Traveling Heavily, Camera Questions

messplay

messplay

Active member
I am primarily taking most questions to other DSLR oriented forums but I'd figure I'd give NS a shot since most here do in fact travel, although the 'traveling' may be somewhat different.

I'm making a long anticipated journey overseas. I plan on staying at hostels, some hotels occasionally, etc.. so my belongings must be somewhat little and easy to protect.

I'm planning on making a decent 'video' of my journey - I've saved up heavily ($xx,xxx) and will be using some of these funds for some extravagant excursions.

Here is my dilemma!

I currently own a Canon 7D with a Tokina 11-16, Canon 50 f/1.4, and hopefully soon a Canon 85L 1.2 II.

I primarily use my DSLR for video, hence skiing edits and my Tokina. I am getting a new glidecam for the winter, as I hope to make some more edits before I leave overseas (spring time). For some reason I want to get the 5dmkii but as you all know, Tokina + FF Sensor is no bueno. But, for my trip it will be fine as I will be selling the Tokina indefinitely once I upgrade, if I do upgrade.

I'm asking for some decent audio for Christmas. The Compact RODE Videomic Pro + RODE Wind Muff. Do I need some external recorded like the DR-40 or DR-100 or zoom h4n ( I know some hate the zoom ). I will have ML on either camera.

I will hopefully be lugging around a tripod, if not, maybe bring my Glidecam but it's all still up in the air.. I just want good audio recording indefinitely and the onboard of course is shitty. I'm thinking maybe a decent Lav mic as well for any purposes, plus it takes up almost no space so why the hell not. Hoping to snag an all around telephoto as well or maybe a wider prime..

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I'd like to capture it all to the best of my ability. I've been working 60hrs a week for the last 4 months and have fallen off the grid as far as DSLR news goes so if I'm missing things please let me know.

+K to all!

Thanks boys!
 
Rode windmuff isn't that great from what i hear, get one of these, I have one and it's worked very well

http://www.amazon.com/Micover-Slipover-Windscreen-RODE-VideoMic/dp/B0076EHMRW/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1353727363&sr=8-6&keywords=rode+windscreen

As for a tripod, get one of the manfrotto video monopods and a light compact photo tripod. It will cut down on space dramatically and give you the pan/tilt functionality with the monopod, and then the light photo tripod will work well for static shots.

You're going to want to invest in a bag lock and NEVER let your bag leave your sight. EVER. If you're crashing in a hostel you put that in your bed with you, put a strap around your arm/leg and make sure it's locked.
 
This is why Fstop has the best bags for travel. You access the ICU from where the bag rests against your back so there's no way of pickpocketers getting at your gear in a crowded space. When you're carrying around stuff like that Jamie's point is clear, don't ever let it leave your sight.
 
Assuming you are going to Europe, many train stations have lockers for travelers, and not the little ones like at ski resorts, some of them are big enough to get inside comfortably. They aren't too expensive either. Could be a good option if you know you won't want a big bag with you, or if you are staying near the station
 
THIS THIS THIS

seriously not even one foot from you, keep a stap around your leg if you are sitting somewhere with it. I got my whole setup stolen in Copenhagen in the lobby of a hotel when it was 5 feet from me (thank god for insurance)
 
Not to worry on the gear boys, I will be overly protective of it - bringing the Retina display as well..

Looking for audio info and maybe the top 3 lenses I should have for travel. Should I sell the 50 and invest in something else? Looking for two good primes and a good telephoto for the occasional photos.

Also, digital recorders...dr-40, 100, h4n? I mean, I dont know much on audio editing but I dont want any hissing, and incase of higher winds (5-10) and and other noise around me, I'd liek to be able to capture someone speaking a few feet away, etc..

Thanks!
 
A wide angle, a fast normal prime, and a telephoto zoom would be a good set. So for a 7D keep your tokina, sell the 50 and pick up a 35mm f1.4, and get a 70-200 f4.

Audio recorder isnt totally necessary. It is bulkier and more of a hassle than using a rode mic straight to camera, but if you feel like the extra work/bulk is worth it, it will definitely get cleaner results.
 
