HV20 In Ice Rinks
 

For a number of years, I've been using a Sony DCR-TRV900 (older 3-chip prosumer camera) to shoot ice skating. I usually leave the camera case in the rink for 30-60 minutes to let it adjust to the temperature and haven't had any problems. Rinks can have high humidity and run dehumidifiers, but it presents an odd combination of cold and moisture. Can anyone share their experience with the HV20 in this kind of environment? Any tips or issues? From time to time I'd like to use a wide angle adapter also (more glass to fog).

White balance will also be an issue. Many rinks have mixed lights, with fluorescents along the walls and halogen or mercury vapor directly over the rink. Any suggestions here?

Thanks,
Chip Gallo

Can't help on the weather issue, coming from sunny California.

Camera does have two florescent white balance presets, that I have have found does a good warming job depending on flourescent light type.

Also, the manual white balance preset does work well. I assuming normal white skating rink, I'd probably use that or have someone hold a white card to on the ring to set it from.

Chris -- thanks for the info on WB. I have a Canon 20D (still) camera and usually fix white balance in post rather than try to depend on the camera. There are just too many variables of lighting and color of the ice.

The ice is given its white color by paint underneath. Due to variations in the depth and color of the ice, the white comes through differently. Then throw on the temperature of the light hitting that area and no single WB setting, even custom, does the job. I have a feeling that this will need to be resolved in my editor (Sony Vegas 8) but hope springs eternal.

My audience (parents, other relatives) usually know what the costume colors should be so I select the white that gives the most accurate costume color with skin color factored in. Sometimes the natural sunlight steaming through the outside door starts looking a bit odd, but hey ...

We did a show in August that had follow spots and a small amount of theater lighting added to the mix. You can see a clip from this at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6Qyk5CAJLE

Wow. I was thinking figure skating competition with bright lighting. The spots certainly add to the mix. After seeing that set up, I think I would not shot it on auto white balance. Rather I think I would have shot that one with the incadescant setting, and then try to balance in post. Obviously, with gels and different colors being used during the performances, the costumes will change with the color light being used-- but that seems more realistic than trying to get everything back to one color in post.