"Vacation" videos - plan ahead - preparing to make a travel video - Brief Article

PSA Journal, Jan, 1998 by Jim Beach

I still call travel trips "vacation trips" even though I have been retired from my professional life for nineteen years. When I travel away from home, whether abroad or in the states, I always take pictures to help us remember when we get old. It used to be 35 millimeter slides or prints but since 1986 it has been mostly video. I have found that there are a lot of things related to camcorders to remember and prepare for before going on a "vacation trip." Most of you manage to prepare for your video trips but maybe some of these reminders will help on your next video outing.

1. Batteries -- take plenty and be sure that they are all good. I put a piece of tape on each with a number and a record of recharging. I drain and deep charge every five times and note the date of the last charge. So-called "no memory" batteries call for a different routine, but so far mine are all nickel-cadmium batteries that do not like to be recharged until they are drained. I usually take three batteries and start with at least two fully charged.

2. The AC charger for the camcorder should be in your kit with whatever adapter and/or cord you need to power your camcorder from the AC charger. A plug and receptacle adapter is needed if you will be away from North America. A universal adapter can be configured to adapt to all countries' receptacles or you can use individual adapters to suit the countries you will visit. Recent model AC chargers work automatically on 110 or 220 volt and 50 or 60 cycle power (check the manual or nameplate).

If you travel by car, a cigarette lighter power converter may be worthwhile to power your camcorder or to charge batteries. Special batteries for microphones or lights should have spares. You might need them and they may be hard to find. Remember -- power is bad news.

3. Take one or two more tapes than you think you will need. HI-8 and S-VHS-C tapes can be hard to find on a trip. I use only 30 minute tapes, dating and labeling them for each location, which makes it much easier to sort or to find a particular scene during editing. Nine thirty-minute tapes is the most I have taken on a 30-day trip. Learn to tape each scene long enough to make easy editing but be very selective.

If you have to buy tape in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and most of South America it will be in the PAL format, not the NTSC format we use, but it will work. The tape is just a bit longer. France and the Middle East use the SECAM system and I think it will work but I have not tried it. Japan, North and Central America, The Caribbean and Venezuela use the NTSC format. Also remember if you are not in an NTSC country the TV and VCR will not play from your tape or camcorder.

4. A tripod is highly desirable but I usually do not have the space or energy to carry it. Sometimes I carry a monopod. A stabilized camcorder is a big help without a tripod. Clamp-on camera holders can be useful and make-do steady rests such as a piece of cord fastened between the camera base and your foot will help. If you must, shooting free-hand while zoomed, in a deliberate motion around the center of focus, will seem to show fewer jitters than trying to hold steady.

5. Several sizes and types of clear plastic bags should be in your kit to protect the camera from rain and splash from a boat.

6. Pack a selection of any filters, supplemental lenses and lens hoods you use and keep a neutral density filter on your lens for protection.

7. If your camcorder has a remote control be sure it is attached to the camera or in the kit. You may want to get in the scene while your camera sits on a table or whatever.

8. Miscellaneous handy items to carry are: a pen light, lens cleaning tissues, a foot or so of gaffer's tape rolled around a marker pen. A/V cables should be included if you intend to play your tape on the hotel VCR or TV (many require tools to hook up). A small knife, screwdriver and pliers can be handy at times. A small note pad and pencil, and a selection of strong rubber bands may be useful.