How to wrap a camera like an Alexa mini or Amira in the rain? cameras water-proof By Jacob Geyer on 12/15/19, 6:58 PM • 461 views Hey all, i would like to find some resources that can demonstrate how to do the oddball things a second should be able to perform on set (without a first having to even ask), one of which is wrapping a camera body such as an Amira or Mini with a cap it without have the camera overheat!
Rozemarijn On 12/18/19, 7:51 PM Hey Jacob, I had to ask my 2nd to be very honest. He does an amazing job in covering up the entire setup in the blink of an eye. I have added some photos. He is using a see-trough table cloth which he buys at the budget store here in Holland. (Action) Which is very nice because you can still see the buttons. Strapping it with an elastic band or coco clips. As far as overheating, just dont leave it on all the time, like Gunnar says. And we also use the backpack covers, but they are obviously not transparant.
Gunnar Mortensen On 12/18/19, 1:16 PM I wouldn’t worry too much about over heating. In between setups uncover the back fans and should be fine. Also tape some silica packets underneath to help with condensation. This all depends on outside temp but I just covered all my cameras with cap it’s outside Pasadena for an epic weeklong water ballon fight with no issues.
Chris Steel On 3/21/20, 6:29 PM My method using the thick plastic "Poly Bag" which is pretty ubiquitous in the UK: Remove eyepiece. Take a 4x4 polybag or similar, place it over the camera so one corner is tight against the battery, use a big elastic band to pin this in place. Pull the bag towards the mattebox making sure the seam is running straight along the top handle. Flatten the bag against the mattebox, leave a 2 finger width gap then cut the polybag so the lens side of the bag is completely open. Cut the sides (the skirt) of the bag so that it doesn’t get in the way of mounting to a tripod. Put another large band over the mattebox to hold the bag in place at the front. Make a hole for the eyepiece to sit in a comfortable position. With Alexa cameras, the rod the eyepiece is on can be used to make a whole by pushing it through the bag directly into the rod mount and giving a twist or two. Pull the rod away and get rid of the disk of plastic it just created and mount the eyepiece through the perfectly sized and positioned hole. Place a shower cap over the eyepiece. This whole process can be done on less that 2 minutes, in heavy rain and high winds, even without an umbrella as the camera is completely covered for the entire process once the bag is over the camera. It can be a little fiddly and it doesn’t look fancy but it’s my preferred method. It can be done at the beginning of the day and left ready to go for later or done as and when you need it. I don’t make them during prep and I rarely use velcro or extra tape unless direct access to the top handle is required. I put eyebolts through the plastic just like the eyepiece for easyrig work. Here's a kinda messy one rigged to a roller coaster
Makes a good splash bag for SFX too (Pictured left to right; Maeve the DoP, Sarah MUA and SFX, Baggs stunts and armourer)
Matt On 3/23/20, 10:54 PM Something that works if you're in a pinch for time are Cap-It Bags. They've been really great for us in Portland where we deal with rain a lot and it's not the worst if you need to cut one. Also, the bag still allows you to use touch screen through the bag,if you need to (like on RED if you don't have the side handle). Otherwise, we've used similar waterproofing to what Rozemarijn posted.
Just use Cap-Its they come in 2 sizes and work perfectly
In Portland for longer run shows where the build of the camera is pretty set, I've had good luck making custom covers out of either clear shower curtains, or thinner gauge clear vinyl purchased by the yard. I'll typically use adhesive velcro, but have at times sewn velcro if I have time. The goal for me is to make a cover that fits closely to the camera, and doesn't interfere with the operator or the assistant, or the grip who may be asked to grab the camera between takes when handheld.
I'll typically make a different cover for often used configurations- Studio mode with big zooms, handheld primes, steadicam etc.
These covers, as well as all my other rain protection get stashed, neatly folded and organized into a water resistant tote bag that goes along with my set case at all times when we're outside and it might rain. This is within close reach of the camera so that if I am away setting marks or what have you, the 1st AC knows where it is, and can dig in for diapers or whatever else they may need.
This strategy has many advantages as well as a lot of disadvantages. It's less wasteful, the covers are more durable and look more professional in most cases, in some cases they can offer better protection than a cap-it. It's more time consuming to make, and you have to take care of them- dry them between uses, keep them clean, etc.
However, I always always have disposable plastic options in my rain bag, and my process for covering the camera is much like the way Chris Steel describes above. There are times when it's easier and makes more sense to use a plastic bag that can be thrown away, or that may have more total protection than my custom covers which typically leave the bottom open. I'll often use a disposable plastic bag when there's mud or other dirty stuff involved that would be too hard to clean, or if the camera will be up on a remote head or mounted on a car where I really want fully surrounded protection.
I have been using cap-its more and more, and they often find a use when we're in on-again-off-again light rain, or in the woods getting dripped on. As a 2nd, I can keep one stuffed in my jacket pocket and ready at a moments notice for the 1st AC. If you dry them out and take care of them, they can actually last quite awhile, but they can also be discarded if they get too abused.
Hope this helps.