Color Bombs Kill Cameras

[RMC33]

So, seems to be a lot of mis-conceptions here.

The powder is cornstarch with food coloring. Unless you have a food coloring allergy, respiratory issues or are allergic to corn there isn't much to worry about. I have shot 3-4 of these for my local paper and two for the company that runs them and feel just fine afterwards. A painters mask reduces the amount you inhale by quite a large margin. If you want to filter it all out you will need a good respirator.

There is little to no risk to your camera and lens as long as you play it smart. Camera covers work great and this is the one time I do use a UV filter. 1Dx + ttp Hydrophobia (I am working on modding the front end with a 77mm filter so it screws on and seals even better) +70-200 and 77mm Filter, never seen ANY dust on or in the lens. For my 24-70 I use a similar setup and a 2nd body, again filters go a long way. I have seen other photographers use underwater covers and they work well, just blow them off (DO NOT use water) with an air compressor and you will be fine. Water makes a huge mess out of the stuff.

They are fun events, and the photos always turn out very very good. Just be smart, think about what you are doing and your gear will be fine. I worry more about shooting kayaking or skiing then a color event~

 

[K3nt]

Looks like a very photographic event, but I found one of the videos on their site a little disturbing. One of the "officials" was wearing a face mask across his mouth and nose when throwing out the color powder, but the runners were all breathing that stuff.
Sounds like a recipe for problems, which then is demonstrated through the possible equipment damage. Gadgets can be replaced, lungs and other vital organs are a little harder to come by.

 

[CanNotYet]

Olympus Tough series? Supposedly dust-proof. And you can rinse them under the tap afterwards.

My Tough 610 had no problems whatsoever being dunked in saltwater. Just rinse with fresh water after. Awesome camera.

 

[crasher8]

I have an issue with the posts which say that's it's 'no problem' IF you buy this and that………obviously missing the point of the post. Radiation is no problem if you buy this and that as well.

 

[Hannes]

Looks like a very photographic event, but I found one of the videos on their site a little disturbing. One of the "officials" was wearing a face mask across his mouth and nose when throwing out the color powder, but the runners were all breathing that stuff.
Sounds like a recipe for problems, which then is demonstrated through the possible equipment damage. Gadgets can be replaced, lungs and other vital organs are a little harder to come by.

It's cornstarch, it dissolves quickly. It'd be a different thing if it was silicone based powder as that would sit in the lungs forever.

 

[Don Haines]

I would stay as far away as possible. Cameras can be replaced easily, lungs can not.

One of my friends is big into spinning wool and uses Kool-Aid to dye the wool. That's right.... Kool-Aid.... the powder that people mix to make drinks for their children.... the same stuff that's approved for human consumption... It makes vibrant colors that will not wash out... just imagine what it does to your insides

Just because doing something is not banned (dousing crowds with fine powder) does not make it a good idea.

 

[dstppy]

I represent the lawfirm of Bruckner and Weaselbomb.

Have you or a loved one suffered from the ill-effects of The Color Run (TM)? Have you lost equipment? Sneezed rainbows? Peed blue?

We can help. Call us today for your free consultation.

You may be entitled of a cash settlement for de-pigmenting procedures.

We also handle people who are stupid enough . . . err . . . bullied into eating cinnamon.

 

[bseitz234]

So, seems to be a lot of mis-conceptions here.

The powder is cornstarch with food coloring. Unless you have a food coloring allergy, respiratory issues or are allergic to corn there isn't much to worry about. I have shot 3-4 of these for my local paper and two for the company that runs them and feel just fine afterwards. A painters mask reduces the amount you inhale by quite a large margin. If you want to filter it all out you will need a good respirator.

It's cornstarch, it dissolves quickly. It'd be a different thing if it was silicone based powder as that would sit in the lungs forever.

I wouldn't go leaping to conclusions that just because it's corn, it's safe...

http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/21/4/646.full

 

[bbasiaga]

Boy, everyone is on the fine particle band wagon today.

Corn starch is biodegrabable. It will become dissolved in the body, and eventually processed out.

Saw dust, asbetos, brake pad powder are not. They are bad for your lungs.

I don't know what they use in India, but at the color run by us last year it was all essetnially food coloring.

I'm still not sure I want to bring my DSLR though....

-Brian

 

[distant.star]

I would stay as far away as possible. Cameras can be replaced easily, lungs can not.

One of my friends is big into spinning wool and uses Kool-Aid to dye the wool. That's right.... Kool-Aid.... the powder that people mix to make drinks for their children.... the same stuff that's approved for human consumption... It makes vibrant colors that will not wash out... just imagine what it does to your insides

Just because doing something is not banned (dousing crowds with fine powder) does not make it a good idea.

I don't see any LensRental policy on Kool-Aid, but a word to the wise...

If you mix Lime and Grape, it comes out like a chemistry experiment gone bad.

 

[brianboru]

Saw dust is biodegradable too ... it's the size of the particle that is worrisome.

