Working in low temperatures

[Jay A. Kelley]

Just yesterday we sent an ArcticX to a shoot in MI (Can't say who or what.. Don't have permission).

I asked them how it was going.. And they said "We took it ouside and put it on..It works pretty well.."


Pretty well? Hmmmm.. :001_unsure:

They got the "endurance" version.. So you know this is our "overkill" model.. It's TWO heaters, powered by TWO digitally controlled batteries, covered in high density foam insulation, and the covered in 8mm Neoprene with a soft velcro covering to break up the wind chill. If you turn this puppy onto full power, the EVF will actually get HOT (No not TOO hot.. Don't worry).

So when he said it "works pretty well"... I was confused!

Then I re-read the letter. And I figured it out. They took the camera/EVF out in the cold. Got the EVF cold to the point of CRAPPING OUT, and THEN put the heater on and fired it up. In other words, THEY HEATED A COLD EVF OUTSIDE with the heater.. AND IT WORKED.

Damn.... :blink:

Ok.. I do not recommend this for two reasons:
1: You use 10x the power on the batteries to heat the unit from a cold state
2: It's going to take time to get it back to working order.

It's a better idea to keep the heater on the second the EVF is exposed to the cold. Just keep the setting very low. It should last a LONG time, and do you proud.

Peter is the real expert.. Not me. By now I imagine he uses the heater more than I do! So he most likely knows all the tricks.

By the way, some of you have asked how much this unit weights...

10 ounces. Maybe a little more depending on how you run the batteries.

I'm proud of that. :hurray:

Jay

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

Now we want to shoot some footage in -3C to -5C (26F to 23F) temperatures.

I'll usually put on a jacket... The camera will be fine. Seriously, that's not very cold.

Now, if you start getting into temperatures like -31C / -24F, then that's cold. Your LCD will freeze solid and not work, your batteries will freeze solid and not work. The lubes in your lenses will stiffen. Mechanical components can contract and lenses can become tight or inoperable in some situations.

I regularly shoot in freezing temperatures and alpine environments. The biggest issue we have had with the RED One and cold has been the EVF. Anything approaching freezing or just below, causes the EVF image to solarize and even makes the EVF just not work. It needs a heater. the new BOMB EVF supposedly has a built-in heater...