Leaving Camera in my car at DVinfo.net

Kevin Laster · April 27th, 2007, 05:47 PM

I leave my camera in my car just in case something awesome goes on but I'm worried about the heat messing with my tapes, or more importantly, the head on my GL2.

Should I be worried? Here in Reno, the temps get to about 95 degrees in the summer.

Harold Schreiber · April 27th, 2007, 06:14 PM

Hi Kevin,

Hate to tell you, but inside your car it will be much much hotter than 95, even with your windows partly open. Try 120 to 130+.

You do need to protect that Cam. How is the problem.

Consider putting the Cam into a "Cooler", setting it out of the sun (like down behind a seat), and maybe covered by some reflective material or a blanket. Try it out, using a thermometer, to see if it will keep the inside the cooler temps under 90, before leaving your Cam in it.

Also, cover all your windows with those reflective window coverings, they really help. A bit of time to set up (1-3 mins), but well worth it.

Harold

Bob Hart · April 27th, 2007, 08:58 PM

You could try using a large insulated cooler box or ice chest ( in Australia they are caled Eskys ) big enough to contain a floor layer of house bricks and your camera on top.

Don't put ice in of course. The bricks, (or a sealed bag full of pebbles or sand or pieces of scrap metal or thermic packs of rice or wheat used for bad backs, - doesn't matter) will average out the temperature spikes.

Trouble is, unless it goes in the trunk out of sight, somebody may think you have an ice box full of booze, break into your car and thug it.

Chris Harris · April 28th, 2007, 10:30 AM

I wouldn't recommend leaving a GL2 in your car. If anything, buy a cheap 1-chip to leave in there, also following the other care advice in this thread.

Mark Holland · April 30th, 2007, 08:37 AM

I think Chris is right. The best rule of thumb is to NEVER leave the camera in the car. Having said that, I think there are some obvious exceptions, stopping into the local mini-mart for a bottle of water for example.

I always load my cameras last, right before I leave on a shoot. Mine are in foam lined cases that provide a good amount of insulation. I've checked the cases in my car, in the summer, here in the sunny south, and after an hour, (car temps around 130 degrees) the case still feels cool to the touch inside. For that reason alone, I MIGHT leave my cameras in the car over a lunch break. However, I NEVER leave my tapes. They go inside with me everywhere, until I get back from the shoot.

But that's just me.

I like the tag I've seen used here...your mileage may vary...

Mark

April 27th, 2007, 05:47 PM	#1
Kevin Laster New Boot Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Reno, Nevada Posts: 13	Leaving Camera in my car I leave my camera in my car just in case something awesome goes on but I'm worried about the heat messing with my tapes, or more importantly, the head on my GL2. Should I be worried? Here in Reno, the temps get to about 95 degrees in the summer.

April 27th, 2007, 06:14 PM	#2
Harold Schreiber Major Player Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Olathe, Kansas Posts: 309	Hi Kevin, Hate to tell you, but inside your car it will be much much hotter than 95, even with your windows partly open. Try 120 to 130+. You do need to protect that Cam. How is the problem. Consider putting the Cam into a "Cooler", setting it out of the sun (like down behind a seat), and maybe covered by some reflective material or a blanket. Try it out, using a thermometer, to see if it will keep the inside the cooler temps under 90, before leaving your Cam in it. Also, cover all your windows with those reflective window coverings, they really help. A bit of time to set up (1-3 mins), but well worth it. Harold Last edited by Harold Schreiber; April 27th, 2007 at 09:12 PM.

April 27th, 2007, 08:58 PM	#3
Bob Hart Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PERTH. W.A. AUSTRALIA. Posts: 4,476	You could try using a large insulated cooler box or ice chest ( in Australia they are caled Eskys ) big enough to contain a floor layer of house bricks and your camera on top. Don't put ice in of course. The bricks, (or a sealed bag full of pebbles or sand or pieces of scrap metal or thermic packs of rice or wheat used for bad backs, - doesn't matter) will average out the temperature spikes. Trouble is, unless it goes in the trunk out of sight, somebody may think you have an ice box full of booze, break into your car and thug it.

April 28th, 2007, 10:30 AM	#4
Chris Harris Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Francisco, California Posts: 487	I wouldn't recommend leaving a GL2 in your car. If anything, buy a cheap 1-chip to leave in there, also following the other care advice in this thread.

April 30th, 2007, 08:37 AM	#5
Mark Holland Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Central North Carolina (Raleigh, Durham, & surrounding areas) Posts: 301	I think Chris is right. The best rule of thumb is to NEVER leave the camera in the car. Having said that, I think there are some obvious exceptions, stopping into the local mini-mart for a bottle of water for example. I always load my cameras last, right before I leave on a shoot. Mine are in foam lined cases that provide a good amount of insulation. I've checked the cases in my car, in the summer, here in the sunny south, and after an hour, (car temps around 130 degrees) the case still feels cool to the touch inside. For that reason alone, I MIGHT leave my cameras in the car over a lunch break. However, I NEVER leave my tapes. They go inside with me everywhere, until I get back from the shoot. But that's just me. I like the tag I've seen used here...your mileage may vary... Mark