HDR-TD10 in Really Dusty Conditions

[pony2010]

Does anyone know how well are this camera's seams (or any other Sony's consumer camera) sealed?

Can I do anything to protect it? Are there any special lenses I can use? I was going to get one of those underwater cases, but I don't know if it would just make the video appear blurry, since I'm not actually shooting underwater. It may be a dumb question, but I've never had to use any of them before. I don't even know if they have those cases for TD10, since to turn the camera on and record, you have to fully open it, there is no viewfinder and no other button I can use.

And by "dusty conditions" I mean places where you often have to wear a scarf around your mouth to protect yourself.

[steve]

The Sony recommendation would be a 'Sports Pack' which is waterproof and dustproof and has external controls to enable start, stop zoom stills and on/off fuctions. Playback functions can be enabled with an infra red remote control through the clear plastic case.
As you suggested, they don't currently offer a case for the TD10.

Steve

[pony2010]

Thanks, Steve. It's too bad Sony doesn't make a sports pack for this camera. Maybe they'll come up with one in a month or so :)

[pony2010]

OK, I also tried playing with the remote control, hoping I can open the camera, turn the display upside down and lie it flat against the camera, stuff it into some other waterproof case (if I find one wide enough for it), and activate it with the remote once I need it.

The problem is that there is not way to turn it on/off with the remote. You can only use the remote to start/stop recording, and do other actions when the camera is opened and turned on. But once the lid is closed, the remote is useless. Or you can have it opened and turned on with the lid/display flat against it, but you'll be draining the battery.

There is a small power button that I discovered, but it's UNDERNEATH (!?) the lid, so again, once the camera is in a case, it's virtually impossible to reach it.

A super dumb design, if you ask me :( At least they could have came up with a stand-by, or a similar remote control button, if for some reason it's too hard to design a shut down/power up remote feature...

[steve]

All the sports cases use the LANC or AV remote control facility to turn the camera on and off. Its not practical to have a standby capability that can be woken up by an IR remote as the camera would then be drawing power all the time and would also need to be able to change mode from record to replay (effectively a reboot).Your best bet would be to find a cheap LANC/AV controller which could then be mounted on the exterior of the case and its cable fed through a hole resealed to dustproof standards. The remotes all seem to be membrane button types, so they should be inherently dustproof.

Steve

[pony2010]

Thanks, Steve. I didn't realize you were talking about a different remote, not the one supplied with the camera :) I'll try to research your proposed setup, and see what I can come up with. Thanks again!