Camera for use in the shop

[flair woodworks]

I'm trying to figure out a good solution for taking photographs for the magazine and blog articles that I write.

A typical photo shoot involves me working in the shop for about 2 hours making cuts, sanding, assembling, and staging for photos.  As decent as my shop's dust collection is, dust has still somehow gotten into my last two phone cameras, Canon point-and-shoot, and Nikon DSLR.

What do you guys use for a camera in the shop, when work is being done and dust generated?  Image quality is a must, and I'm hoping that I find something that will last and continue to take good quality photographs for at least a few years.

 

[Tayler_mann]

Put your camera away and only use it once you need it. The only other thing would be to get an underwater camera or waterproof case. You will always get dust on the lense if you leave it out throughout a build. To fix a dusty lens just buy a lens cleanse kit.

 

[live4ever]

Assuming you don't require the depth of field control of a SLR, I'd GoPro.

 

[dltflt]

GoPro is what I see several people use that do woodworking videos.

 

[teocaf]

homemade hood: clear plastic bag with hole cut out and rubber banded around  lens or even saran wrap, etc.  you can leave it loose enough to  allow movement for various functions.  if you've got an uv filter on lens, it should be safe enough to blow dust off it with your compressor nozzle in between takes.  you can use a lightly sticking masking tape to mask around necessary sensors if you don't want to switch to full manual functions.  and like it's been suggested, keep it on a tripod out of the fray and covered until it's time to take a photo.  they also make soft rain protection bags for cameras that are cheaper than the hard underwater cases that are usually model-specific--check adorama or b&h photo.  it shouldn't be that hard of a problem to solve. 

 

[Brent Taylor]

I use a Canon Eos Rebel, but I am thinking of getting a GoPro.  I am thinking of shooting video for my son so he can learn from me after I am gone.  My son has a learning issue and a problem with short term memory, but  he does learn by repatriation, especially when he can see it.  So I going to give it a shot.

 

[Tayler_mann]

Go pro is nice however if you really want a good close up for a magazine or blog and it needs to be high res you are going to have issues with the wide angle. For doing projects I would prefer close ups to see the details and a go pro isn't going to deliver as well as an slr or even an iPhone.if you are going to do shots that are far away and videos than it would probably be your best answer to get a go pro. I use mine for skydiving and snowboarding and for doing sweet time lapse videos on projects. For anything else I wait till I have cleaned up and pull out my Nikon d60 with macro lenses. I want to remember how amazing that joint turned out or the different wood grain I found in a piece of maple or just the fine details of my projects.

 

[Stephen B]

[size=13pt]I have published around nine videos here on the FOG. All have been shot and edited using my IPad. The majority of still images published here were also taken on this IPad. Sure, the image quality may not be at broadcast levels but at 1080 HD it is more than adequate for UTube.

My first -



One day when my Festool collection is at a 'satisfactorily' level I may look at other, more quality, photographic options.

But be careful, an IPad is a lot less expensive than a  D610 Nikon going through a Planner/Thicknesser in 'PlankCam Mode'.  [eek] [big grin]

 

[flair woodworks]

I do like all the controls I have on my DSLR and obtaining a high level of detail is important to me.  Keep the suggestions coming... I'll check out waterproof bags.

 

[WastedP]

I have heard it said that the best camera is the one you have on hand.  I've always favored portability and durability, so even a $100 Canon point and shoot makes for a good shop camera.  If it breaks or suffers from hard use, it's not as big of a loss to swallow.

 

[Ed Bray]

I have a Pentax K3 with Weather Resistant lenses:

 

[jaguar36]

I'd get a Pro level DSLR, a Canon 7D Mk2 has extremely good dust and weather sealing, and combine it with a Canon L lens and you shouldn't have any dust problems.  (obviously don't change lenses and keep the cap on while in a dusty shop).  I've used my 7D in the shop for years without any issue and its dust sealing isn't nearly as good as the Mk2, or of the more expensive cameras.

GoPro's are cheap, and can be useful in a small shop where their wide angle can be useful or for getitng into small spaces.  However their image quality is not the best in an indoor environment.  They are designed to be used outside where there is a ton of light.  Indoors even in a well-lit shop they don't perform as well.  I use one for most of my videos and even with a good bit extra light from some softboxes, the image quality isn't what I would want. 

