Camera vs camcorder vs Binoculars etc..

[Trichelia]

Hi All,
I am riding the west coast from the UK to South Africa on a xt600e the end of this year and am in the process of planning my gear and appropriate packing methods.

I have a few thoughts which are taking me circles, hopefully someone has some advice for me.

The issues are:
1. I am a very keen birder and this trip will certainly get me a few lifers.
2. I love taking photos...landscape, etc....but also of mates and general experiences.
3. I wouldnt mind keeping a diary, but im a bit lazy to write.


My current gear
1. Relatively compact Bushnell 10x42 waterproof binoculars
2. Canon IXUS970IS and Canon 7D, Canon 24-105mm lens, Canon 100-400mm lens
3. Nothing electronic, only pen and paper. Was debating buying a small camcorder to record daily/ weekly updates, with visuals.

My initial thought was to take the binoculars along with the canon point and shoot. After some deliberation I thought rather take the binoculars and the 7D with the 24-105mm lens to get some better shots. Now Im debating ditching the bino's all together and just taking the 7D with both lenses.

My wife and I were in Ghana in December. Attempting to get my wife enthusiastic about birding, we took some walks, I used the 400mm lens while my wife used the bino's.....the camera approach worked fine for me, and gave me a copy of anything unusual.....Happy days.
A mate of mine threw in the camcorder idea last week, just to confuse things.

I addition, Im not sure if there are issues in any African countries regarding having binoculars ? Camera taxes, etc etc....

If I do end up taking the 7D and both lenses, my concern is not destroying the kit while riding ie: being vibrated to pieces. Any suggestions how one should carry this gear on the bike ? - tank bag versus rucksack verusus duffelbag, and what kind of padding. My bike has the acerbis 23l tank btw, I havent even started looking for a tank bag that will fit yet.

Thanks for all suggestions .

[PaulD]

I am currently doing the East Coast of Africa, back in Oz now till May 15th when we do the second 1/2 Nairobi to Capetown. Now my Camera Kit is as follows: Canon 7D, Canon 18-135, Canon 70-300L & Kenko 180 converter, Tokina 11-18. Also Zoom 4HN, Canon 580xe Seedlite, Macbook Pro. as well as the various spare batteries etc. I also carry a Carbon Manfrotto Tripod with a ball head. I carry this in a camera bag, which just fits inside my Hepco & Becker top box which is lockable and I put one of those alarm wires on as well. My camera usually resides in my Tank Bag. I have never had any drama with the kit being damaged and I took a couple of spills as well. I have a Northface Bag and the tripod slips into those straps on the side and I made a Velcro top so it covered the ball head, as it did not quite fit in the tripod case. I like to take alot of video and Photos so this time I am also taking a zacuto viewfinder & shoulder mount. I am enrolled in a Wildlife Film and Documentary course in Sth Africa, so the added gear is really for that. I use the 18-135 for my every day use as you know its a little versatile. But I didn't think the gear I took was to much but then I love photographer and is one of the reasons for my travel. Just make sure you keep your gear clean.
Cheers
Paul

[pictish]

The binos will be great for searching for wildlife to actually take pictures of, if they are compact they can easily go in your camera bag. I find them much easier to keep an eye on a area and search than using the viewfinder of the camera
Your camera already has a very good video function so I wouldnt bother with a video camera unless you go with some sort of helmet cam ect for when your riding[again pretty small good for blogs ect].
Storage may be a problem if your shooting loads of shots and videos, also the ability to convert the videos from the 7d would be handy [if they are shot in the same as the 5dmk2] as the files are pretty large.

This ones for pauld how you finding the viewfinder you have "zacuto viewfinder & shoulder mount". Have you tried it for stills or are you just using it for video. From the site it says it works on the lcd screen does that not munch the power from the batteries, and can you focus well enough with them.

[PaulD]

Garry,

I don't usually use the view finder for stills, but I have done in the past, I tend to just use it for filming, I think it is better and I just cannot get the hang of it, I know it gets a little annoying going between the 2 but it only just clips on so it is not a big deal really, as for the Batteries I know allot of forums talk of them 'Munching Power' but I honestly think it is blown out of proportion, I carry 3 with me and do not use a battery pack (I do when I am not Travelling tho) I have never been caught out yet, and I can charge them while I am riding as well. As for storage I carry a Time Machine for my Mac it is so easy.
Cheers
Paul

[PaulD]

Garry,
Sorry I didn't read your question right re: munching power while taking stills with the viewfinder ! well as you know your monitor must stay on and the answer is yes, and it does sneak away on you. I have a Lillyput monitor as well and it is a bit of a muncher as well. But I am very happy with my set up, the only thing I would buy now if I had the chance would be some Talent ! lol
Cheers
paul

[Trichelia]

Thanks.

I will possibly take along the 7d, lenses, binoculars and toshiba notebook, leaving the canon point and shoot.

Garry, the video function on the 7d doesnt auto focus for moving shots, besides this, do you get good sound and image quality ? - I have 2x 8GB compact flash cards, will these allow for a fair bit of recording time before clearing to the nb harddrive ?

Paul, you sound like you arent messing around with your gear. Would you be able to attach a link to the camera bag you are using, in addition to the 7d charger you have that you can use off the bike. Like I say, my main concern is damaging the gear. Dont suppose you use one of these or is just throwing cash away ?

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