info needed - DVX flying to Costa Rica!

S

schteevie

Well-known member
I need some help from those with experience traveling with the DVX
I have an upcoming job in Costa Rica!

I have two main questions…
    technical, and logistical...

For general air travel – how do you deal with your camera?

Here is my plan…

I have the “cinebag”, which I understand is too big to carry-on, so I had planned to buy a large rubbermade container to put the bag in with all my “gak” and tools – nothing delicate or expensive will go in there to be checked.  
I’ll duct tape that up, label it "fragile", and hope for the best.
I plan to carry-on the camera body, my radio lav mics and my frezzy on board HMI
– I’ll need to buy a small camera bag to do that I guess…?  
any tips on particular models?

The second thing is – do I need to do any special paper work?

ie: register my gear with customs or anything..?  
This is all new to me, so any help is appreciated!
I am nervous about going to a foreign country with all this gear…  
I don’t want to deal with Canada customs issues trying to get it back home either!

Any extra tips on shooting in tropical weather is appreciated (most of my shooting is exterior in Ontario, so I have rain gear etc…)  just wondering if there are any tips for high heat and humidity…

Thanks in advance!
 
Re: info needed - DVX flying to Costa Rica!

I just got back from Italy about a month ago> Used a Kata back pack with my DVX, evolution lav set, four LG batteries, 10 tapes, headphones, ipod etc. The only real pain was at the security screening they make you take out the camera than put it in a bin to travel through the xray machine. The gaurds are alittle rough and I shared many words with them about respecting equipment. I would have the camera available to be taken out of the bag easily. No need to check with customs- pack smart.
 
Re: info needed - DVX flying to Costa Rica!

so it is ok to X-ray the camera?
I assume you want to be sure it is OFF when it goes through...?

Can I get some more opinions on the packing and customs issues please?

and any tips from those with experiecne shooting in tropical conditions?

- thnx!
 
Re: info needed - DVX flying to Costa Rica!

Costa Rica is hot (no doubt about that), so if you are staying in a hotel with air conditioning, make sure that your DVX assimilate to the temperature outside being that you said its mostly exteriors.  If not, you may see the condensation red dot and the camera may not work at all.  If this happens, don't freak-out just give it two hours before attempting to start the camera.  This happened to me in South Beach Miami where I was suppose to shoot a band on a boatride.  Thankfully, the camera started working just as the boat was departing.  So make sure the camera is in the environment that you will be shooting for at least an hour before actual shooting will begin.

P.S. take some Skintastic Off for the mosquitos, you will thank me for this.
 
Re: info needed - DVX flying to Costa Rica!

schteevie,

I've been doing some research foot work in Costa Rica for 2 years leading up to some projects myself. What "upcoming job" do you have there? Is it commisioned work or freelance, etc.?

Have you been there before? Over the past 24 months we have spent close to 90 days total time there over about 8 trips. Many, Many connections have been established in this country with us! Where will you be shooting?

Get back with me directly if you want - I know this may be getting in the range of stuff not specific to the site. I think my e-mail comes up in the profile. thanks, hope to hear from you.
 
Re: info needed - DVX flying to Costa Rica!

I've been to CR twice with my DVX - no AC in my hotel rooms so no condensation issues.  The kata backpack is my choice for flying - it does go as carry on and the detachable trolley is a godsend going through customs in FL.  I've even worn the backpack on a galloping horse - though I don't recommend that.

No need to declare it through customs, though having a record of purchase might be valuable if a question comes up.

If you are going in the rainy season, be prepared for that with a rain cover for the camera.

110 current in the mains, so no adapters necessary.

There is a lot of petty theft in CR, and its not so petty if it is your DVX that disappears.  I've purchased insurance through Safeware (www.safeware.com) that covers my DVX while traveling internationally.  It isn't cheap, but it is cheaper than replacing all your gear.  When I did my inventory, I realized I was carrying $10K in equipment in my little backpack.
 
Re: info needed - DVX flying to Costa Rica!

I havn't taken the DVX to Costa Rica, (just recently purchased) but have taken other Panasonic equipment and SLR cameras many, many times.

