Fan noise

[Peter Richardson]

So I'm wondering what those out there with a Red think of the fan noise. I'll principally be using the camera for documentary work, so my likely shooting scenario will be:

2k
long takes
no blimping or passive cooling (think ice packs) possible

From those out there with their Reds, is it possible to run the camera for fairly long takes without the fan on, assuming an ambient temperature of the mid-70's (just as a hypothetical).

Thanks!

Peter

[Greg Voevodsky]

How about assuming mid-90s too?

[David Battistella]

So I'm wondering what those out there with a Red think of the fan noise. I'll principally be using the camera for documentary work, so my likely shooting scenario will be:

2k
long takes
no blimping or passive cooling (think ice packs) possible

From those out there with their Reds, is it possible to run the camera for fairly long takes without the fan on, assuming an ambient temperature of the mid-70's (just as a hypothetical).

Thanks!

Peter


How many DB are we talking about here? Are you saying this camera would need to be blimped?

David

[Peter Richardson]

I'm not saying the camera would need to be blimped David -- I don't have one yet, which is why I'm asking this question to those that do have one. From what I've heard, at its highest setting, the fan noise is noticeable. I'm assuming that at this highest fan setting, the camera would need to be blimped if the mic placement was nearby. So my question is: can the camera be run for extended periods without engaging the fan, and, if the fan does have to be engaged at some point, are the lower settings of the fan inaudible. Hope that helps,

Peter

[Stephen Williams]

Hi,

The default for the fans is on whilst on standby, when you record they turn off. Nothing to worry about IMO.

Stephen

[David Battistella]

I'm not saying the camera would need to be blimped David -- I don't have one yet, which is why I'm asking this question to those that do have one. From what I've heard, at its highest setting, the fan noise is noticeable. I'm assuming that at this highest fan setting, the camera would need to be blimped if the mic placement was nearby. So my question is: can the camera be run for extended periods without engaging the fan, and, if the fan does have to be engaged at some point, are the lower settings of the fan inaudible. Hope that helps,

Peter
Thanks,

In reading these post I have read that the camera has a viewfinder heat warning alarm for heat so I am sure you might have some control over the fan. But after the shoot in Spain this summer the body was redesigned with more heat sinks so I would expect that this would help limit how often the fan comes on.

You might be able to turn it right off and just operate with viewfinder warnings. Not sure, I don't have a camera here but I am trying to share knowledge.

David

[chuck colburn]

Hi Chuck,

:clown2:

Stephen

Hi Stephen,

As a former red headed kid with big ears I take that personally. LOL

[Peter Richardson]

Thanks for the info guys. Until we have larger CF cards, I guess it will be impossible to know how the camera's heat performance will be with long takes, but it sounds like Red has done a good job of keeping the fan as unobtrusive as possible. Does anyone have DB ratings on the fan at various speeds?

Peter

[Daniel Reichenbach]

Hi,

The default for the fans is on whilst on standby, when you record they turn off. Nothing to worry about IMO.

Stephen

Hi Stephen, hehe, you be a RED adicted now? Back from IBC, bought for my "on the fly" work the x15 from Panther, it is a lovely piece of lightwighted head.

[PaulClements]

Hi Daniel,

Stephen and I had a look at the panther stuff. Nice unit you've got there. Let us know your impressions once you get to doing some "on the fly" stuff.

Paul

[Daniel Reichenbach]

Hi Clements
I will, was between O'Connor and Panther, Sachtler lost...

[Stephen Williams]

Hi Daniel,

Stephen and I had a look at the panther stuff. Nice unit you've got there. Let us know your impressions once you get to doing some "on the fly" stuff.

Paul

Hi Paul,

I was driving to a shoot on Monday morning & Daniel called me asking about the Panther, I said I thought it looked pretty cool for 4000 euro, as you know there was no small O'conner to compare with.

Stephen

[Daniel Reichenbach]

Yes, Stephen, there is just one exept of me I trust about his opinion and feelings in camera and stuff: you ;-)

[Stephen Williams]

Yes, Stephen, there is just one exept of me I trust about his opinion and feelings in camera and stuff: you ;-)

Hi Daniel,

Thanks for that, look forward to testing that Panther head real soon on 222.

Stephen (I am sure many people think I should own 666)

[Rocco Schult]

The default for the fans is on whilst on standby, when you record they turn off. Nothing to worry about IMO.

I think the question is worth it, simply because they can't keep being switched off. Something is heating.
Somebody at RED booth NAB told me they will slowly go up if temperature rises.
And they have to. Either switching camera off or cooling. Staying switched off is no real option.
Am also curious how loud they will become.

[David Battistella]

I think the question is worth it, simply because they can't keep being switched off. Something is heating.
Somebody at RED booth NAB told me they will slowly go up if temperature rises.
And they have to. Either switching camera off or cooling. Staying switched off is no real option.
Am also curious how loud they will become.


there are plenty of guys using the camera in warm/hot weather who can answer this, I hope someone can fill us in.

David

[jbeale]

for some years now people have been making silent PC cases that dissipate 100s of watts either very quietly, or absolutely silently, so I think there are external solutions out there that can be applied if need be. Would add some size/weight/power draw to the camera.

[Stephen Williams]

I think the question is worth it, simply because they can't keep being switched off. Something is heating.
Somebody at RED booth NAB told me they will slowly go up if temperature rises.
And they have to. Either switching camera off or cooling. Staying switched off is no real option.
Am also curious how loud they will become.

