OT: filming in hot weather

DVDeviations wrote on 7/12/2004, 1:38 PM
I film my friends and I waterskiing and wakeboarding as a hobby. The tempurature is about 110 degrees in the summer. I use hi8 camcorder tape. So far, everything works out great since I keep the camera in the shade whenever I am not using it, as much as possible.

I am wondering how hot "Hi8" tape can get (or how hot the camcorder can get - it's a Sony DCR-TRV240 NTSC). The reason I am wondering is because I found a company that sells "video mounting systems" that you mount on the wakeboard tower. (The web site is www.waterskivideo.com if you want to check it out - they have "demo" videos). But if I use this system, the camera and Hi8 tape will be out in the sun for a longer amount of time, and I don't know how this will affect the Hi8 tape and I don't want to damage the camcorder.

Thanks in advance for any responses - Colleen

Comments

Spot|DSE wrote on 7/12/2004, 5:30 PM
No real information here, except that BASF used to post that tapes exposed to temps higher than 130 can lose their bond and adhere to the drum. So, if outside temp is 100, how hot does the cam get with the sun on it? I wouldn't worry about the cam, I'd worry about the drum fusing tape to it, particularly if in standby or pause.
MyST wrote on 7/12/2004, 5:49 PM
It seems odd that the picture of the mount shows the camera on TOP of the cable. Yet the pics of the wakeboarder on the left clearly shows the cable in the upper left area as if the camera was BELOW and RIGHT of the cable. Strange.
Anyways, did you try contacting them to see if it's possible to mount a makeshift hood that would keep the cam out of direct sunlight?

Mario
farss wrote on 7/12/2004, 6:41 PM
Just wrap alfoil around the outside of the enclosure will keep the temperature down. If it flies off in the wind some large elastic bands will solve the problem.
Cheno wrote on 7/12/2004, 6:42 PM
Hey Spot.. I hadn't remembered about the tape fusion....

You definately need something to protect the cam with extended exposure in temps that hot.. I've seen guys fashion blimps for their cameras using emergency blankets. Anything to reflect the heat is good.. once the boat is going, you've got wind which should cool it down a bit more.

One very important thing to remember is when you're done shooting, to not cool the camere too quickly. You could get condensation this way, either from cold to hot or hot to cold if done too rapidly.

Here's perfect use for the new Sony XDCam!

mike
DVDeviations wrote on 7/12/2004, 9:50 PM
Thanks for the responses. What is "alfoil" and where can I get this as well as an emergency blanket?

Thanks,
Colleen
Spot|DSE wrote on 7/12/2004, 10:15 PM
I think farss means Aluminum Foil, what many call Tin Foil. At any supermarket. Reynolds wrap.
Space blankets/emergency blankets can often be found at the grocery stores, at least here in Utah, in the camping supplies. You can always find them at the recreation store/camping store for about 2.00
JaysonHolovacs wrote on 7/13/2004, 7:42 AM
I don't know about heat, but I've had issues with my camera in hot and humid conditions. My camera will give me frantic warnings about moisture detected and shut off. This has happened when going from cool dry air conditioned rooms to hot humid outdoors. The camera will shut down and refuses to work for some long period of time(like hours or a day). I've found that if I take out the battery, though, it forgets about being upset and will recover a few minutes later. Anyone have any suggestions on dealing with this environmental issue?

One thing I tried that sometimes works is to leave the camera outside for a few minutes to warm up before turning it on.

BTW, it's a Panasonic PVGS-70, if that matters.

-Jayson