RED Hot Camera Keeps It's Cool

[James Mathers]

I just finished the third week of a five week RED feature on the road in the Southwest. The last two weeks were in the Mojave Desert in extremely hot environments and we had absolutely no problems with overheating. We were prepared with cooling packs to hang on the side of the camera, but never had to use them. RED seems to have overcome any heat related issue they may have had early on.

I would also like to put out the word that I am looking for an 18mm Zeiss Super Speed to complete a set. Please contact me if you know of one for sale.

James Mathers
Cinematographer
President of the Digital Cinema Society
RED Owner #30X
Studio City, CA

 

[ChristopherKenworthy]

We've been using our Reds in hot and steamy indoor sets in Australia without problems. The sets got very, very hot. We also tested a 6 minute take in full sunlight (with no umbrella for the camera) on a very hot day, and there wasn't a problem. On set, a few days ago, I found the camera crew had put an ice pack on the camera. I asked what the problem was. They said, "No problem, but the ice packs look cool so we wanted to use one." I guess that says it all.

Next week we're out in the bush, in full sun, for nine days. I'll report back.

 

[Harry Clark]

I've done few VERY hot days on a soundstage and the camera behaved fine (no sun beaming directly on the camera of course) I would guess that with a location umbrella to block direct sun that the camera would behave even in the desert. But I'd be ready with gels packs just in case.
My favorite fan setting is SILENT, btw. Lots of standing around waiting on commercials, so the fans go full blast all the time. Then when I press the red button, the fans stop. You usually have to demo this for the sound department to convince them but then it's OK! I kinda feel like, since the camera is "imaging" all the time, regardless of whether or not it is "recording", it's working the same and will generate the same heat. So the fans on full blast will make the innards cooler to begin with, and then for the 3 or 4 minutes you're actually recording, you won't need them at all...
But that's commercial-style. Docs and features are different.
Anyone have a particular feeling on this? What's you favorite setting?
Cheers,
Harry

 

[Harry Clark]

BTW, what about condensation with the external ice packs?
Harry

 

[Prem Edpuganti]

I have a need to use the camera in a 110 degree Fahrenheit heat and 80% humidity environment.

It is great to hear the camera is functioning beautifully in hot and steamy conditions. Is it possible to quantify your experiences: temperature, humidity during shooting, length of each cycle time camera is shooting and on standby, total length of time camera is exposed to stated temperature and humidity, and any other relevant conditions. Information such as this, I believe will be more useful for ascertaining the suitability of the camera for a given set of conditions.

Thanks.

 

[Matthew Rogers]

Quick question, when you pull the "heat panels" out of the bottom of the camera. Does it still look like there are foam inserts when you look through the air holes, or are there aluminum parts in there that are whitish/silverish that look like white foam? I ask this because a RED that I played with today had something down there, but I couldn't tell if it the heat foam or parts inside.

Matthew

 

[Jannard]

I have a need to use the camera in a 110 degree Fahrenheit heat and 80% humidity environment.

It is great to hear the camera is functioning beautifully in hot and steamy conditions. Is it possible to quantify your experiences: temperature, humidity during shooting, length of each cycle time camera is shooting and on standby, total length of time camera is exposed to stated temperature and humidity, and any other relevant conditions. Information such as this, I believe will be more useful for ascertaining the suitability of the camera for a given set of conditions.

Thanks.

The cameras are performing in the field as we now expect them to... whew!

But if you know you are in 110F degree heat, be prepared to "help the camera out" a bit. Carry an umbrella. Keep it in the shade whenever possible. Take some gel packs with you. Assume there will be issues and be pleasantly surprised if there are not. Never hurts to be prepared. Treat your RED ONE with as much kindness as you can and it will reward you with great images.

jim

 

[Emanuel A.]

I just finished the third week of a five week RED feature on the road in the Southwest. The last two weeks were in the Mojave Desert in extremely hot environments and we had absolutely no problems with overheating. We were prepared with cooling packs to hang on the side of the camera, but never had to use them. RED seems to have overcome any heat related issue they may have had early on.

(..)

James Mathers
Cinematographer
President of the Digital Cinema Society
RED Owner #30X
Studio City, CA

Good news for this summer in the South of Europe... Thanks!

And... Congrats Jim for the achievement!...

E.

 

[Michael Stanmore]

Treat your RED ONE with as much kindness as you can and it will reward you with great images.

jim

Like you treat your woman...




Sorry. :blush:

 

[Yean Loon]

I've just finished two days of test shoot in the forests of Singapore. No overheating issues.

In fact, the crew got burnt before the camera even came close.

Now, just in case, how do i remove the "heat panels"???

yean

 

[JohnF]

It's great to hear that the camera still functions under these conditions.

Can somebody tell me if there is any change to the image characteristics brought on by imaging chip thermal noise? (more likely to be subtly visible when shooting blacks/shadow areas)

I was under the impression that the early (prototype) RED's had a peltier cooling device on board but I am not sure if this was for cooling the imaging chip or for other systems, indeed I'm not sure whether it made the production models. Anyone know for sure?

JohnF