thanks tom! great to hear from someone on location!

i will definitely further consider the idea of one camera. i want to think through everything responsibly but not overthink it. i suppose my main worry is that one camera will quit working and we'll be stuck without a camera at all.

Exactly.

Cheers.

Yes, it true if your camera breaks down your screwed so a backup isn't the worst idea ever.....

As to the tape/state question I would 100% go with tape, it easier to keep track of what you have done and it would be very unlikely for you to lose all the tapes as compared to a portable hard drive.....

I have worked in about 30 African countries on everything from Nat Geo to Reuters.................. love it all.

Good luck