Need help deciding on camera for Iraq documentary

T

Triple B Productions

New member
Hello all,

I've been reading here for months now trying to get the best hints and advice on buying the right camera and equipment for my first doc. There is just too much info here to sort through and get a definite answer so I'm just going to put this out there with the hopes of getting more targeted info to exactly what I need:

I am a non-military civilian gov't worker currently on assignment in Baghdad, Iraq. Now this would normally be a bummer but I've decided to make lemonade out of lemons and turn the situation to my advantage by filming a documentary on other non military personnel while I'm here. I'm not a total noob; I'm a film school dropout but that school was a long time ago and we used film, not video.

Like I said before, I've been reading and researching cameras and equipment and I am suffering from info overload so this is what I hope to get some assistance with here;

*The right type of HD camera for shooting in bright sunny desert conditions (hot and dry) as well as possibly night shots overlooking the city from rooftop. I was leaning towards the Canon XL-H1 but have been reading about both the Sony V1 and H1 and am jiggered as to which to choose for this situation. I need something sturdy that won't give me more hassle than I can handle here since I don't have access to a shop or other type of camera store. Also whichever one works best with FCP.


*What type of sound equipment? I was looking at getting some levalier mikes , any suggestions to what brand?

I can probably figure out the rest but those are the main items that I would really appreciate some help with.

Thanks to all who reply and I wish you all the best luck in your current and future projects!


D


TripleBP
 
Have you read the article "Wounded Marine Career Foundation" in this month's issue of HD Video Pro magazine? They discuss film and production techniques of a bunch of student soldier film makers in Iraq at great lengths.

If you need a copy, just PM me and I'll send you a scanned PDF file.
 
As for lavs, I couldn't be happier with my Countryman EMW mics. They are great bang for the buck. Professional sound guys on this forum sing their praises, too. I got mine wired for XLR for $150 each at Northern Sound and Lights (can't remember web address right now). Even if you go with the Sennheiser G2 wireless (which I'm looking to get soon), the mics that come with it don't get too much praise. You can get an EMW wired for the G2 for even cheaper than price above, I believe.

As for cameras, I just upgraded to Canon XHA1 after using DVX for the past few years. Same image as XL-H1 and I've been very happy with image and usability. I really don't like Sony's, but I'm sure others feel differently. Good luck.
 
Having been to Iraq and many other countries in that area I would highly suggest something lower end that produces great images like the HV20 or invest in a tapeless camera or workflow. The reason for this is because electronic items never come back the same and even after professional service and cleaning you will never get out all the grit and grime.

If you bring a laptop (which I assume you will) try to find a protective cover for your keyboard or bring a lower end laptop with you for the trip.

Just my advice to save you in the long run.
 
I'm with Matthew. I wouldn't take a tape camera into a heavily desert area (even though it's been done successfully with "Iraq In Fragments" etc.) I destroyed my first DVX by shooting "Zombie Hunter" in the desert in Boron, California -- and that was just a five-day shoot. Desert/dust and tape... that combination is just asking for hassle. Especially with HDV, where any minor fleck of dust on the tape heads will cost you 1/2 second of footage.

I'd also go with cheaper whenever possible, because as Matthew said, this is pretty much a one-way trip for that camera; it's not going to be much good after Iraq's climate gets through with it. I'd look for one of the AVC-HD SD-card models like the small Canon or Panasonic SD-9. Those will be a lot less expensive than any of the HDV models and won't be affected by dust or heat or anything else.
 
I agree that a light and cheaper camcorder plus a Toughbook laptop would be a good choice. The question is, though: if he shoots on an HV20 or HF10 (hd), would he be able to sell his footage?? After all, these are not pro cameras.
 
Depends on what he shot on those cameras. It's the footage, not the camera. If it's stock footage that they can get from multiple sources, then no, it'd be tough to sell HV20 footage if someone else has similar content on an HPX3000. But if it's like the Zapruder footage or the Rodney King beatings, that stuff will sell regardless of what camera it was captured on.
 
