Hiking/Nature Video

ksteiger

ksteiger

Well-known member
Over the next two months I am going to be driving all over the Southwest shooting footage for two projects. (I will be going to Maui in early summer as well to capture waterfalls) One project will be a meditation/hypnosis nature DVD that will include falls, rivers and streams, and ocean footage. The other will be a video guide to various hikes throughout Southern California and Arizona. It will provide detailed trail information as well as highlights of each trip.
I will be shooting in 24PN mode with 2 - 4 gig P2 cards. (No firestore)
My questions:

What kind of backpack should I use? I will be hiking with a laptop and small bus powered drive for file storage.
What would be the best stabilization system to get nice flowing footage while actually hiking? I know the Flyer is great but my budget is under 2K. It needs to be lite also.

What kind of polarizing filter should I use since my setup will not have a matte box, and gow do I know when I need it?

Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
BTW, It's just me, no assistant.
Thanks:D
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The FIG RIG is the best camera stabilizer for under a grand. I used it with the HVX while riding on a horse! And got some really nice footage. It's lightweight, maneuverable and indestructible. Pound for pound it's the most exciting peice of equipment I own.
 
Although if you get the FIG RIG, for a couple hundred more, I highly recommend getting the remote control zoom and focus so you'll have these features at your fingertips.
 
The Kata HB-207 looks like a great backpack that would carry a laptop up to 17 inch along with camcorder and gear. Check out link here http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=368034&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

Personally, I am looking at getting a DVrig Pro and encourage you to look at that and consider. I do not know if it would be easy to pack and carry but it just might be what you need.

As far as using a polarizer, I believe you would want to use it in any bright/daylight shots where there is either glare or strong sunlight. I don't think it would hurt to use on most bright shots where you feel you could benefit from truer, richer colors that are not washed out by strong sunlight.

It sounds like you will be having a great time getting the footage! I have a passion for doing landscape and scenic shoots.

Good luck :)
 
I second the Kata 207 backpack. I carry a 17" laptop, bus powered drive, HVX, 1.6 lens, .75 lens, Petrol rain cover, 4x8gb cards, monopod, 3 batteries, polarizing filter, vidled on camera light, 2 lectrosonics wireless transmitters & receivers. It has a number of compartments that can be rearranged and it has a place on either side to strap a small tripod or monopod.
The fig rig is probably not ideal in this situation, I would suggest looking at the steadicam merlin (not inexpensive) but light and easy to pack.
The polarizing filter will come in handy on water shots to cut down on the glare.
 
Forget the Fig Rig, go with the MultiRig Pro. You get way more bang for the buck, and you can get the same function as the Fig Rig, plus many more options.
 
Thanks for putting that out there about the multi rig. It does seem it would have more functions, but is it compatible with a remote control zoom/focus control? This is a must when shooting in a FIG RIG style.
 
Thank you all for your replies. This site proves to be a valuable resource every day. The backpack info was particularly useful.
Thanks again.

Sedona is first., I will post short clips when available. With each setup there I will do a static shot of 5 minutes and then 4 or 5 variations with movements, pans, zooms etc.

I am psyched.
 
You can leave the monopod if you use the multirig pro with pod, for steady shots you'll find rocks or trees to support the cam, think batteries and raincover.
 
ozduc said:
I second the Kata 207 backpack. I carry a 17" laptop, bus powered drive, HVX, 1.6 lens, .75 lens, Petrol rain cover, 4x8gb cards, monopod, 3 batteries, polarizing filter, vidled on camera light, 2 lectrosonics wireless transmitters & receivers.
Click to expand...

This pack looks great.. have you flown with it? Will the airlines let you carry this on?

Another question about vidled on camera light and perhaps should be another thread, but are you happy with it and which one do you recommend?

Thanks
 
I use the DVrig pro for this kind of work. It's difficult to walk and keep the image smooth so if that's what you'll be doing mostly then perhaps something else would be better but for hiking along a trail and stopping to film I love it. I do get pretty good pans as long as I'm not walking.

--gary
 
vfranke said:
This pack looks great.. have you flown with it? Will the airlines let you carry this on?

Another question about vidled on camera light and perhaps should be another thread, but are you happy with it and which one do you recommend?

Thanks
Click to expand...

I personally haven't flown with the KATA 207 yet, however as I was boarding a flight from Denver to LA the guy in front of me was carrying one and I asked him if he had ever been told it was too big and he said no. He had carried it on several flights without a problem.

I am happy with the Vidled light. I would suggest the 5203-cw40 cool white. You can always gel it down with a CTO if needed.
 
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