Also if you are considering "upgrading" cameras, why not pick up a gh2 or a gh3? Superior video IQ to the 7D or 5DmkII, and MUCH smaller and lighter. You could get a set of three great native m4/3 lenses that would be really compact. If I were I would go for this set:

Wide Angle:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/805167-REG/Olympus_V311020SU000_M_Zuiko_Digital_ED.html

Fast Normal Prime:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/754598-REG/Voigtlander_BA305A_Nokton_25mm_f_0_95_Lens.html

Telephoto:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/892457-REG/Panasonic_h_hs35100_35_100mm_f_2_8_Lumix_G.html

 
wheeeew, would this work on a canon?

I don't know much about the gh2/gh3...prices are definitely reasonable but I think I'm caught up in the 'brand' whore game which is Canon, Nikon, etc..everything I see is by the two in edits but some vimeo footage from these that I looked at looks good, thena gain, I could probably capture the same with picture styles and such on the 7D/5mkii..
 
No, its a m4/3 lens so even if you tried to adapt it the image circle wouldn't cover an APS-C sensor.

For you, the major advantage besides IQ would be size/weight. The camera and those three lenses would take up a LOT less space and weight than a 7D or 5D and comparable lens setup. Also, the reason mostly everything you see on Vimeo is shot on Canon is because of that "brand whore game". A lot of reputable people tout the GH2 as the best video DSLR (mirrorless camera, whatever). I'm not here to sell you a GH2, but if you want to be impressed by something shot on it, watch this:



Musgo Trailer from Gami Orbegoso on Vimeo.

/images/flash_video_placeholder.png

 
Yep, the GH2 is wonderful. I shot the ON3P Factory tour edit on it:

http://www.lunarsolarcreative.com/on3p-factory-tour-video/

If you're looking for a camera just for vid you CAN'T beat it... especially for this incredible trip and traveling in general. it's light as shit. If you're looking for a camera that will shoot incredible photos as well i would suggest sticking with Canon - although I haven't seen what the GH3 can do yet, it might be better than the GH2. I do not like using the GH2 for photo at all.

As for the UWA - if you go FF get the Tokina 16-28 f2.8. It's a great lens.

How are you planning on stabilizing your footy? that's a big consideration too. Tripod?

Also - where are you going? I can give some feed back on traveling with cameras depending on where you're headed.
 
It's hard to make a FF UWA that's not giant without having the large bulbous front element. Nikon has been doing it for years. You could pay a lot more and get something else, but for the price this lens can't be beat.

The tokina 11-16 will cover a full frame sensor at 16mm too, so follow cams on a FF can still be achieved if not having filters is an issue, and there's no money to upgrade.
 
as far as primes go, you can't go wrong with a 35/50/85 combo, or maybe something like 21/35/85?
 
Is there something that isn't over $1k for these primes? I'm itching to pull trigger on a 35L but Canon is bank. I will look into the gh3 a bit more since I'm trying to sell my 7D for around $950 and the difference for the 5dmkii would cut into the travel funds a bit...

Trevor: for stabilization I'm still debating, I'd love to take a glidecam and tripod but I doubt it. Looking for some solid legs and obviously a ball or fluid head as well, 701 or 501? Something light too - need a little help in that dept. since my old tripod was from a camcorder I had in 02 and legs got bent when it was buried in the sand for a beach shoot? Don't ask..ha.

As for audio, sent a little wishlist to Santa last night for the video mic pro and a windcat, if I bought the dr40 what would be the best way to mount? Correct me if I'm wrong but it's not going through the camera and then thru the mic is it? I'd moreso need the recorder if I had an ntg2/3 yes?
 
sigma 50 1.4 rivales the 50L in many ways and comes in at $500, just make sure you get a GOOD copy without focus problems

rokinon 35 1.4 is also pretty nice, so is the new sigma, both are under a grand

85 go for the 1.2 if you don't mind slow as fuck focus, or the 1.8 if you want faster AF but don't mind the 2 stops loss in light. OR you could do a zeiss 85 1.4 if you don't have a problem with manual glass, they are really really really nice.
 
love this lens

if you went the dr40 route, audio would be completely separate. Maybe check out juicelink/beachtek, I use one with my T2i and NTG1 and it works great
 
