Dust protection for XL1s at DVinfo.net

Didi Schoeman · September 30th, 2002, 02:56 PM

Hi everybody.
This is the first time I'm using this forum, I normally get all my answers reading trough the various posts, but I finally got stuck with a question that I hope somebody would have an answer to.

I run around in the African Bush with my XL1s and have serious problems with dust. I clean the camera every day but still have problems with drop out due to dust getting into the camera which can not be a good thing for the video heads...

My question is: Does anybody know of a "Dust cover" for the XL1s? I need to do something to protect it and I dont know weather there is something on the market to do just that. The only idea I have at this point is buying a rain-cover, but I dont know how effective it would be against dust.

I am up for ANY advice!!!

Thanks for a great forum, I think it is awesome!

Didi Schoeman

Jeff Donald · September 30th, 2002, 07:14 PM

How do you travel and shoot with your camera now? On an average how many hours (or tapes) do you go through in a day? The obvious answer is a waterproof enclosure, but they aren't practical for the type of shooting you do. I guess I would try traveling with a large plastic bag around the camera tightly sealed. If additional sealing was needed I would try taping the door shut with good gaffers tape (not duct tape). The later is extreme, but if your losing important footage to drop outs it might be worth it.

Jeff

Didi Schoeman · October 1st, 2002, 03:29 PM

Thanks for the advice Jeff

I've been using a pillow case... plastic bag doesnt sound bad either... but somhow I feel there must be a better sullution out there.

I have thought about gaffer tape, its just not ideal if you have to switch tapes quikly and it does not protect the rest of the camera. I shoot between 2 and 4 tapes a day on a hectic day.

I thought about buying a Porta-Brace which I think might help...

Thanks for the advice though, I really appreciate it!

Didi

Dylan Couper · October 1st, 2002, 06:08 PM

From what I've been told, the Porta-Brance rain slicker also works as a super effective dust jacket. Please let us know which solution you end up with and how it works out.

Didi Schoeman · October 3rd, 2002, 04:07 PM

I have decided to opt for the Porta Brace rain coat and will give an update on this site as soon as I've used it out in the field. Thanks for all the advice, it sure makes decisions a lot easier!!!

Didi

Andrew Petrie · October 3rd, 2002, 06:33 PM

I use my Portabrace Rain slicker for this purpose too. It's a solid, well made protective cover for any conditions above 0 degrees.

Didi Schoeman · October 6th, 2002, 05:11 AM

Thanks for the info Andrew... if it works for you it should work for me!!!

Didi

Andrew Petrie · October 6th, 2002, 08:31 AM

No problem, It's certainly one accessory I'd never do without. Infact whenever I'm outside now, I use the slicker. There's so much junk around (sand/dust, and leaves being the top most annoying ones this time of year) and it keeps the camera safe from any out-of-the-blue mishaps involving water :)

Ewald Hayward · January 3rd, 2003, 01:49 PM

Hi Didi
I would appreciate if you could contact me directly.
Ewald Hayward
www.intovideo.co.za

Jeff Donald · January 3rd, 2003, 02:58 PM

Ewald,

You might try contacting her through her web site http://www.proafrica.tv

Jeff

Andrew Leigh · January 3rd, 2003, 10:59 PM

Hi Jeff,

have spoken to Didi who is a HIM rather than a her.

Cheers
Andrew

Didi Schoeman · January 10th, 2003, 01:00 PM

Hi Ewald

I've e-mailed you my contact information, you could either phone me or use the e-mail address to get hold of me.

To everyone else, Happy new year, hope this is a good one for all of us!!!

