Camera for Hiking/ Fly Fishing Documentry in Rocky Mountains

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rmflyfisher

Member
The project will have at least 15 day trips and a few overnighters as it is mapped out right now. Some days will consist of hiking 20+ miles (very few but looks like 2 right now).

I am currently leaning to the Canon XF100 with a light weight tripod (also welcome any thoughts on tripods). I'd get a rain cover unless I went with the Sony NX70. Any thoughts would be appreciated taking weight into consideration. I'm willing to add some lbs if the image quality would be worth it (I'll just train harder this winter!) Also adding a cpl filter on the front for protection and taking the glare off the water.
 
What is your final delivery for this doc going to be? Are you planning on sending this to broadcast or is it for web?
 
rmflyfisher said:
The project will have at least 15 day trips and a few overnighters as it is mapped out right now. Some days will consist of hiking 20+ miles (very few but looks like 2 right now).
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I've done a little hiking in the past. Even if your terrain is relatively flat, 20+ mile days is, um, ambitious. Thru hikers get to this level. Day hikers seldom do.

If you're carrying much weight at all, reconsider your schedule. Two 10+ mile days are much more doable than one 20+ mile day. The only penalty besides time is the extra food and water to carry.

There are a few real problems with 20+ mile days. One is your feet. If you don't work up to this level properly you put your feet in danger. If you're feet are hurt, you're not moving. And those medivac helicopter trips off the mountains are truly expensive and may not be covered by your insurance. Just sayin'. Second, you won't have any time to shoot anything -- you'll be hiking largely without stopping. Third, if you do stop to shoot, you'll be tired, and tired shooters make mistakes. This will be particularly true if you're doing the one-man-band thing. Hard enough to do when you're fresh. When you're tired you'll miss things. Again, just sayin'.

As far as small lightweight cameras go, I think you're on the right track with the Canon XF100. It's probably the smallest and lightest of the 422 cameras. Another to consider is the new Pannasonic ag-ac90, not least because it appears to have an outstanding five axis OIS system which will allow you to shoot more off tripod.

The lightest actual video tripod I know right now is the Sachtler Ace L carbon fiber. It'll be released shortly so there aren't any good reviews out yet. But it might be just the thing for your application. IDK.
 
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Bruce,
Thanks for the input. There is one hike on the shooting scheduled now that was a 20.5 mile day (I already broke the other one up) , and one that I and a few other guys have done before, so that's why I had it scheduled that way. Your point though about tired shooters make mistakes has made me reconsider. So I'm going to break it up into an overnight trip. Besides, a sunset there would be amazing.

I'll check out that Panasonic and the tripod. Thanks for your thoughts!
 
Canon XF100/105 is the way to go. I would also add GoPro. I shot countless days for mtn biking movie and that is where this camera shines- portability without sacrificing quality of footage. The other plus- you can shoot to two cards at once for instant backup.
Here are some links to how it turns out:
https://vimeo.com/45684130
https://vimeo.com/38595574
Second movie was shot in part with JVC GY-HM100- you can tell the difference.
 
XF100 sound like a great choice. DSLRs would be a great fit if you are comfortable with them. The still photo option would be nice although the XF100 will be the easiest to operate if you want to concentrate on other things.
 
I have used a Canon T3i quite extensively for doing fly fishing work. I think with a Tokina 11-16 f/2.8 and a 50mm f/1.4 you could do just about anything you want. Throw in the new GoPro Hero 3 Black shooting at 2.7k and you have an incredible combination for light weight fishing adventures.

Here are a few samples I have gotten with the T3i and the GoPro. I also have a few other really nice lenses, but they're not really needed.

http://youtu.be/w8dZ0NLP8Eo T3i
http://youtu.be/bAtbEX9ZwkU T3i
http://youtu.be/FgjPVw3khjo T3i bowfishing
http://vimeo.com/58936822 GoPro Hero3 Black Edition @2.7 30p on a new jib pole stabilizer.

The reason you still want to rethink the XF100 is that it has horrible low light capibility compared to the DSLR's. Much of the great light and fishing action are at dawn and dusk and the relatively lower noise levels and color depth from the DSLR makes all the difference in the world if you want to get to broadcast.

Cheers,
Pete
 
Bruce Watson said:
I've done a little hiking in the past. Even if your terrain is relatively flat, 20+ mile days is, um, ambitious. Thru hikers get to this level. Day hikers seldom do.

If you're carrying much weight at all, reconsider your schedule. Two 10+ mile days are much more doable than one 20+ mile day. The only penalty besides time is the extra food and water to carry.

There are a few real problems with 20+ mile days. One is your feet. If you don't work up to this level properly you put your feet in danger. If you're feet are hurt, you're not moving. And those medivac helicopter trips off the mountains are truly expensive and may not be covered by your insurance. Just sayin'. Second, you won't have any time to shoot anything -- you'll be hiking largely without stopping. Third, if you do stop to shoot, you'll be tired, and tired shooters make mistakes. This will be particularly true if you're doing the one-man-band thing. Hard enough to do when you're fresh. When you're tired you'll miss things. Again, just sayin'.

As far as small lightweight cameras go, I think you're on the right track with the Canon XF100. It's probably the smallest and lightest of the 422 cameras. Another to consider is the new Pannasonic ag-ac90, not least because it appears to have an outstanding five axis OIS system which will allow you to shoot more off tripod.

The lightest actual video tripod I know right now is the Sachtler Ace L carbon fiber. It'll be released shortly so there aren't any good reviews out yet. But it might be just the thing for your application. IDK.
Click to expand...

I feel compelled to say that I did the UK coast to coast a few years back, and that was 210 miles in ten days, although only carrying a day pack. The route takes you through the Lake District mountains and Yorkshire peaks, so was hard going and my body was none too flash by the last day. I've done most the big New Zealand multi day tramps (hikes) carrying a full pack with food for four days, and ten miles is plenty if you want to actually enjoy the experience. An XF100 and tripod would add significant weight to your pack, without knowing how old you are and how prepared you are, I wouldn't like to say how doable it would be. I once met a 25 year old ex soldier in the middle of nowhere (several days in from the trail head) and he was carrying two full packs totalling 40kg. Plus he was taking a longer route out from the wilderness than I was!!
 
Trevor Dennis said:
I feel compelled to say that I did the UK coast to coast a few years back, and that was 210 miles in ten days, although only carrying a day pack. The route takes you through the Lake District mountains and Yorkshire peaks, so was hard going and my body was none too flash by the last day. I've done most the big New Zealand multi day tramps (hikes) carrying a full pack with food for four days, and ten miles is plenty if you want to actually enjoy the experience. An XF100 and tripod would add significant weight to your pack, without knowing how old you are and how prepared you are, I wouldn't like to say how doable it would be. I once met a 25 year old ex soldier in the middle of nowhere (several days in from the trail head) and he was carrying two full packs totalling 40kg. Plus he was taking a longer route out from the wilderness than I was!!
Click to expand...

Yeah, thinking I will keep it to 10 a day. I am in good enough shape to make it in and out in one day, but probably would be too tired and make lots of shooting mistakes for the effort.
 
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