How's it hooked up? I think using an xlr mic like an ntg on the trip is a bit much.. Basically no dr40 = rode on cam, decent sound. But, dr40 + xlr mic or rode on boom. = better sound with option to separate channels? I don't even need a mic with the dr40 correct? I can use that as my mic and get a windcat for that? Any info on that route?
 
that could work, just have to sync it up in post and if you were going the boom route you wouldn't be able to monitor it..

here's how my setup looks on a glidecam, but if i'm booming the mic I don't have the shockmount, I just have a long XLR cable going to the boom

7990196086_4e23079144_b.jpg
 
Rokinon makes some great primes if you don't need AF and can get used to/like a manual aperture ring, for this reason they are especially great for video. My buddy has a 8mm and likes it. Groupon has a deal on their 85mm 1.4 today, I have heard great things about it, but have never used one

http://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-rokinon-portrait-lens?p=12&utm_source=channel_goods-deals&utm_medium=email&sid=84c6cdf1-d214-4dd5-99be-50ad0b955f53&division=fort-worth&user=7d4247cf6bdc9212ff6ad0cb49ea750db190f3547124652ff7b650069d3b7ddd&date=20121124&s=body&c=deal_img&d=deal-page

I have a Sigma 30mm 1.4 and it has been pretty good, one of the best cheap primes for a crop, have heard great things about the Rokinon 35mm 1.4 as well and as other people have said earlier in the thread.

As I'm sure you know, make sure to check if lenses are adaptable to full frame if you are probably upgrading soon and don't want the hassle. I know the Sigma 30mm only works on crops and the Rokinon 85 will work on FF or crop, but I haven't looked up the other ones. Good luck deciding everything, sounds like an awesome trip!

If you are headed to Spain, this mountain looks fucking awesome for timelapses...just a thought.

https://vimeo.com/22439234
 
Where are you travelling, and for how long is the first question I would ask.

I will have travelled for 11 months out of the last 15 throughout Southeast Asia, and Now Central America and Colombia. I have not had any camera gear stolen, although many other things have disappeared.

Heres what I think: Buy a sufficient backpack that looks nothing like a camera bag, preferably black.. less memorable and obvious of course. Buy a camera bag insert off ebay and keep everything safe in that. Have locks obviously, and do cuddle your bag in hostels if you cant get a locker near to your bed. Stay at family owned places and actually couchsurfing is a good option as well to keep costs down and your stuff safe; just stay with people that have loads of good feedback on their profiles.

Currently Im travelling with a 5D III, 70-200 F4 IS, 100 2.8 macro, 50 1.8, tokina 10-17, a set of kenko extension tubes, a gorilla pod DSLR and a 15 inch Retina MBP. Its totally ridiculous and I think the next trip I think Ill bring less, but all of that can fit in my one normal looking backpack, without drawing any attention.

If you can avoid it, dont tell anybody in hostels youre a photographer and also dont bring your gear out until you are a block or two away from the hostel so nobody will know where your gear is staying for then night. Obviously you cant always keep your bag within a fucking foot of you, be realistic. Youre going to be partying a ton and you have to leave your bag at the hostels so figure out a locker or just lock your bag and leave it under your bed following all the steps above. If it doesnt look like a camera bag and people dont know that youre a photographer nobody is going to bother looking at a regular old bag. There will be exceptions to the rule of course, like when you go on an excursion with your hostel and you have to bring out your camera.. Just be careful is all.

Keep your memory cards seperate from your camera gear in just in case, with your passport is always a good bet because youre not going to lose your passport (I hope?) Thats about all I can think of for now!

Above all else enjoy your trip, dont be overly worried, just use common sense and youll be fine.
 
Great info! thanks guys! I'll be traveling here shortly and have never taken my camera equip on a plane before I was very curious what the deal was!
 
beautiful, what recorder is that and do you know overall weight? Hd2000 I assume?

IS that your chair in the ass of the camera or is that some sort of 'hold' for the gear..can't tell
 
That's just my chair in the background. It's the 2000hd and it's not a recorder, it's a XLR adapter which allows you to use XLR mics and record straight to the camera. It uses the preamps from the adapter and it can also provide phantom power if you need it
 
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