Into the Wilderness for 7 days, just me and a HVX200...Will I survive?

S

Starman

Member
I am hiking into the Wilderness for 7 days by myself to make a Feature Film about the Wild. I am taking basic survival tools, food, and an HVX200, all in a backback.

My first goal will be survival. Second is making this film. I have two questions regarding the accesories to take on this trip:

1 - I need 80 GB of P2 storage. That would be TEN 8GB cards, which is out of the budget. I can't take a laptop as it's too much weight and no power source. There is the "P2 store", but that is $1500 and weighs 1.5 pounds. Is there another storage option, perhaps a combination of p2 cards and something else, which would weigh the same or less, be battery operated, and cost less than $2,500 combined? Some sort of small plugin storage device that would work with the P2 and not require a PC?

2 - This will be run and gun, getting dirty, documentary style shooting (no tripod). I want to get an M2 setup. Is the M2 good for run and gun? If not, what is the next best 35mm adapter setup where I could run and gun freely? I have a $2500 budget for the setup.
 
Rent a P2 Store rather than buying it.

Forget about the M2. It's big, it's heavy, it's delicate. Shallow DOF has no use in the wild.

Get at least a Petrol rain cover and good UV filter, or better yet an Ewa Marine bag.
 
THoff said:
Rent a P2 Store rather than buying it.

Forget about the M2. It's big, it's heavy, it's delicate. Shallow DOF has no use in the wild.

Get at least a Petrol rain cover and good UV filter, or better yet an Ewa Marine bag.
Click to expand...

I didn't think they were renting it yet? I would love to rent a P2 Store, or even better, p2 cards! How much might renting run, if anyone has done so? Any places in Florida that anyone knows would rent those?

I agree with you on the shallow DOF. I love the film look many are achieving with the M2, but If the M2 is not an option for this, what is?

In a nutshell, I want to get as close as possible to the film look, ala March of the Penguins, but I would be shooting this film like a documentary, so the equipment's weight is important.
 
I would strongly suggest a light tripod or a cinesaddle because getting smooth shots handheld is very difficult with the HVX
 
You could also opt for a USB on the go Drive that's battery powered and you'd be able to offload to the drive via the camera. Battery situation might be an issue.


If a tripod is not an option. I'd highly recommend getting a monopod. It's light.. easy to pack and you can use it as a walking stick!


I'd also recommend getting a nice waterproof backpack... and raingear like suggested. A nice 9mm would be cool too as there's crazy people in our Florida woods.
 
Justyn said:
You could also opt for a USB on the go Drive that's battery powered and you'd be able to offload to the drive via the camera. Battery situation might be an issue.


If a tripod is not an option. I'd highly recommend getting a monopod. It's light.. easy to pack and you can use it as a walking stick!


I'd also recommend getting a nice waterproof backpack... and raingear like suggested. A nice 9mm would be cool too as there's crazy people in our Florida woods.
Click to expand...


There you go again Justyn advising people to use firearms...I thought we talked about this?!?! :)


In all seriousness. Try the brevis it hardmounts on and you can use lighter lenses w/o rails. Also I second some sort of support even if it is a monopod...
 
John Froton said:
I would strongly suggest a light tripod or a cinesaddle because getting smooth shots handheld is very difficult with the HVX
Click to expand...

John, I have alot of experience with shooting documentaries on the XL2 which is considerably bigger and heavier than the HVX, and consider myself to be a above average shooter. Would I still need some sort of a tripod?
 
Justyn said:
You could also opt for a USB on the go Drive that's battery powered and you'd be able to offload to the drive via the camera. Battery situation might be an issue.


If a tripod is not an option. I'd highly recommend getting a monopod. It's light.. easy to pack and you can use it as a walking stick!


I'd also recommend getting a nice waterproof backpack... and raingear like suggested. A nice 9mm would be cool too as there's crazy people in our Florida woods.
Click to expand...

Justyn, the USB drive would be a perfect solution for this! I can take extra batteries, but I thought I needed a PC to initiate the transfer?

If I just have the camera and a USB drive, and NO computer, would I still be able to offload to the USB? And if so, the USB would use the power from the camera and would not need another power source, correct?

Don't need the 9mm, I will be deep in the wlderness and pretty much invisible to mankind.
 
