Dust_Off_On

Dust Off On Planes

I did a documentary in Ghana/Africa last winter and we couldn't find Dust Off for the life of us during the entire month. We ended up making a Bi-Weekly stop at the gas station and used the tire compressor to blow all the desert dust, sand and dirt out of our cameras and keep them running.

Florian Stadler, D.P., L.A.
www.florianstadler.com

>> Bi-Weekly stop at the gas station and used the tire compressor to blow all the desert dust, sand and >>dirt out of our cameras

That sounds a bit reckless... A lot of compressors blow a bit of oil, and even dirt, unless they are designed for scientific use.
Wouldn't a better solution be compressed nitrogen? Surely available with a bit of planning in any country with a hospital.

David Perrault, CSC

Hi Guys.

What about taking spare dust off cans onboard on planes ?
What about the risk of explosions, if any etc.

Thanks !

Jean Marc Selva
Director of photography, Paris, France.
Tel : +33 682 948 748
Skype phone : jeanmarcselva
Agent : www.mam-agency.fr Tel : +33 153 891 480

I always thought it was a good idea to post dust-off/can air etc abroad before going - to have it arrive at the hotel/production company before my arrival - I think I did it to Nigeria a few years ago - although in a lot of remote locations post takes a long time so either post well in advance or use a service like DHL.

Anna Carrington
Cinematographer
London
UK

Perhaps airport security is a little more relaxed in Europe/rest of the world . in the UK the British Aerosol Manufacturers' Association maintain aerosols of 100ml/3oz in the cabin is allowed and anything larger can be carried in the checked in baggage.

If I was you Jean Marc, I would contact the airline concerned and ask them.
It is true you can probably buy such things in most countries in the cities but if you are being whisked off to a far away remote location upon landing it might prove a little difficult....

Best

his DP'ness
* * *
Chris Maris
Director of Photography
www.chrismaris.com
etiam capillus unus habet umbram
UK 0044 7956 251061
Sweden 0046 7340 76003

David Perrault writes :

>>That sounds a bit reckless... A lot of compressors blow a bit of oil, and even dirt, unless they are >>designed for scientific use.

And even then. You need filters and dryers and coalescing filters and all that, even with lab grade compressors. Not only oil and particles, but water.

>>Wouldn't a better solution be compressed nitrogen? Surely available with a bit of planning in any >>country with a hospital.

I'm told that CO2, also, which is available in any country with a soda fountain, is also a decent choice. But both of these require planning a little and having fittings and regulators and soforth (and probably optimally filters, just like on a compressor).
Of course, best is enemy of good. If you have visible sand, trading that for invisible oil might be safer.

John Hawkinson
Projectionist
Cambridge, MA

Being an ex-smoker, I remember leaving lighters in public areas before passing through airport security for an arriving passenger to find. At my arrival airport I often found a lighter similarly left by someone else.
Perhaps dust-off cans accidentally brought to the airport be "recycled" this same way.

Cliff Hancuff
Washington, DC

How about a lighter and a can of hairspray?
Tim Sassoon
SFD
Santa Monica, CA

Hi Jean Marc
I have always gaffer taped mine to the inside of my tripod legs and stuck them in with cargo without any problems. I am pretty sure you cannot take them as cabin luggage.

Best

Chris Maris
Director of Photography
www.chrismaris.com
etiam capillus unus habet umbram

No Dust Off, Vari Air, Etc when you fly. Period. That goes for checked baggage as well as carry on. Compressed gas, inert or not, is a *big* no-no. Security will, at the least, dump your cans and may paw through your checked bags to remove them if they show up on X-Ray. *And* will probably slow you down at the airport to boot. You (or your local contact) can buy canned air at any office supply store pretty much anywhere in the world now. And there's still the trusty big Giottos Rocket Blaster that all of the digital still houses sell and that any HD/RED/Video person should be carrying these days anyway.

Cheers,
--
Rod (has had packed Dust Off tossed) Williams
Motion Picture and HD First Camera Assistant
Petaluma, California
U.S.A.
(707) 778-7524 Home
(415) 309-3407 Cell

Hi Jean Marc - Happy to make your acquaintance (ence?)

This is the deal - Dustoff is a NO-NO !!
SMUGGLE-ING something internationally, which cost about US$6 , is insane. Just mention your people beforehand that you'll need Dustoff. YOU CAN BUY it in any fifth-world country.

DUSTOFF is SPECIFICALLY listed on the paperwork (TSA?)forms because I saw them. I was LEAVING from MIA and this chick took like three brand new cans out of one of my cases and tossed them in the garbage - without a word or a glance at me.

I asked her "What's THAT about" and she copped an attitude and left and came back and shoved a binder (big notebook) in my face and showed me.

It doesn't have anything to do with FLAMMABILITY. After all, for a long time you could not bring WATER on the plane. Mebbie High pressure and cheapass cans ? Next time you have the urge to stash some in you pod case, go watch the movie "Misnight Express (***1/2).

All the Best,

BILL GULA
CINEX, Inc.
Fort Lauderdale
OPR, 1AC, TechGuru,