How do they keep that lens dry?! at DVinfo.net

Ben Winter · January 31st, 2008, 10:09 PM

I've watched movies where the camera goes from underwater to above water in one shot, yet no water droplets on the lens glass are visible. How do they do that? In other shows--where the camera is running through a raining forest--the camera remains spotless yet there HAS to be water droplets landing on the lens.

My only uneducated guess is there is a spinning glass disk protecting the lens that "spins away" all affecting wetness. Is this at all accurate?

Markus Nord · February 1st, 2008, 01:27 AM

Hi Ben

I haven’t tried this myself, so I can’t confirm that it works… but, the tip I got is to use this type of car wax that you put on so the water rinse of without you doing something. One other thing I have seen is that the camera was on a jib and he started above water and entered the water whit the camera, then he played that part backwards. But is you going to try the second tip, make sure that you don’t got any thing in the frame above water that can be spotted going backwards.

My best tip is the car wax… I think that’s the one.

Geir Inge · February 1st, 2008, 07:53 AM

Hi Ben.
Here's a tip I used last summer when I was snorkling.
I took an apple and cut it in two.
Rub (carefully) the apple on the outside of the UWhouse lens glas, it will last for 2 - 3 min and you have to repeat. Do not do this directly on the camera lens :)

Geir Inge

John M. McCloskey · February 1st, 2008, 08:41 AM

rain X works good.

Jonathan Shaw · February 13th, 2008, 01:49 AM

I agree with Rainx or saliva works ok for a couple of dunkings

Greg Boston · February 13th, 2008, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben Winter

My only uneducated guess is there is a spinning glass disk protecting the lens that "spins away" all affecting wetness. Is this at all accurate?

I saw something like that advertised awhile back. It was shown as a device to use on stationary cameras at sporting events such as football games.

As others stated, a product like RainX on the face of the housing lens would also work.

-gb-

Pat Miller · February 13th, 2008, 04:50 PM

There is a 'spinning glass system' that Panavision has thats used for film cameras. I've only seen it once as I primarily shoot w/ the 900/950 series and have never seen it on any of our shoots.
If you use any 'lubricants' like RainX I wouldn't put it directly on your lens but on your clear filter--just a thought.

Charles Papert · February 13th, 2008, 05:31 PM

It's called a rain deflector, and as several guessed it incorporates a spinning glass disk in a housing. Various companies manufacture them. One of the more interesting ones is made by Spintec which is quite small and light compared to older models.

Greg Boston · February 13th, 2008, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charles Papert

One of the more interesting ones is made by Spintec which is quite small and light compared to older models.

Bingo Chas, that was the unit I had seen awhile back and couldn't remember. Thanks for providing that link.

-gb-

January 31st, 2008, 10:09 PM	#1
Ben Winter Trustee Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 1,675 Images: 1	How do they keep that lens dry?! I've watched movies where the camera goes from underwater to above water in one shot, yet no water droplets on the lens glass are visible. How do they do that? In other shows--where the camera is running through a raining forest--the camera remains spotless yet there HAS to be water droplets landing on the lens. My only uneducated guess is there is a spinning glass disk protecting the lens that "spins away" all affecting wetness. Is this at all accurate? __________________ BenWinter.com

February 1st, 2008, 01:27 AM	#2
Markus Nord Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Vastervik ,Sweden Posts: 639	Hi Ben I haven’t tried this myself, so I can’t confirm that it works… but, the tip I got is to use this type of car wax that you put on so the water rinse of without you doing something. One other thing I have seen is that the camera was on a jib and he started above water and entered the water whit the camera, then he played that part backwards. But is you going to try the second tip, make sure that you don’t got any thing in the frame above water that can be spotted going backwards. My best tip is the car wax… I think that’s the one. __________________ www.nordproduktion.se https://vimeo.com/nordproduktion

February 1st, 2008, 07:53 AM	#3
Geir Inge Trustee Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Larsnes, Norway Posts: 1,343	Hi Ben. Here's a tip I used last summer when I was snorkling. I took an apple and cut it in two. Rub (carefully) the apple on the outside of the UWhouse lens glas, it will last for 2 - 3 min and you have to repeat. Do not do this directly on the camera lens :) Geir Inge __________________ Geir Inge B. Brekke Visit me at: https://vimeo.com/gibbfilm

February 13th, 2008, 01:49 AM	#5
Jonathan Shaw Major Player Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 552	I agree with Rainx or saliva works ok for a couple of dunkings __________________ www.ginclearfilm.com www.facebook.com/ginclearfilm

February 13th, 2008, 05:31 PM	#8
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	It's called a rain deflector, and as several guessed it incorporates a spinning glass disk in a housing. Various companies manufacture them. One of the more interesting ones is made by Spintec which is quite small and light compared to older models. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

February 1st, 2008, 08:41 AM	#4
John M. McCloskey Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: West Point, MS Posts: 313	rain X works good.

February 13th, 2008, 04:50 PM	#7
Pat Miller Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 52	There is a 'spinning glass system' that Panavision has thats used for film cameras. I've only seen it once as I primarily shoot w/ the 900/950 series and have never seen it on any of our shoots. If you use any 'lubricants' like RainX I wouldn't put it directly on your lens but on your clear filter--just a thought.