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Home: Video University Forums: Filmmakers & Screenwriters:
Shooting a commercial gig with welding flashes.....

rmckoen
Novice

Apr 20, 2006, 12:54 PM

Post #1 of 4 (1654 views)
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Shooting a commercial gig with welding flashes.....	Can't Post

I was just wondering if I should be concerned at all in terms of protection for my eyes thru the viewfinder or for my camera and its lens?

I dont think there should be a problem but was wondering if anyone knew something else?

thanks

rob

smitty
User

Apr 20, 2006, 11:20 PM

Post #2 of 4 (1646 views)
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Re: [rmckoen] Shooting a commercial gig with welding flashes..... [In reply to]	Can't Post

I've a few scenes for commercial projects which included alot of welding shoots.
The way I see it there are 2 main concerns.1/ the light intensity and 2/ weld splash hitting either the camera operator and/or camera.
1/ If you set exposure starting with a ND filter on and the lens stopped down all the way, then work your way up by opening the lens until you get the exposure.I typically have used a field monitor to view eliminating the need to look at the weld with bare eyes.Looking at a field monitor ,even if over exposed is not going to damage your eyes because the intensity of the monitor will not reproduce the intensity of the actual welding.
2/ I have typically shot from a distance with the lens zoomed in to put a lot of room between the camera and the weld.If you don't do this ,use a shield as those weld splatters can travel a LONG way.I have had them jump 15 feet.
You don't want to cook $10,000 worth of equipment for a $5,000 shoot.

hlanden
The Dean / Moderator

Apr 21, 2006, 12:02 PM

Post #3 of 4 (1641 views)
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Re: [smitty] Shooting a commercial gig with welding flashes..... [In reply to]	Can't Post

Very Important - Do Not Look at welding with your naked eyes. Through the viewfinder is OK or possibly through very dark shades. I have a little black spot on one of my eyes from not taking my own advice. It's not much of a problem and I rarely even notice it, but would rather not have it. It's like I have a bad pixel!
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Postal_Boy
Veteran

Apr 24, 2006, 4:24 PM

Post #4 of 4 (1590 views)
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Re: [hlanden] Shooting a commercial gig with welding flashes..... [In reply to]	Can't Post

Don't you have a built in pixel-shifter to sort that out? Tongue

Like they said, the danger is from the intensity of the actual light source. Anything your camera records and re-creates through a viewfinder is safe. I'm not sure how durable the CCD is, but it SHOULD be able to handle it for short term. I haven't read anything a lot about it, though.

-Postal
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