snow/desert shooting

[Michael Ragen]

I wasn't sure which forum to post this in, but here goes:

I'm in preproduction for a narrative piece that will be shooting starting in late November that will probably go through January or February. We will be shooting in Washington and Oregon. 90 percent of the piece will be outdoors.

We will be shooting in snowy/rainy conditions as well as very sandy conditions. How do other people plan on outfitting their cameras to deal with these conditions. I will be shooting to compact flash with the 18-50 Red Zoom, probably with an Oconnor 1030hd on Miller Solo sticks. I would like to be able to use a mattebox, but may be using screw on filters for some stuff.

Thanks.


edit: whoops, didn't see the weather proof thread below, but i'm still curious about what to do in the sand.

[Steve Gibby]

I shoot out in the elements a lot. Sandy environments can be a nightmare if you aren't prepared for them. Sand isn't as much a nuisance as dust, but it's close. In the desert, beach, or anywhere that sand can blow around, "An ounce of preventions is worth a pound of cure!". Ziptop bags and sandproof conainers for equipment are a must. That doesn't mean it has to be high-tech or expensive solutions. Check out your local war surplus store for discounted military containers. The military has to provide protection for their electronic equipment, and many of those used containers and covers can be bought for real good prices - and they were designed to do what you need to do - keep blowing sand out.

Some other good places to check for protective containers are stores for sporting goods, survival goods, hardware, and building supplies.

Cover stuff good, change lenses inside cars, check for sand/dust on lenses, bring good airbrushes and canned air, clean the equipment thoroughly every night, and use inexpensive protective filters on the lenses.

Sand and dust are arch-enemies of camera systems - protect your stuff.

Hope this helps...

[Michael Brennan]

2 inch wide electricians tape over connectors holes not in use and over CF slot

Something white to reflect heat.

Otherwise as per industry standard practices for electronic camera.
Perhaps more frequent checking will be needed with cleaning sensor than with a prism camera as a spec of dust is more out of focus on 3 chip camera due to its distance from the ccd.


Mike Brennan

[JohnF]

What about the cooling/air vents at the bottom of the camera?

Anyone got any ideas for a simple method of prevent dust/sand ingress through these holes without leading to an over-heating camera?

JohnF

[Michael Ragen]

Thanks for replies.

For the sand dune shooting we will be doing it will probably be very cold, so heat will not be an issue. I had been thinking of taping all the connection points on the camera, but I was sure if I would need to blimp the whole camera or not.

I am now thinking for the sand shooting we will use screw on ND's with a clear filter on top of that.

We won't have to worry about changing lenses as almost every shot will be super wide with the 18-50. Does it look like there is any way sand can get inside the 18-50?

Would a plastic bag over the whole camera except the end of the lens be an issue?

Thanks again.