Cameras more rugged than the EX3 at DVinfo.net

Mitch Buss · July 4th, 2012, 02:52 PM

Hello all,

I'm working on a new show in Alaska, and we have been shooting on EX3's for the past 4 months. During winter, these cameras performed wonderfully in the -40 temperatures. Now that it is summer, and the village goes from being unbelievably dusty to pouring rain and mist, we have had 6 cameras go down in the past month. Does anyone have any recommendations on cameras better suited to these elements, yet maintains an image quality on par with the EX3's? With the amount of issues we have had with these cameras, we are thinking of investing in different ones, assuming a second season.

We have been taking all necessary precautions one would when shooting in this environment. (Rain covers, transporting them in big sealed cases) We have actually begun seam sealing every part of the camera with silicone.

If anyone has any recommendations on cameras, or has any other tips on full weather proofing, I would love to hear it.

Thanks

Mitch

Hubert Hofer · July 4th, 2012, 04:26 PM

Sadly, I can't give you any advise, I have the same problem with Sonys in tropical humidity. I have actually suggested to Sony many moons ago to see if it were possible to build an expedition camera so to speak, along the lines of the old Nikonos. A tough, waterproof, no frills HD video camera. Couldn't be too hard. I'm sure it would cut it's own niche market in no time. Look at that little toughie Gopro. I haven't seen eject cassette & wait for an hour on it yet. How about Sony Expedition HD for a name ?

Les Wilson · July 4th, 2012, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hubert Hofer

... I have actually suggested to Sony many moons ago to see if it were possible to build an expedition camera so to speak, along the lines of the old Nikonos. A tough, waterproof, no frills HD video camera.....

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/general-...ml#post1638267

It's not the full size camera needed but they did kinda listen.

Lee Mullen · July 4th, 2012, 09:13 PM

Canon XF300.

Mike Beckett · July 4th, 2012, 11:53 PM

The NX70's stated operating temperature only goes down to 0 degrees though (32F).

Gordon Hoffman · July 6th, 2012, 12:31 AM

The EX3 operating temperature is listed as only 0 degrees C also which is common with alot of cameras though they will work at well below freezing.

Gordon

David Heath · July 6th, 2012, 03:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Les Wilson

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/general-...ml#post1638267

It's not the full size camera needed but they did kinda listen.

When I read the first post the NX70 was my first thought, and I think it's about as good as it gets for weatherprofing. But note you do have to seal up some of the ports etc for full weatherproofing so there is a loss of functionaity in that mode. And it's only AVC-HD, and the front end isn't up to the EX3.

What about the sort of housing normally used for shallow underwater work? Not as expensive as a true U/W housing but if it protects the camera whilst underwater, it should be good against dust rain etc. See: ewa-marine:*VEX3 underwater housing for Sony PMW-EX3 digital XDCAM camcorders

Les Wilson · July 6th, 2012, 04:27 AM

To be clear, I wasn't suggesting the NX70 to satisfy the need of the OP. I only brought it up in response to Huber's post about Sony "not listening". Sorry to go OT.

I've used the EWA Marine bags. They are difficult to work with as you cannot see what you are doing critically. I had to run the camera in auto mode and just do basic framing of the shot. YMMV

David Rice · July 6th, 2012, 06:58 AM

In Alaska it's not the winter cold that destroys electronic gear, it's the summer humidity which can hover over 90%. In the Alaska Bush you will loose camera's to humidity, dust, mud, insects, and by accident. Either by dropping the gear, setting the gear on the wet ground, or loosing the gear over the side of a boat.

I suggest using lower cost cameras and other electronics in the Alaska Bush and remote villages, and be prepared to suffer losses.

Experienced Alaskan camera destroyer and loser........

July 4th, 2012, 02:52 PM	#1
Mitch Buss Regular Crew Join Date: May 2004 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 184	Cameras more rugged than the EX3 Hello all, I'm working on a new show in Alaska, and we have been shooting on EX3's for the past 4 months. During winter, these cameras performed wonderfully in the -40 temperatures. Now that it is summer, and the village goes from being unbelievably dusty to pouring rain and mist, we have had 6 cameras go down in the past month. Does anyone have any recommendations on cameras better suited to these elements, yet maintains an image quality on par with the EX3's? With the amount of issues we have had with these cameras, we are thinking of investing in different ones, assuming a second season. We have been taking all necessary precautions one would when shooting in this environment. (Rain covers, transporting them in big sealed cases) We have actually begun seam sealing every part of the camera with silicone. If anyone has any recommendations on cameras, or has any other tips on full weather proofing, I would love to hear it. Thanks Mitch

July 4th, 2012, 04:26 PM	#2
Hubert Hofer Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Torres Strait - Australia Posts: 76	Re: Cameras more rugged than the EX3 Sadly, I can't give you any advise, I have the same problem with Sonys in tropical humidity. I have actually suggested to Sony many moons ago to see if it were possible to build an expedition camera so to speak, along the lines of the old Nikonos. A tough, waterproof, no frills HD video camera. Couldn't be too hard. I'm sure it would cut it's own niche market in no time. Look at that little toughie Gopro. I haven't seen eject cassette & wait for an hour on it yet. How about Sony Expedition HD for a name ?

July 4th, 2012, 09:13 PM	#4
Lee Mullen Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Western Australia Posts: 576	Re: Cameras more rugged than the EX3 Canon XF300.

July 4th, 2012, 11:53 PM	#5
Mike Beckett Trustee Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Antrim, Northern Ireland Posts: 1,569	Re: Cameras more rugged than the EX3 The NX70's stated operating temperature only goes down to 0 degrees though (32F).

July 6th, 2012, 12:31 AM	#6
Gordon Hoffman Major Player Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Pincher Creek, Alberta Canada Posts: 619	Re: Cameras more rugged than the EX3 The EX3 operating temperature is listed as only 0 degrees C also which is common with alot of cameras though they will work at well below freezing. Gordon

July 6th, 2012, 04:27 AM	#8
Les Wilson Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 3,014	Re: Cameras more rugged than the EX3 To be clear, I wasn't suggesting the NX70 to satisfy the need of the OP. I only brought it up in response to Huber's post about Sony "not listening". Sorry to go OT. I've used the EWA Marine bags. They are difficult to work with as you cannot see what you are doing critically. I had to run the camera in auto mode and just do basic framing of the shot. YMMV

July 6th, 2012, 06:58 AM	#9
David Rice Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sitka Alaska Posts: 470	Re: Cameras more rugged than the EX3 In Alaska it's not the winter cold that destroys electronic gear, it's the summer humidity which can hover over 90%. In the Alaska Bush you will loose camera's to humidity, dust, mud, insects, and by accident. Either by dropping the gear, setting the gear on the wet ground, or loosing the gear over the side of a boat. I suggest using lower cost cameras and other electronics in the Alaska Bush and remote villages, and be prepared to suffer losses. Experienced Alaskan camera destroyer and loser........