over-heating issues

[oggy]

I am about to start a series of documentaries about contemporary Australian photographers and am concerned about the camera overheating during interviews. I undersatnd that the newer cameras have a silent fan that doesnt turn off. Is there some way to address this proble, in the RED one? Ice packs are messy only add a minute or so.

 

[Joel Kaye]

If the ambient temp is below 90 you may run hot on long takes but you should be fine. If the ambient temp is 100+ you'll need ice packs. As far as the fan goes, it goes pretty quiet during a take and I've never had a sound problem due to the fan.

Epic/Scarlet is supposed to solve the overheating issue. I'm likely to upgrade for that reason alone.

 

[Sidney L. Plaut]

for extreme long takes you need to turn fan on or you will overheat - thats my experience. extreme long takes is 1hour+.

 

[Tom Gleeson]

Cool Running

Cool Running

Oggy,

The camera is burning 100 watts so gets pretty hot. I have shot in very hot conditions over this summer and although the camera can get hot enough to cook an egg on it soldiers on no problems. The only thing not to do is leave it in the sun for hours on a hot day.

Set the fan to run at low level during recording. You will never hear it over the cars, dogs, whipper snipers, planes and standard city ambience.

If your still concerned record 5 seconds of the camera noise as recorded in your interview set up and in Soundtrack Pro (bundled with Final Cut) you can intelligently remove the offending sound quickly and easily.

Tom Gleeson

 

[JonK]

In a similar vein, is there any risk of water damage when using ice packs? What about the condensation that will inevitably form on the body of the camera? Any other ideas?

 

[Elsie N]

Haven't tested this but maybe someone has... you may keep heat down by recording at 2k resolution and a lower REDcode setting.

 

[Mark Pugh]

I've only had overheating problems in very, very hot studios in the middle of summer. But yes, have the fan on at least a quieter setting. Don't have it set to silent. The sound will be quiet enough.
You won't be needing icepacks. Definitely not at this time of the year.

Edit: you want to have the mic on the camera?

 

[Mark Pugh]

Haven't tested this but maybe someone has... you may keep heat down by recording at 2k resolution and a lower REDcode setting.

Sorry... but that would be the worst reason I've heard for shooting 2k.

 

[Cail Young]

Sorry... but that would be the worst reason I've heard for shooting 2k.

I heard you can rent the camera for less if you promise only to record 2K; you're not wearing out as many pixels that way.

 

[Tom Mitchell]

I heard you can rent the camera for less if you promise only to record 2K; you're not wearing out as many pixels that way.

Cail don't, some of the wipper snappers might start think that's true


I wonder....is that why cannons so cheep as they only use half there lines he he

 

[Stephen Pruitt]

We experienced overheating frequently in 2008 here in Kansas. It was a constant battle. BUT we did put ice packs on the cameras and they worked like a champ. Don't fear the ice. Ice is your friend in situations like this. The best thing would probably be gel packs, as they can't spring a leak.

Stephen

 

[J Taylor]

Cail don't, some of the wipper snappers might start think that's true


I wonder....is that why cannons so cheep as they only use half there lines he he

haha, genius. If only I could get a 50% discount on renting red equipment that way.

 

[Nir Shelter]

Hi Oggy.
I would look out for over heating during Dec/Jan but even then you would need rather extreme conditions to fault the camera. Regardless most have given you very good advice on the thread already I can only add that it is a good idea to always have in your kit an instant ice packs just in case.
Good luck with the shoot.

Hey Tom we got some great stuff on the week end can't wait to show you some cuts.

Cheers, Nir.