Cover camera with heavy plastic raincoat or tarp.
A professional video camera, camera accessories, tripods, cables, lenses and lighting equipment must be protected from rain and wind at all times. A professional video camera must be protected from the elements during transportation, setup, stationary shots, handheld shots, downtime and breakdown. A special raincoat for the camera body must be designed to fit tightly, with easy access to the lens, zoom, tape, battery, pan and tilt mechanisms. The camera needs a raincoat that opens on the bottom for hand control and tripod attachment. The lens requires an additional mounted visor. The cameraman and camera unit also needs full protection.
Instructions
1. Go to an outdoor adventure store to purchase a heavy-duty, clear plastic raincoat with a hood. Find a raincoat that snaps down the front. Clear plastic allows the camera operator to see the covered camera components.
2. Measure the length of the camera along the top, from the front of the lens, along the top of the body and down the back of the camera. Add the length of the lens, the body and the back. The total inches will determine the size of the raincoat needed.
3. Choose a child-size raincoat between 36 inches to 48 inches long or an adult-size raincoat between 56 inches and 72 inches long. Buy at least three heavy-duty raincoats to change as they become soaked. Thin plastic will become saturated too fast, tear easily and cling tightly to the camera.
4. Set up the camera on a tripod inside the studio, hotel room or truck. Place the raincoat on the camera along the camera's back, with the hood at the front near the lens. (Imagine placing a child's raincoat on a large dog.)
5. Leave an opening in the raincoat at the bottom of the camera, for the tripod while stationary or the camera man's arm when handheld. Do not snap the two middle snaps.
6. Fold the hood of the raincoat in half, from a full circle to a half-moon shape. Bend the creased edge of the hood around the lens. Attach the plastic hood at the bottom with a clothespin or small clamp. Leave a half-inch space between the plastic hood and the lens, so that it does not touch the lens.
7. Purchase a professional lens hood to place under the folded raincoat hood, during severe weather. A professional lens hood will keep rain off the lens and prevent it from fogging. Do not add more than two layers or it will be difficult to move and adjust the lens.
8. Use two clothespins or small plastic clamps to close the back of the raincoat, running vertically along the back of the camera. Remove the clamps in the back as needed to change a tape or battery.
Tags: back camera, between inches, between inches inches, camera along, camera camera
