550D / T2i Overheating Issue. Solutions? Ok for documentary?

[Ryan Mast]

Hi Wayne,

The 550D overheats much less than the 7D. I ran it for about an hour and a half in room temperature without it shutting down — it’ll give a warning, but that’s all I’ve gotten so far.

I think you’re crazy for using the 550D alone as your primary camera. Get a real video camera for your primary shot and audio, then use a couple 550Ds or 7Ds for cutaways.

—
Meteor Tower Films
We make music videos, design video for live theater, and build interesting contraptions.

[Jonathan Ziegler]

I agree – don’t use a DSLR for long shots – not just the overheat factor, but audio issues. It’s really not built for it. I use ’em for indie film, but those are short shots usually no more than 5 min at a pop and then camera sits and cools while we prep the next shot. Think seriously about getting something like an HMC-150 or even an old DVX-100. Your audio will go out of sync – unless you use the built-in audio which is dismal at best. Not to say it can’t be done – I just wouldn’t recommend it – I’d get something designed to shoot continuously for hours on end.

Jonathan Ziegler
https://www.electrictiger.com/
520-360-8293

[Noah Kadner]

Yeah I totally concur with Jonathan on that one. The ideal doc package is a DSLR for beauty shots and b-roll and a regular HD camera for the meat and potatoes- i.e. long interview takes. To wing it on the DSLR alone is a PITA…

Noah

Check out my book: RED: The Ultimate Guide to Using the Revolutionary Camera!
Unlock the secrets of 24p, HD and Final Cut Studio with Call Box Training. Featuring the Sony EX1 Guidebook, Panasonic HVX200, Canon EOS 5D Mark II and Canon 7D.
Watch Formosa- My indie movie shot with the SDX900 and finished with Final Cut Studio.

[Joel Mielle]

From what I hear having an external battery pack can reduce the heat problem as it acts as some type of heat sync. But then again they are just rumors I’ve heard, might be worth investigating. This was for the 7D but same concept for any DSLR.

https://sixloversmovie.blogspot.com/2010/04/day-4-vs-mirror.html

[Brent Dunn]

You can use an external audio recorder and input a line into the camera. This will give you a separate audio with better quality.

I wouldn’t rely on this. If you are a professional, you need to step up and spend the cash. On the lower end Canon XH-A1, on the higher end Sony EX-1.

Buying a DSLR isn’t really cost effective when you add up all the excessories, Lens, extra batteries, media cards. You’ll need 2-3 lenses in your bag. Separate audio device, etc.

Brent Dunn
Owner / Director / Editor
DunnRight Video.com

Sony EX-1, V1U
Cannon 5D Mark II
Cannon 7D
Mac Pro Tower, Quad Core,
with Final Cut Studio

HP i7 Quad laptop
w/ Adobe CS-4 Production Suite, After Effects
& CS-5 Production Suite. Window’s 7

Manfrotto Tripod’s & Heads

[Noah Kadner]

“Cannon 5D Mark II’

You’ve got Canon spelled wrong in your signature btw… 🙂

Noah

Check out my book: RED: The Ultimate Guide to Using the Revolutionary Camera!
Unlock the secrets of 24p, HD and Final Cut Studio with Call Box Training. Featuring the Sony EX1 Guidebook, Panasonic HVX200, Canon EOS 5D Mark II and Canon 7D.
Watch Formosa- My indie movie shot with the SDX900 and finished with Final Cut Studio.

[Bob Cole]

[Noah Kadner] “The ideal doc package is a DSLR for beauty shots and b-roll and a regular HD camera for the meat and potatoes- i.e. long interview takes.”

Interesting. I’m not even a newbie at DSLR, just evaluating it. I was considering DSLR for long interview takes, for the shallow DOF. Double-system audio is no big deal for a sit-down interview where the camera turns on and off rarely. Overheating: use two DSLRs in tag team (or, if the SD card is the part that overheats, can a DSLR record to an external device?). But audio drift? That one I can’t handle.

[Max Frank]

Thanks so much for the input, folks – message received, loud and clear 😉

All the best,

Wayne

[Brent Dunn]

Thanks for the spell check. I did that about 2 AM. That might kill my Canon endorsement. : )

Brent Dunn
Owner / Director / Editor
DunnRight Video.com

Sony EX-1, V1U
Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 7D
Mac Pro Tower, Quad Core,
with Final Cut Studio

HP i7 Quad laptop
w/ Adobe CS-4 Production Suite, After Effects
& CS-5 Production Suite. Window’s 7

Manfrotto Tripod’s & Heads

[Michael Sacci]

[Bob Cole] “can a DSLR record to an external device” I don’t believe any of the DSLR send a clean HD video signal out. I know the Canon only send SD out the HDMI when you are in recording mode. Full SD out of HDMI would be a very good thing IMO. Hopefully someday we will have that option.