advice on purchase please

A

Alexg

Active member
I am going to be shooting some large indoor industrial showcases and I have a few questions. First I have never been to one so I don't know how the lighting is. I am assuming it will be great for the products but not so great for trying to maybe get a quick interview with reps on the show floor. If I use a hpx170 do you think I will have a big problem with grain on those types of shots? I was originally thinking of getting a 150 but I'm unsure of its capabilities indoors and I figured the 170 would likely outshoot it in this situation. So my main question is do you think buying the 170 is appropriate for this use? Also would an onboard light be overkill?

Then a few other 170 related questions.

1) I am also unsure of how much I will be filming. I was thinking either 1 64gig p2 card or possibly a firestore. I have used the firestore before and I like the fact that I pretty much don't have to worry about space but it is somewhat cumbersome. I'm leaning towards a p2 card but the price is quite high for 64 gigs and for a few hundred more I could have 250 gigs on a firestore. I know this wasn't really a question but any advice would be helpful.

2) Any advice on a softshell case for the 170 for carry on air travel? I always use pelican hard cases but I don't think they'd fit onboard and I wouldn't want to put it in baggage. Unless it is very safe? I've never traveled on a plane with a camera so any advice would be helpful.

3) Concerning audio I was thinking of a rode ntg-1. Appropriate choice? I don't need amazing audio but I want better than the built in mic and I also want to use this for some VOs in post.

Thanks in advance.
 
I'd recommend getting two 32GB cards, gives you much more flexibility.

I use a Varizoom LED on-camera light at trade shows when its darker in the booth.

I use a Pelican 1550, this meets airline specs for the overhead bin. Never check your camera, it will never show up again.

I use a shotgun Sennheiser (ME66) on-camera in those interview situations, and the background noise rejection is great (like at wedding receptions). You definitely want to get away from the built-in mics. No experience with the Rode tho.
 
Last edited:
1) 2, 32 gigs will serve you better than 1, 64. because you can shoot to one while you offload the other. if you just have 1, 64, you fill it and youre dead in the water until its transferred

2) i've checked my cameras in my pelican for about the last 10 years (and ive traveled to some pretty ganky 3rd world places) and the only issue was 1 crushed firewire cable. aside from that, i have a couple kata bags and they hold up really well on the road.

3) ive never used a rode product that i didnt like. but in the world of audio, spend all you can afford. B&H has a cool package on an ntg3
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/563847-REG/Rode_NTG_3_NTG_3_Ultimate_Shotgun_Microphone.html

- ) you might put about a grand in some knock-off kinos. something easy to transport and set up... like these:
http://www.coollights.biz/cl455pmd-cool-lights-portable-dimming-watt-softlight-p-70.html

or maybe an on-camera light?
 
Thanks for the quick replies. After thinking about it I will skip the firestore. Now I'm not sure about the cards. I could get 2 32gigs but what about a 64 and a 16? It's only $100 more. Or would the 16 gig one be too limiting (I mean fill up too fast)? Thanks also for the tip about the 1650. I figured these types of cases were too large for the overhead bins. Good to know they aren't.

I'm going to definitely go for an on-camera light. I want to be as portable as possible. Is that Varizoom you are talking about the s-2010 Dick? I checked that one out and it looks like a good choice.
 
but what about a 64 and a 16?
Click to expand...
the drawback to mismatching card sizes is the 16 will fill up way faster than a 64 will transfer. and then youre just as screwed as only having 1 card.

but you have to ask yourself what kind of work youre doing. for many people, a 64gig card will last all day. i shoot tv spots and i generally fill about 4-5 16gig cards on a typical days shoot...

Thanks also for the tip about the 1650. I figured these types of cases were too large for the overhead bins
Click to expand...
one thing you need to consider if youre going to carry on is yeah, it may meet the requirements but will it actually FIT. in my experience the overhead bins are always crammed full and its often hard to find ANY space at all. much less the space for a hard case... sometimes the attendants will take it from you and store it with their stuff, but sometimes they'll make you check it anyway...
 
wgzn said:
the drawback to mismatching card sizes is the 16 will fill up way faster than a 64 will transfer. and then youre just as screwed as only having 1 card.

but you have to ask yourself what kind of work youre doing. for many people, a 64gig card will last all day. i shoot tv spots and i generally fill about 4-5 16gig cards on a typical days shoot...

one thing you need to consider if youre going to carry on is yeah, it may meet the requirements but will it actually FIT. in my experience the overhead bins are always crammed full and its often hard to find ANY space at all. much less the space for a hard case... sometimes the attendants will take it from you and store it with their stuff, but sometimes they'll make you check it anyway...
Click to expand...


Yeah I figured the 16 gig would fill up too fast. So it looks like 2 32 gig cards is the way to go. Like I said I don't know how much shooting I will be doing. These machines are huge so I think a lot of time will be taken just getting optimal shots of all of them at various angles. Plus I will likely be taking shots of them while on and off so I think this will equal lots of footage and that's not even mentioning interviews.

I'll have to look further into the case situation. There are lots of factors at play it seems but the one thing I don't want to do is have them check it.
 
Oops, I made a typo, I actually have the Pelican 1550, and it will fit in the overhead bin.

If you're worried about stuffing your carry-on, I always do my seat selection as early as possible online, and get a seat in the back. That way you board early and there is plaenty of overhead bin space.
 
BTW, HPX170 and HMC150 are essentially the same camera, so the light gathering abilities are exactly the same. The only difference is in the recording section (DVCPro HD and P2 features like overcrank and interval) and the focus bar.

So maybe if the 150 will suit your needs, you'd have more budget for bags, lights, audio, etc.
 
and get a seat in the back. That way you board early and there is plaenty of overhead bin space.
Click to expand...
always a good idea! - if you dont mind being the last off the plane.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top