guttersurf
Member
I'll be leaving in a few months on a bike trip with a buddy that will take us around 9 months covering Europe and South-east asia. We will be shooting a form of travel show (episode format), but the travelling part of it will be minor. We're focusing on the urban aspect of the cities we'll be stopping in (about 2 weeks for each): looking for young urban communities that gather around a common passion/hobby/lifestyle, and trying to capture their atmosphere. At the same time, instead of giving it a traditionnal travelogue format, we're aiming for something slightly more entertaining with a fair bit of fiction (mainly skits).
Anyways, the gh2 is what we'll be using, although I know that it could've been a bit more rational to use a proper video camera, loosing hd functionality and gaining something more practical (say a hvx200), we're not, we're going to try and get the best possible footage which is why we're going with the gh2.
I would like some input as to how to spend whatever is left of our (tiny) budget.
The audio department is going to be taken care of by another budget, and being an audio engineering student, it should be ok. We're not skimping out on it either so no worries (and no h4n)
This is what I have and plan on getting for the time being:
Camera: Hacked gh2 (I'm thinking Sanity for stability and best bang for the buck quality regarding space, any input?) as well as a hacked Gf2, maybe a gh1 is we can afford it, as a B camera, but it will really only be used when we absolutely need two cameras at the same time or if my friend needs to shoot and I'm not around with the gh2.
Power: I'm probably going to take three cheap 9v battery packs: http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-5V-15000..._Batteries&hash=item3cc06f46c8#ht_5137wt_1006 which will also serve for the audio department. Seems like the cheapest, long lasting solution I've found. Anything better?
Lenses: I have: the Lumix 14mm f2.8, a Sigma 28mm f1.8, a Minolta 50mm f1.4, and a Tamron 75-300mm f3.5-5.6. I think this set up covers the range pretty well, considering crop mode.
The only thing I feel is missing is a proper zoom, what do you all think? I'm thinking simply the 14-45mm Lumix or the 14-42mm Olympus Zuiko, budget wise I'd like to keep that under 250 dollars.
Anything crucial missing, would the 20mm f1.7 Lumix help?
Mount-follow focus: I got (which was maybe and error) a cheap (not to me) 400$ rig from Proaim, basically two rods, base plate, handles, silicon pad and a cheap follow focus (huco gearbox) for the 28mm and 50mm.
It works ok, well it works. My main problem with it is that I can't really break it down to put it in a bag quick enough, but I don't think I can do much better in portability anyways, could I?
Stabilization: I've got a good photography tripod: Manfrotto 055xprob, with a cheap Velbon ph368 Fluid head. I seem to get good enough results with it but the legs aren't connected and it could "twist" a little less while panning, would a video tripod really help that much? I don't plan on panning all that much anyways and this is still a pretty sturdy tripod.
I'm thinking of getting a monopod to, if I don't try to upgrade my shoulder mount so I can have something to whip out faster than the mount.
I plan on getting a flycam nano too (cheap steadi cam) whenever I need to track, or simply follow someone walking. Good idea? Wasted or misplaced money?
We potentially could try to bring along a homemade/cheap jib a la http://cheesycam.com/diy-mini-jib-mini-camera-crane/ but that we might just build when we decide to on our way.
Filters: I have a decent Fader nd for really bright conditions, but I don't plan on using to much shallow dof when I don't need to. Still need a good polarized filter for landscapes etc. Any other crucial ones I'm missing?
Computer: I've got a powerful laptop we'll be lugging around for unloading, backing up, on the go editing of clips, previews, extras, but the show itself will be edited later of course. As far as backing up goes, we're going to have everything on two external drives, a main and a backup (2tb each), and we thought we'd burn every thing onto Blu-rays (25gbs) when we can and send those back home as an extra step. Sound like a good idea?
Memory cards: I've got two 16gb Class 10 Transcends right now, and plan on taking another 4 before leaving, keeping my cards not to high in capacity to stay organized and keep a good unloading backup protocol. Maybe one 32gb for unusually long shoots or difficult situations.
Monitor: As of now I have none: how crucial is it in respect of other things I still need. I feel like it's pretty important to have, and I long for peaking and a simply better monitor. I'm thinking a Lilliput monitor mainly because they do have features with a very low price point. Don't think I can go above 300$. Should I try though? Is there anything better around those prices. Also is there a favorite lilliput model I should get?
Lighting: I was planning on getting a z96 and that's about it. We can't lugg around much more. Is there a real point is getting a much better more expensive panel? I think I'll probably avoid to use it if I can and make due with what's available. Just for pitch black scenarios and maybe to fill in some shots.
Would it be a good idea to have a simple lightbulb socket with say one or two cfl lightbulbs and a foldable softbox? Not sure how much use it would be, I doubt there will be many situations where things will be controlled to that extent, except a few interviews.