Didi

September 30th, 2002, 02:56 PM	#1
Didi Schoeman Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Tzaneen South Africa Posts: 76	Dust protection for XL1s Hi everybody. This is the first time I'm using this forum, I normally get all my answers reading trough the various posts, but I finally got stuck with a question that I hope somebody would have an answer to. I run around in the African Bush with my XL1s and have serious problems with dust. I clean the camera every day but still have problems with drop out due to dust getting into the camera which can not be a good thing for the video heads... My question is: Does anybody know of a "Dust cover" for the XL1s? I need to do something to protect it and I dont know weather there is something on the market to do just that. The only idea I have at this point is buying a rain-cover, but I dont know how effective it would be against dust. I am up for ANY advice!!! Thanks for a great forum, I think it is awesome! Didi Schoeman

October 1st, 2002, 03:29 PM	#3
Didi Schoeman Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Tzaneen South Africa Posts: 76	Thanks for the advice Jeff I've been using a pillow case... plastic bag doesnt sound bad either... but somhow I feel there must be a better sullution out there. I have thought about gaffer tape, its just not ideal if you have to switch tapes quikly and it does not protect the rest of the camera. I shoot between 2 and 4 tapes a day on a hectic day. I thought about buying a Porta-Brace which I think might help... Thanks for the advice though, I really appreciate it! Didi __________________ Didi Schoeman ProAfrica Television & Video Productions

October 3rd, 2002, 04:07 PM	#5
Didi Schoeman Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Tzaneen South Africa Posts: 76	I have decided to opt for the Porta Brace rain coat and will give an update on this site as soon as I've used it out in the field. Thanks for all the advice, it sure makes decisions a lot easier!!! Didi __________________ Didi Schoeman ProAfrica Television & Video Productions

October 3rd, 2002, 06:33 PM	#6
Andrew Petrie Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London, Ontario, Canada Posts: 484	I use my Portabrace Rain slicker for this purpose too. It's a solid, well made protective cover for any conditions above 0 degrees. __________________ Andrew \| Canon XL1s, ME66, Vinten Vision 3, GlideCam V16 (for sale!)

October 6th, 2002, 05:11 AM	#7
Didi Schoeman Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Tzaneen South Africa Posts: 76	Thanks for the info Andrew... if it works for you it should work for me!!! Didi __________________ Didi Schoeman ProAfrica Television & Video Productions

September 30th, 2002, 07:14 PM	#2
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	How do you travel and shoot with your camera now? On an average how many hours (or tapes) do you go through in a day? The obvious answer is a waterproof enclosure, but they aren't practical for the type of shooting you do. I guess I would try traveling with a large plastic bag around the camera tightly sealed. If additional sealing was needed I would try taping the door shut with good gaffers tape (not duct tape). The later is extreme, but if your losing important footage to drop outs it might be worth it. Jeff

October 1st, 2002, 06:08 PM	#4
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	From what I've been told, the Porta-Brance rain slicker also works as a super effective dust jacket. Please let us know which solution you end up with and how it works out.

October 6th, 2002, 08:31 AM	#8
Andrew Petrie Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London, Ontario, Canada Posts: 484	No problem, It's certainly one accessory I'd never do without. Infact whenever I'm outside now, I use the slicker. There's so much junk around (sand/dust, and leaves being the top most annoying ones this time of year) and it keeps the camera safe from any out-of-the-blue mishaps involving water :) __________________ Andrew \| Canon XL1s, ME66, Vinten Vision 3, GlideCam V16 (for sale!)

January 3rd, 2003, 01:49 PM	#9
Ewald Hayward Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: South Africa Posts: 29	Hi Didi I would appreciate if you could contact me directly. Ewald Hayward www.intovideo.co.za

January 3rd, 2003, 02:58 PM	#10
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Ewald, You might try contacting her through her web site http://www.proafrica.tv Jeff

January 3rd, 2003, 10:59 PM	#11
Andrew Leigh Major Player Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Johannesburg, South Africa Posts: 220	Hi Jeff, have spoken to Didi who is a HIM rather than a her. Cheers Andrew __________________ PAL XL-1, DV Raptor, Premiere TOTAL AMATEUR - DOING IT FOR THE FUN

January 10th, 2003, 01:00 PM	#12
Didi Schoeman Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Tzaneen South Africa Posts: 76	Hi Ewald I've e-mailed you my contact information, you could either phone me or use the e-mail address to get hold of me. To everyone else, Happy new year, hope this is a good one for all of us!!! Didi __________________ Didi Schoeman ProAfrica Television & Video Productions