Premium Members Dan Coplan Posted September 20, 2007 Premium Members Report Share Posted September 20, 2007 The past two concerts I've shot handheld, shortly after the show has started I've suffered major stinging in my eyes causing heavy tearing and a runny nose. It's so bad, I'm practically shooting blind for a good 10 minutes before the problem gradually goes away. I can't figure out why this is happening and am wondering if anybody else has had this experience. I have no problems during rehearsal and I don't know if this would happen in studio mode or not. These have been venues where smoking is not allowed so it's not that. Can't recall if a fog machine was in effect either time or not but I've never had a problem with fog machines in the past. Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Martin Stacey Posted September 20, 2007 Premium Members Report Share Posted September 20, 2007 Hi Dan, Do you find that your vision is a little blurred momentarily after you take your eye away from the viewfinder? This could be a sign that it's time to get your eyes checked for glasses. You put strain on your eyes with one eye in a viewfinder for long periods and if your vision is slightly unbalanced (not 20/20) then you'll get these symptoms eventually leading to migraines etc. Sounds like it's time to see an optometrist. Hope this helps. Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Robert Starling SOC Posted September 20, 2007 Premium Members Report Share Posted September 20, 2007 The past two concerts I've shot handheld, shortly after the show has started I've suffered major stinging in my eyes causing heavy tearing and a runny nose. Hi Dan, blurring and tearing is one thing but it's the stinging that seems out of place. Could it be sweat, sunscreen or lotion you use around your face? Maybe you have developed an allergy to the soft rubber eye-pieces; who knows if that stuff is some kind of latex formulation? There's also the hygiene issue of however many hundred or thousand eyes have been in those eyepieces. For years now I've brought my own chamois eyepiece covers for comfort and hygiene. Chronic dry eye can cause a lot of blinking and tearing as can staring into computer monitors, viewfinders etc.. My normal progressive lens eyeglasses were killing my eyes, posture and neck while operating Steadicam. They give me focus from about 8" to infinity. That prescription has a very narrow sweet spot and I was getting dizzy spells. I literally took the rig and a camera in and set it up at the optometrist and he made a pair of lense with a less aggressive field of focus but a much wider sweet spot. Like Martin said you should see an optometrist and maybe get some recommendations from other ops in your area on who will take the proper time to address YOUR specific needs. My original optometrist just blew off the whole Steadicam issue and it wasn't until another camera op introduced me to someone who would take time with me that we found a solution. Blind camera ops are not in big demand these days. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Jamie Hammond Posted September 20, 2007 Premium Members Report Share Posted September 20, 2007 Hi Dan, I have had stinging eyes on the last couple of shoots. These were both handheld shoots on Super 16mm using Aaton Prods. I put the stinging down to sweat or hairproducts or the like. That and having to cram my eyeball into the viewfinder. I was able to pull my eye away from the viewfinder a few times as the shoots were both in darkened rooms. It doesn't help if your running full mags over and over again on shoots like concerts, getting the sweat flowing well. I had visions of me wearing a McEnroe headband and tight white shorts on the next shoot, but don't want to put the acts off. I think the optometrist or less hairgel.... J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Afton Grant Posted September 20, 2007 Premium Members Report Share Posted September 20, 2007 I've had some nasty stinging spells caused by sweat. It's not all the time - only on the warmest days when I'm likely wearing sunscreen and sweating more than normal. It definitely sucks because once that sweat makes a trail into your eye, it doesn't stop, and I know what you mean about being blinded momentarily. A thorough face washing and drying usually takes care of it for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Rob Vuona SOC Posted September 21, 2007 Premium Members Report Share Posted September 21, 2007 The past two concerts I've shot handheld, shortly after the show has started I've suffered major stinging in my eyes causing heavy tearing and a runny nose. It's so bad, I'm practically shooting blind for a good 10 minutes before the problem gradually goes away. I can't figure out why this is happening and am wondering if anybody else has had this experience. I have no problems during rehearsal and I don't know if this would happen in studio mode or not. These have been venues where smoking is not allowed so it's not that. Can't recall if a fog machine was in effect either time or not but I've never had a problem with fog machines in the past. Dan -------------------- Let's Face it Dan, the answer is that your obviously allergic to doing Hand Held !! . . . . I say it the 3 sss Smoke, Sweat and Stress , stop stressing over the shoot and you won't sweat and then go oputside during the breaks to get out of the smoke . . . Ya . . Ya . . .Ya . . .get your eyes checked if your diopter is turned all the way to one side or the other .. .it's time to get the Peepers checked Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Dan Coplan Posted September 21, 2007 Author Premium Members Report Share Posted September 21, 2007 Thanks for all the responses. I get my eyes checked about once a year so I'm good there, but sweat makes sense and I've definitely experienced stinging eyes from sun lotion, but I'm not so pale that I need sun block in a darkened concert hall. But I'll make it a point to bring along a chamois and wash my face nice and clean just before shoots. Headband, hmm...dorky perhaps, but not a bad idea. Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members David George Ellis Posted September 21, 2007 Premium Members Report Share Posted September 21, 2007 Dude, The headband is NOT dorky. Chicks do dig it. Headband hair is irresistable! I wear them all the time now. On a show, my eyes started stinging like all Hell and I asked Production to get me a set as it was getting really bad. From that point on, it was all good. If you're a sweaty bastard like me, Grow a fro and lace one up, shon! Headband is the way to go... Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Dan Coplan Posted September 22, 2007 Author Premium Members Report Share Posted September 22, 2007 Allow me to rephrase: "I'd look like a complete dork with a headband." Example: http://www.searchamateur.com/product/Baske...adband-Game.htm Dan "Accoutrementally Challenged" Coplan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher TJ McGuire SOC Posted September 23, 2007 Report Share Posted September 23, 2007 Hey Dan, I tend to wear a sweatband on my wrist - for most sweaty steadicam occasions. Its always useful just for a quick wipe. I did try the headband once - hmmmph! nuff said!! Best Chris. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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