Beach filming at DVinfo.net

Andrew Carter · February 26th, 2011, 01:39 PM

With regards to Sand?

Do I need to be worried? OR shall i wrap my camera up in a rain bag?

Any advice greatly appreicated

Thanks

Glen Vandermolen · February 26th, 2011, 02:25 PM

I live in Florida, so I've done many shoots on a beach.
Obviously the first issue is to make sure your camera doesn't get wet or exposed to too much sand.
If you have a cover for your cam, go ahead and use it. It won't hurt to have it. If not, I sometimes carry a towel that I can drape over the camera when it's resting.
Make sure you have a tripod, so if you need to rest the camera (assuming you do hand-held) you have a safe place to rest it. Never let your camera touch the beach itself! And rinse the tripod's legs off with fresh water afterward, then wipe dry.
The lens might get a lot of exposure to blowing salt water and sand. Be careful, as the sand can scratch the lens. Make sure you have a UV filter to cover the lens. Better to scratch a replaceable UV filter than the front element of your lens. Cap your lens between takes.
As long as the wind's not blowing too bad, you should be just fine.
Also, be aware of the position of your viewfinder - the sun can burn spots into the finder. Make sure it isn't angled upward.

Warren Kawamoto · February 26th, 2011, 03:13 PM

Sand is your second worry. Your first worry is salt. Once salt spray/water is on your camera, it'll start to corrode the metal parts. It's more dangerous than sand because it's invisible. If you do shoot at the beach, even with a cover, it's a good idea to thoroughly wipe down your entire camera. Make certain that no salt ever gets inside your camera!

Andrew Carter · February 27th, 2011, 08:13 AM

Glen/Warren

Thanks for the great tips, I'll follow them ;-)

Its put my mind at ease.

Bill Ward · February 27th, 2011, 09:33 AM

And if there are many large, hulking boyfriends present, be careful which direction it appears you are pointing your camera. Just sayin'....

Stelios Christofides · February 27th, 2011, 11:05 AM

and please, we are all waiting to see the beautiful girls...

Dean Sensui · February 28th, 2011, 04:15 AM

I film on beaches, boats and in salt spray as a matter of routine. I produce a fishing show, and that's where the action is.

I have a weather cover over the camera at all times, although the front element of the wide angle adapter always gets sprayed with salt water. I don't have a UV filter over it as there's no filter threads on the Sony WA adapter.

Wipe down the camera at the end of the day with a damp cloth (not wet) to clean off the salt. Use Corrosion-X on anything made of metal to keep it from getting corroded.

I spray down the tripod with Salt Away and that seems to work well.

My EX1's are among the first to come out and they're still working just fine today.

No need to get too paranoid, but definitely keep the sand off. Don't lay it down at ground level. Keep it on a tripod, covered with a towel if you're not shooting. Sand is a LOT worse than salt, especially among the moving parts of the lens assembly.

Allan Black · March 1st, 2011, 03:17 PM

A battery powered Dustbug is a handy item to have. I just came back from an airshow where dust (sand) abounds and gets in the cracks, run the Dustbug then, as mentioned wipe the rig down with a damp cloth.

I also tape up all the cam switches with Black low tack Cling brand adhesive tape.

Cheers.

Brian Luce · March 1st, 2011, 10:48 PM

I've had issues with dogs, the irresponsible owners who ignore all the city ordinances and let their dogs run wild off a leash all over the beach. Here are some of my least favorite dog tricks.

1) The Shake: The mutt comes out of the water, runs right next to your tripod and starts madly shaking all the water and sand off.
2) The Dime Stop: The mutt is running around mindlessly and does bank turn right by your set up, sending a rooster tail of sand all over your gear.
3) Tackling Dummy: Here the mutt just crashes in to your tripod because he's clumsy.
4) Mad Dog: Here the mutt decides the weird creature (me) with the three legged animal (my tripod)and tiny robot (my camera) is an alien invader so the mutt barks and snarls until the owner comes up and laughs and says "He's just playing".

The beach is probably the worst place to take a camera. It's got salt, sand, water, wind, and yes, dogs.

