Filming in another country?

Dace@nyu.edu

Dace@nyu.edu

New member
In February I'll be traveling to India to do a short documentary.

I was wondering what kind of converter would work best with cameras and lights in order to make sure that the circuit isn't messed up and/or the camera/light isn't damaged.

Perhaps a few of you have had experiences dealing with shooting in countries that need special attention when dealing with power and could offer some advice.

BTW, I'm hoping to shoot with a Panasonic DVX 100B and with a Chimera soft box light.

Thanks!
Dace
 
Shot in India 11 months ago. No lights for interviews (I take'em outside and make it work). Charged batteries with adapter and Pany AC adapter with no problems. I am sure someone can help you with the lights. Easy to blow bulbs because of ratings and surges (don't even ask about Myanmar, we couldn't keep the lights on during a meal!)

Have fun. Let me know if you want to see some footage.
 
FatDaddy said:
Shot in India 11 months ago. No lights for interviews (I take'em outside and make it work). Charged batteries with adapter and Pany AC adapter with no problems. I am sure someone can help you with the lights. Easy to blow bulbs because of ratings and surges (don't even ask about Myanmar, we couldn't keep the lights on during a meal!)

Have fun. Let me know if you want to see some footage.
Click to expand...

Hey,

Thanks. Yeah, if you have any footage available, I'd love to see it!
 
I'd go ahead and buy a travel converter anyway, I used one when I was in the UK and parts of Europe without any trouble the power is rated for 240 but I've had powersupplies that were rated blow before. I wouldnt risk my dvx's power supply rather let a converter blow.
I used a generic one from wally-world in the luggage section in the UK, Europe, and South Africa without any trouble.
Be sure to bring plenty of tape stock its not always to find good grade stock in some areas. <- Have had to clean the recording heads more than once because of a lack of foresight in this regard.

I'd also recommend getting a seperate converter for the light if its off camera no use in overloading anything. Ive never had problems recharging through one. You may be better of rigging up a diy light set when you get to India, replacing broken bulbs may be more of a hassle then you want to deal with.
Just my two cents
 
High power converters are HEAVY and cost a lot, much more practical is either to buy a cheap light in India or just change the bulbs. India is, after all, the biggest producer of movies in the world, they must have some cinema supply stores in all major cities.
 
I'm actually going to shoot in India in a couple of weeks as well. It's been a few years since I've gone overseas to do any production work (it was soon after 9/11). Anything to look out for going to India? How are you guys taking the gear? I was planning on checking our sticks and another production case, and taking our 100B(s) on as a carry on. I had a Digital S camera get broken years ago when checked, I hate checking expensive stuff like that.
 
So what is the AC power supply there?
I shot in Italy a number of years ago, and my first tape on a BEtaSP camera showed a "Flicker" in the interior lighting. Duh- the power source there is 50 Hertz. I had to dial in 1/100th shutter and shoot "wide-open-and-hopin."

The Dvx should be an improvement with 24p.
:thumbup:

Jeff P
 
anybody had any recent trouble checking in the gear through customs in India? I always seem to get hung up on this. Always take lists, and have tried the carnet before, nothing seems to really make it go "smoothly".
 
Hello FriendsI

Hello FriendsI

I am using DVX-102A for past 6 months...It is really a good and fantastic camera.....

I have shooted many videos under different conditions.....But the only drawback i feel is the 10X zoom......

Friends ...I live in singapore, working .......If anybody interested to join me and workout some documentry pls feel free to contact me at
assmsundar@hotmail.com


Thanks
 
drivinhard said:
anybody had any recent trouble checking in the gear through customs in India? I always seem to get hung up on this. Always take lists, and have tried the carnet before, nothing seems to really make it go "smoothly".
Click to expand...

I came though with a steadicam package where the production company assured me that no documents were required. The officials were not letting me go any where, even though I had all kinds of paperwork with me. What is required, is a local who knows how to bribe the officials.
 
I am traveling to Guatemala in April with a similar agenda.

Can anyone recommend a good camera backpack for this purpose? I'd like to find something that will serve as a carry on, with enough space to hold a DVX, lenses, microphones, tapes, and assorted goodies. It would be best if the pack would somehow accomodate a tripod.

I've been considering the Kata HB-207 Hiker Backpack, but I'm not sure if it's large enough. It's hard to judge these things without seeing them in person.

a19356_hb207.jpg
 
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