Sensor overheating while shooting video

Z

Zimram

New member
I have recently been referred to this forum (2 mos ago) and I must say there is an impressive community here.

So here's my first post after reading several.

I am a videographer who is absolutely intrigued with the beautiful video some dslr's can produce with shallow depth of field. I have entertained the purchase of a 35mm adapter for my video camera to achieve similar results. With the arrival of Canons 7D I thought, WOW for less money than an adapter you get a stellar camera for still shots plus full res hi def video that looks gorgeous considering the chip sensor. So away I went doing my research. To cut to the chase, two things have got me started thinking this might not be such a good idea considering what I was hoping to get from the video features.

1- For European product classification and compatibility with 32bit computer systems, engaged video recording is automatically stopped once 4GB of info is captured. This translates into about 12mins of high def footage. This poses a slight issue when shooting a 20 min ceremony (wedding) utilizing the 7D as an unmanned static B-camera. Though I perceived this as a major inconvenience by no means was it a deal breaker.

2- Here is the potential deal breaker. Today I contacted a Canon camera technician trying to learn more about how I can get around the record stop issue mentioned above. BTW, the Canon tech support is absolutely amazing, among the best. Anyhow the technician was inquiring my on my perceived usage. He then informed me that the cameras sensor was not designed for extended video usage. The sensor was designed to amazingly capture a hi res still image in a fraction of a second. Not capturing lengthy video files. He pointed out that the sensor will overheat after about 10 mins of straight video which will incur severe grainy artifacts in the video. The grainy-ness can be seen in the video prior to the 10min mark until it gets progressively worse after the 10min mark. As I understood there were quite a few variables, i.e. weather, HD vs SD, prolonged usage, etc.....

Does anyone who owns a 7D have any experience with these issues? Any feedback?
 
Hey Zimram! I'm sure that you'll get more responses on this from 7d users. I'm a D90 owner, (7d soon)...I can tell you that the overheating thing SUCKS. I can also tell you that it comes (frequently) with the DSLR territory. If you are doing event videography, you are in one of the WORST DSLR adoption categories. There are so many things (about DSLRs) that don't favor EVENT shooting. I LOVE using it for "cinematic" projects. Barry Green has hammered this one pretty much TO DEATH, (thanks Barry)....but DSLRs are not typically "well suited" for event videography IMHO.

Having said that....they are so CHEAP now, (D90 body for under 700 bucks, ebay 50mm f1.8 lens, 80 bucks, 8 gig card 60 bucks).....PAAAARRRRTTTTYYYYY!!!! Just use it for "mood shots"....and HAVE FUN!! They are soooo much fun. (Before anyone jumps on this....I know the D90 sucks yadda yadda yadda) But it's still fun. :) You could do interviews for the wedding, heck pics for the wedding, close-ups, etc.....cut it in with your other footy....badda bing....badda boom. :)

....my two bits. :)
 
Get two bodies and you'll be all set. There is the possibility of an overheat- but unless you're in a hot place with no covering (like an umbrella) over the camera it's not too likely to happen. If those are your main issues I'd say at least try a 7D out. When you see the imagery it produces for the price point those issues will seem insignificant. And you can always return the camera to most retailers (at least you can in the US) within a month or so if you're not happy.

Noah
 
The camera doesn't have an overheating issue after only ten minutes. If you shoot a series of several 10-minute (or longer) clips, then overheating could occur.

The recording time limit is due to a European tax law. The only way around it is to capture the HDMI output stream with something like the nanoFlash.

If you don't want to deal with overheating issues or time limits, get the Panasonic GH1, which almost never overheats and can record a single clip to the capacity of the card. The GH1 also has better video-oriented features, like an articulating LCD and histogram while recording. It's also cheaper and, at $1500, includes a decent 10x zoom lens. Two of the major drawbacks of the GH1 are the weak codec with hard-coded pulldown and the lack of live video-out while recording.
 
HHL. Your response is much appreciated.

I apologize to any that might see this as an overworked topic, I am a relatively new DSLR enthusiast. I figured in the ever expanding digital advances in both video and still cameras these days each designated creative individual can dip into the others art and therefore learn more. If that makes sense? Basically I thought the acquisition of a DSLR might help me understand my video on a new level
 
You're fine Zimram....we're all grateful for this community. We all learn from each other. :) I'm certain that both NoahK and ydgmdlu's perspective is helpful. I had heard that about the GH1 and I knew that the 7d's overheating wasn't as severe as the D90. The bottom line is...when it happens, (it just happened to me on a shoot less than a week ago), it SUCKS. I used to shoot events, (about 8 years ago), and it would have been, yet another thing to worry about. :(

...but, as NoahK said, the images from DSLRs (7d in this case) are AMAZING! You REALLY should get one just to have fun with it. Resale on them is great if you take care of it and sell it in a few months. (I'd buy a used 7d in a heart beat....) I've been hoping someone would do better (than the 7d), but it looks like it will be a while, (6-9 months likely...just guessing)

Enjoy!
 
From what I hear, most of the problems are from shooting in 720 60p and that's the mode that I use on my GH1 most of the time and never had a problem yet and I've had it for over 4 months.
Amazon has it in stock for $1370.

It's true that both the 7D and the GH1 has their pluses and minuses and either would be good to have.
 
I'm putting my 7D to a real test this weekend on a short film project, mostly to discover the pros and cons of this camera in a production environment. I expect it to hold up well, but if I experience the overheating issues, I'll definitely report it.

