Keeping my FX1E warm at DVinfo.net

Justin Hewitt · December 14th, 2008, 11:39 PM

Folks.

During January -- February, I will be Alberta state Canada, coaching alpine skiing and filming. The environment can be quite harsh. -18 --> -30 is common.

The most immediate issue is keeping the battery insulated during filming, as cold air temps, reduce battery performance. (Note for handy cams, we generally tuck the camera in our jackets in between shots ... not possible for the larger fx1E). Anyone have any advice ?

Also, do i need to worry about issues of moisture build up within the camera itself ....

happy to hear from anyone experienced with these conditions .....

Thanks in advance ....

Richard Firnges · December 15th, 2008, 05:19 AM

Hello Justin,

I used the FX1 at temperatures occasionly down to -15 to -25 Degrees (Celsius). Never had any problems so far even if the camera was one hour out in the cold. So far I would recomment that You always have av fully loaded spare battery. Just do not open the camera bag immediatly when You get after the shooting in to a warm room. But this is common sense.

Richard

Dale Bohlke · December 15th, 2008, 06:07 AM

I regularly use the FX1 during the winter and would agree with keeping it in the bag after bringing it indoors. The foam padding acts as insulation and I keep it in the bag for a couple hours. If you are changing temps briefly be sure to keep your lens covered to prevent condensation. I like to use painter's masking tape to prevent snow and moisture from getting in the tape compartment. The LCD gets real slow in the cold so I rely on the eye piece for focusing.

Have fun.
Dale

Justin Hewitt · December 15th, 2008, 05:28 PM

Thnaks for your help guys ...

Much appreciated

Brooks Graham · December 22nd, 2008, 08:00 PM

In keeping with the suggestion to keep your cam in your camera bag, one trick I've used with other, smaller cameras is to place the camera into a ziplock bag prior to returning indoors and to let it warm up to room temp before taking it out again. This could take hours. The humidity outside will probably be very low so the air in the ziplock bag will be dry. I haven't had to do this with my FX1, so I've never looked for ziplock bags large enough. ;-) I'm sure a closed-off (clean) plastic kitchen garbage bag would work in a similar manner. Just make sure it is well-sealed as the camera warms up. Condensation is a killer. Think of what happens to a can of cold soda on a warm summer day, and that's what could be happening inside your camera!

And yes, keep your batteries warm! And bring more than you think you'll need.

December 14th, 2008, 11:39 PM	#1
Justin Hewitt Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Melbourne Victoria Posts: 75	Keeping my FX1E warm Folks. During January -- February, I will be Alberta state Canada, coaching alpine skiing and filming. The environment can be quite harsh. -18 --> -30 is common. The most immediate issue is keeping the battery insulated during filming, as cold air temps, reduce battery performance. (Note for handy cams, we generally tuck the camera in our jackets in between shots ... not possible for the larger fx1E). Anyone have any advice ? Also, do i need to worry about issues of moisture build up within the camera itself .... happy to hear from anyone experienced with these conditions ..... Thanks in advance ....

December 15th, 2008, 05:19 AM	#2
Richard Firnges Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 45	Hello Justin, I used the FX1 at temperatures occasionly down to -15 to -25 Degrees (Celsius). Never had any problems so far even if the camera was one hour out in the cold. So far I would recomment that You always have av fully loaded spare battery. Just do not open the camera bag immediatly when You get after the shooting in to a warm room. But this is common sense. Richard

December 15th, 2008, 06:07 AM	#3
Dale Bohlke Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: New Ulm, MN Posts: 28	I regularly use the FX1 during the winter and would agree with keeping it in the bag after bringing it indoors. The foam padding acts as insulation and I keep it in the bag for a couple hours. If you are changing temps briefly be sure to keep your lens covered to prevent condensation. I like to use painter's masking tape to prevent snow and moisture from getting in the tape compartment. The LCD gets real slow in the cold so I rely on the eye piece for focusing. Have fun. Dale

December 15th, 2008, 05:28 PM	#4
Justin Hewitt Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Melbourne Victoria Posts: 75	Thnaks for your help guys ... Much appreciated

December 22nd, 2008, 08:00 PM	#5
Brooks Graham Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 121	In keeping with the suggestion to keep your cam in your camera bag, one trick I've used with other, smaller cameras is to place the camera into a ziplock bag prior to returning indoors and to let it warm up to room temp before taking it out again. This could take hours. The humidity outside will probably be very low so the air in the ziplock bag will be dry. I haven't had to do this with my FX1, so I've never looked for ziplock bags large enough. ;-) I'm sure a closed-off (clean) plastic kitchen garbage bag would work in a similar manner. Just make sure it is well-sealed as the camera warms up. Condensation is a killer. Think of what happens to a can of cold soda on a warm summer day, and that's what could be happening inside your camera! And yes, keep your batteries warm! And bring more than you think you'll need.