Cuzco Peru - Machu Picchu - UCLA - RED ONE

[JP Castel]

Hello Everyone I need some help.

We have just successfully purchased our RED last week and are gearing up for our trip down to Peru. #6085 Stay tuned for Unboxing I am picking it up in Nevada this weekend.... This is all very exciting. :rofl::yikes:

We are going down to Cuzco Peru for 10 Weeks with the Red One. We are following two separate classes through active outdoor Archeological Dig sites and also computer mapping of Machu Picchu. We will be shooting in Muesuems, in an around Cuzco (Day & Night) and also on location at several Dig Sites. We will also possibly be filming some rock climbing in the area as well. We might be venturing down into the rain forest and up into the andes into and area called Cordillera Huayhuash (http://www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=771322). Just trying to give you guys all the possible locations.

I have purchased the Following Red One Equipment/Accessories:

RED ONE (BODY ONLY)
BASE PRODUCTION PACK
RED HANDLE (Left)
TOP HANDLE EXTENSION
RED CHEESE PLATE
TOP MOUNT
ALUMINUM 24-in ROD
ALUMINUM 12-in ROD
BOLT SET
RED POWER PACK
REDFLASH (CF) MODULE
2 COMPACT FLASH 8GB
2 RED-DRIVE
DRIVE CABLE (18 in)
RED LCD (5.6 in)
NIKON MOUNT
AC POWER ADAPTOR

Other Equipment:
Mac Pro Internal 4TB w/ LCD Monitor
Drobo 8TB Raid System
2 External 1TB
UPS Backup Unit Power and 220-110 Converter

We are taking down two Canon Xha1 with a whole host of accessories and extra batteries. We have rain covers for the xha1s but i don't have one for the Red. I have looked at the Element Technica cover but my concern is it usability without a possible matte box.

I am going to be using Nikon Lens:
D200
Nikon 18-70m 3.5 Standard kit Lens
Nikon 10.5 2.8 Fisheye
Nikon 50m 1.4 (Aperture adjustable)
Nikon 24m 2.8 AIS (Aperture adjustable)
Nikon 60m 2.8 Macro (Aperture adjustable)
Nikon 70-300m 5.6

MATTE BOX

I have been looking at the Arri MB-20 but i am not sure yet how it will work with the following lens?

ND FILTERS

Another Question i have is regarding ND Filters. We will be shooting mostly during the day, and i am looking to shooting open to get desirable depth, but after looking through the stickies on the forum i have began to be concerned. What would be a better option? Getting the matte box and getting NDs for it to use with all lens, or getting NDs for the individual lenses? My concern is that RED might launch a matte box for the new epic series? Also i have read some news regarding the possible launch of the new lens series, which i am highly interested in purchasing and want to look at the possible compatibilities between the new lens and the arri matte box. Is this something that i should be concerned with? I just want to make a lasting investment in a matte box that will work with the epic upgrade and the new lens?

What ND Filters would you guys suggest for both the matte box and screw ons?

TRIPODS

My next question is regarding tripods. I currently own a 501 manfrotto head,which i have used with the xhs, but i know it is not a good solution for the red one, but can i make it work? I have been looking at an occonner, but a lot of my personal budget was spend on the camera if you know what i mean... :embarassed: Will the 501 hold up for the summer?

PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT

We will also be taking down a 14' Cobra Crane and a PVC Pipe Dolly down with us. I have used both of these with the red, and they should make due for the summer. I am looking for a somewhat production lcd for the crane? I am not looking for anything super nice, just something that will allow me to see the frame on the the crane and also while climbing. I have even looked into possibly getting a portable dvd player from amazon with hdmi in? I have a small budget, but i just wanted to see what you guys think? I am going to order the Element Technica Breakout Box so SDI could be a possible option as well.

LIGHTING

We will have an on camera varizoom S2010 On Camera Light. Any suggestions as to how to retrofit it on to the rail system? It has a standard shoe mount. I am also looking to mount our mic shock mount shoe mount to the rails as well? We are looking at purchasing a possible Mole or Britek Light kit. Any Suggestions? These kits will be used to light subjects for interviews and also art pieces.

AUDIO

We will have two B&H RODE NTG-2 Mic Packages with above shock mounts, fuzzies, boom poles, etc. with us, as well as a sennhesier ENG Wireless Lav kit for interviews. Should we consider taking down a mixer? or can the RED handle the audio alright? Does anyone have suggestions for small somewhat cheap portable mixers?


I was also just wondering if anyone had any other ideas/concerns regarding the trip/equipment. I think i have included everything we are taking down. What is the take on lens precipitation?

***Update
Everything has its own Pelican Case as well.


Thanks Guys & Sorry for the Long Post

JP Castel

 

[Ian Laurie]

Drobo

Drobo

Just so you know, The drobo was purchased on a film set i got off of a few weeks ago. it has a maximum write speed of around 30mb/s. you will not be able to work from this drive either as it has a maximum read speed of 56mb/s. it took three days to transfer 4GB to the drive using fire wire 800 with the other drives mounted in the computer to eliminate daisy chain slowdown. Drobo is great for data redundancy, useless for work. just though you would like to know.

