Portable Gear for Documentary

I have this and love it. I have bigger, fancier tripods, but prefer this. i am always in a hurry, too. and will not use a heavier tripod because I can't.

http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=503755BK


http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=272836&is=REG

if you will be doing lots of big pans, scenics, go for the 503 head. if not, the 501 will be just fine.

if you can get these legs, go for it: ask someone like Tommy to find it for you., though it might be more expensive, I wish I had them now. 2 lb difference between the 755 legs. 2 lbs , not seem much, but can be the diff. if everything counts.

http://www.manfrotto.com/product/templates/templates.php3?sectionid=81&itemid=1975

if I could only use ONE light in the world for an interview, I would bring a lowel rifa-55 ( preferably with an egg crate, okay if not. then all you need is your light stand, rifa, extention cord.

or, you can get an on camera light ( like a sony light--search that ), diffuse it, and put it on a flash bracket, so it is not "straight on" your subject.
 
galt said:
For reflectors, check ebay for those 5-in-1 collapsible things. They can be VERY cheap if you have a few weeks to keep bididng, and are superlight/portable and can be used for lots of situations, reflection fills, blackouts, or diffusion. You can recruit someone to hold it for you, so no stand needed. But having some clothespins or a spring clamp or two MIGHT come in handy.

Don't forget a voltage converter or two and lots of batteries.
Click to expand...

The reflectors: you mean the "5 in 1 bounce light reflector disc"? You're right, very cheap ($40)

Voltage converter: thanks for reminding me!!!

Batteries: yes -- but they also add up in weight!!!
 
thisiswells said:
batteries are a genuine concern with an on-camera light.
how do ya power the thing? how long will it last?
Click to expand...

I was wondering that too. Does anyone know how long these batteries will go before losing power?
 
Pooh said:
I have this and love it. I have bigger, fancier tripods, but prefer this. i am always in a hurry, too. and will not use a heavier tripod because I can't.

http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=503755BK


http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=272836&is=REG

if you will be doing lots of big pans, scenics, go for the 503 head. if not, the 501 will be just fine.

if you can get these legs, go for it: ask someone like Tommy to find it for you., though it might be more expensive, I wish I had them now. 2 lb difference between the 755 legs. 2 lbs , not seem much, but can be the diff. if everything counts.

http://www.manfrotto.com/product/templates/templates.php3?sectionid=81&itemid=1975

if I could only use ONE light in the world for an interview, I would bring a lowel rifa-55 ( preferably with an egg crate, okay if not. then all you need is your light stand, rifa, extention cord.

or, you can get an on camera light ( like a sony light--search that ), diffuse it, and put it on a flash bracket, so it is not "straight on" your subject.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your suggestions, Pooh. I'll see if Tommy can find those legs. As for the on-camera light, that's what I was initially thinking, though it does have its drawbacks like Wells previously pointed out -- BTW, do you know how long the battery's good for for the on-cam. light?
 
12 volt Bescor 5lb lead acid battery, good for 35 minutes with 100watt light, 80 minutes with 50 watt, right off the box...
 
Thanks. Thanks to all of you who have responded so far -- you guys are awesome with your wonderful suggestions!!! :kiss: :thumbsup:
 
Hi docz-gal, also ask Tommy to demonstrate the Kata Panda backpack for you. I have the same one, and it helped on many occasions, primarily because it doesn't "look" like a camera is in it. Very incognito :thumbsup: .
http://www.kata-bags.com/Item.asp?pid=253&cid=67&perentId=1&ProdLine=1

As far as on-cam lights, the PAG C6 battery is 2.25 hrs. with a 20W bulb. I hve made one battery last for an 18-hr EPK by switching it on only when needed. AK7ATM's are a bit heavier but $100 cheaper. I like the PAG because it never heats up (Composite body with a 6V battery system)
http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=1001

I agree that CF legs are much lighter, however in your case they may offset due to the additional cost (usually double). 2lbs. makes a HUGE difference on your back, but it also dents the pocket book. It took me a long time (2 yrs) to finally afford the Solo DV sticks, but now, can't imagine going back.:laugh:

I agree with Pooh about the Rifa 55, our most commonly rented soft light. It folds down to small, and can fit anywhere. Get the 44 for more portability. I have a 55 myself, and the light is gorgeous. I use it for digital photography all the time.

Remind Tommy to ask me about the DVXuser discounts for all this stuff.:cheesy:
 
I do a good deal of one man band - run & gun type of stuff, mostly BTS/EPK docs for feature films, and political docs. Both of these situations can at times dictate that the presence of another person running sound would be simply impractical, so you make do the best you can with lavs, and camera mounted shotguns/lights, etc. For cold shoe mounting gear I would suggest the adapter by NRG, can be a little unwieldly but it will raise your light & mike up off the cold shoe a little bit. For a light, I cannot express just how satisfied I am with Lowel's iD light - it's dimmable, and you can use filters & barndoors, etc. with it. Also if you get a seperate small 3-point light kit for sit-downs with Lowel Pro's you can use the iD's accessories interchangably. For mikes, the Azden SGM-1X is really inexpensive, can deliver, and moreover, can take some abuse, oh, and if it can't take the abuse, at $100, it's more or less replaceable. As far as lavs go, I use Audio-Technica, again, great workhorse. If you are going to have specific featured subjects, you may want to hook them up with a wireless. If you're going to be a one man (er, woman) band, you will certainly want some kind of shoulder mount, like DVRigPro or a Mighty-Wondercam, etc., you will find it indespensible, and will lend your shots more weight. I would pretty much reserve the tripod for sit-downs & establishing shots. (BTW: The Libec is great, I have one, LOVE IT, ditched my Bogen for it - believe it or not) Hope that helps....
 
I go without lights. This year went to India and Malaysia for three weeks, to much stuff to travel w/lights. I get use to lighting with natural light and/or finding a room with natural light. Using shade (or creating it) opening up the iris and a good DOF looks great. Did a dozen interviews on this last trip and only one inside (window light). I bring a reflector for fill.

Best place I spent money on this last trip was mattebox and filters. I have the Azden for on camera, a wireless package, Sony hardwire lavs, a couple xlr's, small bogen tripod (501 head), headphones, plenty of tapes and JL's bigger batteries and I am set.

I shove it all in one bag (minus tripod) and I am set.

Next trip: some kind of stedicam...
 
Lighting that you can take with you in a backpack, that's hard, but you could take two power cords with E27 sockets and a bunch of lamps for it (like halogen 250W or fluorescent 30W). Take some aluminum foil, some blackwrap and a clamp, and you can at least bring light levels up with very small and light equipment.

A 50W on camera light can be very helpful, but you need a battery belt. Don't forget a whole selection of gels for the lamp, you want to be able to dim it down a lot or gel it for daylight.
With a little practice the on-camera light doesn't have to look bad. The 6o clock news look that somebody mentioned only happens when a) there is no other lightsource (but then without the light you'd be totally lost!) or b) you don't use the on-camera light right. If possible it should only be a fill with no hotspots and no visible edges.
 
Your camera.

Seriously. I filmed while spending 3 weeks in Germany and Ireland last year. I had my DVX100B. I did bring a few tripods and a light and never used them (carried around my heavy tripod for nothing). Just used the camera and it's onboard mic and produced a nice looking travel doc with some good editing skills (color correction, etc.).

That is the minimum IMO. But if you can fit a little more then go ahead.

*Your camera and everything you need for it of course (batteries, charger, tapes, etc.)
 
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