February 26th, 2011, 01:39 PM	#1
Andrew Carter Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: England Posts: 116	Beach filming With regards to Sand? Do I need to be worried? OR shall i wrap my camera up in a rain bag? Any advice greatly appreicated Thanks

February 26th, 2011, 02:25 PM	#2
Glen Vandermolen Space Hipster Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 1,596	Re: Beach filming I live in Florida, so I've done many shoots on a beach. Obviously the first issue is to make sure your camera doesn't get wet or exposed to too much sand. If you have a cover for your cam, go ahead and use it. It won't hurt to have it. If not, I sometimes carry a towel that I can drape over the camera when it's resting. Make sure you have a tripod, so if you need to rest the camera (assuming you do hand-held) you have a safe place to rest it. Never let your camera touch the beach itself! And rinse the tripod's legs off with fresh water afterward, then wipe dry. The lens might get a lot of exposure to blowing salt water and sand. Be careful, as the sand can scratch the lens. Make sure you have a UV filter to cover the lens. Better to scratch a replaceable UV filter than the front element of your lens. Cap your lens between takes. As long as the wind's not blowing too bad, you should be just fine. Also, be aware of the position of your viewfinder - the sun can burn spots into the finder. Make sure it isn't angled upward.

February 26th, 2011, 03:13 PM	#3
Warren Kawamoto Trustee Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,435	Re: Beach filming Sand is your second worry. Your first worry is salt. Once salt spray/water is on your camera, it'll start to corrode the metal parts. It's more dangerous than sand because it's invisible. If you do shoot at the beach, even with a cover, it's a good idea to thoroughly wipe down your entire camera. Make certain that no salt ever gets inside your camera!

February 27th, 2011, 08:13 AM	#4
Andrew Carter Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: England Posts: 116	Re: Beach filming Glen/Warren Thanks for the great tips, I'll follow them ;-) Its put my mind at ease.

February 27th, 2011, 09:33 AM	#5
Bill Ward Major Player Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 580	Re: Beach filming And if there are many large, hulking boyfriends present, be careful which direction it appears you are pointing your camera. Just sayin'....

February 27th, 2011, 11:05 AM	#6
Stelios Christofides Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Nicosia, CYPRUS Posts: 1,080	Re: Beach filming and please, we are all waiting to see the beautiful girls... __________________ My Blog: http://steliosc.blogspot.com "I hope for nothing, I fear nothing, I am free" Nikos Kazantzakis

February 28th, 2011, 04:15 AM	#7
Dean Sensui Inner Circle Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 2,054	Re: Beach filming I film on beaches, boats and in salt spray as a matter of routine. I produce a fishing show, and that's where the action is. I have a weather cover over the camera at all times, although the front element of the wide angle adapter always gets sprayed with salt water. I don't have a UV filter over it as there's no filter threads on the Sony WA adapter. Wipe down the camera at the end of the day with a damp cloth (not wet) to clean off the salt. Use Corrosion-X on anything made of metal to keep it from getting corroded. I spray down the tripod with Salt Away and that seems to work well. My EX1's are among the first to come out and they're still working just fine today. No need to get too paranoid, but definitely keep the sand off. Don't lay it down at ground level. Keep it on a tripod, covered with a towel if you're not shooting. Sand is a LOT worse than salt, especially among the moving parts of the lens assembly. __________________ Dean Sensui Exec Producer, Hawaii Goes Fishing

March 1st, 2011, 03:17 PM	#8
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,927	Re: Beach filming A battery powered Dustbug is a handy item to have. I just came back from an airshow where dust (sand) abounds and gets in the cracks, run the Dustbug then, as mentioned wipe the rig down with a damp cloth. I also tape up all the cam switches with Black low tack Cling brand adhesive tape. Cheers. __________________ Drink more tap water. On admission at Sydney hospitals more than 5% of day patients are de-hydrated.

March 1st, 2011, 10:48 PM	#9
Brian Luce Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,290	Re: Beach filming I've had issues with dogs, the irresponsible owners who ignore all the city ordinances and let their dogs run wild off a leash all over the beach. Here are some of my least favorite dog tricks. 1) The Shake: The mutt comes out of the water, runs right next to your tripod and starts madly shaking all the water and sand off. 2) The Dime Stop: The mutt is running around mindlessly and does bank turn right by your set up, sending a rooster tail of sand all over your gear. 3) Tackling Dummy: Here the mutt just crashes in to your tripod because he's clumsy. 4) Mad Dog: Here the mutt decides the weird creature (me) with the three legged animal (my tripod)and tiny robot (my camera) is an alien invader so the mutt barks and snarls until the owner comes up and laughs and says "He's just playing". The beach is probably the worst place to take a camera. It's got salt, sand, water, wind, and yes, dogs.