C300: Desert filming Arizona

New_Zealand

New_Zealand

Veteran
Anyone in this group live in Arizona? I'm going to be there in August filming out in the desert and wanted to know even though we have a ND Filter built in the C300 would I need a ND filter on my lenses due to the bright sunlight?
 
You will need more ND (and possibly IR control) if you're looking to shoot fast.

6 stops is not going to cut it in the middle of the day at f/1.8, etc at 180°.
 
Take an umbrella, or better yet get a cheap shade tent or two. Keep gear in shade as much as possible, under floppys, towels, or whatever is handy. x2 on the extra ND's. Maybe have a few GND's around too... the sky can get really, really bright. Water. At least a few gallons per crewperson. If budget can swing renting some misting fans do get them - you'll need them even at night. The AZ dessert is pretty brutal. LCD displays can go dark in prolonged direct sun & heat (they usually come back after cooling off).
 
I live in Phoenix! August is the tail end of Summer so it's not as bad as it will be for the next month. Average high temperature in Phoenix will be around 39-41C, which is nowhere near as bad as when it gets up to 49C in July. However, west of Phoenix gets hotter and north of Phoenix will be a little (or a lot) cooler. What part of AZ will you be shooting in?

Canon lists the temperature range of the C300 as "Performance requirements: 0°C to 40°C, 85% (relative humidity) / Operating requirements: -5°C to 45°C, 60% (relative humidity)". Those should definitely be operating environment temperatures, so the camera should be good in open sun, but shade never hurts. :)

Definitely stock up on water, but there will be a little humidity in the air in August, so it won't be as dry.

One thing to actually look out for August is rain and crazy dust storms. August is monsoon season in AZ and there can suddenly be a lot of rain or a literal mile high dust storm known as a haboob.
 
Joshua Cadmium said:
One thing to actually look out for August is rain and crazy dust storms. August is monsoon season in AZ and there can suddenly be a lot of rain or a literal mile high dust storm known as a haboob.
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I've been caught in those a few times out there and they are an equipment nightmare, that stuff gets everywhere, lenses, cameras, light fixtures, it's terrible.
 
New_Zealand said:
maybe pickup a ND6 to put on the lens and then use the camera options 2 4 6?
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Great solution to get into the sweet spot for middle of day shooting here.

Temperature operating specs are useful, but prolonged direct exposure to sun will heat your gear up way higher and faster. With solid state recording now, the record mechanisms are not a worry, VF’s are the bigger issue. They usually crap out first. Try to keep your cam in the shade when possible.

Come summertime, I always shoot with a hat, even if it’s a baseball hat. Not only good for heat protection but also to shade the VF from the sun and reflections. It’s a must have item imo. Of course if you have a crew and a budget, a courtesy flag is the way.

Have a great shoot.
 
Do watch out for "bark" scorpions, I do a lot of nature work there and while at dusk and dawn you might see a few snakes, it's the bark scorpions that get everywhere.
 
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