 

[Eduardo Cayo Chioino]

Hi JP Castell
Im am Red One 3022 .The first Peruvian Red One.We have already shoot in Cusco everything worked perfectly.!!Let me tell you that for bringing to Peru the equipment you are thinking on you have to make special arrregments so your equipment wont be keeped on custom.Also you have to obtein permissions to film in Macchu Picchu(im sure you know that )
I will recomend you to buy a mate box and use it with all lenses
All the support you need in Peru lights, dollys ,steadycam easyrig ,camera crain ,sound etc etc you can find it here .Any thing you need dont hesitate to contact us
1405comunicaciones@speedy.com.pe phone(511)4600118
Best Regards
Eduardo Cayo

 

[Scott Judy]

You'd better make sure you have a ATA CARNET (basically a bond that ensures what you take to Peru comes back to the US with you)....a true pain in the butt and an expensive one to boot. I haven't had to have one for the past few years, but I travelled all over the world for many years with my trusty betacam package and each year had to get another carnet (sometimes they came in handy, sometimes ignored by customs officials both here and abroad....)
STRONGLY suggest you go to this website and investigate:
http://www.export.gov/logistics/exp_000969.asp

"better safe than sorry" ...especially when dealing with customs agents in foreign lands
who could care less about your shoot.

Best regards,

Scott

 

[Lyn Turner]

Hey JP, how come you guys don't have to wait 3 months for EVF, RED drive etc????

How does that happen?

Good luck in Peru, hope it all goes well.

Essjay, you're not by any chance the guy from Cornwall with a Harley are you? Just wondered.

 

[Lenny Manfred]

make sure you have plenty of strong backs. you are taking a lot of stuff with you, heavy stuff.

maybe buy one of those red zooms you see on reduser, one of those 18-80s would be ideal. it would make life a lot easier for you. i don't know about changing lenses in the jungle humidity. that might take a toll on your red.


bring extra cables of everything. drive cables especially, they go bad, have two or three for back up. and get more batteries. can't shoot without power.

and last but not least. comfortable shoes and plenty of socks.

 

[Gavin Greenwalt]

Hehe have fun hauling a REDOne up the stairs.

Those stairs leading up to the top of Machu Pichu are SCARY under the best of conditions with nothing in your hands.

 

[JP Castel]

Just so you know, The drobo was purchased on a film set i got off of a few weeks ago. it has a maximum write speed of around 30mb/s.

Ian, I actually hadn't realized that the write speed on it is so slow. I can see what you mean. Also with all the DROBO hardrive writing i can imagine how files might take time to copy over. Do you have any other suggestions for a raid system. I am going to need to offload possibly over 100 hours or more of footage. I need something that has a back up solution that is in the price range or the drobo pro? Thanks for the insight.

All the support you need in Peru lights, dollys ,steadycam easyrig ,camera crain ,sound etc etc you can find it here .Any thing you need dont hesitate to contact us

Eduardo, Thanks, It is nice to know we have fellow red user down in Peru and also some film support. I think we should be all set with equipment, but you never know. We will be shooting at the Museo Larco in Lima, and i might need to grab a light kit if we don't end up buying a kit. I will keep you posted if that is indeed the case.

You'd better make sure you have a ATA CARNET

Scott, Thanks for the heads up. I visited the sight and will be calling them in the morning to get this resolved. During your experience would you say your customs problems have lowered with an ATA CARNET? I don't know how much this applies, but i was wondering if you had any suggestions for insurance? I own a small production company, but our insurer wants us to expand our policy to cover the trip, & my business partner was not happy with the costs. I also might be able to get insurance coverage through the Cotsen School of Archeology, but i am not sure as to there policy. I will have a highly detailed document notebook containing all the serial numbers for every piece of equipment we are taking down specified by each case, as well as the instruction manuals for everything, considering the red looks like some short of briefcase nuke. Anything else you might suggest to make our customs journey a peaceful one? Thanks again for all the help.

Hey JP, how come you guys don't have to wait 3 months for EVF, RED drive etc????

I will actually be waiting for the red drives, but i have been assured that they should arrive before i leave for cuzco, but i have heard the horror stories of 6 month out deliveries. I will be shooting a Thesis with the camera in mid May and have resorted to using the CFs because of the back order problem.

make sure you have plenty of strong backs. you are taking a lot of stuff with you, heavy stuff.

maybe buy one of those red zooms you see on reduser, one of those 18-80s would be ideal. it would make life a lot easier for you. i don't know about changing lenses in the jungle humidity. that might take a toll on your red.


bring extra cables of everything. drive cables especially, they go bad, have two or three for back up. and get more batteries. can't shoot without power.

My back is already hurting just thinking about this adventure, but i have made sure that every piece of equipment has both a hard/and soft case/back pack solutions for airline safety and practical mobility on the trail. I think i might order 2 more batteries and another drive cable. You made me realize that i had only one in my arsenal. I will tell you thought you found the one thing i didn't have a backup for. I have not worked in a high humidity area before, but one of our photographers has experience down in the amazon with this process, so i will make sure he briefs me. I will make sure to use a general all around lens when we go into the amazon so i don't have to change it out. Maybe the 17-70?



Any thoughts on the NDs, Tripod, Lighting, or Audio?

Thanks,

JP