Are these AVCHD cams " dustproof " ? at DVinfo.net

Craig Peer · November 2nd, 2010, 10:24 AM

After experiencing quite a few dropouts using a HDV tape based cam at Burning Man this year, I'm curious if these hard drive / card media cams are for all practical purposes " dust proof " operation wise? How do they hold up under adverse conditions?

Thanks. Craig Peer

Dean Sensui · November 2nd, 2010, 11:44 PM

The card can certainly tolerate dust better than any tape, as long as the contacts remain clean.

But whether the lens can tolerate fine dust is a big question.

That said, my Sony EX1 has never ever had any kind of dropout. There was an incident in which I got a media error but now I make a habit of formatting the card in the camera, rather than simply erase the files with a computer.

Robin Davies-Rollinson · November 3rd, 2010, 04:07 AM

Whereas there is no tape transport mechanism that could be affected by dust, there are still however various moving parts such as the zoom rocker etc which might malfunction - although, if you are going into extreme conditions, you might find that a camera rain cover might help protect it...

Buba Kastorski · November 3rd, 2010, 01:19 PM

going to desert I would get an ewa marine, even if you're not planning to dive :)

Mark Gerhart · November 10th, 2010, 07:21 PM

Hey Craig, burner here too! My camera held up wicked at burning man. Check out this video of temple of boom i just posted; YouTube - Temple of Boom

Craig Peer · December 3rd, 2010, 04:47 PM

Nice Mark. That place made my ribcage vibrate.

Think I'll have to pick up a AVCHD cam. I have a cheap plastic " dive bag " to try too, although I'll need to modifiy it to attach an external mic for sound. Might be more convenient to sacrifice a not to expensive AVCHD cam instead.

November 2nd, 2010, 10:24 AM	#1
Craig Peer Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 72	Are these AVCHD cams " dustproof " ? After experiencing quite a few dropouts using a HDV tape based cam at Burning Man this year, I'm curious if these hard drive / card media cams are for all practical purposes " dust proof " operation wise? How do they hold up under adverse conditions? Thanks. Craig Peer

November 2nd, 2010, 11:44 PM	#2
Dean Sensui Inner Circle Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 2,054	The card can certainly tolerate dust better than any tape, as long as the contacts remain clean. But whether the lens can tolerate fine dust is a big question. That said, my Sony EX1 has never ever had any kind of dropout. There was an incident in which I got a media error but now I make a habit of formatting the card in the camera, rather than simply erase the files with a computer. __________________ Dean Sensui Exec Producer, Hawaii Goes Fishing

November 3rd, 2010, 01:19 PM	#4
Buba Kastorski Trustee Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,414	going to desert I would get an ewa marine, even if you're not planning to dive :) __________________ I love this place!

November 10th, 2010, 07:21 PM	#5
Mark Gerhart New Boot Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: calgary canada Posts: 8	Hey Craig, burner here too! My camera held up wicked at burning man. Check out this video of temple of boom i just posted; YouTube - Temple of Boom __________________ Canon Vixia HF200 Youtube Channel; TAXIVID

November 3rd, 2010, 04:07 AM	#3
Robin Davies-Rollinson Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Gwaelod-y-garth, Cardiff, CYMRU/WALES Posts: 1,215	Whereas there is no tape transport mechanism that could be affected by dust, there are still however various moving parts such as the zoom rocker etc which might malfunction - although, if you are going into extreme conditions, you might find that a camera rain cover might help protect it...

December 3rd, 2010, 04:47 PM	#6
Craig Peer Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 72	Nice Mark. That place made my ribcage vibrate. Think I'll have to pick up a AVCHD cam. I have a cheap plastic " dive bag " to try too, although I'll need to modifiy it to attach an external mic for sound. Might be more convenient to sacrifice a not to expensive AVCHD cam instead.