In any case, I have to say that I would never consider the 7D a practical camera for event photography. It's not really suited for it in any way. A couple of pros (low light sensitivity and shallow DOF) do not compensate for the major cons (form factor, lack of autofocus, short shooting times, overheating, bad audio, etc).
 
I'll be filming a sneaker discussion consisting of 7 people next week. Should I be worried about over heating? It's going to be set up as a casual conversation, so I dont know how many breaks i'll have in recording.
 
Well, the question is -- why would you use a 7D for that? Seems like the exact kind of thing a 7D would be not best for. Why not a regular video camera?

And, secondly, assuming the 7D is the only thing you have, what recording format are you using? If you use 1080/24p mode it might be more overheat-resistant. But you're still going to have to stop recording every 12 minutes anyway.
 
Well I just pulled the trigger on buying a new 7D yesterday. I narrowed it down to the 7D and GH1. I have heard too many times about struggling issues in getting the native files shot on the GH1 to work well in FCP. That and the fact I have an old EOS Rebel G with a few compatible lenses, I decided the 7D was worth it. Now only time will tell.

I have seen several absolutely gorgeous examples of the HD Video the 7D produces. Considering I have a Canon XH-A1 for my solid runner at events, I am looking to roam with the 7D for the money shots I can then intersperse in the timeline.

I look forward to becoming a regular member here in this forum community. Your feedback has been fantastic. Thank you all.
 
Just shot a whole day with the 7D, a few dozen shots, two script pages, and not a single hint of overheating.

So far so good.
 
Beeblebrox thanks for the report. That's great to hear.

Can you tell the time on the longest continuous shot? Did you let it record video until it stopped recording on its own?

When you say there was not a single sign of overheating was that just what you witnesses in the monitor during the shoot? Did you analyze footage in post to see if there was any noticeable degradation between the first shots and the last ones? No graininess?

What environment were you shooting in? The worse conditions I heard that lend to overheating are hot days in wet weather. Considering it is the middle of December I am pressed to think that is an issue now.
 
Well I just pulled the trigger on buying a new 7D yesterday. I narrowed it down to the 7D and GH1. I have heard too many times about struggling issues in getting the native files shot on the GH1 to work well in FCP. That and the fact I have an old EOS Rebel G with a few compatible lenses, I decided the 7D was worth it. Now only time will tell.

I have seen several absolutely gorgeous examples of the HD Video the 7D produces. Considering I have a Canon XH-A1 for my solid runner at events, I am looking to roam with the 7D for the money shots I can then intersperse in the timeline.

I look forward to becoming a regular member here in this forum community. Your feedback has been fantastic. Thank you all.
Click to expand...

Congrats! I'm very excited about your approach. Shooting in events the way you have planned, (regular cam for base footage, 7d/DSLR for "money shots")...is a logical approach. There isn't any reason to make a "quarterback" play "nose guard". :) Have fun! Post some footage when you get time!
 
Zimram,

I have been filming with a 7D for almost two months now and I have never encountered an overheating warning. It is winter here so the weather is colder then say mid august but even filming inside with lights set up in a typical small indie production environment, I haven't had issue.

I also ran four or five (can't recall) back to back 12 minute clips at 1080/24p in a 72 degree room and didn't have any issue. I did not check the footage and compare first clip to subsequent ones.
 
Great to hear that Beeblebrox! Interested in hearing your feedback from Zimram's questions...

I purchased the 7D, 32 GB card, and Tamuron 17-50 f2.8 lens on Friday. They will arrive later this week. I've been researching for over 3 weeks on the best deals and gear for my needs! I will be shooting mostly music videos, cinematic style, so the 60p feature will be great for slo-mo effects. I will be doing a local, music based, tv show but my HV20 may be the main cam for that. 7D as secondary shots. Haven't made up my mind yet on that.

Here is the other items I am considering for purchase before we shoot in 2 weeks...

1. Manhattan LCD 8.9" HD089B w/Hood, Tekkeon Battery... (not sure how to mount it yet...) ($800)
2. Manfrotto 501 HDV fluid head (for my sturdy tripod) ($185)
3. Canon battery grip with and extra battery - $280)
4. SHAPE SUMO II camera support (just have to figure out how to mount the LCD monitor...) $420
5. ALSO, looking at Sigma 50-150mm f2.8 lens ($750) - but waiting till january for that purchase.

Anyone have any better suggestions than where my research has led me?

I love this forum! Also, I will check it the Manhattan LCD people have a coupon code for DVXuser forum members...

Darrell
 
William_Robinette I was happy to read your response regarding your own experiences with the shooting/overheating issue. Thank you so much for the input.

Honestly I have searched around and found very little concerning actual claims with video quality dissipating as a result of the CMOS sensor overheating. Speaking to a Canon technician about the cameras WFT (wireless) capabilities was what spurred this issue. When he said "graininess" may show up in the captured video as a result of shooting while the sensor is too hot, I thought this could prove problematic. He went further to say 12+ minutes with HD and 24+ minutes with SD is when overheating might be expected.

I am grateful to this community in their willingness and ability to share what they know. It has made me feel like a better informed consumer.

HHL, thank you for the words of encouragement.

Def Media, I am not too rehearsed in DSLR accessories yet to give much advice on that, however I will say Manfrotto puts out a fantastic product in my opinion. Especially considering their price point.
 
Just finished my second day of filming with no issues at all. Checked the footage and didn't notice any degradation due to heating or anything else.

The longest single shot probably ran five minutes, but we were never really mindful of watching the time. We just had short scenes.

Based on my experience, it's not something I'd worry about until there was a reason to worry. We shot pretty much carefree and never had a glitch to speak of.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top