Baghdad is relativelly (??!!) clean place, if you are doing a story there about the civilians within the Green Zone. I would not hesitate to take a XH-A1 there, with some standard cleaning equipment. A HV20 backup would be nice. Both cameras produce great footage, especially for SD, but even HDV is among the best on both.

How do I know, I spent some days there on my way to Mosul just a month ago. In 3 weeks I had no dust (or other) problems with my Canon D5 still cameras.

Our Mosul story "Mean Streets" is being syndicated by New York Times Syndicate, so keep your eyes open.
 
The new HPX 170 (Sept. 2008) would work great, but even a HVX200 would do the job and turn out decent, marketable product. You might consider putting tape around the tape drive opening and other openings not being used to keep out the fine particles of dust & sand if you're in those conditions. You'll need a few safety lenses and maybe a power converter for the batteries ( you already know that). The advantage of a tape camera is in confiscation. Always keep a mini DV of pre shot nothing footage in the camera so authorities can confiscate it, review it and let you go.

I worked with a guy who took his DVX 100 into Iraq in 04 for a few months (he speaks Arab) and made a doc that hit the festivals. He went all over the country (interviewed all sides) and had other people using it as well, ... and it still worked great as of February 2008. It also went through the recent war in Lebanon, but the Leb army got his tapes of interview with the Hezzis!... always have a few pre shot tapes of tourist stuff ready for government people.

Considering the dust and sand: You might want to get some sort of a cover to protect it from the grit and sun. Look into a Porta Brace soft covering along with Pelican hard cases.

Sound gear: a decent lav: Tram, Countryman ( the Sennheiser G2 transmitter/reciever will work, but the mic stinks, a used Lectrosonic would work even better!) a shotgum mic (Rode NTG-2 or AT 4073A or better) and a dead kitty and 9' boom pole and mini handle (K-tek)....and a 20' XLR mic cable & stereo mini plug headphones.
 
i would HIGHLY recommend watching "Iraq in Fragments". directed, shot and edited by james longley. he used the dvx100a (and b i think), then exported the entire locked picture as a tiff sequence to uprez and color correct. i know you're going hd, but point being he produced an amazing product. actually to the point his film was an academy award nominee last year. he actually was on the boards at one time, and is in your listed city of seattle. look him up and he may be able to offer some great advice.

the really amazing thing was that all he used was the dvx, a shotgun and some lavs. i believe sennheiser g2s, but don't quote me on that.

take care of yourself over there and best of luck.
 
Hi D,

I see that you are already in Baghdad, and others have given very good generalized advice, but without some specific guidance from you, it's pretty difficult to hone in on what you might really need.

What kind of distribution do you seek for the documentary? Is it a personal project? Is it for a wide audience? Will there be talking heads? These questions will drive the type of microphone (on camera shotgun or lavaliere), weight and perhaps media used for the camera, and certainly format.

Will you need to shoot stealthy or will you be in the open? Gun and run or slow and leisurely? These things matter of course, and the more furtive you are, the smaller, more compact (and smarter) your gear will need to be.

On-camera microphones are easier to use in rapidly changing environments, but levels are certainly harder to adjust and get right. I find the sound of a good on-camera microphone (or a good boom) more 'natural', but if one can't hear it, what's the point?

I'd also advise a hard drive audio recorder. I like the Edirol R09. It's good for audio backup. I'm also fond of the Samson H2, but I don't think it'll hold up to rough going, especially in rough areas. At half the cost, it might be worth it to see.

Good luck and keep us appraised of how the project goes.
 
I would opt out of any Sony's, and I think it may be a good idea to steer clear of tape, so an HVX might be a good choice. Or, an XHA1 with a firestore. But The XHA1 would be a good choice. Still, I'd opt for the HVX.
 
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