Serious Fog Issues! at DVinfo.net

Philip Collins · June 16th, 2010, 09:54 PM

So, what do you do to defog your cameras?

I was working on a doc and we were going to do an interview in a greenhouse. The camera fogged up when we went in, so we left it alone for an hour, setup the lights, did a sound check and when we were ready to go, the camera and lens (24-70 2.8L) were still completely fogged up. We used lens cloths to do what we could, but in the end the image looked like we were filming through a cloud and we had to film outside instead. Within 5 minutes of being outside, the camera was clear and our footage looked great.

I am a bit worried about the moisture having gotten into the camera and lens, but other than that, how can one film in these conditions? My cinematographer is in Dubai right now and he has said that he keeps running into fogging issues with HIS 7d most nights (apparently it gets really humid at night there).

Any help would be appreciated! I really do want to film in that greenhouse! =)

Khoi Pham · June 16th, 2010, 10:02 PM

Wipe your lens with the fog eliminator before a shoot.

Philip Collins · June 16th, 2010, 10:06 PM

but the fog is on the inside, too.

When i say 'fog' maybe i should have said 'condensation'.

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

I;v e had to use a fog eliminator wide on my glasses and both sides of my view finder , which usually does the trick.
Bruce Yarock
Yarock Video and Photo

Doug Bailey · June 18th, 2010, 09:01 AM

Hi Philip,
Try putting the camera in a plastic bag before you leave the car & leave it in the bag for a while (30 minutes?) in the greenhouse before filming. When the temps have equalized take the camera out and that may solve the problem. Reverse this when leaving. I've read about guys shooting in freezing conditions and that's how they solve the condensation issues. Let us know if this helps.

Regards,
Doug.
http://www.BaileyNatureGallery.com

Michael Sims · June 18th, 2010, 02:41 PM

Here in Florida, it's a big problem in the summer time, going from an air conditioned car or building to the humid outside to shoot. I carry a cheap, little 12 volt hair dryer I bought at a camping store. It works great when I need to dry and warm up my gear. It plugs into the cigarette lighter jack in my SUV.

June 16th, 2010, 09:54 PM	#1
Philip Collins New Boot Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Overland Park, Kansas Posts: 7	Serious Fog Issues! So, what do you do to defog your cameras? I was working on a doc and we were going to do an interview in a greenhouse. The camera fogged up when we went in, so we left it alone for an hour, setup the lights, did a sound check and when we were ready to go, the camera and lens (24-70 2.8L) were still completely fogged up. We used lens cloths to do what we could, but in the end the image looked like we were filming through a cloud and we had to film outside instead. Within 5 minutes of being outside, the camera was clear and our footage looked great. I am a bit worried about the moisture having gotten into the camera and lens, but other than that, how can one film in these conditions? My cinematographer is in Dubai right now and he has said that he keeps running into fogging issues with HIS 7d most nights (apparently it gets really humid at night there). Any help would be appreciated! I really do want to film in that greenhouse! =)

June 16th, 2010, 10:02 PM	#2
Khoi Pham Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Dallas Posts: 747	Wipe your lens with the fog eliminator before a shoot. __________________ Khoi Pham www.proeditproductions.com

June 18th, 2010, 09:01 AM	#5
Doug Bailey Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Jupiter, FL Posts: 164	Hi Philip, Try putting the camera in a plastic bag before you leave the car & leave it in the bag for a while (30 minutes?) in the greenhouse before filming. When the temps have equalized take the camera out and that may solve the problem. Reverse this when leaving. I've read about guys shooting in freezing conditions and that's how they solve the condensation issues. Let us know if this helps. Regards, Doug. http://www.BaileyNatureGallery.com Last edited by Doug Bailey; June 18th, 2010 at 09:09 AM. Reason: Spelling correction

June 16th, 2010, 10:06 PM	#3
Philip Collins New Boot Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Overland Park, Kansas Posts: 7	but the fog is on the inside, too. When i say 'fog' maybe i should have said 'condensation'.

June 17th, 2010, 03:17 AM	#4
Bruce S. Yarock Trustee Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pembroke Pines, Fl. Posts: 1,842	I;v e had to use a fog eliminator wide on my glasses and both sides of my view finder , which usually does the trick. Bruce Yarock Yarock Video and Photo

June 18th, 2010, 02:41 PM	#6
Michael Sims Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Palm Harbor, Florida Posts: 102	Here in Florida, it's a big problem in the summer time, going from an air conditioned car or building to the humid outside to shoot. I carry a cheap, little 12 volt hair dryer I bought at a camping store. It works great when I need to dry and warm up my gear. It plugs into the cigarette lighter jack in my SUV.