General advice needed for a trip to Kenya and my first "documentary" type shoot.

J

jrm27

Active member
General advice needed for a trip to Kenya and my first "documentary" type shoot.

Hello all,

Next month I'll be leaving for Kenya for a few weeks to do some humanitarian aide work. I do a little bit of video for my church, so I've been asked to bring along some gear in order to document the trip and the work.

First, let me say that I am not a professional videographer. I am still very much learning. When I do video for the church, I generally use one or two Canon T2i cameras running Magic Lantern. I'll set up a few different angles, a few cheap can lights, and go from there. For sound I'll usually use a cheap lav running into a Zoom H1 and sync up in post. Every so often when I need to I mount up a T2i on a Cowboy Studios shoulder rig, throw on a Rode Videomic Pro, and hit the scene taking video as I can. The sound isn't usually great, but sometimes I can use the imagery as b-roll and edit away. Rarely do I have a second person who can hold a boom poll, so everything I do generally is done as a one-person setup. So, yes, very amateur. However, for a lot of what we do, it is sufficient to say that even my level of video production is preferred to none at all.

So, for this trip I have to pack crazy light. Everything I'm bringing (this includes clothes, supplies, and camera gear) needs to fit in my carryon. I'll be gone for two weeks. I dont mind skimping on packing clothes so I can fit gear. I can wash clothes in a sink but I can't manifest a camera/lens/microphone out of one. I think my bare bones rig will be as follows. A T2i, 24-70, 50mm 1.8, Zoom H1, cheap lav mic, and maybe the Rode Videomic Pro. I dont think I'll have room for a tripod in my pack, so I'm figuring I'll need to rig up something onsite... either my camera leveled on a backpack or sat on some cinderblocks with a beanbag, etc.... Perhaps something like a gorillapod could be pressed into service when using the 50mm.

Anyways, I'd like to be able to bring one more camera. I'd like it to be small for when we are traveling into areas where a DSLR may not be needed/practical/the safest choice. If I had the budget and it was released already, I thought that the new canon mirrorless would have been an awesome choice. But I was thinking of maybe something like the s100 as i could use it to take some decent stills as well if it needs to be pressed into service for that. Might you have any recommendations? I have access to a Vixia Hfr21 as well, but as it isn't mine I'm a little leery of traveling with it even though it's relatively cheap to replace.

The video I'm planning on shooting will be a little bit like a documentary. I'll probably be interviewing people, recording the work being done, etc... I'm not really going to know too much until I get there.

As this will be my first time shooting in such an environment, and my first time shooting in a "documentary style", might you have any recommendations on gear that I should/shouldn't bring? Everything purchased will be out of my pocket and most of my money is going to paying for this trip, so as much as I'd like to dream big, budget options would be appreciated.

I apologize for the broadness of the question and if i should be posting in a different place, I will gladly move my questions. Thank you so much for the wonderful community and information here!

-jon
 
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I just came back from a shoot in Nepal and also had to go light although not as light as you! A couple quick notes that may or may not be helpful for you:

- I'd recommend an EFS 17-55 mm 2.8 lens versus the 24-70. The stabilizer is a huge help on the camera especially if you're not planning on bringing a tripod.
- Speaking of Tripod, even a small slik camera tripod can help stabilize even if you're walking.
- A camera I got to use on this trip was a waterproof Compact Camera Lumix. Very portable and allows you take video in tougher conditions (i.e. monsoon weather, polluted water). I don't remember the model number, but it looks something like this: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Panasonic-Lu...tal_Cameras&hash=item2320c72150#ht_2251wt_908
- Don't forget a microfiber cloth for your lens... I got a lot of rain and dust blowing everywhere
- Clothing... love my Merino wool Icebreaker. Expensive as heck, but I wore it for a week without washing and it didn't smell. Given it was basically the only clothing I could fit, it was worth it.
- Bring lots of batteries and cards. SD cards are cheap.

