HMC150 Winter Filming

[NSBFTW]

What are the risks? I will obviously be filming at temperatures below 0°C. What temperature should I be avoiding or would be the coldest I could film in?

Also what are ways I can prevent condensation on the inside of the camera after filming in the cold and bringing it inside?

Also, snow covers? What do you use or do so you can film in the snow? I usually just use a garbage bag with a hole for the lens and for the eye cup. Its makes it hard to adjust the settings, zoom or hit record at all.

What about cold hands? My hands get so cold when I film. I where thin gloves and film or use thick gloves and take my hands out only when necessary.

 

[ParrotEyes]

Risks: Plastic parts can become very brittle in cold temps. Be extra gentle handling the camera and adjusting the LCD position, etc.

Operating temps: The manufacturers of the camera, SDHC cards, and accesories specify operational temp ranges for their products. Try to stay within those to avaiod disappointment.

Condensation: The best way to minimize it is leaving the camera in the closed case or bag when you bring it inside and let it slowly warm up to room temp. If you need to use it indoors sooner, you risk fogging the lense internally if the environment is fairly humid. Do not be tempted to use a hair dryer to heat the lens. The glass could crack.

Camera cover: I bought a cover made for the 150 for about $99. It has clear side windows and doesn't make as much noise as a plastic bag. The bottom allows access to the camera controls.

Gloves: A mitt type is better at keeping the hands warm than the 5 finger glove. Check out the sporting goods stores for the type of mitt that opens at the palm, freeing your fingers when you need them. Also, pick up some hand warmer packets while you're there. When opened, a chemical reaction generates heat for hours. They are small enough to slip inside your mitts or boots. Nice to have on hand when you can't tolerate the cold any longer.

 

[matt s.]

Not to mention the focus ring becomes really stiff in cold weather. You want a focus controller if you will be doing a lot of cold weather filming. Also PortaBrace makes a Polar Mitt insulated camera cover which may help.

http://www.portabrace.com/productA-POL-MVX200_XH

 

[Barry_Green]

The HMC150 will perform fine in cold weather, excepting the focus ring. That gets stiff. If you're using autofocus it's not a big deal, but if you like to do manual focus, it's a problem. As matt said, an external focus controller might help.

 

[ERM]

150 Covers

150 Covers

Any other suggestions for winter camera covers? $329 for the porta-brace is out of my range.
Thanks in advance to all.

 

[Barry_Green]

Seriously, we shot the Iditarod with no cover. I don't think it's necessary. But if you want one, I'll sell you mine; I think it's a Kata or porta-brace, and it's one of eight in the world because it was made specifically for the Iditarod shoot and has a custom P2HD label on it or something. It's made for the HVX200, but I'm sure it could be adapted to an HMC150 with little trouble. Of course, if you want it, I'll have to find it -- I moved recently and I've lost track of where I packed a number of things...

Make offer. :thumbsup:

 

[ERM]

Thank you for your kind offer. Would you take $75 for it? Is it one of the padded kind? I live in what is know as "the world's worst weather" at the foot of Mt Washington in NH.

 

[matt s.]

I live in what is know as "the world's worst weather" at the foot of Mt Washington in NH.

Sweet! Love Mt. Washington and the surrounding areas. Havent been there since I've made the switch to HD though.

 

[ERM]

My backyard is 800,000 acres of national forest. An amazing place to shoot - and live.

 

[Barry_Green]

Thank you for your kind offer. Would you take $75 for it? Is it one of the padded kind? I live in what is know as "the world's worst weather" at the foot of Mt Washington in NH.

This is the one I have.
http://www.portabrace.com/productA-POL-MVX200_XH

Basically brand new with tags. Goes for $329 on the Porta Brace site, 299 on B&H. But, like I said, this one is different because it's custom-emblazoned with the "Panasonic P2HD" on it, I think there are only like 8 of these around.

On the porta brace site, it says it'll cover the HMC150, and lots of others (HVX, HPX170, XHA1, DVX, etc).

I've received multiple inquiries, so I'm not sure how to do this. Maybe just put it on ebay?

 

[ERM]

I defer to whatever works for you. I could pay half for it and would be glad to have it.
Thanks for your book, your help and this great forum.

 

[ERM]

Barry, any thoughts on what works for you?