How to keep Red operating at -40C

[Joe D'Arcy]

I have been invited to direct and shoot a documentary in extremely remote and cold temperatures. The temperature can drop to -40 C. But is more likely to bottom out at -25C. Is there a way to keep the camera warm in these conditions? Does anyone know the coldest temperature the Red will operate in? Which camera lens will survive in extreme cold?

I'd appreciate any suggestions you have.

[Martin Weiss]

Kodak has some general info: http://www.kodak.com/global/en/professional/support/techPubs/c9/c9.jhtml

-40c is not much fun. -25c is survivable. You'll need loads of batteries, but I guess you are aware of that. Make sure that you are warm, especially feet, hands and head.

[Martin Weiss]

Oh, and as so often - search is your friend:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&hs=apS&as_q=extreme+cold&as_epq=&as_oq=&as_eq=&num=20&lr=lang_no&as_filetype=&ft=i&as_sitesearch=reduser.net&as_qdr=all&as_rights=&as_occt=any&cr=&as_nlo=&as_nhi=&safe=images

[Chris Burket]

I would test your batteries in extreme cold to see how they do. I know IDX powercubes work well in temps cold enough to freeze LCD's. Lithium ion is your best bet. Cameras like red usually will keep their own internal temperature on their own in extreme cold.

A friend of mine had an XDCam in -40 to -60 degrees F and had no issues. I would think the fans would just shut off and the cameras electronics would keep it warm. The red runs pretty hot and I know it doesn't like extreme heat, which makes me think it could do well in extreme cold if the fans shut themselves off.

Jim posted some images and test data from testing a red in a chamber at red HQ. They couldn't get the chamber cold enough to shut down the camera if I remember correctly.

Anyway, keep yourself warm and have fun.

[Joe D'Arcy]

I would test your batteries in extreme cold to see how they do. I know IDX powercubes work well in temps cold enough to freeze LCD's. Lithium ion is your best bet. Cameras like red usually will keep their own internal temperature on their own in extreme cold.

A friend of mine had an XDCam in -40 to -60 degrees F and had no issues. I would think the fans would just shut off and the cameras electronics would keep it warm. The red runs pretty hot and I know it doesn't like extreme heat, which makes me think it could do well in extreme cold if the fans shut themselves off.

Jim posted some images and test data from testing a red in a chamber at red HQ. They couldn't get the chamber cold enough to shut down the camera if I remember correctly.

Anyway, keep yourself warm and have fun.

Thanks Chris. I'll check out the IDX powercubes you mentioned.

[Stefan Auer]

red tested it at -28º C (see here: http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=7011)