Starman said:
John, I have alot of experience with shooting documentaries on the XL2 which is considerably bigger and heavier than the HVX, and consider myself to be a above average shooter. Would I still need some sort of a tripod?
Click to expand...
Shoulder mounted and handheld are two completely different animals. Use some support and you'l be happier with your footage.
 
pretopost said:
In all seriousness. Try the brevis it hardmounts on and you can use lighter lenses w/o rails. Also I second some sort of support even if it is a monopod...
Click to expand...

The brevis, is that the next best thing, or is there something out there that is better considering this circumstance? I figure since I am making the purchase, I might as well go with the best.
 
The Brevis is much lighter than the M2 and doesn't lose as much light. However, I still question the use of any 35mm adapter for this particular application. Why would you want 90+ percent of the image blurred?

You said you are in Florida, but you didn't say where you will be filming. However, I would second Justyn's suggestion and consider packing a firearm -- not all dangerous animals have two legs.
 
I commend you on such an ambitious expedition. I just spent 50 days on the road shooting a feature and I still need to go back and get quite a bit more footage.

To do it in a week, keep the camera rolling, capture useable footage, (nevermind sound) capture INTERESTING footage and have enough to make a great full length feature - I take my hat off! The logistics of doing it by yourself, run-and-gun style without the luxury of a controlled environment and budget, are what nightmares are made of. I wish you well.

As far as storage, have you considered getting a couple 60 gig 4th generation Ipods and using them as I stores? I used the Ipod method and it worked like a charm. They're durable, lightweight, compact and relatively inexpensive. You could get two of them for under $400.00 You would also need to get the fire wire to Ipod cable, and adapter.
 
Starman said:
John, I have alot of experience with shooting documentaries on the XL2 which is considerably bigger and heavier than the HVX, and consider myself to be a above average shooter. Would I still need some sort of a tripod?
Click to expand...

If you've got a steady hand, you may be okay with static shots. I am on a learning curve right now with using a DVRig Pro with the HVX and even with the shoulder support of the DVRig Pro, I am having a tougher time getting smooth shots than I can with my old Sony DCR-VX1000 going handheld with OIS on. The Sony VX1000 with OIS on is like using a steadicam compared to the HVX. I have to admit though, that I have not been using the OIS on the HVX enough to see how well that works. I have been doing sample shots without OIS on.

If you can manage it, go out and shoot some handheld footage before you take off for the wilderness and see how well it fares. If you are satisfied with the quality you can produce, then by all means, use your skills and go hand held. If not, then consider a monopod, tripod or spiderbrace. Even a DVRig Pro might help and it folds up pretty well so as to not take up too much space.

Good luck :)
 
To each his own, but I'm a big fan of using the P2 store in situations similar to what you will be doing. I shoot in environments like you will be in, away from ac power, with minimal gear, and I've found the P2 to be utterly reliable, light, and small. I'm also a convert from the XL2 camp and while I shot fairly well sans tripod, my tripodless results with the HVX are not nearly the same. I've been using an old magnesium Manfrotto with a bogen pistol grip head achieving pretty good results. I shoot alot of wildlife and it is quick to set up/level/shoot, which may come in handy for your program. As far as batteries are concerned, take four or five, grab a solar charger and have at it. Good luck, James

p.s. I always leave the P2 store in verify mode, takes longer but I feel better and ditto on the 9mm.
 
I am on my way to do the same but for longer in the deep woods for Nat Geo and the only lens attachment Id consider is an extender unless you had a crew. Just safer run and gun in uncontrolled environment. Im taking my firestore with AntonBauer adapter, my trusty "on the go" drive to download the P2s, lots of batteries including a couple pocket power recharge batteries. I also like the idea of a monopod in a pinch, but I will be taking the tripod. Absolutely take rain gear and I sugest using lots of waterproofing - cases and carry some extra large ziplock bags.
Im shooting in FL too, maybe I'll see you...
as far as being in the wild, make sure that the shot comes 2nd to safety. Make sure that someone is watching your back and dont forget your GPS
 
Try asking Kevin Railsback (DVXUser ID: n8ture); he does this sort of thing all the time and might be able to offer some great practical advice.
 
another alternative to usb on the go and p2 store would be a 2.5 external firewire hd with a tekkeon battery. You transfer the data and verify it so its safer then usb on the go.
I remember when i was hiking just with the basics for camping and food was already heavy,it sure will be a challenge to do it with a camera. Good luck.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top