Hope that helps,
Chris
 
jrm27 said:
Hello all,

I think my bare bones rig will be as follows. A T2i, 24-70, 50mm 1.8, Zoom H1, cheap lav mic, and maybe the Rode Videomic Pro. I dont think I'll have room for a tripod in my pack, so I'm figuring I'll need to rig up something onsite... either my camera leveled on a backpack or sat on some cinderblocks with a beanbag, etc.... Perhaps something like a gorillapod could be pressed into service when using the 50mm.
Click to expand...

A tripod is nearly impossible to part with. Shaky hand held footage look really bad. At least some shots need to be on a tripod (or equivalent rock stable platforms) to make your overall video look professional. If you don't use a tripod at all, you'd typically have to use your editing software to stabilize your footage, but it may take a lot of time and does not always yield good results.

If you work alone, you can hardly do an interview without a tripod.

BTW, I like the idea of having a small waterproof backup camera. Again you'd better shoot it on a tripod to make its footage look good.

Good luck!
 
Thanks for the helpful responses. Much appreciated.

As per a tripod: I know I wont have room for a full tripod. There's just not enough space in my bag. I'm wondering if I might use one of the newer Gorillapods that joby has designed for SLR cameras. They seem to be able to hold quite enough weight. It's nto going to be the most flexible/professional option, but working within my confines of space, perhaps it will do the job? I'm imagining that I might even be able to use it with a little backup P&S (thinking an s100) for some interesting things, or even as a little bit of a "handle" to get a smoother movement rather than just handholding it when snagging some video.

yes, I can stabilize afterwards in AE if needed, but thats a step that I'd rather avoid if possible.

Thanks for the suggestion!
 
You really do need to bring a tripod. You could maybe get away with a monopod if you have someone to hold it but if you go without a tripod you will definitely regret it.
 
I'm going to throw my 2 cents in with the others -- you definitely need a tripod of some kind. I also think you'll regret not having one when you get back and look at what you have.

Try some practice shoots with similar conditions including short interviews of friends/family without a tripod. Focus on the technical aspects and not what you are shooting. You'll see quickly that a tripod is absolutely invaluable.

I have used a Manfrotto 785 Modo Maxi. It's rated to hold 2.2 pounds, but I think it'll hold a little more. If it'll work, it's as small as you can get for something that will still do the job. Saw it for about $50 w/shipping on Amazon this morning. I used it in Peru several times with small video cameras, but I can't remember if I used it with a DSLR.

We are in the process of moving and mine is still at my old apartment since I don't use it anymore. I'm going there today to pick up some more things so I'll try it out with my 60D and a lens comparable to the the 24-70 to see if there's any hope. The lighter 50mm has a better chance and that would be a good choice for interviews.

Again, you REALLY need to take a tripod of some kind. Static, non-panning shots look exactly the same on a cheap tripod as an expensive one, but going handheld when you need support screams "amateur". It's just too simple a fix if you can fit one in your kit.

Now that I think about it, there's no reason not to let you use mine, if you want and if it'll hold the T2i. It hasn't been used in several years.


Here a little doc I did on a trip to Machu Picchu a couple of years ago using the Manfrotto tripod, a Canon HV20, and a Sennheiser wireless mic set: https://vimeo.com/6092727

It's pretty amateurish, but it was just for family and friends and the tripod made a huge difference.

I'd definitely take the Videomic Pro as well. Since you have the H1 for sound, too, it doesn't hurt to have the small Rode on the camera for sound as well. I like mine on my small videocamera that I use on vacations -- not perfect sound, but the best mic I've used in its class. You can carry it in a pocket on the plane.

Have you thought about taking s small video camera (like the Vixia you mentioned) and a something like a Canon Powershot camera for stills? That might cut down on the cameras that you are taking and cover both video and stills. (I've used several tiny Canon still cameras and they have always been great.) These are usually cheap and things that church members might be able to loan you for the trip.

