GH2 GH2 Traveling Videographer Recommendations

A

acentofante

New member
Hello Everyone!


I am going to be traveling on a 4 month voyage around the world on a ship as the videographer for a study abroad program. I will be shooting interviews and ship life while sailing as well as following students on different trips while in port. I am ready to take the plunge into the HDSLR world and it looks like the GH2 w/14-140mm (if i can get my hands on one) is my top choice. I was wondering if you could give me some recommendations into the gear you would take with you. I will be on my feet a lot seeing the great wall of china, taj mahal, ect. so I need to be light but also need to get the best possible footage. I am looking to this for inspiration http://vimeo.com/18484574. These are the things I am thinking so far, but need recommendation on specific model/brand:


tripod and head
shoulder mount w/ FF and possibly matte box
rhode video mic pro (shotgun mic)
nd filter fader
pocket dolly
lavaliere that hooks into a zoom h2 or other reciever


Preferably the tripod, pocket dolly and shoulder mount would all work together. Do I need another way of monitoring the GH2? I have a GF1 with the 20mm pancake that I will be using as a b camera. Any other recommendations for lenses that would work for both of these cameras. Any other gear that you would think to be essential for a trip like this? Also I was warned about the hum of the ship, so I was thinking a lavaliere that hooked into a zoom h2 for interviews would help, plus its a cheap alternative to a wireless lav system.


Thanks so much!
 
Honestly a matte box is completely unnecessary, they look cool, used on movie sets but for what you're doing and needing to pack for, seems a waste of money and space,

The Rode VideoMic Pro or the Sennheiser MKE400 (I use the Senn and find it does an excellent job, very small, 300 hours on a single AAA battery)
Lightcraft Fader ND version II will work well, buy the largest diameter you need and get step down rings for your lenses, cheap. Fader has worked well for me.

Lavs are omni mics so the hum from the ship may even be more pronounced than a decent shotgun mic on a boom pole giving good sound rejection off axis. Audio Technica makes decent lavs with mini 1/8 plugs or XLR needing phantom or can use a AA battery. I use an AT-899 lav.

Pocket dolly, gonna cost you a lot of money $500-over a grand. Tons out there and everyone seems to favor what they have so no clear winner. But I would say go with a roller type and not the IGUS type because of the sea air and dirt from traveling a lot.

Tripod, pick your poison, a billion of them available. All a matter of cost. The Manfrotto 701 head seems to get very good reports. Slap it on some sticks you like feature wise and just go with it.

If using the GH2, I say don't bother with a shoulder rig, use the EVF, have one or more OIS lenses, rock the barrel for focus, or use AF, don't bother with rails and a follow focus. The EVF is the best thing I have seen for focusing accurately in manual.

Every one of us out there does it differently and has different needs. One thing I have learned over the years is avoid burdening yourself with too much stuff. Some creative thought and approaches can make a bunch of gear unnecessary in many environments.

Have fun.
 
The 7-14mm lens please, please, please. Especially when you wisit places like the great wall. And I would also *think* about a lightweight stedicam. Althogh I have never used it, this looks super portable and probably a good compromise between cost, weight, and quality when balanced with the need to keep things ultra packable: http://cheesycam.com/canon-t2i-camera-stabilizer-video/

As for a pocket folly, check this setup out: http://cheesycam.com/rigwheels-smooth-rollers-for-your-diys/

Wish I were going with you.... safe travels.
 
Word of advice, if you buy any type of steadicam apparatus, practice, practice, practice.

I see so many users of any type of lower end steadicam who might tout being good at it and the footage is poor. I won't mention names. In the movie biz, guys dedicate careers to just for being a proficient steadicam operator.

Many ways of shooting footage that can be cut to tell a story. Having a mountain of gear just isn't always needed.
 
Lots of good thoughts here. I'll add a couple. I think a lav or two would be very useful and unless the ship noise is very loud, you might like the ambience it imparts. Also it's very easy to get rid of steady hum in post. Don't think about wireless (if you are). That'll just give you grief everywhere.

