Equipment for documentary about traveling

[Snowboardz]

I am planning on filming a trailer for a documentary film about traveling. The documentary will focus heavily on interviews with travelers and short clips of scenery. Once I have a trailer, I plan on looking for funding to produce a full documentary and purchase more expensive gear. But even then I still want to travel with the lightest/smallest amount of gear as possible. I wish to maintain a low profile while in poor areas, so I want to stick with a SLR and am considering buying the GH2 w/ a few lens once my project is funded.


Here is my current equipment:

Sony Nex 3 w/ 18-55mm lens. Shoots 720p video.
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Compact-I...5998850&sr=1-3

Tascam DR-07mkII Portable Digital Audio Recorder
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...G&A=details&Q=

Audio-Technica ATR-3350 Lavalier Omnidirectional Condenser Microphone
http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica...5999112&sr=1-2

I am also considering buying a Manfrotto 682B Self Standing Monopod. However, I do not know if this would be good for interviews and I plan on shooting many for my film. Can anyone recommend a cheap travel tripod?
http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-682B...5999217&sr=8-1

What additional gear do you think I will need to produce a high quality trailer?

Do you know of any cheap and compact lighting options and has anyone used small LED flashlights for makeshift lights?


I look forward to any advise/help.

[Allan Black]

Travelling where? In 3rd world countries you'll need to travel as light as possible. In western cities you can take more gear.
And what do you intend to do with your doco?

Cheers.

[Snowboardz]

I'm going to start in Southeast Asia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, etc. I don't want to do weighed down by too much equipment or need to worry to much about it.

[custerc]

I'm going to start in Southeast Asia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, etc. I don't want to do weighed down by too much equipment or need to worry to much about it.

In that case, be sure whatever you get can handle low light and extreme humidity! DSLR probably the best choice in terms of staying low-profile, and best way to get a large sensor for least $$. I'd be a little concerned about GH2 performance in low light depending on where you're shooting; I shoot in China and I find indoors in all but the most upscale places there just isn't enough lighting, and it pushes the limits of my 60D even with a really fast lens. But if you're planning to shoot mostly outside, that doesn't matter so much.

[steve4505]

I saw a video made of a guy using a Canon 7d in Ecuador. He has tons of tips which would be valuable. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8sr1CswWcE

[Snowboardz]

I saw a video made of a guy using a Canon 7d in Ecuador. He has tons of tips which would be valuable. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8sr1CswWcE

Thanks for sharing.

[Snowboardz]

Update:

I purchased the GH2 w/ 14-140mm lens and also bought the 20mm f1.7 pancake lens.

I decided that having an affordable/compact lens that works well in low light and produces good dof, was preferable to an more expensive and larger lens just to shoot in lower light. I think these two lens should cover most situations adequately.

I also purchased the Sirui T-025 5-Section Carbon Fiber Tripod and Manfrotto 128RC Micro Fluid Head.

Now just 12 more days to my trip!

[cuervo.taylor]

Hi Snowboard,
IDK if its to late to answer, but you can consider China lamps for lighting they are inexpensive, you can get them anywhere, they are made of paper (so cheap, not heavy), they can work with tungsten or halogen bulbs. So that's a total win!!!.

Would like to know how you documentary went?