Sustained 7d video on the beach

So, my 7d body may end up being used for a beach wedding. I want to take ALL of the proper precautions to ensure that my my sensor isn't damaged. We're talking about a 30-minute ceremony in May on the beaches of Florida. It's going to be hot and sunny. Is there any chance of my sensor being fried if it's open that long (yes, yes, I know about the 12 minute limit)?

What's the general rule here--stop down to around f/22 (also eliminating the need for manual focus), use the hood, and avoid shooting into the sun? The sand is going to reflect light like crazy.

Please note your thoughts and experiences--I really don't want to have to deal with a $300+ repair.

Will I absolutely need to use an ND filter?

Equipment used:
Canon 7d gripped w/2x lp-e6
Rode Videomic
Benro c-358m8 tripod with b3 ballhead
Canon 24-70L
...
anything I should be considering?

I don't think that its about the aperture but moreso the exposure. You don't want to overexpose for a long time. You need an ND filter if you want to use a 1/50th shutter speed at 24 FPS.

How much experience do you have shooting video with your camera?

mrgooch wrote in post #12302308
How much experience do you have shooting video with your camera?

Some--exactly which facts are you attempting to confirm that I'm aware of? I have zero experience shooting dslr video on the beach, with the sun at nearly its strongest of the year

Will you be digging with your 7D into the sand? If not i wouldn't be so paranoid about tuining it, to be honest.
I shot at a Carnival 2 years ago with my 20D and 50 1.8 II (plastic fantastic) and it didn't fail.
What's about f/22 anyway?

Sdiver2489 wrote in post #12302293
I don't think that its about the aperture but moreso the exposure. You don't want to overexpose for a long time. You need an ND filter if you want to use a 1/50th shutter speed at 24 FPS.

Noted, I'd better find out whether they want 24p or 30p (1/60). 24p is the logical choice.

I've got a 2 and 8-stop ND filter, but I think I'll order a fader ND for adjusting on the fly...

Don't worry about the time limit. I've shot music videos scenes for more than 30 minutes (blooper reasons/behind the scenes) and the only thing I received was the temperature warning and the camera turned off by itself when it got to hot.

cassidyphuey wrote in post #12303246
Don't worry about the time limit. I've shot music videos scenes for more than 30 minutes (blooper reasons/behind the scenes) and the only thing I received was the temperature warning and the camera turned off by itself when it got to hot.

That could be an issue for him sooner than 30 minutes if his camera is in the sun or if it's a hot day (which it most surely will be).

Sauer Grapes wrote in post #12303263
That could be an issue for him sooner than 30 minutes if his camera is in the sun or if it's a hot day (which it most surely will be).

I was thinking of getting a larger umbrella to stick over then camera, so I'm not too worried about overheating due to direct sunlight...

IMO, your primary concern would be overheating. And after that, just don't shoot into direct sunlight.

Where in Florida? If it's in Miami may is quite hot we range from 90-93 deg @ noon. Sometimes more than that.

How much of a concern is there over direct sun? I've taken plenty of pictures into direct sun but haven't seen or heard discussion on video. I would imagine canon would design the system to protect itself. The only damage I've seen is that video on lasers.

ilguercio wrote in post #12302353
Will you be digging with your 7D into the sand? If not i wouldn't be so paranoid about tuining it, to be honest.
I shot at a Carnival 2 years ago with my 20D and 50 1.8 II (plastic fantastic) and it didn't fail.
What's about f/22 anyway?

I figured manual would be a good option in the event that I opted not to use ND filters. Stopping down reduces the opening in the blades, which I assume would dilute the strength of the sun reaching the Sensor. But now that I think about it... does it really evenly distribute the light across the sensor, or does it just focus it on the center, and reduce the concentration of light hitting the borders?

MOkoFOko wrote in post #12303678
I figured manual would be a good option in the event that I opted not to use ND filters. Stopping down reduces the opening in the blades, which I assume would dilute the strength of the sun reaching the Sensor. But now that I think about it... does it really evenly distribute the light across the sensor, or does it just focus it on the center, and reduce the concentration of light hitting the borders?

It does neither, as I said, the exposure is what matters. If it only hit the center of the sensor then we'd all have circular pictures as we stopped the aperture down.