how to care for a video camera on the playa

berger · Post by **berger** » Thu Jul 29, 2004 7:49 am

this will be my seventh year at burning man, and alas i have finally decided that i would like to document this event on video-my native medium. i am wondering how to care for a video camera on the playa, if i do indeed dare to bring one. i am most worried about the dust. ideas anyone? things that my protect my camera.... and other things i should be worried about?
thanks, berger

DangerMouse · Post by **DangerMouse** » Thu Jul 29, 2004 8:49 am

Uh, first off I'd read the FAQ on the main site about video cameras.

Rule #1) Take nothing to the playa that you'd be upset if you lost, had stolen, stopped working permanently.

Rule #2) You have to ask people before videotaping them. Otherwise they could possibly get very erm, in your face.

berger · Post by **berger** » Thu Jul 29, 2004 9:08 am

hi danger mouse,
as i mention up front, this will be my 7th year, so i do understand about asking first. i always take a still camera. as far as stuff stolen, this has never happened to me, so i am not going to fear that. i am really looking for practical information from folks who have brought their cameras out before. how they protected them, not from thieves or folks on the playa that dont consider film or video art, but rather from the elements of nature itself. thanks for replying.
berger

diggum · Post by **diggum** » Thu Jul 29, 2004 10:44 am

first this first: your camera will never quite be the same. It won't necessarily be broken or wonky, but there will at least be some tan dust in odd little crevices that you will never get out. accept that and move on.

common sense keeps your equipment top notch. Use a neck strap if you can to prevent accidental drops. Put the lens cap back on whenever you're not in the specific act of filming. don't open it up to change tapes during a dust storm. if you have a small carry case for it, put it there when not filming. when you get back to camp, put it back in its case and out of the sun/dust/sight of grabby hands. if your camera can accept lens filters, get one that just protects it from dust getting to the lens.

when you get home, or even once or twice during the event itself, take your friendly can of compressed air and blow out the tape mechanism, the lens, the lcd, the buttons, the viewport, the battery connection, etc.

That said, my video camera still has playa in it from my first year. my drum machine turned from sleek black to a musty grey. my theremin case has weird smudgy discolorations that look like dust but will not wash away. you've been, you know the environment. you know the sandals you wore the first time have never looked new. you can spot someone at home with playa clothes on, even in the middle of spring. there's no way of keeping anything perfect and if that's your goal, leave your good camera at home and buy a cheapie at a yardsale or something.

safetythird · Post by **safetythird** » Thu Jul 29, 2004 1:49 pm

I'm not sure if this is an option for you but one of those underwater cases they sell at photo and diving stores sounds like it might help keep dust exposure to a minimum.

Safety Third!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jul 29, 2004 10:41 pm

Try keeping it in a zip lock bag for all of the time it is not being used...inside the case

jbelson · Post by **jbelson** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 12:12 pm

I like the ziplock bag idea. But you'll need a lens hole so your not taping bag. If you keep the camera in the plastic ziplock the whole time, cut out a whole for the lens to poke thru and use some camera tape to seal it off. use a bag thats big enough for the pop out screen if you have one. If not, you can make another hole for the viewfinder. Make sure that the bag is big enough so you can easilly change the battery and tape. That should cut down on dust intake considerably, and still allow you easy access to the camera, all at an affoardable price.

Selkie · Post by **Selkie** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 12:15 pm

I've priced out those underwater cases for my film camera and they are outrageously expensive. I will personally be going with the large ziplock bag idea.

Gothalot · Post by **Gothalot** » Sat Jul 31, 2004 8:51 am

I'll have to second the zip lock bag idea. Though a video cam on the playa will be a lot of work. I say the smaller it is the more likely you will pull it out to shoot.

-Tempature can give you some problems so keep it cool. Video is fussy depending on the climate.
-DO NOT use a can of dust off to blow out excess playa dust as suggested in a posting above. With all due respect to them, shooting air into already fragile workings can lead to a world of hurt. I reccomend a small vacume and carefull get any loose dust. Your best bet is to send it to a reputable camera repair for a simple cleaning with the stipulation to them where you were (dusty desert) so they understand. They are equipt with the right gear and can save you loads of money.
-Another sugestion if you REALLY have to have video out there is a DV camera that has fewer moving parts, i.e. no TAPE. There are many out there that go straight to chips that you can download later. These are way more forgiving. I used a Canon A60 which had a video option, not great but effective. However no moving parts and a plastic bag kept it working well after. I'll be back on the Playa with it this year.
-all the best and good luck. If you get in a jam out there come on over to the Black Rock Gazette and ask for Gothalot's trailer. I'll see what I can do.

-Gothalot

Gothalot · Post by **Gothalot** » Sat Jul 31, 2004 8:53 am

Damn did I use fu^%ing spell check on that last posting GEEZE! Someone toss me a dictonery Im an edumacated person i am!

Gothalot · Post by **Gothalot** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 12:07 pm

Some video cameras actually have housings for this you can buy. Do a google search. Underwater housings are always the best bet. They also have bags for video cameras that are used to keep minor elements out. If you have a low end consumer camera than you can always just use one of those gallon baggies and just pull the camera out when you need it. I have done that for years with no issue.

Another idea is to shoot with the Panasonic P2 using just the memory cards so you have no moving parts moving around that love playa dust.

Video cameras have moving parts and love playa dust which you already know so if you limit the amount of time its out of the bag you decrease your chances for an overhaul latter.

Also last but not least, please be sure and remember to register your camera at Media Mecca. Its always a good idea to let Media Mecca know what your shooting and why ahead of time. There are many people you can talk to about this and if you need pointing in the right direction feel free to come see me over there and Ill do my best to answer your questions or send you to someone who can.

Ink_Burn · Post by **Ink_Burn** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 1:50 am

Last year i shot the Burn with the canon XL2, and we also had the sony 900 (aka HD camera). we found a couple cans of "dust off" a micro fibre towel for lense cleaning, and this new some what self stick seran wrap worked best. Cameras at the end were both absolutly fine.

*special note... when in a dust storm tuck your cam into what ever clothing you have on till the storm clears.

Yea def. register with the media guys before you get to the event if its some comercial intreast project. Either way you will still have to check and register ALL image capture devices. usually you can do it when you get to one of the gates, and get you personal tag there, and atempt a media tag while at the event. Usually they want prior approval for commercial use, but if you talk to them afterwards if they approve the project they can release you to a commercial tag later. did i lose you?

Ps funny my meddia tag number last year was 3481 which ironically is my b-day. I got a kick out of that random chance!

Gothalot · Post by **Gothalot** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 8:07 am

Your birthday? Synchronisity strikes again. (crap, how do you spell that