Lightweight Travel Filming Kit

Yes, this is it. The filming kit I use for most of my travels.

Micro Four Thirds System

With the help of the micro four thirds system, lenses are super light and offer exactly the same look as bigger and heavier lenses with the expense of working with a smaller sensor camera. The producers know the downsides of smaller sensors and therefore produced lenses that are pretty fast. For example the Voigtlaender Nokton series with f 0.95. Many people tend to use a speedbooster, but then they start having issues with autofocus. I am staying with native MFT lenses and never had any problems with auto focus or whatsoever. In low light situations, the GH5 does a great job at 4000 ISO in combination with the Voigtlaenders. It’s the shadowy parts of an image that gets grainy at high ISO values. But if the aperture is really wide open for example around f0.95, the high ISO doesnt affect the shadows that negatively. It produces a very nice film grainy look.

 Whatever you do, stay compact and light

Throughout the years of filming, I have come to the conclusion that the content of your shots is limited to the right timing, good imagery composing of well lit exposure, good focus and good composition and of course the subject shown that tells us the story. Being able to capture the right moment means to be mobile and flexible and being able to use your camera as quick as possible. Aside from getting to know your camera really well, I found that lightweight gear helped me a lot in capturing the right moments. Gear is getting smaller and better and it’s smart to go with the flow.

Cinematic movement

When working lightweight, you have to take care of stabilisation even more. Light cameras tend to shake more and if you go hand held, a bigger, heavier camera will likely reduce jitter. I found the perfect solution for myself by using the Glidecam and Gorillapod. Going hand held on the GH5 is a dream because it has dual IS. That means that the lens AND the body work together to give you the possibility to make smooth cinematic movement when going hand held.  Here is an example video of me filming mostly hand held: ICELAND

Accessories

When traveling, do pack only the essentials. We all tend to overpack and then at the end we travel with lots of “light weight traveling equipment”. Think about what you REALLY need. Leave the extra batteries at home or the heavy laptop. To backup footage on the road, you can use this solution: Gnarbox
I love using the Aputure Amaran light in combination with the fixate gel pads. They saved me in dark tight spaces a couple of times. Also don’t forget a portable charger for your phone. You can also use it to charge the gopro with timelapsing, charge the aputure light and the remote control of the DJI Mavic.

 

Check out my Kit below to see more light weight travel gear. By buying through one of these links, you can support me financially without paying more for the product.

Panasonic GH5 – http://amzn.to/2sniZYW
Panasonic 12-35mm f2.8 – http://amzn.to/2rzYwls
Panasonic 42,5mm f1.7 – http://amzn.to/2qOX62F
Olympus 25mm f1.8 – http://amzn.to/2rAbr77
Panasonic 7-14mm f4.0 – http://amzn.to/2smKqSD

DJI Mavic Pro – http://amzn.to/2sncXHy
DJI Mavic ND Filter Set – http://amzn.to/2rkbmDX
GoPro Hero 4 black – http://amzn.to/2rA9wza
Glidecam HD-2000 – http://amzn.to/2sn2ThN
Sirui Travel Tripod – http://amzn.to/2sn3WOL
Joby Gorilla Pod – http://amzn.to/2rAbwaF

Dakine Camera Backpack – http://amzn.to/2smGrFv
SD Cards – http://amzn.to/2qOKcSg
Aputure Amaran – http://amzn.to/2rtsOnS
Fixate Gel Pads – http://amzn.to/2rkt6PB
Tiffen ND Filter – http://amzn.to/2snebm8
Leatherman Wingman – http://amzn.to/2rA1xCi
La Cie Harddrive – http://amzn.to/2rtd5VQ
SD Card Case – http://amzn.to/2rA13wd