a boom box but weighs about 20lbs. When charged, you could run the DVX for over 20hrs! So really only need to use batteries for hand held shots. It has 2 AC outlets... a great deal for $100!
Thanks for the tips on batteries but what I wanted to know was does cold weather harm the electronics of the camera? The dv tape? The manual says not to use when temperatures are under 32F. If that's true, can an underwater housing be outfitted someway to accomadate a heater of some kind?
-Rane
P.S.
I bought this thing called "The Eliminator" which is the size of a boom box but weighs about 20lbs. When charged, you could run the DVX for over 20hrs! So really only need to use batteries for hand held shots. It has 2 AC outlets... a great deal for $100!
Re: Cold Weather Shooting...
I think that temperature spec is pretty conservative. I haven't used any special procedures for shooting in the teens and I know other folks have gone lower. Just make sure you seal the camera in a ziploc before going inside, so you don't get too much condensation.
I think that temperature spec is pretty conservative. I haven't used any special procedures for shooting in the teens and I know other folks have gone lower. Just make sure you seal the camera in a ziploc before going inside, so you don't get too much condensation.
raneparish
Active member
Re: Cold Weather Shooting...
Thanks Barry!
Thanks Barry!
D10S
Well-known member
Re: Cold Weather Shooting...
Barry, so you seriously put the DVX in a ziplock when bringing the camera back indoors after shooting in the cold? How cold? I'm assuming below 32 degrees? How long before you remove it from the bag? This is starting to sound like a recipe or something.
Barry, so you seriously put the DVX in a ziplock when bringing the camera back indoors after shooting in the cold? How cold? I'm assuming below 32 degrees? How long before you remove it from the bag? This is starting to sound like a recipe or something.
Re: Cold Weather Shooting...
Well, I don't always use a ziplock, but my cameras always go in sealed bags if I've been outside shooting in the cold. My LowePro pack seals well enough that I don't need a plastic bag. I try to let the camera warm up to something close to room temperature before opening the bag to avoid condensation. It also depends on the ambient humidity--it's usually damp and cold around here in the winter (as opposed to dry and cold). Condensation can put your camera out of action for a few hours and certainly isn't great for the lens.
Well, I don't always use a ziplock, but my cameras always go in sealed bags if I've been outside shooting in the cold. My LowePro pack seals well enough that I don't need a plastic bag. I try to let the camera warm up to something close to room temperature before opening the bag to avoid condensation. It also depends on the ambient humidity--it's usually damp and cold around here in the winter (as opposed to dry and cold). Condensation can put your camera out of action for a few hours and certainly isn't great for the lens.
raneparish
Active member
Re: Cold Weather Shooting...
Vince,
I bought it up in Toronto from Candian Tire, a car accessory store. They are online: www.canadiantire.ca ...however I think the weight would make shipping expensive. Try a place near you that sells car stuff. The eliminator is also a battery charger for autos. It comes with cables and an AC adapter for charging it from an AC outlet, and an adapter for charging from a cigarette lighter. The one I bought has 500watts of power but there is a larger one with 1000. It comes with 2 wheels and a handle. What I like about this thing is it is dead quiet. I used it on location to power a couple of props-perfect! you could also run some flurescents off of it, other lights draw too much. While it's no substitute for a generator for lighting, it was great to know that I was NEVER going to run out of juice for the camera. So why buy a whole bunch of batteries when this is available?
-Rane
Vince,
I bought it up in Toronto from Candian Tire, a car accessory store. They are online: www.canadiantire.ca ...however I think the weight would make shipping expensive. Try a place near you that sells car stuff. The eliminator is also a battery charger for autos. It comes with cables and an AC adapter for charging it from an AC outlet, and an adapter for charging from a cigarette lighter. The one I bought has 500watts of power but there is a larger one with 1000. It comes with 2 wheels and a handle. What I like about this thing is it is dead quiet. I used it on location to power a couple of props-perfect! you could also run some flurescents off of it, other lights draw too much. While it's no substitute for a generator for lighting, it was great to know that I was NEVER going to run out of juice for the camera. So why buy a whole bunch of batteries when this is available?
-Rane
enterdcable
Well-known member
Re: Cold Weather Shooting...
I shot in 25 degree weather with the dvx for about 6 hours (give or take an almost full night) and the motor on the zoom immediately began to give after 15 minutes of shooting w/ lcd and little-no zoom.
Even after having brought it inside and let sit to room temperature (w/ no condensation) it sounded as if it were dying.
The camera shot fine though w/ constant swapping of fresh batts (btw thanks Jarred!
) but the problem w/ zoom remained until the next day.
Oh well, it remedied itself.
I shot in 25 degree weather with the dvx for about 6 hours (give or take an almost full night) and the motor on the zoom immediately began to give after 15 minutes of shooting w/ lcd and little-no zoom.
Even after having brought it inside and let sit to room temperature (w/ no condensation) it sounded as if it were dying.
The camera shot fine though w/ constant swapping of fresh batts (btw thanks Jarred!
) but the problem w/ zoom remained until the next day.Oh well, it remedied itself.