Pointing your DVX100 at sun... at DVinfo.net

Peter Richardson · November 18th, 2003, 05:47 PM

OK, I haven't actually done this, but a lot of times when shooting outdoors I will include the sun in a shot (for a lens flare etc.), maybe putting it in the corner of the frame or something. And undoubtedly while framing I've probably pointed the cam directly at the sun with apereture on manual. Is this wrecking my cam? I don't see anyhting ni the manual about this (the only warning being not letting sun enter the EYEPIECE) It seems inevitable that the cam will be pointed straight at the sun a lot, just hte nature of photography. Anyway, can anybody put my worries to rest (brought up by the post about green lazers). Thanks!

Peter

Peter Richardson · November 18th, 2003, 05:48 PM

actually, come to think of it I've shot a lot of sunrises, sunsets etc, so I have done this. How can this type of operation not hurt the camera (or does it?) and a green laser be dangerous for it (or are they?). OK, thanks for the replies in advance,

peter

Frank Granovski · November 18th, 2003, 06:07 PM

Use the LCD and screw on a ND8 for sunrises/sunsets. I wouldn't point it into the sun during brighter times because, why take a chance?

Peter Jefferson · November 19th, 2003, 05:11 AM

i do it quite often as they make for powerful opening shots, however, im a freak when it comes to the wellbeing of my gear, so i run a NDFilter of 64, hi shutter, and a UV filter attachment...

Jeff Donald · November 19th, 2003, 06:34 AM

Just as you can watch a sunrise and sunset with the naked eye, you can also film them safely with your camera. Why? Because the angle to sun is lower and the rays pass through more atmosphere. However, during the middle of the day the angle is different and the focused rays of the sun could damage the surface of the chip. Just as your image is focused on the chip, so is the sun's energy.

In practice very short exposure to the sun does not damage the chip. I have been including the sun, in portions of my scenes, with various cameras for years. None of the cameras ever showed any ill effect. I did not use numerous filters etc. I have used Cir-POL, built in ND filter and high shutter speeds to get proper exposure. You will have to figure your own level of comfort with the risk involved and operate your camera accordingly.

The warning about the sunlight entering the eyepiece is the reverse. Light entering though the eyepiece (not the lens) can burn the surface of the CRT/LCD and melt the plastic viewfinder housing.

Peter Richardson · November 19th, 2003, 10:36 AM

thanks for the replies guys! I've haven't noticed any ill effects yet, and I'm also a freak about my gear, so I'll probably be even more careful about it in the future.

Peter

November 18th, 2003, 05:47 PM	#1
Peter Richardson Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 608	Pointing your DVX100 at sun... OK, I haven't actually done this, but a lot of times when shooting outdoors I will include the sun in a shot (for a lens flare etc.), maybe putting it in the corner of the frame or something. And undoubtedly while framing I've probably pointed the cam directly at the sun with apereture on manual. Is this wrecking my cam? I don't see anyhting ni the manual about this (the only warning being not letting sun enter the EYEPIECE) It seems inevitable that the cam will be pointed straight at the sun a lot, just hte nature of photography. Anyway, can anybody put my worries to rest (brought up by the post about green lazers). Thanks! Peter

November 19th, 2003, 06:34 AM	#5
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Just as you can watch a sunrise and sunset with the naked eye, you can also film them safely with your camera. Why? Because the angle to sun is lower and the rays pass through more atmosphere. However, during the middle of the day the angle is different and the focused rays of the sun could damage the surface of the chip. Just as your image is focused on the chip, so is the sun's energy. In practice very short exposure to the sun does not damage the chip. I have been including the sun, in portions of my scenes, with various cameras for years. None of the cameras ever showed any ill effect. I did not use numerous filters etc. I have used Cir-POL, built in ND filter and high shutter speeds to get proper exposure. You will have to figure your own level of comfort with the risk involved and operate your camera accordingly. The warning about the sunlight entering the eyepiece is the reverse. Light entering though the eyepiece (not the lens) can burn the surface of the CRT/LCD and melt the plastic viewfinder housing. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

November 18th, 2003, 05:48 PM	#2
Peter Richardson Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 608	actually, come to think of it I've shot a lot of sunrises, sunsets etc, so I have done this. How can this type of operation not hurt the camera (or does it?) and a green laser be dangerous for it (or are they?). OK, thanks for the replies in advance, peter

November 18th, 2003, 06:07 PM	#3
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	Use the LCD and screw on a ND8 for sunrises/sunsets. I wouldn't point it into the sun during brighter times because, why take a chance?

November 19th, 2003, 05:11 AM	#4
Peter Jefferson Inner Circle Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Aus Posts: 3,884	i do it quite often as they make for powerful opening shots, however, im a freak when it comes to the wellbeing of my gear, so i run a NDFilter of 64, hi shutter, and a UV filter attachment...

November 19th, 2003, 10:36 AM	#6
Peter Richardson Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 608	thanks for the replies guys! I've haven't noticed any ill effects yet, and I'm also a freak about my gear, so I'll probably be even more careful about it in the future. Peter