Hi,

Ultimately the picture will get noisy if the sensor gets too hot. The fans can be set to stay on at a lower level if necessary. This problem exists today in other digital cameras, it's not anything new.

Stephen

[Damien Molineaux]

The thing is, nobody's able to do longer takes than 4.5 minutes presently, so what about a continuous 1 hour take, which is not that uncommon for an interview ?!

Cheers,
Damien

[Tony Lorentzen]

So I'm wondering what those out there with a Red think of the fan noise. I'll principally be using the camera for documentary work, so my likely shooting scenario will be:

2k
long takes
no blimping or passive cooling (think ice packs) possible

From those out there with their Reds, is it possible to run the camera for fairly long takes without the fan on, assuming an ambient temperature of the mid-70's (just as a hypothetical).

Thanks!

Peter

I listened to the RED cameras on the booth at IBC and the fan noise didn't seem too high. I think for documentary work your primary concern will be changing batteries without having to turn the camera off. Oh - and switching CF cards.

[Stuart English]

This is the Operations Manual commentary about fan speed during record - four setting available. Quiet is the default.


Hot: This setting is most useful in ambient temperatures from 86°F/32°C to 104°F/40C. In this mode, the fan will run at its maximum speed. Other camera cooling precautions may be necessary, such as shading the camera from sunlight and application of a cold gel pack.

Standard: This setting is most useful in production studio conditions from 72°F/22°C to 86F/ 32C. In this mode, the fan will run at half its maximum speed.

Quiet: This setting is most useful in moderate temperature and humidity outdoor conditions up to 72°F/25°C. In this mode the fan will run at one quarter its maximum speed.

Silent: This setting is most useful in production studio conditions up to 72°F/25°C. In this mode, the fan will run at its minimum speed.


You can select any of these under any conditon of course. The camera will warn you if it is getting too hot. It will eventually tell you it will cease recording and shut down in 30 seconds if you totally ignore all the overtemperature warnings.

[Craig Schober]

This is the Operations Manual commentary about fan speed during record - four setting available. Quiet is the default.


Hot: This setting is most useful in ambient temperatures from 86°F/32°C to 104°F/40C. In this mode, the fan will run at its maximum speed. Other camera cooling precautions may be necessary, such as shading the camera from sunlight and application of a cold gel pack.

Standard: This setting is most useful in production studio conditions from 72°F/22°C to 86F/ 32C. In this mode, the fan will run at half its maximum speed.

Quiet: This setting is most useful in moderate temperature and humidity outdoor conditions up to 72°F/25°C. In this mode the fan will run at one quarter its maximum speed.

Silent: This setting is most useful in production studio conditions up to 72°F/25°C. In this mode, the fan will run at its minimum speed.


You can select any of these under any conditon of course. The camera will warn you if it is getting too hot. It will eventually tell you it will cease recording and shut down in 30 seconds if you totally ignore all the overtemperature warnings.

stuart,

how do these fan settings and speeds apply to the camera during record and non record modes? do the fans turn off completely during record, do they stay on at the selected speeds or is that another option that is only overrun during extreme heat conditions? the last thing i heard was that the fans are off during takes but these settings seem to suggest that they are always on at least some speed.

[Stuart English]

When you factor in your ambient noise environment these last two settings - Quiet and Silent mean just that...

[Rocco Schult]

I listened to the RED cameras on the booth at IBC and the fan noise didn't seem too high. I think for documentary work your primary concern will be changing batteries without having to turn the camera off. Oh - and switching CF cards.

Somebody posted his batt lasted about 2hrs. More than I thought they would.
Regarding the noise on IBC: The base noise level on that exhibit is so high that I really have to doubt your impression! (Or your ears :clown2: )

[Rocco Schult]

This is the Operations Manual commentary about fan speed during record - four setting available. Quiet is the default.
Hot:..........
Standard:..
Quiet:.......
Silent:......

Stewart, thanks for chiming in with some facts.
Are there any dBs to those settings ?

[David Battistella]

This is the Operations Manual commentary about fan speed during record - four setting available. Quiet is the default.


Hot: This setting is most useful in ambient temperatures from 86°F/32°C to 104°F/40C. In this mode, the fan will run at its maximum speed. Other camera cooling precautions may be necessary, such as shading the camera from sunlight and application of a cold gel pack.

Standard: This setting is most useful in production studio conditions from 72°F/22°C to 86F/ 32C. In this mode, the fan will run at half its maximum speed.

Quiet: This setting is most useful in moderate temperature and humidity outdoor conditions up to 72°F/25°C. In this mode the fan will run at one quarter its maximum speed.

Silent: This setting is most useful in production studio conditions up to 72°F/25°C. In this mode, the fan will run at its minimum speed.


You can select any of these under any conditon of course. The camera will warn you if it is getting too hot. It will eventually tell you it will cease recording and shut down in 30 seconds if you totally ignore all the overtemperature warnings.

Stuart,

Thanks for posting a portion of the manual for us. Aprreciated.

David

[Tony Lorentzen]

Somebody posted his batt lasted about 2hrs. More than I thought they would.
Regarding the noise on IBC: The base noise level on that exhibit is so high that I really have to doubt your impression! (Or your ears :clown2: )

Doubt all you want. I put my ear up to the camera's base... like an inch away from it and I was happy about what I heard (or didn't hear).

[Billy Summers]

I have #13 in my hands...it doesn't seem to be an issue as of yet.