7D overheating solution report at DVinfo.net

Burk Webb · June 16th, 2010, 04:03 PM

Just throwing this out there -

I've been having really good luck with those ammonium nitrate freezer packs. I place them on the CF door side of the camera, held in place with the handgrip of my Redrock Captain Stubling, and it cools the camera right down.

Tried this on a recent gig. Worked great and the camera ran all day long like a champ. I have not had many issues with the 7D overheating but when your in a hot space filled with lights and you have to keep the camera going this has worked for me.

Hope this helps, anyone else have a similar experience?

Khoi Pham · June 16th, 2010, 04:26 PM

My 7D does not overheat on a job yet but my T2i did and I just rubber band the instant ice pack on the back by the record button and wrap it to grip and it stop over heat.

Bruce S. Yarock · June 17th, 2010, 03:22 AM

What exactly are those bags called and where is the best place to get them?
Thanks
Bruce Yarock

Khoi Pham · June 17th, 2010, 07:49 AM

I got mine here,
By Dezign First Aid Introduces Urea Based Instant Ice Packs

Burk Webb · June 17th, 2010, 01:43 PM

I picked mine up at a Rite Aid pharmacy. They are the little portable chemical cold packs that go in first aid kits, NOT the freezer type cold packs. I think the ones I got were about $4 bucks for two cold packs in a box. Very portable and ready in an instant if you need one. The only issue is that when you are shaking up the bag to get the chemical reaction going people on the crew ask you "oh, did you hurt yourself?" :)

Travis Cossel · June 22nd, 2010, 01:36 PM

We've had our 7D's overheat at every wedding so far, and we're considering switching to 5D's. We're going to try the cold packs first, and see how it goes.

Andrew Waite · June 27th, 2010, 04:07 PM

Travis,

I must have gotten lucky because my 7D's never overheat. The only time I've even gotten so much as a warning light was after a very extended use of the 60P recording in a VERY hot room with no ventilation, but that's it! I've gotten through a 3 hour Indian ceremony with both my 7D's and my 5D just fine running continuously with nothing more than a couple seconds between 4GB limits a battery and card change ... several outdoor high 90 degree ceremonies here in sunny California... again, no problems. I'm thinking that MAYBE some bodies are more prone to overheating than others... which doesn't really make sense, but I can't figure out why others are having problems and I don't?

Paul Frederick · June 28th, 2010, 06:20 AM

I wonder if it has something to do with the cards being used? Mine never overheats either. I use fast cards, 45Mbs minimum. If your buffer is constantly being used because the camera writes to the card slowly, then maybe that is adding to the heating issue?

Just a thought, no basis in actual tests...

Tim Davison · June 28th, 2010, 09:36 AM

When the flashing symbol appears does that mean that (a) any damage is currently occurring or (b) merely a warning that if you don't turn the camera off and/or cool it down quickly damage will be caused? The flashing thermoter sign appeared for the first time over the weekend for me and panicked me no end!

Travis Cossel · June 28th, 2010, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew Waite

Travis,

I must have gotten lucky because my 7D's never overheat. The only time I've even gotten so much as a warning light was after a very extended use of the 60P recording in a VERY hot room with no ventilation, but that's it! I've gotten through a 3 hour Indian ceremony with both my 7D's and my 5D just fine running continuously with nothing more than a couple seconds between 4GB limits a battery and card change ... several outdoor high 90 degree ceremonies here in sunny California... again, no problems. I'm thinking that MAYBE some bodies are more prone to overheating than others... which doesn't really make sense, but I can't figure out why others are having problems and I don't?

Yeah, it does seem to be somewhat sporadic. I hear about people shooting in rain forests with no problem, but then mine overheats in a hotel room. Go figure.

Travis Cossel · June 28th, 2010, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Frederick

I wonder if it has something to do with the cards being used? Mine never overheats either. I use fast cards, 45Mbs minimum. If your buffer is constantly being used because the camera writes to the card slowly, then maybe that is adding to the heating issue?

Just a thought, no basis in actual tests...

