Filming w/ HV20 under harsh conditions

[Pissing In Action]

Hey everybody,

I'm about to leave for about a month to Afghanistan with a filmcrew for a humanitarian mission and would like to shoot some footage myself with my HV20. The enviromental conditions in A however are pretty harsh sometimes (very fine sand, sometimes smaller storms, mud etc.) and I would prefer not wasting the cam. Can anybody give me some advice for doing so besides applying a UV filter (which is the case everytime I film)?

Cheers,
Stefan

[pro-hobbyist]

Leave the camera in one of these all the time:
http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/444650055.htm?bct=t13079503%3Bcicamcorders-and-video%3Bcigadget-bags

I also recommend you get a .50 cal ammo can for storing tapes in to keep sand out, and also make sure you keep everything out of the sun, heat, and extreme cold.

[jstuntlocke]

LOL

I like the trash bag idea.. but I'd probably opt for one of these...
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/462327-REG/Porta_Brace_RSXL2MO_RS_XL2_MO_Rain_Slicker.html

Of course I'd get the proper porta brace to fit your rig since this one is obviously for a XL 2, but you can have it made in camo also... or they come in a nice baby blue color that may avoid a misinterpratation of it being a weapon of some sort. Then again, a misinterpretation that you are the press can have almost worse reprecutions.
I'd say be careful with yourself first and that camera second!

I also like the ammo can idea.. but again, you wouldn't want someone to misinterpit more, or confirm their previous thoughts by seeing you "loading" your "weapon" either...
Normal water resistant and shock proof cases should be fine I would think. I may treat it like filming a wildlife doc, safari, or a hunting trip as far as gear goes.


Good luck and post up the finished product when your'e done!:hv20-smilie70:

[Dr. Benway]

What's your rig and intended style; stabliser/handheld/tripod/with microphone etc?

What's the budget? Cheaper cameras like the HV are almost disposable when it comes to field work that a) pays well, and b) is important to the organisation.

A really good camera bag: Lowepro make well-sealed bags; get one with a rain cover.

A fine paint brush and an old toothbrush to help with maintenance, lens tissues and cleaning solution.

Once a tape is loaded seal the tape drive door with electrical insulation/pvc tape.

A deep hood, a polariser.

Spare batteries, appropriate adaptors for your charger.

Decide whether a plastic bag is for you and practice using it home. Use the same electrical insulation/pvc tape that comes off clean (not gaffer/duct tape) to seal it and hold it in place: e mindful that your audio will be next to useless with a rustling plastic bag wrapped around your HV.

[Pissing In Action]

Thanks for the replies, keep em coming!


What's your rig and intended style; stabliser/handheld/tripod/with microphone etc?
What's the budget?

Our two cameramen are shooting with Betacams, which are already completely protected, I dont care what happens to those since they're the armys property, not mine.

I on the other side intended to film some footage besides that for a private clip containing some warlike impressions, just the camera, handheld and no mic (the more you carry around in an enviroment like that, the more you risk breaking or losing :(). Probably put a soundtrack underneath it in post, since decent audio will be pretty much impossible to come by.

The advice to seal most vital parts with pvc is very good, I apreciate it! Can you give me a link to an affordable sealed bag from Lowepro?

Since we are a military filmcrew already carrying weapons there is no misinterpretation of any kind given. Any affordable solution is welcome.

What do you guys think of raincapes like these: http://www.ewa-marine.de/index.php?id=536&L=0
Do they work good as sandprotection as well?

I will definately post the finished product on vimeo, once I am back! Hope it will be of usable quality and I will take care of myself :hv20-smilie03:

[jstuntlocke]

Thanks for the replies, keep em coming!



Our two cameramen are shooting with Betacams, which are already completely protected, I dont care what happens to those since they're the armys property, not mine.

I on the other side intended to film some footage besides that for a private clip containing some warlike impressions, just the camera, handheld and no mic (the more you carry around in an enviroment like that, the more you risk breaking or losing :(). Probably put a soundtrack underneath it in post, since decent audio will be pretty much impossible to come by.

The advice to seal most vital parts with pvc is very good, I apreciate it! Can you give me a link to an affordable sealed bag from Lowepro?

Since we are a military filmcrew already carrying weapons there is no misinterpretation of any kind given. Any affordable solution is welcome.

What do you guys think of raincapes like these: http://www.ewa-marine.de/index.php?id=536&L=0
Do they work good as sandprotection as well?

I will definately post the finished product on vimeo, once I am back! Hope it will be of usable quality and I will take care of myself :hv20-smilie03:

OH! I didn't know you were a military film crew! Then don't worry about it then.
And since a liquid like rain water can tend to find it's way into things easier than a solid (like fine blowing dust and sand) anything that is waterproof should be relatively sandproof as well I would think.
Can't wait to see the finished product!:hv20-smilie70:

[Matt Greenfield]

They're weather resistant, unless you permanently tape up the access hole. Otherwise it's at open to the elements at the bottom and believe me, sand blows UP, especially dry desert sand. When I was a kid we'd go out to White Sands and we'd be picking sand out of everything for weeks afterwards.

Something like the old Ewa marine bags that had the glove inside the bag would be a better choice, as that would let you drop a couple of blank tapes, batteries and silica gel inside the bag. It wouldn't be easy, but then you could swap out tapes without having to go into a clean room type environment. The other thing I'd recommend is that unless you consider your case a throw-away, is get an extra piece of optically clear glass or plastic and glue it over the front of the case's lens port... something like a Hoya filter might work. One good sandstorm and your ports going to pick up some scratches, and it's cheaper to replace the filter than the case.

However, if you want a really cheap and simple option try this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Snorkelbox-kit-simple-underwater-videocamera-housing_W0QQitemZ390036045798QQihZ026QQcategoryZ91 567QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I posted this link in another thread, (and I'm not shilling for this vendor, really,) but it's just so elegantly simple. With something like this, I'd be inclined to just cut two hand-sized holes in the sides, get a good pair of heavy duty waterproof gloves and glue them in like a glove box. I wouldn't trust it underwater, but it'll hold out the mud and sand parts of the equation, it floats, and if the lens gets scratched up, it's just $24 to buy a new kit.