Filming a Documentary in Africa.... what to bring?

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Adam Langdon

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Filming a Documentary in Africa.... what to bring?

PostSun May 15, 2022 3:33 pm

I'm going to Burundi, Africa in October to film a documentary with a non-profit.

In the past, I've used the Ursa Mini Pro G1/G2 to great effect in rugged climates.
Right now, i currently only own the Pocket 6k Pro, which i really enjoy. The bright tilt screen and min-XLR inputs really make it a great grab-in-go camera.
I WAS going to pick up a Pocket 4k as B-Cam for a second shooter i have coming along, but now i'm wondering how the Pocket(s) will hold up in the African heat. I KNOW the Ursa Mini Pros would be ok, but battery life is a concern.

If i do go with either a G2 or 12k, i would still like to bring along the P6KPro as B-Cam.

any experience with the Pockets out in the heat for a long time?
Ursa Mini 12k +Rawlite - Cinema Camera 6k - SLR Magic APO Microprimes PL/EF - Tamron 24-70mm f2.8 G2 - Aputure Lighting
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Ian Henderson

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Re: Filming a Documentary in Africa.... what to bring?

PostSun May 15, 2022 4:03 pm

I’ve shots docs in multiple African countries (CAR, Ghana, Namibia, Ethiopia etc) with no issues on UMP, 4k and 6k pro. Having said that I never travel in Africa without a backup body, and would no matter what camera system I was on. Based out of Cape Town, South Africa for what it’s worth.
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Uli Plank

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Re: Filming a Documentary in Africa.... what to bring?

PostMon May 16, 2022 1:36 am

If you go into tropical areas, take care of good humidity control.
Believe me, I have been through that in Brazil and Indonesia.
The climate can even ruin plastics, much more so lenses, filters or sensors.
No, an iGPU is not enough, and you can't use HEVC 10 bit 4:2:2 in the free version.

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bobosola

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Re: Filming a Documentary in Africa.... what to bring?

PostThu May 19, 2022 6:29 pm

Adam Langdon wrote:I WAS going to pick up a Pocket 4k as B-Cam for a second shooter i have coming along, but now i'm wondering how the Pocket(s) will hold up in the African heat. I KNOW the Ursa Mini Pros would be ok, but battery life is a concern
Bit late here, but my experience is that BMPCC4k is OK in hot climates regarding temperature, but in bright sunlight the screen is almost useless for focusing, especially with the reduced strength focus peaking in the latest firmware update. Cheap sun hoods (as made by Smallrig etc.) don't help much either. I'd recommend budgeting for a bright external monitor if shooting in tropical sun on a BMPCC4k.
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rick.lang

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Filming a Documentary in Africa.... what to bring?

PostFri May 20, 2022 1:32 pm

You don’t have to be in the tropics to be frustrated with viewing the BMPCC4K monitor in bright sun. The BMVA12G7 solves that problem with its maximum 2500 nits but even using a pair of Sony’s high capacity LF batteries won’t last long with maximum nits so try to set it lower.

Edit: corrected maximum nits rating
Last edited by rick.lang on Sun May 22, 2022 2:25 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Leon Benzakein

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Re: Filming a Documentary in Africa.... what to bring?

PostFri May 20, 2022 2:37 pm

Adam Langdon wrote:I'm going to Burundi, Africa in October to film a documentary with a non-profit.



As someone who lived in Burundi as a child, a word of advice.

Make sure that there is someone in the crew who runs slower than you. :o

Old African joke :roll:
Television: Lighting/Cameraman, O.B. Camera Operator, Experience in EFP, EPG and ENG , Grip, Lamp Operator
Film: Grip, Lamp Operator
Theater: Lighting Designer, Light board Operator, Stage Electrician, Stage Management
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rick.lang

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Re: Filming a Documentary in Africa.... what to bring?

PostFri May 20, 2022 2:49 pm

For sure, that would be me!
Rick Lang

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