Shooting Video in High Humidity at DVinfo.net

Yoram Porath · October 6th, 2005, 08:20 AM

shooting in humid area

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Hi All

I think to purchase the Canon mini DV XL2 camera to shoot a documentary film in the Rain forest of Ecuador. I was really worried about the humidity in the area 88%. so I called the canon manifacture and asked about the conditions Guarenteed by canon.
Their respond was they Guarentee only until 85% humidity and 104 F.

I would like to know if anybody has experience in shooting in high humidity or knows how the XL2 functions at that area because I do not want to take the risk. Also if anybody can suggest another Camera (at That price $4000) that is more suitible for humidity?

best

Yoram

Robert Mann Z. · October 6th, 2005, 08:27 AM

you may want to skip tape altogther and shoot on a hard drive device like firestore...

Jeff Wilson · October 6th, 2005, 01:46 PM

I have shoot a lot with the Sony DSR 250 in the Houston Area recently where the heat and humidity has been really bad, though I have never been to a rain forest before. The greatest problem I ran into was going from an air-condition room to outside when water droplets would form almost instantly on anything metal or glass. However, after giving the camera time to acclimate to the climate it preformed well.

If using tape I would shoot something like Sony PDVM-40N in DV SP format, which will give you 60 minutes, or something equivalent. I don’t think the consumer tapes are made to take that environment. Plus the Tupperware like, blue plastic, cases offer for more protection than the clear plastic ones do.

Andre De Clercq · October 6th, 2005, 03:31 PM

Standard humidity specs are valid when the equipment is at ambient temperature. All ambient humidity levels are acceptable (even near 100%) as long as the equipment (i.e. camera,tapes,lenses...)are kept (or warmed up) above the ambient temperature.

James Emory · October 6th, 2005, 03:33 PM

Duplicate & Relative Thread
www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=52326

Yoram Porath · October 10th, 2005, 11:02 AM

Thanx a lot for your recommandations, I think I will stay with the XL2 and protect it as much as possible from humidity using anti humidity chemical 'silica gel' and hair drier.

I just hope to bring good results out of that mess.

best

Yoram

James Emory · October 10th, 2005, 11:07 AM

I would be very careful using silica gel (dessicant) packs with those beads. If those packs rupture, those little beads will get into every little opening on your gear! I believe B&H sells dessicant packs just for placing in gear cases so those packs may be tougher for that use. Ask to be sure.

Dessicant Packs
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...&shs=dessicant

Shawn Redford · October 28th, 2005, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Emory

I would be very careful using silica gel (dessicant) packs with those beads. If those packs rupture, those little beads will get into every little opening on your gear!

I'm not sure if this would do it, but it seems that one way to use the silica gel packs safely would be to put them in one of those small loose tea-leaf holders (about a 1 inch sphere) that would contain the beads even if it ruptured.

October 6th, 2005, 08:20 AM	#1
Yoram Porath New Boot Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 5	Shooting Video in High Humidity shooting in humid area -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi All I think to purchase the Canon mini DV XL2 camera to shoot a documentary film in the Rain forest of Ecuador. I was really worried about the humidity in the area 88%. so I called the canon manifacture and asked about the conditions Guarenteed by canon. Their respond was they Guarentee only until 85% humidity and 104 F. I would like to know if anybody has experience in shooting in high humidity or knows how the XL2 functions at that area because I do not want to take the risk. Also if anybody can suggest another Camera (at That price $4000) that is more suitible for humidity? best Yoram

October 10th, 2005, 11:02 AM	#6
Yoram Porath New Boot Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 5	Thank you all Thanx a lot for your recommandations, I think I will stay with the XL2 and protect it as much as possible from humidity using anti humidity chemical 'silica gel' and hair drier. I just hope to bring good results out of that mess. best Yoram

October 10th, 2005, 11:07 AM	#7
James Emory Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 1,892	Silica Gel Packs I would be very careful using silica gel (dessicant) packs with those beads. If those packs rupture, those little beads will get into every little opening on your gear! I believe B&H sells dessicant packs just for placing in gear cases so those packs may be tougher for that use. Ask to be sure. Dessicant Packs http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...&shs=dessicant

October 6th, 2005, 08:27 AM	#2
Robert Mann Z. Skyonic New York Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NYC Posts: 614	you may want to skip tape altogther and shoot on a hard drive device like firestore...

October 6th, 2005, 01:46 PM	#3
Jeff Wilson Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New Rome, Ohio Posts: 36	I have shoot a lot with the Sony DSR 250 in the Houston Area recently where the heat and humidity has been really bad, though I have never been to a rain forest before. The greatest problem I ran into was going from an air-condition room to outside when water droplets would form almost instantly on anything metal or glass. However, after giving the camera time to acclimate to the climate it preformed well. If using tape I would shoot something like Sony PDVM-40N in DV SP format, which will give you 60 minutes, or something equivalent. I don’t think the consumer tapes are made to take that environment. Plus the Tupperware like, blue plastic, cases offer for more protection than the clear plastic ones do.

October 6th, 2005, 03:31 PM	#4
Andre De Clercq Major Player Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Belgium Posts: 804	Standard humidity specs are valid when the equipment is at ambient temperature. All ambient humidity levels are acceptable (even near 100%) as long as the equipment (i.e. camera,tapes,lenses...)are kept (or warmed up) above the ambient temperature.

October 6th, 2005, 03:33 PM	#5
James Emory Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 1,892	Duplicate & Relative Thread www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=52326