EOS 5d Mk2 or 550d setup for multi-day backpacking video?

D

DCAD

Member
EOS 5d Mk2 or 550d setup for multi-day backpacking video?

I am an avid ultralight backpacker and photographer that is just getting into backcountry video. I will be taking a very significant backpacking trip for two weeks and I want to shoot a combination of stills and video.

550d with 15-85 (2.4 lbs and $1550) or
5d with 24-105 (3.5 lbs and $3300)

But the big question is what MINIUM of equipment besides the camera do I need to shoot good video? And again, I am an ultralight backpacker, so while good video is important, weight on a two week trip also an important factor. I have to carry all this on my back along with 10 days of food, and all my camping equipment.

There are two ways to keep weight down, take lighter things, and only take what you need (take les things).

This summer I dabbled with shooting and editing some backcountry video done with inexpensive cameras with built in microphones. While the video was passable, the sound was crap, and when the wind was blowing (and it always does above treeline) voice was close to unintelligible. Obviously I need a camera with capacity for an external mic, and a good external mic with windscreen. Also in many instances handholding the camera did not produce the most pleasing video. In other instances it was not so bad.

I can take a stab at some equipment I’ll probably need, but I would like some confirmation. I am guessing:

Carbon Fiber tripod
A tripod head (will a standard RRS ballhead work or must I have a video head)
Is handheld video shooting an option?
External microphone with windscreen, like a Rode or Azden SMX-10 (Anything decent but lighter than these? A light wireless mic with decent quality?)
Mic cable (or possibly some wireless solution)
Mic boom (or figure out some way to attach the mic to a trekking pole?)

Or possibly a digital recorder like the M-AUDIO - MicroTrack II Digital Recorder, or the Tascam DR100 Portable Digital Recorder.

Lots of media cards and batteries

After that I am plum out of ideas.

Thanks, DCAD
 
A fluid head tripod will give you smooth pans and tilts....but you can use a photo tripod and just lock it down.

The 5D has the ability to disable Auto Gain Control for audio so you could use an onboard mic like the Rode VideoMic with a deadcat. Otherwise, get a Zoom H4n or other portable recorder.

Handheld will work fine with the 5D, if you know how to do it. Stay wide or be steady.

The quality of your glass will make a difference too. The 5D's kit lens is great. The 550D's kit lens is junk.

I guess it all depends on how pro you want this to turn out. For an internet video, you could just grab the 550D and go. For something better quality, you will definitely need gear.
 
I'd get a mono pod that could double as a walking stick/weapon. That's it.
With that I could achieve steadicam like footage with a small camera like the 5D or 550D.
 
Yes, I understand that the 18-55 kit lens with the 550d is junk. That's why I would get the 550d body and the canon 15-85. I understand it is a decent lens. Sharp but with some distortion and CA at either end. Not all that fast either.

I understand that the Sigma 30mm is a desirable video lens, as is the tokina 11-16. Don't think I'll be able to afford the new Zeiss cine lenses for DSLRs when they come out in June.
 
Beginning to think so. What is a good LIGHT video recorder. Are the mic's ok in the Zoom and how do you put a windscreen on them?
 
If you want to shoot some footage while actually hiking, a Steadicam Merlin will provide you with some sweet, floating shots. I have the Blackbird which is fine for limited backpacking, but on a two-week trip something smaller and light like the Merlin would be very nice.

Also don't forget some kind of elements-protection for your camera. Between possible rains and the continual dust from the trail you'll want to keep it protected. A lightweight solar charger might not be a bad idea because carrying two weeks of batteries could be cumbersome depending on how much you shoot, and also the cold saps the life quickly.
 
Ya .. one of the advantages of say the 5D after the firmware update is a bit of manual audio level control which would allow the use of a small mic. With my 5D last year I hauled the H4n around with me on many hiking trips and it is considerable weight in place of something else which might be even more useful, not to mention batteries for it as well.
I use a carbon fiber manfrotto tripod with an ultra small ball head as well as a merlin , the 5D and two lenses ( 24-70, Nikon q 200 f4 ) with the H4n for day hiking/climbing type stuff. For longer trips I go down to just the Merlin and one lens with my trekking poles and a custom ball head attachment on them doubling as a monopod type thing.
 
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