Filters & Zooms for Africa
 

I'm heading to Africa for 3 weeks at the beginning of May and need to pickup a few items before I go.
I know I need a teleconverter lens for my Z1U, but I just don't know which one to get? Same with the filters. I've read a lot about either Tiffen or Hoya SMC filters. But which one for a dusty yellow landscape? I'll also be visiting Victoria Falls so I'm guessing a good polarizer too eh?

Hi Justin,

Get a matte box...one of these either, a Formatt, TLS, Cavision or Vocas will suit you best. A few 4x4 filters will be so much easier to use with a matte box...
1) Circular Polarizer
2) ND 0.6; 0.9
3) ND Grad 0.6; 0.9
4) Perhaps a tobacco grad...

The Z1 isn't great with convertors from what I've read... but is wide enough to make only a teleconvertor useful option..... Century among others offers these....

cheers
Gareth

You've got to travel light these days, especially Africa. I just took a UV filter, circular polarizor and 6hrs of tape for 4weeks with a GS400. Don't waste time there, IMO get good clean footage and do all your effects in post.

If you're out on safari, take a big plastic bag to rush the gear into to escape the dust, it's like talcum powder. Victoria Falls is best at sunset when you need all the light. No problems with customs, but do not repeat do not, video the police or the military.
Have a great trip.

Thanks for the advice!
I'll be picking up a circular polarizer & UV filter for sure. I just ended up getting a HVL-20DW2 light for the darker areas as well as a Audio Technica AT897 boom. (Although I'm still not sure if I should use the AT897 or just get a Rycote Mini Windjammer for the stereo mic)

As for the teleconvertor... I was looking at the 1.6x & 2.0x from Century Optics. Is there a +/- to either one or are they fairly similar to the 1.5x from 16x9?

... also, being that the teleconverter is a bayonet mount, do you know if I can put a filter on the Z1U *then* attach the zoom to it?

Thanks.

I used the century 1.6 when I visited Kenya last year. It does not come with a shade which I found you needed . Century make a shade that covers both the wide angle and tele converter for the Z1 It is also a filter holder (4x4). Part number 0VS-SS05-00. Shame you are not in the UK as I have mine for sale as I am now useing a Canon H1.

Regards

Mick

Remember teleconverters on the Z1 have huge vignetting. If you will be videoing most of your subjects at half to full zoom you should be alright but half way to fully wide your footage will look like your videoing down a piece of 1 inch PVC pipe. I've used one and would rather go with a red rock and a 20X prime. Good luck with the Safari and make sure you got some pocket change to make customs questioning halt with a loaded hand shake.

Why so many filters? I surf much in digital photography forums and nobody use filters.
The use only polarizor. I think it is possible to make every effect in post production. Do I make a mistake?

The filters on the list other than the pol were grads & NDs. The grad would permit capturing detail in the areas brighter/darker than you would get without, effectively compressing the tonal range of the scene. If you highlights are blown out there is no way to recapture in post. Same for underexposure. ND would allow more selective depth of focus.

I'd consider adding a UV for sharpness enhancement, esp. at altitude, but haven't done sufficient UV tests with my Z1 to know whether that's worthwhile.

Packing List
 

Ok... So this is what I'm taking over with me. (Including the items I just picked up)


Sony HVR-Z1U
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

Audio Technica AT897
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

Kata Backpack
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=368034&is=REG

Rycote Windjammer
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=367837&is=REG

Century Optics 2.0x Teleconverter
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=462430&is=REG

Schneider 102mm clear filter (for teleconverter)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=474571&is=REG

Hoya SMC 72mm Polarizing Filter
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=129975&is=REG

Hoya SMC 72mm UV Filter
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=168215&is=REG

Sony HVL-20DW2 Light
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=162282&is=REG

Sto-fen OM-EZ for Sony Light
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...u=89908&is=REG

Manfrotto Monopod 694
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

Vortex Media WarmCards
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search



Is there anything else that you guys can recommend? This is really a once in a lifetime trip for me and I want to make sure I record everything as best as I can!

Also, which would be better to use while on the safari's; the Audio Technica at897 or the built-in stereo mic with the rycote mini windjammer? And, when I set me white balance, should I do this before or after I put on the polarizing filter?

Thanks a lot for your help guys.

Well I have a use for all the filters I quoted... Not really into effects filters but these I do use..

Polarizer: in sunny weather & around water... makes skies look superb...
ND Grad: Northern France is not as sunny as Italy so it gives a nice sky ..less blown out..
ND: Keeps the Z1 in the sweet spot range if the built in's aren't enough.. useful when I was in Spain.

These are about the only ones I use regularly...

cheers
Gareth

AT 897 with a rycote

I've heard though that the at897 with a rycote show's up when at wide angles though.

I went to Kenya just over a year ago along with my PDX10.

I'd strongly recommend some form of protection for the whole camera. I have a Portabrace. It got very dusty - the camcorder didn't. Even inside the safari bus!

I also took a tripod, rather than a monopod, and used it occasionally.

The other device I found indispensable was a Novoflex chest pod. Great for quickly stabilizing the cam and for carrying it on hikes.

Quite often, much of the video opportunities were from inside the vehicle, standing up. I found it quite easy to rest the camera on the roof to get stability.

Finally, a decent safari jacket with lots of pockets. During the day, I loaded up my pockets with lenses, tapes etc. When video opportunities arose, they did so very quickly! You need to be ready and, when actually shooting, you'll be so engrossed in it that you don't want to have to mess around with anything.

Regarding audio - my experience was that you will do a lot of handling of the camera, which means lots of mechanical noise if you use the built-in mics. I always used the external shotgun mic to avoid handling noise - except one night when I was recording the sounds of some bats (I set the camcorder up on a tripod and let it roll).

If you get the chance, practise assembling, disassembly, shooting etc from inside a car before your leave!

Great Picture! Looking forward to getting my own like that.

I forgot to mention that I also did pickup the little shoulder mount Sony makes for the Z1U. It's not the best, but it works well for quick stabilization.
My dad will be bringing a decent tripod for his Nikon D80 so I'll just use that when I need the still shots.

Thanks for the tip on the jacket. That makes a lot of sense especially since we'll be picking up a Canon 30D (or 40D if it comes out next month).

These are great suggestions, thanks everyone for all your help.