Final point. The Great Wall is very steep and narrow in places and unless you are getting special access, can get very crowded. Not the place for a tripod. I would include the right sized Gorillapod with ball head in your inventory. It get you out of a jam in many situations.

One thing I have learned over the years is avoid burdening yourself with too much stuff.
Click to expand...

Truer words were never spoken.

Safe journeys.
 
Just a quick word of advice... if you want to see the wall, don't go to the rebuilt tourist wall. Go to one of the other sections. The wall is thousands of miles long and everyone goes to the same section... its easy to get away if you try.
 
stoneinapond said:
Truer words were never spoken.
Click to expand...

Not to be redundant, but those are indeed true words.

On the other hand a little redundancy is a good thing, especially given your situation. Personally, I'd make the trip with two GH2's. Given the price point of these cameras and the exposure to sea water (among other elements), I'd seriously consider a second body. Even if the thing sits in it's box, at least you have it.

Consider a rain jacket for the camera.... or at least a supply of large freezer bags.

I'd pass on the dolly/ track thing and spend the extra coin on a good tripod head.

While the matte box thing can be overdone, it's a must have item for me- with a caveat. Get one that is on the smaller side of things like a Genus etc... The size of some are just too big for these tiny cams. If nothing else get a lens hood on steroids.

Handheld support is nice, but IMO unless you are on a set all day the full rig set up (two handles etc..) is overkill. Some of the more modest offerings from Red Rock and Zacuto are adequate for stabilizing hand held- without all of the extra bulk that could be a bummer while traveling as you are. Just a single handle with rails is working for me.

Enjoy the trip, have a blast!
 
Excellent Advice everyone... I'd add my .02

I would also concur that having a backup for the camera, and other key production gear might be essential. YOu don't want to be shut down due to one mishap or to loose one thing...

A monopod can be a godsend for impromptu interviews, for high angle shots and you can kind of use it as a counterweight..


I also would get a couple of decent LED camera lights and maybe even some lightweight stands or clamps.. These you can get pretty cheap and they'll do wonders for extending where and when you can shoot.


I'd also think about extra batteries for when you are off the boat. The GH2 only gives you about 2 hours per battery and recharging out in the field might be hard.. I'd say to also have plenty of SD cards too...

wireless Lavs are great but can be expensive.... The wired ones are really a great value if you are on a budget.. but for wireless one's don't skimp... you'll end up regretting that.

I also really like the zoom levers for the cameras.. helps tremendously and I also concur a follow focus would be too much, and I'd think the same about a matte box... The ND fader is a great thing to pick up...

Finally, I'd say you need to get more lenses.... A good wide like the 7-14, A really fast wid, a fast portrait and I think a 100-300 or something very telephoto would be ideal...

A timelapse trigger also seems like a must have and they are cheap.


Also bring garbage bags to cover things up... and plenty of cleaning supplies, batteries and maybe a really nice 5" Sony LCD....

For tripods, I really like the lightweight Libecs but it's true.. there's tons of them on the market... For stabilizing it, I like the glidecam units for use and cost, but it does take a while to get up to speed.. You also might like to pick up a spiderbrace or other shoulder mounted system....



Have a great trip and God Speed... Should make for a wonderful experience and i'm sure we'd love to see the footage when you get back.. I think you would be able to go stock footage crazy too...
 
keylight said:
The 7-14mm lens please, please, please. Especially when you wisit places like the great wall. And I would also *think* about a lightweight stedicam. Althogh I have never used it, this looks super portable and probably a good compromise between cost, weight, and quality when balanced with the need to keep things ultra packable: http://cheesycam.com/canon-t2i-camera-stabilizer-video/

As for a pocket folly, check this setup out: http://cheesycam.com/rigwheels-smooth-rollers-for-your-diys/

Wish I were going with you.... safe travels.
Click to expand...


if you are on a budget you MUST get the excellent wide olympus 9-18mm (you really really should get a wide lens for this trip). half the price of the panny, half the weight, it can take filters and imo quality to knock your socks off.

3952188433_b314015f6f.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top