Filmmaker Adds Water Protection to Camera Package on Documentary

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Mon, 06/13/2011 - 20:00 -- Nick Dager

To shoot a recent National Geographic special Oceanus with Bob Ballard the oceanographer that discovered the Titanic and other famous ships director of photography David Linstrom knew he would be shooting in difficult waters. As he put his camera package together two Sony PDWF800s Fujinon 13X4.5 lenses a Tyler nose mount and a camera-mounted gyro stabilizer he realized his additional challenge would be to keep the lenses clean of debris while shooting in rain or over water. “Then I discovered the new Spintec rain deflector from Innovision Optics and my problem was solved ” says Linstrom. “We were following the Bar Pilots who guide the big container ships that enter Oregon’s Columbia River from the Pacific Ocean. They have to cross over a sand bar that's about six miles wide. The river channel is only 50 feet deep and the ships often draw 45 feet of water. Add to this waves of up to 40 feet and you get an incredibly dangerous scenario. Not the greatest conditions for shooting video on the ocean – spray rain even sand hitting the lens.” “By using the Spintec on the camera ” he says “we could keep the front of the lens clean and dry. The Spintec is lightweight and draws very little power. It literally flings away any moisture that hits the front of the lens. And any bugs that might get in the way as well. It worked great with the Tyler mount on the nose of the helicopter.” Linstrom and crew managed to get incredible images in the dodgy springtime weather that is typical in the Pacific North West. “It rains one minute and then the sun is shining the next ” he says. “You have to be prepared for it. On this shoot we were filming Bob Ballard being lowered onto a container ship from a helicopter. Since we had only one chance to get the shot the Spintec insured that we would have a clean lens even if it rained. Spintec’s Rain Deflector was amazing. I often shoot National Geographic footage in adverse conditions and I'm always worried about protecting my lenses. Not anymore – thanks to Innovision and Spintec.” The David Linstrom-shot special Oceanus with Bob Ballard will air on the National Geographic Channel later this year. Innovision www.innovision-optics.com