Photography Inside a Hydroelectric Dam (Page 2): People with zero knowledge of science were raising those concerns many years earlier. At one time they were even claiming that one...

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

r1ch wrote:

Probably from 2016 from this question on DPreview

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3993140

People with zero knowledge of science were raising those concerns many years earlier. At one time they were even claiming that one could be harmed by the radiation given off by cell phones.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

jlg1000 wrote:

I'm an Electrical Engineer with over 30 years of practice in power generation, high voltage, etc.

There is no such risk, those are all witch tales.
Nonsense, fake news, flat earth theory, tonterías, quatch.

I try to debunk those conspiracy theories every time I can

Thought so.

(A man after my own heart!

)

Retina Loc: Near Charleston,SC

rehess wrote:

At one time, our whole family {including our two then teen-aged daughters} lived across the street from high-voltage lines. There were hysterical warnings about high voltage lines at the time. I think you’ll find more support for such concerns now amongst some Attic residents here.

Before solar cells were so popular, some farmers used passive induction from high tension lines to charge batteries for remote electric fences. The passive element has to be fairly long and off center since the fields from the three phases will cancel each other. I can't imagine enough potential picked up in the small volume of a camera to do any damage. I can't give you any figures, but it makes sense if you understand transformers. As far as my attic goes, it's where I put passive conductors to collect induced signals from transmitters for the input stage of TV and radio receivers. Same principal. I would not hesitate to take a camera into a hydro plant.

r1ch Loc: Colorado

rehess wrote:

People with zero knowledge of science were raising those concerns many years earlier. At one time they were even claiming that one could be harmed by the radiation given off by cell phones.

Well the op raised the concern his concern for his camera malfunctioning when under power lines.

I have not experienced this but I don't think I have ever shot under power lines.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

R.G. wrote:

I think your camera would be safe for the same rea... (show quote)

During my years of running a diesel and heavy equipment shop I took numerous photos of welder and plasma cutter arcs. Sometimes to document the work but mostly just for fun or to give to the mechanic doing the work. They enjoyed photos showing what they did. Never a problem with any camera.

jlg1000 Loc: Uruguay / South America

r1ch wrote:

Well the op raised the concern his concern for his camera malfunctioning when under power lines.

I have not experienced this but I don't think I have ever shot under power lines.

I did.

Literally millions of times (DSRLs MILCs P&S Film, CCTV, etc)

I've installed way more sensitive equipment near power lines. Never a problem. Not once.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

jlg1000 wrote:

I'm an Electrical Engineer with over 30 years of practice in power generation, high voltage, etc.

There is no such risk, those are all witch tales.
Nonsense, fake news, flat earth theory, tonterías, quatch.

I try to debunk those conspiracy theories every time I can

If there were any truth to that myth just think of how many cellphones, tablets, and laptops would have been fried by now.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Longshadow wrote:

I can't believe it either.
I seriously believe that the electromagnetic field would not be strong enough to hurt a camera.

It would hurt the photographer before it would hurt the camera. Has the dam fried any people?

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

jerryc41 wrote:

It would hurt the photographer before it would hurt the camera. Has the dam fried any people?

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

If you are concerned about your camera, I would be more concerned about yourself. I suspect it’s a myth.

Hip Coyote

saxman71 wrote:

Some time back I heard you should not use your DSLR under high voltage power lines in that such use could damage the camera. I never knew if that was a true statement but have avoided doing so none-the-less. I have an opportunity next week to tour the inside of a hydroelectric dam and want to bring my Nikon D810 on the tour. The tour guide said not to worry. They haven't "fried any cameras yet". I want to believe him. Does anyone have any knowledgeable information this subject?

To avoid problems I suggest having a flux capacitor attached to the camera. I often do that to prevent electrical problems.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Jack 13088 wrote:

Years ago my wife bought a pillow that said, “Never but never question the judgement of the engineer.” Good advice.

Mine said do not remove tag under penalty of law.

Jack 13088 Loc: Central NY

Retina wrote:

…As far as my attic goes, it's where I put passive conductors to collect induced signals from transmitters for the input stage of TV and radio receivers. Same principal. I would not hesitate to take a camera into a hydro plant.

Back in the day we called those antennas. But another example of - size matters!

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Jack 13088 wrote:

Back in the day we called those antennas. But another example of - size matters!

When I was a child, we lived close to the transmitter site for WCFL a Chicago ‘clear channel’. They were the only station someone could get on a crystal radio set - some people were said to get them on their dental work - but no one worried about being so close. Worrying about such things is just another form of ‘junk science’.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

LFingar wrote:

During my years of running a diesel and heavy equipment shop I took numerous photos of welder and plasma cutter arcs. Sometimes to document the work but mostly just for fun or to give to the mechanic doing the work. They enjoyed photos showing what they did. Never a problem with any camera.

I've seen a video where a camera was permanently damaged while making a video of an arc welder at work. Perhaps the damage was due to the prolonged exposure. Or perhaps it depends how good the UV filtering is in the lens or camera. Or perhaps the videographer just got too close. But the damage was real and obvious in the resulting video. It was in the parts of the image (and therefore on the parts of the sensor) that had prolonged exposure to the arc itself.