*shameless plug* If you want to see how the GoPro performs, I've been using it for my Youtube videos, here is the latest one: Dewalt Miter Saw Comparison

 

[Ed Bray]

*shameless plug* If you want to see how the GoPro performs, I've been using it for my Youtube videos, here is the latest one: Dewalt Miter Saw Comparison

Where's the Kapex?  [tongue]

 

[jaguar36]

Where's the Kapex?  [tongue]

Hah! Its actually on the floor behind the camera.  I'm debating doing a video comparing the two, but its a bit silly considering the price difference.  Although honestly I'm not sure I like the Kapex better, haven't had it for long though.

 

[Mauri Motti]

Hi Chris,

Dust will always be an issue Im afraid. I didn't read people suggesting a waterproof housing, so I thought mentioning it. Though I assume you've considered it. I have been looking into this option but declined it. I can't justify the costs as a decent casing is about half the costs as the point and shoot Canon that I use in the shop. Long-run-wise it would be a good investment though

Best regards

 

[idratherplaytennis]

homemade hood: clear plastic bag with hole cut out and rubber banded around  lens or even saran wrap, etc.  you can leave it loose enough to  allow movement for various functions.  if you've got an uv filter on lens, it should be safe enough to blow dust off it with your compressor nozzle in between takes.  you can use a lightly sticking masking tape to mask around necessary sensors if you don't want to switch to full manual functions.  and like it's been suggested, keep it on a tripod out of the fray and covered until it's time to take a photo.  they also make soft rain protection bags for cameras that are cheaper than the hard underwater cases that are usually model-specific--check adorama or b&h photo.  it shouldn't be that hard of a problem to solve.

Mind. Blown. Thanks for this. I would totally go the saran wrap method if I ever needed to do something like this.

In regards to the OP- If you're a Canon guy (it sounds like you are...?), then you definitely need to step it up to the 5/7D series. Those are where they start their pro level stuff, which includes all the dust and weather protection. But as others have said- it's only protected when it's already sealed, and the pro lenses (red rings) are the only ones that fully incorporate weather sealing. That said, a filter is also a very good idea because it would serve to protect the lens from the dust, as well as be considered a consumable that you don't need to be as careful with.

Then, what everyone else said- keep it covered until ready to shoot, then cover it back up. One ideal thing would be if you could tether it to your computer and maybe even tether it to a computer in a clean room. I know there is also ways to wirelessly tether the cameras to your computers, although I've never done it, nor am I familiar with it. I have a 5D Mark III that I love, but I would say even the 7D would be phenomenal for what you want to do. All that said- even the 7D will make massive sized pics ideal for editing and shrinking to magazine size.

Dust is a bugger though, and you just need to make sure to always clean the camera thoroughly before you change the lens/open anything etc, and to always change it in a clean area.

 

[Jonnio]

Your phone camera is probably more than adequate.
I use my note 3 although I have a 5d mk2, I only use that for product shots ie furniture in interior settings.
For our workshop blog the phones images are really good, amazing detail. Also we have 6500k tubes for daily lighting that really helps with colour balance.

 

[JeremyH.]

I'd want a macro lens, personally. You could look at cameras that accept legacy lenses in order to have some cheaper available ones. It makes a lot of sense given that you don't auto focus for videos, nor need to/want to for other shots. Well, that kind of depends on what mic you use, as no one likes to hear autofocus (real film crews for big movies never use any sort of autofocus, they got guys under the lens with their own script for adjustments, and a spotter that comes in during lens swaps cause they cost $60k).

1080 is a must for resolution. You'll always be better off with someone filming you with a gimbal or something for moving around, compared to a GoPro.

 

[DiscoStu]

A Go Pro is ok but it is a very wide angle. I have a Hero 4 and that does have some less wide options but still pretty wide. I also have a Panasonic Lumix camera that is a compact digital camera designed for active people (so not sure why I own it!) it is water proof and the quality of the images are stunning. I'm very fussy about image quality and can tell you which lens I've used on my SLR just from the image and the Panasonic really is brilliant.

 

[DiscoStu]

oh and with a waterproof camera you can just wash the dust off!