HDV For Expedition Travel

[Scott Brady]

The last few years have been an interesting exercise for Overland Video, and the pace of technology change has really facilitated the documentation of our travels.

We have several premium cameras, including the Canon XL-H1.

One of the challenges we have faced is finding equipment that is supremely durable and also compact, especially for the Adventure Moto treks. Our first attempt was the Canon HV20, which made it only 1/2 way across the TAT before giving up the ghost (tapes would no longer record, the gears would just spin).

So, much to my horror, I had to patronize Walmart at some remote town in Utah and buy a little Samsung SC-HMX10C. The only HD camera within 400 miles. It was solid state, with an 8gig internal memory and the option for another 16 with an SD-HC card.

So, when I got back from the trip, I returned the broken HV20 to Best Buy, and with their typical great service, it went off to Canon, and I just received a phone message a few days ago saying that the camera was beyond repair, and that I qualified for a replacement.

This gave me the chance to abandon tape for good and switch to a Canon solid state model.

I moved over to the HF10, which has a 16gb internal flash drive and room for as big of an SD-HC as you care to afford. It will shoot in full 1080 resolution and also at 60/30/24 frames per second. It fits in the palm of my hand.

3.3Mp 1/3.2" Full HD CMOS Sensor Canon 12x HD Video Zoom Lens12x Optical Zoom SuperRange Optical Image StabilizerMini HDMI Connection 24p RecordingDIGIC DVII Image Processor Microphone Input SD/SDHC Flash Memory Slot 16GB Internal Flash Memory

Interestingly, there is a suite of upfitment accessories for the camera, including high-end mics, wide angle lenses, etc.

Certainly, these cameras do not replace the glass quality and professional functions of the larger cameras, but they are getting closer, for sure.

Due to the size, much care is required to get a stable image, even with optical image stabilization, so I am looking into something like the FlowPod

I think Pasquale uses the Merlin, by Steadicam

I will post up a few clips in the coming days.

Any thoughts on the equipment you all are using?

 

[haven]

This is only tangentially on topic, but I'm really impressed with the convergence of still photograph and video. Exhibit A: This very successful 5 minute video created using the new Canon 5D Mark II and a set of Canon lenses

http://www.vimeo.com/2125645

Chip Haven

 

[Scott Brady]

Chip,

I am in complete agreement. The 5D MII is an amazing confluence of technology, and really improves efficiency and effectiveness for the traveling I do. I can just think of how well the TAT can now be documented from an Adventure Moto.

 

[RoundOut]

Warning - OT humor

This microphone (I assume that is what it is) cracks me up. My first thought was "Is this a hat for the camera designed to disquise it as a British guard?"

 

[Lost Canadian]

I think RED is going to totally change the game. A well equiped Scarlet or Scarlet Pro could be the perfect answer for adventure travellers,....if travellers are willing to wait. Here's the announcement page.

 

[Speaker]

I think RED is going to totally change the game.

I saw some demo reels off a RED ONE that were absolutely stunning. Amazing camera, but well out of my price range. A few years ago I was really big into video production, and bought a lot of fancy equipment including an XL1s, fluid head Bogen tripod, Senheisser boom mic with boom, mobile camera jib... turns out there isn't much need for videographers around here that aren't doing weddings... Sold all the stuff, and now I'm just using a borrowed GL1 for making mountain bike and sking videos with buddies.

I really think it's time to move up to HD. The technology is so cheap and convenient now. I was in Sams Club the other day and saw a three chip JVC HD cam with an 80gb HDD for less than 600 bucks. That kind of technology would have costs thousands upon thousands less than 10 years ago.

 

[mountainpete]

I was reading about RED today on Gizmodo. Very, very impressive unit. It could become the professional choice but it also has a pricetag to match.

 

[mtnbike28]

what about the new 5d?

Did you see the video produced with the new Canon 5D?

http://blog.vincentlaforet.com/2008/09/22/without-further-ado-reverie/

still waiting to try it myself, interested in audio control and file format, but love the idea of using a SLR body and lenses to do my video work!

 

[West Coast Mags]

Scott, did you end up trying out the Flowpod and what were your thoughts. Still happy with the HF10? I'm in the market for a camera upgrade have about a budget of about $1000. Have you moved on to other models or is the HF10 doing it for you folks?

 

[Scott Brady]

So far, I really do like the camera, principally because it is so compact, yet still shoots 24p at 1080. Compact dimensions are a big deal for me while on the KTM or in the ER/LR. I am working on a new mic setup and will evaluate audio. I also love the lack of tape (solid state).

However, the larger Canons Pasquale shoots are noticeably better in all regards.

 

[jayshapiro]

Vehicle Mounts

Slightly tangential here, sorry but...

Does anybody have any advice or solid experience with vehicle mounts for HDV cameras?

We're pretty good for stationary / walking shots, but I'd love a solution for when we're driving to mount the camera on vehicle.

I had considered a permanently mounted remote camera, like this one:

http://www.eaglevision1.com/mobile-ptz-infrared-Camera.htm

...But they are just too expensive to justify for the small amount of shooting we'd be doing that way. Plus I suspect the lens would get 'bugged up' within the first 1hr of the trip and would prove to be a pain for the rest of it.

I'm thinking something like this:

Any thoughts?

Cheers,
Jay.

 

[Every Miles A Memory]

Hey Scott, I have a few questions for you as this has been something we have been doing quite a bit of research on.

Currently we shoot solely digital cameras, and although we carry a Panasonic HD video camera, we might have shot a few hours total with it in the past few years. Mainly due to the vast amount of hard drive space the tape requires to swap it over to hard drive....I'm sure there is a way to condence it, I just havent found the right tools yet.

When shooting with the newer models that record directly to hard drive, how big of a externial hard drive are you carrying with you to back up the footage to?

We'd love to have video footage as many of the places and events we cover would be better suited with sound and video over stills, but havent found the right equipment to manage all of it on the road.

I have a good buddy who shoots weddings with a few XL-1's, and he had a huge Buffalo Server 7 terrabyte RAID hard drive that costs about as much as all our equipment combined.

Would love to hear from someone who is also using this type of equipment on the road and how its holding up.

Thanks for the post!

 

[Scott Brady]

Fortunately the newer cameras also use the newer compression technologies. I carry four .5TB WD pocket drives on a long trip (like Central America). I fill them up throughout the trip and FedEx or DHL them back to the office. Once I have confirmation that the drive is delivered and validated and then backed up, I can remove the redundant backup I have with me in the vehicle.

About 2TB of storage is enough for all images and HDV for this two month trip.

I also carry (8) 4GB CF cards, and do not delete them until I have a redundant back-up.

I use one of the .5TB drives for my MacBook Pro Time Machine BU and another for my Aperture BU. The third gets sent back to the US about half-way though the trip. The fourth is my redundant BU of the RAW images and RAW video only.

 

[egn]

Exhibit A: This very successful 5 minute video created using the new Canon 5D Mark II and a set of Canon lenses

Something similar can be found here for the Nikon D90.

@Jay:
Have a look at the new Sony HXR-MC1P. This seems to be ideal for taking videos on the road.

I just have to find a way to mount it at my truck in a way that movement is reduced (SteadyCam-like system). For those that don't want to spend a fortune for a professional system I have found the DIY $14 Poor Man's Steadicam in the web.

 

[West Coast Mags]

EGN - that Sony looks like a great camera, however not sold in the U.S. I emailed a U.K. retailer for pricing - probably will have a stroke when I find out.