I tend to doubt this, as I am using 60Mbs cards. Also, video recording on the 7D the amount of information transfer is not that high. Shooting RAW stills actually benefits more from the higher speed cards. Good thought, though.

Travis Cossel · June 28th, 2010, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Davison

When the flashing symbol appears does that mean that (a) any damage is currently occurring or (b) merely a warning that if you don't turn the camera off and/or cool it down quickly damage will be caused? The flashing thermoter sign appeared for the first time over the weekend for me and panicked me no end!

There are basically two stages to this. The first is when the temp icon first appears. This simply indicates that the camera is getting hot and continued use may increase the temperature to the point where video quality is compromised and/or the camera shuts down (some wording suggests that the camera will simply stop recording).

So essentially, the camera will shut down or terminate recording (whichever is correct) before the internal temperature can damage the camera. There is apparently the possibility that footage quality may be degraded before this happens. As of yet, I haven't noticed any footage quality degradation while shooting with the temp icon present.

Tommy Davis · October 14th, 2010, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew Waite

Travis,

I must have gotten lucky because my 7D's never overheat. The only time I've even gotten so much as a warning light was after a very extended use of the 60P recording in a VERY hot room with no ventilation, but that's it! I've gotten through a 3 hour Indian ceremony with both my 7D's and my 5D just fine running continuously with nothing more than a couple seconds between 4GB limits a battery and card change ... several outdoor high 90 degree ceremonies here in sunny California... again, no problems. I'm thinking that MAYBE some bodies are more prone to overheating than others... which doesn't really make sense, but I can't figure out why others are having problems and I don't?

Hi Andrew: Do you know how long you were able to shoot before changing the battery? I want to try and us the camera to film a scene that will last 2 to 2.5 hrs. Many thanks.

Tommy

Doug Bailey · October 14th, 2010, 02:40 PM

Tommy,
You should be able to shoot that on one battery if the battery is fairly new. Always a good idea to have two fully charged batteries.

Here's my overheating theory: if the camera gets too hot the tape will curl up and break.

I was shooting some Ibis on a 97 degree very humid day in August. They were so hot they were laying down on the lawn spreading their wings out to cool off. Never seen this activity before and they could have moved into the shade of a nearby tree. It was so beautiful I just had to keep shooting.

I was standing in full shade of the house with the 7D and a 100-400 lens on a tripod recording this activity. The temp light came on and I just kept on shooting (I have the original firmware). I've been told that the key is not to let the smoke out of the camera, once that happens you've had it.

I just kept on saying die baby die if that's what you want to do. Eventually a message came on saying the camera was shutting down and I would not be able to shoot any more video. About then the bird activity was over so that was fine.

Since then I've shot hours of clips and the camera is fine.

Just my 1.5C, these cameras are tougher than we think.

Regards,
Doug.

Bill Pryor · October 14th, 2010, 03:02 PM

I never had any heating problems when I had the 7D. First thing I did was run it for an hour and a half non stop (except for changing cards) to see if anything happened. It was OK, and I shot in some hot and humid conditions with no heating light. Then I got the 5DII this past summer and shot an auto show on a 105 degree (F) day, also not a single heating problem. Must be the luck of the draw.

June 16th, 2010, 04:03 PM	#1
Burk Webb Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 249	7D overheating solution report Just throwing this out there - I've been having really good luck with those ammonium nitrate freezer packs. I place them on the CF door side of the camera, held in place with the handgrip of my Redrock Captain Stubling, and it cools the camera right down. Tried this on a recent gig. Worked great and the camera ran all day long like a champ. I have not had many issues with the 7D overheating but when your in a hot space filled with lights and you have to keep the camera going this has worked for me. Hope this helps, anyone else have a similar experience?