Take some cleaning cloths and a small cleaning brush, too. A few clear baggies can be cut and altered to wrap the camera when the wind is blowing in dusty conditions. A few of those could save you a lot of headaches later. And all the batteries and SD cards that you can handle. Do you know of the reliability of electricity to charge your batteries in the area(s) that you'll be visiting? That is very important. And make sure you have adapters to fit the local plugs, if necessary. You're charger should work fine, but may need a cheap adapter to plug in.
 
Phil,

Thanks for the encouragement to bring a tripod along. I'm really trying to figure out how to get one in my pack! I do agree, a tripod can make all the difference. I usually always shoot with one, or using a shoulder rig and it makes a huge difference. Maybe if theres no room in my bag I can figure out a way to lash it to the outside of the bag. Hmmm... I've really been trying to figure out a way to see if a gorillapod can be pressed into service, but with too many unknowns, I'm not sure. A full size tripod would obviously be best.

I am going to bring my eyepiece too. That'll give me one more point of contact for stabilization when I'm away from any tripod solution I might come up with.

Thank you for the generous offer. I'd love to hear how it holds up under your 60d and a lens! I appreciated your Machu Picchu video too. Thanks for sharing! I am bringing a little Canon P&S with me, an s100. I figure I'm going to use that in situations where I need something small and quick. It also does 1080 video at 24 fps. So, its not going to be the best, but maybe I can use it for a few different things. Perhaps I'll throw that Vixia in the front of the bag too and have a couple different options that dont take up a lot of space.

Thanks for the reminder on the cloths, cleaning brush, and baggies. Extra batteries and SD cards are on the way. From what I know, we will have access to pretty reliable electricity. I've got an adapter on order, and I've already checked my chargers. They'll step down the voltage as needed. Thanks again Phil! I'm looking forward to hearing how that little tripod holds up!

-jon
 
As an aside, has anyone used a sirui t005 tripod? I'm selling one of my cameras (a 5D) and am thinking of using some of those funds to get a few things for this trip. That tripod looks like a decent solution for a travel situation. Any thoughts?
 
One thing you have to think about, is how you are going to power your equipment which need power. I think the grid down there is 250V which might not work with anything you curry along with you. A 110V to 250V converter is a must or is it 250V to 110V ???? get it right or else everything will go into smoke.
 
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If I might suggest, take a look at the SteddiePod. It has a relatively small form factor, and can be pressed in to a lot of different roles.
You can see a review here. Just throwing that in there. I use it with an HMC150, Canon 60D, and even consumer point and shoot cameras. Very versatile, very handy in a pinch.

Best of luck on your doc. Get your shots! Yellow Fever would not be good.
 
That steddiepod looks pretty cool. Very versatile looking. Nice. Unfortunately, I think it'll blow the space budget, and especially the financial budget. I ended up picking up a Sirui t005, and am hoping that when I sell my 5D, I can recoup some of that cost. It's pretty darn small and light... about 11 inches all folded down and it holds my gripped t2i and 24-70 quite well. I'm hoping I can hang my backpack from the bottom hook to stabilize it with a bit more weight. We'll see. I'll be running some tests on it before I leave.

Yep, I'm all good on my shots.. well one more round to go. But yeah, no yellow fever for me (fingers crossed)! That would suck.

As far as power is concerned. I've got some travel converters to plug my chargers in to. All my chargers have built in power converters. So from all my research it looks like they'll take in the higher voltage and step it down to what I need. Blowing up gear would be a bummer.

-jon
 
I run into this problem often. When I am visiting somewhere to film in a foreign country, I also cram as much as I can into my carry on. My best solution is to just have some money put aside to buy a tripod when I get there. You can't hang the tripod off of your bag in the bins on the plane, but you can tie it to the top or side of your pack w/ paracord once you're there. Since it's just a cheap POS, you can ditch it when you come back so your pack still fits. It's not necessarily optimal, but you do what you can with what you can. Either way, I agree with others: you really need a tripod. You can probably find one in a market there for a couple bucks.
 
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