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Old June 20th, 2006, 08:39 AM   #5
John Miller
Major Player
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Hillsborough, NC, USA
Posts: 889
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lynden Gare
Thanks John, i'll ask my follow up questions using your numbers...

1. will the built in iris be enough? or should i still get some ND.
Given the low-cost, I'd get some anyway - better to take some and not need them than not take them and wish you had! Also, a UV filter would be a good idea - also doubles as a protection filter for the camcorder's lens.
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2. Great point, ill get a polarising filter.
3. again a good point, but i dont know if there is any such thing (like portabrace) for the pdx10. Might have to give that one a miss...
I have a Portabrace for my PDX10 - I just couldn't remember the name last night and was too lazy to go and look! Took a bit of figuring out how to put it on since I got mine secondhand so no directions!
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4. so the on board condensor wont do the job? how would u mount another mic?
The built-in stereo mics at the front of the camcorder will pick up A LOT of handling noise. The supplied XLR shotgun mic eliminates that problem - but you have to give up stereo unless you get another mic to use in the second XLR channel. BTW - if you haven't used the XLR adapter before, you may experience the "blimey, how much force does this thing take to attach" issue. Attaching the XLR adapter can take a lot of effort, almost to the point you think you are going to break it.
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5. again a good idea, but might proove too bulky, i myself will be on skis
Then a Chestpod or similar would be a tremendous benefit. I have a Novotech Pistock-C. You can sling it over your shoulder for carrying and, when you need a steady shot, just pick it up and shoot. If you're on skis, I can see it now - imagine the Winter Olympics and the skiers with rifles stopping at each target point.

Coupled with a Portabrace cover, you'll have a great setup to use whilst on skis. The cover will help protect the camcorder from any "spray" (there must be a technical term for the snow kicked up by skis etc) and any unexpected crashes into the snow!
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6. the package comes with 3 batts, and i plan to keep a charger on power perhaps in a shop or cafe on the mountain.
7. Would you recommend DVCAM or would miniDV do?
I used DVCAM for my safari footage - it reduces the likelihood of drop-outs and provides locked audio.
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8. Planning to take the macbook. If I capture my tapes every night hopefully this would cut down on my initial financial outlay on tapes?? or is this not recommended? should i hold on to the tapes til ive got the final edit produced?
I'd hold onto the tapes. If you have the storage capacity, I'd capture everynight as well. That way you have two copies of what will be (hopefully!) priceless footage.
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Thanks john and the forum
You're most welcome! Just a couple of other thoughts:

Use the optical image stabiliser - it does a great job and doesn't affect the quality of the image.

Will you shoot 16:9? The PDX10 has true 16:9 capability and it looks great. If Oz is like Europe, standard definition widescreen TVs are very common (unlike in North America :-()

Sounds like a great trip....
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