Always at airport screening now, any laptop and camera (or other) equipment containing motorized components has to be removed from bags, containers, etc. and placed individually for scann. If you have a lot, it's nice to get someone to help at the other where all the equipment beats you to the end. I don't like my stuff to be ever out of my site - no matter what airport I'm in.

Customs AT Costa Rica (and I've done this at both international airports) is very easy. Smile a lot, have your paperwork filled out ahead of time (on the plane), smile more, be patient, say "muchas gracias" a lot, and yes smile again. The concerns at these customs screenings seems to be always more about food products and plant or agriculture items. They have stopped us from bringing peanut butter (I know we're very cheap!) once because of the peanuts in it as we had allready opened it. They want food stuff to be sealed.

The point to NEVER forget about taking electronics to Costa Rica is DO NOT TAKE THEM IN ORIGINAL PACKAGING OF ANY SORT. This goes for any accessory or tape or anything. In most small (and I'm not going to use the term 3rd world here bc Costa Rica does not live 3rd world in the political reference as this is commonly used) countries, electronices are imported, and taxes very steeply - usually at 100% of value. Therefore the black market for one bringing electronics to sale is there. They don't want this. Show all creditials you can about the nature of your work and don't make it look like you could sale anything. I actually would NOT show a reciept for this reason unless for some strange reason there became an issue about your ownership.

Our homeowners' insurance covered all equipment we transport (computers, camera, software, etc. ) Just itemize it, send them a hard documented copy of EVERYTHING with replacement value stated, and pictures if you can. It can be starling when you total everything and realize the cost of replacing all of this should it be destroyed, or stolen.

Costa Rica is reported to have a rising problem with petty theft and I agree that your DVX or other equipment is not petty when gone. I have to say, however, that in the close to 90 days over close to 10 trips in the last 24 months that I have made there, I have not seen or experienced anything myself to ever have shown me evidence of thievery. It could be I'm lucky, it could be where I go (DON'T GO!), it could be the extraordinary measures I take to be safe with my stuff, or it could be that as is often the case in life, you find what you seek out. (Which has a lot to do with where you go if you know what I mean.) I probably shouldn't go on about this so suffice it to say that if I hadn't read about the theft stuff I would never have known of it - BUT - just as when I travel anywhere, my stuff is treated like baby ducklings - NEVER leaves the site of my eyes. My gear is always able to be carried in a backpack and if I go to the bathroom, it's on my shoulder, if I go to the shower, it's there viewable through the curtain, when I go to sleep, it's usually under the bed, or maybe even used as a pillow! As some might think this is extreme, It just all seems to make good sence to me and more importantly, it seems to feel right to me. Therefore, it's not inconvienent, it's natural.

Coming back to the states you have US customs. It's a lot like the initial scanning/ inspection process at any major airport but a bit more in depth, time consuming and way more proffesional. Again, they don't like un-packaged food and especially agriculture stuff. Don't admit to being in a field with livestock even if you did. You'll have to go through a seperate line and answer questions and maybe get your shoes specially cleaned. I really don't think they care about your equipment. I took half of my office once while on a 6 week trip to Costa Rica (I'm talking scanner, printer, video, computer, everything) and never a problem with anyone - but then I'm a lot like any jedi that Lucas portrayed - I don't visualize or expect trouble and it simply does not become part of my reality.

Feel like this thesis may have gotten a bit off course. Let me know what specific question I didn't help with and I'll try to re-align my thinking.
 
Re: info needed - DVX flying to Costa Rica!

WOW thanks OB1 !

I am just home from the bar (Friday night :P
So I am too tired toi realy absorb all that right now, but I'll have another look at it, and get back to you this wekeknd with any other questions, and more info about my specific trip.

thanks again
 
Re: info needed - DVX flying to Costa Rica!

sdjames,

hey I was just curious about what work you did in Costa Rica. Was this commissioned work or otherwise and how did you get the work? Where did you do the shooting in Costa Rica and what was the experience like?

Thanks,
 
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