Note the size for corn-starch and the definition of "respirable dust".
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/particle-sizes-d_934.html
"Respirable Dust: Particles that will penetrate into the gas exchange region of the lungs. A hazardous particulate size less than 5 microns. Particle sizes of 2.5 micron (PM2.5) are often used in USA."

Just like radiation - the health risk is based on amount and duration of exposure.

- Another Brian

Boy, everyone is on the fine particle band wagon today.

Corn starch is biodegrabable. It will become dissolved in the body, and eventually processed out.

Saw dust, asbetos, brake pad powder are not. They are bad for your lungs.

I don't know what they use in India, but at the color run by us last year it was all essetnially food coloring.

I'm still not sure I want to bring my DSLR though....

-Brian

 

[Hannes]

I wouldn't go leaping to conclusions that just because it's corn, it's safe...

http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/21/4/646.full

Of course you get an upregulation of the immune system in the lungs when there is a foreign material there. That is not dangerous but rather quite normal. Obviously if you have asthma (which does essentially the same) it might not be a great idea to further irritate your lungs. There are many other things I'd worry about with the lungs than exposure to a bit of starch once or twice a year.

 

[RLPhoto]

A underwater housing would probably help here.

 

[RMC33]

I have an issue with the posts which say that's it's 'no problem' IF you buy this and that………obviously missing the point of the post. Radiation is no problem if you buy this and that as well.

It's not a if you buy this or that, it is playing it smart when you use your tools or do a job. Do you use an aluminum ladder when working on electrical outlets? No, you use a fiberglass ladder (different tool) for the job. Just like cameras, you have different tools for different jobs

I have YET to have a camera or lens ruined by bad conditions I have been shooting in because I own tools that aid me in shooting in those conditions. Rain today and I have to shoot some kayaking? No problem Rain cover up and shoot. Suuuuuper hot and very sunny, I toss an umbrella onto my TTP speedbelt so I can work in the shade and keep my gear cool. Burning man? I use the same gear as I use at a color run, and that dust is MUCH more damaging to camera gear and your lungs.

Radiation is no different. You wear a lead lined suit (tool) for the job and take proper precautions for what you will be doing.

A underwater housing would probably help here.

They are great, just don't use water to clean the casing off, compressed air works wonders. My friend cleaned his with water and it turns into a slimy multicolored mess and clogs up the buttons on your housing and leaves a weird film you need to scrub off.

 

[ScottyP]

Hate to double post, but I didn't see this thread earlier.

Check out this guy's complaint about muddy images he had just shot. The photos are of the Holi festival with the color bombs flying.

[http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/forums/thread17724.htm#post210324[/url]

 

[distant.star]

.
Oops!!!

I was thinking of Jello, not Kool-Aid.

I don't do Kool-Aid, don't know anything about mixing it.

But stay far away from that Jello combination; it's deadly.

I would stay as far away as possible. Cameras can be replaced easily, lungs can not.

One of my friends is big into spinning wool and uses Kool-Aid to dye the wool. That's right.... Kool-Aid.... the powder that people mix to make drinks for their children.... the same stuff that's approved for human consumption... It makes vibrant colors that will not wash out... just imagine what it does to your insides

Just because doing something is not banned (dousing crowds with fine powder) does not make it a good idea.

I don't see any LensRental policy on Kool-Aid, but a word to the wise...

If you mix Lime and Grape, it comes out like a chemistry experiment gone bad.

 

[serendipidy]

History is full of examples of things that were supposed to be safe, but later found to be harmful or deadly. Remember Thalidomide in the late '50s or artificial butter flavoring fumes in popcorn factory workers. No one originally knew that inhaling asbestos could cause a deadly cancer. Even breathing pure oxygen over time is harmful. I wouldn't want to breathe any of that stuff into my lungs. There is already enough bad stuff in normal air pollution. Just my humble opinion.

 

[Don Haines]

I would stay as far away as possible. Cameras can be replaced easily, lungs can not.

One of my friends is big into spinning wool and uses Kool-Aid to dye the wool. That's right.... Kool-Aid.... the powder that people mix to make drinks for their children.... the same stuff that's approved for human consumption... It makes vibrant colors that will not wash out... just imagine what it does to your insides

Just because doing something is not banned (dousing crowds with fine powder) does not make it a good idea.

Sweater made of wool dyed with kool-aid powder. Apparently, kool-aid works better than most commercial dyes... and remember red dye #2 in food products... added to food for decades and approved by various health departments... and then they found it caused cancer...

I would not breathe in that stuff.

 

[bycostello]

thx for heads up

 

[distant.star]

Sweater made of wool dyed with kool-aid powder. Apparently, kool-aid works better than most commercial dyes... and remember red dye #2 in food products... added to food for decades and approved by various health departments... and then they found it caused cancer...

I would not breathe in that stuff.

That's a gorgeous sweater. She can make one for me anytime!!