June 16th, 2010, 04:26 PM	#2
Khoi Pham Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Dallas Posts: 747	My 7D does not overheat on a job yet but my T2i did and I just rubber band the instant ice pack on the back by the record button and wrap it to grip and it stop over heat. __________________ Khoi Pham www.proeditproductions.com

June 17th, 2010, 07:49 AM	#4
Khoi Pham Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Dallas Posts: 747	I got mine here, By Dezign First Aid Introduces Urea Based Instant Ice Packs __________________ Khoi Pham www.proeditproductions.com

June 22nd, 2010, 01:36 PM	#6
Travis Cossel Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 2,933	We've had our 7D's overheat at every wedding so far, and we're considering switching to 5D's. We're going to try the cold packs first, and see how it goes. __________________ Black Label Films www.blacklabelweddingfilms.com

June 27th, 2010, 04:07 PM	#7
Andrew Waite Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 307	Travis, I must have gotten lucky because my 7D's never overheat. The only time I've even gotten so much as a warning light was after a very extended use of the 60P recording in a VERY hot room with no ventilation, but that's it! I've gotten through a 3 hour Indian ceremony with both my 7D's and my 5D just fine running continuously with nothing more than a couple seconds between 4GB limits a battery and card change ... several outdoor high 90 degree ceremonies here in sunny California... again, no problems. I'm thinking that MAYBE some bodies are more prone to overheating than others... which doesn't really make sense, but I can't figure out why others are having problems and I don't? __________________ http://www.higherdefinitionmedia.com RED One #6135 "Spartacus"

June 17th, 2010, 03:22 AM	#3
Bruce S. Yarock Trustee Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pembroke Pines, Fl. Posts: 1,842	What exactly are those bags called and where is the best place to get them? Thanks Bruce Yarock

June 17th, 2010, 01:43 PM	#5
Burk Webb Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 249	I picked mine up at a Rite Aid pharmacy. They are the little portable chemical cold packs that go in first aid kits, NOT the freezer type cold packs. I think the ones I got were about $4 bucks for two cold packs in a box. Very portable and ready in an instant if you need one. The only issue is that when you are shaking up the bag to get the chemical reaction going people on the crew ask you "oh, did you hurt yourself?" :)

June 28th, 2010, 06:20 AM	#8
Paul Frederick Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: WestChazy, NY Posts: 291	I wonder if it has something to do with the cards being used? Mine never overheats either. I use fast cards, 45Mbs minimum. If your buffer is constantly being used because the camera writes to the card slowly, then maybe that is adding to the heating issue? Just a thought, no basis in actual tests... __________________ www.paulfrederickproductions.com

June 28th, 2010, 09:36 AM	#9
Tim Davison Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: London, England Posts: 183	When the flashing symbol appears does that mean that (a) any damage is currently occurring or (b) merely a warning that if you don't turn the camera off and/or cool it down quickly damage will be caused? The flashing thermoter sign appeared for the first time over the weekend for me and panicked me no end!

October 14th, 2010, 02:40 PM	#14
Doug Bailey Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Jupiter, FL Posts: 164	Tommy, You should be able to shoot that on one battery if the battery is fairly new. Always a good idea to have two fully charged batteries. Here's my overheating theory: if the camera gets too hot the tape will curl up and break. I was shooting some Ibis on a 97 degree very humid day in August. They were so hot they were laying down on the lawn spreading their wings out to cool off. Never seen this activity before and they could have moved into the shade of a nearby tree. It was so beautiful I just had to keep shooting. I was standing in full shade of the house with the 7D and a 100-400 lens on a tripod recording this activity. The temp light came on and I just kept on shooting (I have the original firmware). I've been told that the key is not to let the smoke out of the camera, once that happens you've had it. I just kept on saying die baby die if that's what you want to do. Eventually a message came on saying the camera was shutting down and I would not be able to shoot any more video. About then the bird activity was over so that was fine. Since then I've shot hours of clips and the camera is fine. Just my 1.5C, these cameras are tougher than we think. Regards, Doug.

October 14th, 2010, 03:02 PM	#15
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	I never had any heating problems when I had the 7D. First thing I did was run it for an hour and a half non stop (except for changing cards) to see if anything happened. It was OK, and I shot in some hot and humid conditions with no heating light. Then I got the 5DII this past summer and shot an auto show on a 105 degree (F) day, also not a single heating problem. Must be the luck of the draw.