Video Camera Help
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TV ClubHouse: Archive: Video Camera Help

Cdnjan

Wednesday, October 02, 2002 - 01:41 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Tried to find a newsgroup to help me out but no luck so next thought was the pros here.
Does anyone know if temperature extremes [eg. Summer/Hot Grand Canyon to icy cold hotel rooms] can affect a cameras performance.
I had borrowed a family members camera for a summer vacation Desert to Sea to Mountains [many extremes] it quit working by the time I got to the Grand Canyon.[Rotten timing] Tried it many times over the next few weeks to no avail, tried again when I arrived home no luck. So just getting ready to take it in to get it fixed and tried it beforehand and it seems to be just fine.
Problem was:Camera had power but would not zoom or focus.
ANy help/input would be appreciated don't want to return it if there is a problem.
Thanks a bunch everyone
Jan

Ocean_Islands

Wednesday, October 02, 2002 - 08:13 am EditMoveDeleteIP
What kind of camera is it? And did anything happen to it?

Draheid

Wednesday, October 02, 2002 - 08:52 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Cdnjan: Absolutely! The biggest threat to temperature extremes is humidity (or DEW as it's called in video terms} which can cause immeasurable damage to the tape itself. Just like taking an iced beverage outdoors, the condensation that forms on the glass can also form on the video recording head causing the tape to stick to the head. This could cause damage to the tape and/or the video heads.

My recommendation would be to allow the equipment time to acclamate itself to the environment before you proceed to use it.

As to your specific situation, this could also have affected the mechanical workings of the camera. In order to focus or zoom, the lens itself has extremely finely machined mechanical elements that could, under extremes become 'sticky' causing them not to work. Some metals can expand under these conditions which could lead to what you describe.

Again, the same recommendations apply. Allow the equipment time to 'get used to' the temperature/conditions where you plan to use it.

Hope this helps.

(This answer is based on 14 years in the commercial video production industry, FWIW)

Draheid

Wednesday, October 02, 2002 - 08:57 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Cdnjan: More FYI: I also recommend that you keep all of your equipment together whenever possible. Cold tape in a warm camera or vice-versa can also be a disaster. Also, keep in mind extreme temperatures can affect batteries as well. Cold (or hot) batteries will not deliver as much power as one at a normal temperature. Keeping the batteries cool is good to prolong the life of the charge, but using them at a normal temperature can help them work better for you.

Cdnjan

Wednesday, October 02, 2002 - 12:37 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Thanks a Bunch Draheid!
You have eased my mind greatly. It is too bad in this Hi Tech Age they don't have a fix for this, however temperature extremes are an understandable tricky one to fix. Can't believe it had to happen in the Grand Canyon tho. It was sort of a whirlwind trip so it really had no time to acclimate itself I guess.
Ocean it is a Sony Handycam Video 8.
Nothing happened to the camera,I treat my Cameras
[3] like a brand new baby.[I certainly looked the tacky tourist on this trip] but it was worth the weird looks people gave me for the pics I got. It first showed signs of trouble in SW Colorado [Mesa Verde] which was very,very hot. It worked sporadically in the GC. By the time I we got to Vegas it had died completely. Unfortunately then on to San Francisco which I totally loved except for this particular store owner in Chinatown who suckered me into a really good deal [OUCH] Found out when I got home it wasn't such a good deal,OH well got a nice expensive new toy [camcorder] and a very pricey souvenir. However was able to get back to my taping your beautiful country. Can't wait to come back, seen 10 States on that trip.
OK, Sorry too much info here but had such a fun trip.
Thanks Again
Can now return camera to my bro with peace of mind.