Is the DVX100 Always a Day at the Beach? Not Always
by Gary Spidell
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from previous page)
It may seem
like a simple given to some, but when preparing for your
long-awaited “fun” beach shoot, be sure to keep one thing in
mind: SALT WATER!! It’s your movie production’s worst enemy –
especially for your DVX100 equipment and gear! Unless you have
waterproof, airtight sealable bags (Ziplock bags will work) or
underwater digital camera housings, STAY AWAY FROM THE SALT
WATER! It’ll fry your electronic devices if you’re not
careful…your trusty DVX100 camera, your DVX 100 batteries, your
cell phone battery and even its SIM card just to name a few.
“Wait a minute.
But my cell phone fell in my friend’s pool and I just picked it
up and it powered up like a charm!”
Well
sea/ocean/salt water is nowhere near as forgiving as chlorine
treated pool/household water. The salt content in the ocean will
fry the terminals in any electronic device if you let it. It
doesn’t even need to be immersed in the water. Just a simple
splash on the wrong parts of your DVX100 film gear is enough to
do you in. Then what started off to be a fun day at the beach
turns out to become the equivalent of Amity’s Fourth of July
weekend in the first Jaws flick.
Even if you
don’t intend to get too close to the shore, be very protective
with your film equipment. The salt content is still very strong
in the breeze; spraying ocean mist wherever the wind blows. Not
to mention, sand is another factor in damaging the intricate
parts of your trusty DVX 100, DVX100 batteries or other
electronic devices. To help prevent this, a quick fix would be
to put a hand towel or t-shirt over your camera while shooting
and a beach blanket/towel over your nearby gear. Just be sure to
do something to help protect your equipment.
Being a
no-budget do-it-yourself independent DVX100 filmmaker, you know
how hard it is to get your hands on some good equipment. So once
you do have it, take care of it. Good luck and have fun!
Do
YOU have a cheap, low budget, do-it-yourself DVX100 tip or trick that
you'd like to contribute?
If so, just email it to
us and we'll post it up!
Thanks
for helping the grass roots grow!