So guys, what do you all think? What am I missing out? Whats the most important things I should concentrate on and which of my ideas are dumb?
Anyways, the gh2 is what we'll be using, although I know that it could've been a bit more rational to use a proper video camera, loosing hd functionality and gaining something more practical (say a hvx200), we're not, we're going to try and get the best possible footage which is why we're going with the gh2.
I would like some input as to how to spend whatever is left of our (tiny) budget.
The audio department is going to be taken care of by another budget, and being an audio engineering student, it should be ok. We're not skimping out on it either so no worries (and no h4n)
This is what I have and plan on getting for the time being:
Camera: Hacked gh2 (I'm thinking Sanity for stability and best bang for the buck quality regarding space, any input?) as well as a hacked Gf2, maybe a gh1 is we can afford it, as a B camera, but it will really only be used when we absolutely need two cameras at the same time or if my friend needs to shoot and I'm not around with the gh2.
Power: I'm probably going to take three cheap 9v battery packs: http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-5V-15000..._Batteries&hash=item3cc06f46c8#ht_5137wt_1006 which will also serve for the audio department. Seems like the cheapest, long lasting solution I've found. Anything better?
Lenses: I have: the Lumix 14mm f2.8, a Sigma 28mm f1.8, a Minolta 50mm f1.4, and a Tamron 75-300mm f3.5-5.6. I think this set up covers the range pretty well, considering crop mode.
The only thing I feel is missing is a proper zoom, what do you all think? I'm thinking simply the 14-45mm Lumix or the 14-42mm Olympus Zuiko, budget wise I'd like to keep that under 250 dollars.
Anything crucial missing, would the 20mm f1.7 Lumix help?
Mount-follow focus: I got (which was maybe and error) a cheap (not to me) 400$ rig from Proaim, basically two rods, base plate, handles, silicon pad and a cheap follow focus (huco gearbox) for the 28mm and 50mm.
It works ok, well it works. My main problem with it is that I can't really break it down to put it in a bag quick enough, but I don't think I can do much better in portability anyways, could I?
Stabilization: I've got a good photography tripod: Manfrotto 055xprob, with a cheap Velbon ph368 Fluid head. I seem to get good enough results with it but the legs aren't connected and it could "twist" a little less while panning, would a video tripod really help that much? I don't plan on panning all that much anyways and this is still a pretty sturdy tripod.
I'm thinking of getting a monopod to, if I don't try to upgrade my shoulder mount so I can have something to whip out faster than the mount.
I plan on getting a flycam nano too (cheap steadi cam) whenever I need to track, or simply follow someone walking. Good idea? Wasted or misplaced money?
We potentially could try to bring along a homemade/cheap jib a la http://cheesycam.com/diy-mini-jib-mini-camera-crane/ but that we might just build when we decide to on our way.
Filters: I have a decent Fader nd for really bright conditions, but I don't plan on using to much shallow dof when I don't need to. Still need a good polarized filter for landscapes etc. Any other crucial ones I'm missing?
Computer: I've got a powerful laptop we'll be lugging around for unloading, backing up, on the go editing of clips, previews, extras, but the show itself will be edited later of course. As far as backing up goes, we're going to have everything on two external drives, a main and a backup (2tb each), and we thought we'd burn every thing onto Blu-rays (25gbs) when we can and send those back home as an extra step. Sound like a good idea?
Memory cards: I've got two 16gb Class 10 Transcends right now, and plan on taking another 4 before leaving, keeping my cards not to high in capacity to stay organized and keep a good unloading backup protocol. Maybe one 32gb for unusually long shoots or difficult situations.
Monitor: As of now I have none: how crucial is it in respect of other things I still need. I feel like it's pretty important to have, and I long for peaking and a simply better monitor. I'm thinking a Lilliput monitor mainly because they do have features with a very low price point. Don't think I can go above 300$. Should I try though? Is there anything better around those prices. Also is there a favorite lilliput model I should get?
Lighting: I was planning on getting a z96 and that's about it. We can't lugg around much more. Is there a real point is getting a much better more expensive panel? I think I'll probably avoid to use it if I can and make due with what's available. Just for pitch black scenarios and maybe to fill in some shots.
Would it be a good idea to have a simple lightbulb socket with say one or two cfl lightbulbs and a foldable softbox? Not sure how much use it would be, I doubt there will be many situations where things will be controlled to that extent, except a few interviews.
So guys, what do you all think? What am I missing out? Whats the most important things I should concentrate on and which of my ideas are dumb?
, like I said we'll be stopping at least 2 weeks in each city and we can definitely get someone to lend us their mailbox, or get it sent to a post office! Plus if its no charge, we can afford paying for ultra fast delivery!
