SHOOTING IN SALT, DUST & HUMIDITY . . .

OB1

OB1

Active member
I really stress about this one! - Can someone please help - When you are to be 2 weeks in a tropical environment subjecting the DVX to salt, dust, and moisture, what are the precautions I can (or should) take to prevent damage to the camera? Is is overkill to keep in Pelican case every second possible and only "pop" it out for the shot? Is zipped in a standard (Kata type) duffle bag good enough for transporting in the moist environment? Keeping the DVX in a rain jacket is not going to help with the ambient humidity, nor the tenacious dust - Right? What secrets are out there? This issue bugs me so bad it almost takes the fun out of shooting in harsh environments. (. . . but then that's 3/4 of the planet!) :-/
 
Re: SHOOTING IN SALT, DUST & HUMIDITY . . .

I've never shot in a tropical environment before but I have taken the DVX out in 100+ tempetures + lots of dust. This was last year and we had no special cover on the DVX. All we had was a towel and a leather camera bag. Our camera still works flawlessly. All we did was cover the camera up with a towel when we weren't shooting or during shooting. Just make sure you have lots of lense cleaners because you will need them. Dust are all ways going to get onto them lenses. You just got to make sure you clean it every once often. let the force be with you.
 
Re: SHOOTING IN SALT, DUST & HUMIDITY . . .

I would say to be safe, use a pelican case. And if you're really paranoid, you could even use those little moisture absorbing crystals inside the case. I would think you would be ok for the most part though, unless you are going to be in a situation where salt water might actually splash onto the camera. Just keep it in the case, and watch for condensation. Using a raincover probly wouldn't hurt either....
 
Re: SHOOTING IN SALT, DUST & HUMIDITY . . .

im on my way to taiwan pretty soon...the pollution is like LA and the humidity is like...yea tropical rain forest, should i bring head cleaners?
 
Re: SHOOTING IN SALT, DUST & HUMIDITY . . .

Well if you are really paranoid and must use the DVX you would have the best protection by using an underwater housing. Problem is I don't know if you could use it with a tripod without modifications that would ruin it for actual underwater work. Mic and other cabling would be challenging.
A quick google took me to to this -
http://www.ewa-marine.de/english/camcorder/e-v1000.htm
I think panny has the AG-YUH100 but it's like $1100?
 
Re: SHOOTING IN SALT, DUST & HUMIDITY . . .

Soliton -
Hey thanks, I like the air tight bag idea - would like to find one that allows for tripod mounting though. Maybe this one could be modified.
 
Re: SHOOTING IN SALT, DUST & HUMIDITY . . .

Or you could bring lots of plastic garbage bags lol. A little gaff tape and some rubber bands and you're set. Just dont use the camera mic. Those plastic zip bags that quilts and other bed sheets come in might be adapted to this sort of thing too...?
 
Re: SHOOTING IN SALT, DUST & HUMIDITY . . .

I worked a shoot in the high desert in Oregon. Very windy & dusty and then it rained and turned cold for a day to boot. . .

We had a lot of hits in playback, we think from dust that found it's way in while changing tapes, even tho' we tried to shield the camera.

I'd use the rain cover, I just found a KATA (RC-14) or that I like, you have a little more room than the Petrol, I feel.

It is tight with my wireless receiver bracket on, tho'. . .

Otherwise at least use a towel. I'd use the silica Gel in the case. As long as the camera is acclimated to the relative humidity and doesn't go from high/hot and low/cool - humidity/temp too much you should be OK. It's the fast changes that will stop you.

For dust do the best you can to prevent letting it get into the tape compartment. Salt keep the camera/lens clean, use a clear UV protector or Pola always. Lens cleaner & tissue pick up some dust off. Alcohol pads for the camera exterior.

Good luck and enjoy.

MR
 
Re: SHOOTING IN SALT, DUST & HUMIDITY . . .

I like the air tight bag idea - would like to find one that allows for tripod mounting though. Maybe this one could be modified.
Click to expand...
I just noticed if you mouse over the picture of the bag on my link you get a better picture of it and with the DVX installed, look at the two straps underneath. Could you use those to firmly attach to your tripod if you had a big plate?
I have not seen one of these - but I do assume the camera is mounted somehow to the bottom of the bag.
 
Re: SHOOTING IN SALT, DUST & HUMIDITY . . .

Soliton, Yea I see what you mean about the straps. I'm liking this PVC bag more. I guess you could achieve same with a 1 gal zip lock baggie but I might have to get clever with the lens and eyepiece.

Mr. Film - the alcohol pads are o.k. for salt spray and dust on the exterior? thanks,
 
Re: SHOOTING IN SALT, DUST & HUMIDITY . . .

Yes, the alcohol pads for cleaning the exterior surfaces.

Not sure what salt would do to plastic and magnesium but better safe. . .

It's certainly hell on a lot of other surfaces.

MR
 
Re: SHOOTING IN SALT, DUST & HUMIDITY . . .

I guess you could achieve same with a 1 gal zip lock baggie but I might have to get clever with the lens and eyepiece.
Click to expand...
DVX doesn't fit in the 1 gallon baggie - I tried it already :(
 
Re: SHOOTING IN SALT, DUST & HUMIDITY . . .

One thing is to make sure to keep the camera acclimated to the shooting enviornment. So, for instance if you are traveling around in a car and the camera's in the car with you, don't use the air conditioning. Also don't keep it in a cool room if you are going out into the heat to shoot right away. That way when you go back out into the heat, the camera won't have to reacclimate to the conditions outside, building up condensation.
Dust wise, you can try to seal the camera in a bag for shooting, but be especially careful when changing tapes. Thats when dust is most likely to get near the heads.
 
Re: SHOOTING IN SALT, DUST & HUMIDITY . . .

The camera will fit inside "Turkey bags" they are roasting bags they don't "zip lock" but you can tie off the opening.

I used these when I had to put a DVX inside the freezer in a grocery store, peering out from within the icecream.

Once the shot was over I opened the door, put the camera in the bag twisted it shut and then completely removed it from the freezer.

I then did not open the bag until the rainstorm on the out side of the bag was over.

You'll find these on the same aisle as the zip locks, etc. . .

MR
 
Re: SHOOTING IN SALT, DUST & HUMIDITY . . .

hmmm, ...those turkey bags sound promising. I'm going to try that.

Thanks MRFilm.
 
Re: SHOOTING IN SALT, DUST & HUMIDITY . . .

Hey MRFilm, what and where did you shoot in the high desert of Oregon? Its beautifal country...
 
Re: SHOOTING IN SALT, DUST & HUMIDITY . . .

With the turkey bag, would you just tape off around the lens and eyepiece? Were access to controls maintained?
 
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