Working in low temperatures

[Matthijs Dam]

Hello RED users!

I have a question about the RED One.
The operating temperature is (according to the operation guide): 0C to 40C (32F to 104F)

Now we want to shoot some footage in -3C to -5C (26F to 23F) temperatures.
How do I prefent damage?
What parts do I need to keep warm in order to keep the camera working properly and what are the best methods in keeping the parts warm.

Greetings,
Matthijs Dam

 

[Maxim Penev]

Just keep the bateries and EVF in worm palce. I had a lot of problems with the EVF in cold temp. in my experience, it just drops dead every time its cold, and works only after i worm it up. Put the fan at AUTO setting and you will be fine, the camera ceeps it self worm i tested it in -20C never had a problem with the camera it self.

 

[ericyoung]

Hello RED users!

I have a question about the RED One.
The operating temperature is (according to the operation guide): 0C to 40C (32F to 104F)

Now we want to shoot some footage in -3C to -5C (26F to 23F) temperatures.
How do I prefent damage?
What parts do I need to keep warm in order to keep the camera working properly and what are the best methods in keeping the parts warm.

Greetings,
Matthijs Dam

Those are just the rated temperatures.

-3C to -5C isn't really that cold.

Batteries should be kept warm as possible before and during use to keep their useful capacity up.
The older model Electronic View Finder can start to solarise at lower temperatures.
People have kept them warm by wrapping chemical hand warmers (from camping shops) around them.

And you can buy Jay Kelley's EVF warmer:

http://reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=41156
http://www.arcticX.net/

Everything else including the body is pretty good to MUCH lower temperatures.

Probably the next thing that needs protection at even lower temperatures is the LCD, and lenses should be allowed to warm up and cool down relatively slowly to avoid condensation.

 

[Matthijs Dam]

Just keep the bateries and EVF in worm palce. I had a lot of problems with the EVF in cold temp. in my experience, it just drops dead every time its cold, and works only after i worm it up. Put the fan at AUTO setting and you will be fine, the camera ceeps it self worm i tested it in -20C never had a problem with the camera it self.

That's some useful information! Thank you!
How do you keep the EVF and battery warm?

 

[ericyoung]

That's some useful information! Thank you!
How do you keep the EVF and battery warm?

Well you could try reading my post too Matthijs! :smile:

 

[Martin Weiss]

-5C is nothing.

I've used the R1 without any special modification down to -20C with a 7" LCD. The only problem were stiff cables and cold feet.

You might run into some condensation problems if you should switch quickly from exterior to interior.

 

[Matthijs Dam]

Well you could try reading my post too Matthijs! :smile:

I didn't see your post at my post

But thank you, thats useful to

 

[Matthijs Dam]

I want to thank you all for the quick reply's!
I don't have the money to buy such a cool warming element for the EVF, but now I know what to keep warm

 

[Sam Taylor]

This is interesting information. Does anyone know which is better in the cold, the bomb evf, or the original? Or is there no difference? Thinking of some very cold weather filming in the Canadian high arctic. Many thanks.

 

[Robert Frank]

This is interesting information. Does anyone know which is better in the cold, the bomb evf, or the original? Or is there no difference? Thinking of some very cold weather filming in the Canadian high arctic. Many thanks.

http://www.red.com/store/displays/product/red-pro-evf

Bomb EVF has built-in heater.

 

[Jay A. Kelley]

The bomb EVF Rules.. If you find yourself using the Origional EVF, then the ArcticX will do you proud.

www.arcticx.net

(Thanks Eric!)

Jay

 

[Sam Taylor]

Thanks Robert! That is very useful. So the stated operating temperature is down to -10C. Do you have any idea what the actual operating temperature might be down too? With extra insulation wrapped around -20C? -25C? Thanks.

 

[Robert Frank]

Thanks Robert! That is very useful. So the stated operating temperature is down to -10C. Do you have any idea what the actual operating temperature might be down too? With extra insulation wrapped around -20C? -25C? Thanks.

Sorry but I don't have a Bomb EVF (yet) so I can't help with any real world feedback.

 

[Sam Taylor]

Thanks Robert!

 

[Sam Taylor]

The bomb EVF Rules.. If you find yourself using the Origional EVF, then the ArcticX will do you proud.

www.arcticx.net

(Thanks Eric!)

Jay

Hi Jay, thanks for this. The Arctic X endurance is rated down to -10F/-23C, where as the bomb evf is rated down to 14F/-10C. Depending on what the actual effective lower temperature in real life use of the bomb evf is, I might be better using an old evf with the Arctic X endurance instead.

 

[Peter Strietmann]

I second the Artic X. My EVF starts to solarize around 0 centigrade.

 

[Jeremy Torrie]

Polar Bear cover with hot shots.

 

[Russ Fill]

You can wrap the EVF with those hand warmers and then put a color of your choice gym sock over the total pkg with the hand warmers being held on with rubberbands.
Worked for me just fine down to about -10F

 

[Sam Taylor]

Polar Bear cover with hot shots.

I was hanging out with the Inuit in Greenland this year, with remains of polar bears around the place! However the ethics of filming endangered species using endangered species, might raise a few eyebrows!

 

[Sam Taylor]

You can wrap the EVF with those hand warmers and then put a color of your choice gym sock over the total pkg with the hand warmers being held on with rubberbands.
Worked for me just fine down to about -10F

Thanks Russ! Maybe a possible solution would be to use hand warmers and socks etc over a bomb evf, extending its existing -10C rating way downwards.
-30C would be useful if possible. -20C is not that cold, it will be that temperature even in Scotland tonight!