Will fog machine damage camcorder?

K

Kugar13

Well-known member
I am planning a shoot that involves using a fog machine indoors. I read that the fog will leave a slight resedue. I am curious if this would damage my camcorder (dvx-100a). I don't have a protective rain cover for my camcorder, but seeing as this is fog I don't think it would help anyway. Does this sound like too much of a risk?
 
I wouldn't think so. I will depend however on the type of fog.

Also the use: If you are going to be in a room with slight atmospheric fog (very light) that is much different then a heavy fog scene or spraying the fog towards the camera.

I would not be to concerned about your camera, but I would use a screw on UV filter to protect the fog from making contact with lens.
 
I'd bag the camera for this particular shot...Even if it's a tall kitchen plastic bag. I too would use a filter, it's always better to be safe than sorry.
 
Keep the camera closed up - and preferably bagged - while your set is heavily fogged. Droplets or particles of stage fog (depending upon the system) are mostly harmless to you, but not something I think you want inside your camera.
 
Will fog machine damage camcorder?

Fog machines suspend millions upon millions of droplets of alcohol/oil/whatever liquid into the air. If condensation can damage your cam (and it can), think what those gazillions of tiny droplets in the fog could do. It's a similar situation.

[EXCEPTION: dry ice sublimates directly into a gas, so it should be harmless.]

More than likely there would be no immediate damage from the other types of fog, but I would still bag it, unless the fog were very wispy and not too close to the camera. Why chance it?

Additionally, use an alcohol-based fog machine if you're not using dry ice. At least alcohol evaporates; oil doesn't, and it leaves residue on everything. Fortunately, most machines today use an alcohol-based solution.

Cheers,

Mike Stone
 
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