Kit / Equipment & Shopping Lists

[John Hanrahan]

John is that back in Okalohoma :wub:

but yes I agree...last year was impossible to edit properley to an expert level

edit...I see you have changed it

hehehe you were quick

[dogs32]

hehehe you were quick

lol...

My equipment todate which Im taking...

Casio Exilim EX-F1

Canon Rebel XTI 40D

Panasonic HDC-TM350

10x4gig Sandisk

CF cards 10x4gig+8gig

Lightning Trigger

One Large Tripod

One small tripod

One camera ruck sack

Eeec pc1000 note book 120 gig..

1 500gig portable hard drive+usb cables...

1 small Olympus camera for quick shots..+2xSD cards

1 pen light

1 note book

1 money belt (bum bag)

10 Canon batteries

1 Canon battery Gripper

10 EFilm batteries..

10 AA batteries

4 battery chargers..

1 car window mount(suction pad)

leads and leads and leads..

6 way extension..

UK TO USA ADAPTER

10 shorts

20 t shirts..

no boxer shorts going comando

one or two wooley jumpers

one rain jackett

Sun glasses

Two caps

[Paul Sherman]

Just a quick post on In-Car Power etc - Think this falls under Equipment & Kit etc

The 2 Cars will have between 6 & 7 Power Sockets in each BUT I must stress precidence must go to our High Tech Equipment & Essential equipment in the first instance. With whatever is left over to be shared equally amongst the group over the course of the trips for things like I-Pods, Charging phones and Using Notebooks whilst in Car etc.

The 2 Power Sockets in the Front of Lead Car 1 are used for My Laptop and the other for the Baron's. The Power Socket in the drinks dispenser is used for the In Car Radio's. This leaves 1 more socket in front of the Passenger Seats and usually a double at the back right of the Car. This is usually enough for 3 Guests per car but we try to leave at least 1 spare so we don't blow fuses for over ampage etc

The 2 Power Sockets in Support Car 2 (Doghouse) at the front will be used by 2 Seperate Laptops, One for the GPS & GRLevel 3 & One for the Live Streaming. Once again the Power Socket in the drinks dispenser will be used for the 2nd Car to Car Radio system. Again this leaves 2 to 3 Power Sockets.

Hope this helps.

Regards

Paul S

[TornadoJo]

Hey all,

I've been looking at cameras this week - I work in telly so you'd think it'd be easy for me to decide what to get or at least find someone to tell me whats best - but no. It seems very much a case of each to their own. I thought I'd explain how I got to my choice to help others dancing around the decision like I have been.

I narrowed my choise of compact, superszoom, DSLR and SLR down to Superzoom Bridge camera for a couple of resons. Firstly money - I'd love a DSLR but good ones are not cheap. Secondly I can't be faffing with lenses and what not and lastly, but most importantly - If I am lucky enough to see a twister (from a safe distance I hope) I will need a good ol zoom!

I thought I'd decided on the

Panasonic DMC FZ38 over the

Cannon Powershot S3 - IS and the

Fuji FinePix S200EXR but then the Gadet show threw the

Sony HX1 into the mix so I have been dithering again.

I took the Cannon Powershot out first of all because it uses AA batteries. That might seem silly but I'm all for the environment these days and whilst you can get rechargabe batteries now days I'd rather have a proper battery pack which is more durable, compact and charges much quicker.

I illiminated the Fuji FinePix S200EXR quickly on account of the fixed viewfinder and inability to record HD video.

One again I was back to the Panasonic v's the Sony.

Prices are £250 v's £300

Memory Cards various Sony Mark 2 only

Zoom 18x 20x

Night mode Noisy Not so noisy (gadget show review)

Video Stuttery Smooth

Quirks Panaramic mode

Continuous shot mode.

I also watched some reviews on youtube. Based on what I've seen and that zoom and night vision are going to be very important things

to have for what we're going to be doing I've decided to go for the Sony HX1.

I've found it on Simply Electronics for £300 and you can get it in packages to save pennies. I'm going for one of these - £340 for camera, 8gb memory card and spare battery. I think I'll get an additional memory card and a carry case as well.

I'm just wondering whether to add it to my insurance or if it will be covered by my home insurance.

[dogs32]

Hey all,

I've been looking at cameras this week - I work in telly so you'd think it'd be easy for me to decide what to get or at least find someone to tell me whats best - but no. It seems very much a case of each to their own. I thought I'd explain how I got to my choice to help others dancing around the decision like I have been.

I narrowed my choise of compact, superszoom, DSLR and SLR down to Superzoom Bridge camera for a couple of resons. Firstly money - I'd love a DSLR but good ones are not cheap. Secondly I can't be faffing with lenses and what not and lastly, but most importantly - If I am lucky enough to see a twister (from a safe distance I hope) I will need a good ol zoom!

I thought I'd decided on the

Panasonic DMC FZ38 over the

Cannon Powershot S3 - IS and the

Fuji FinePix S200EXR but then the Gadet show threw the

Sony HX1 into the mix so I have been dithering again.

I took the Cannon Powershot out first of all because it uses AA batteries. That might seem silly but I'm all for the environment these days and whilst you can get rechargabe batteries now days I'd rather have a proper battery pack which is more durable, compact and charges much quicker.

I illiminated the Fuji FinePix S200EXR quickly on account of the fixed viewfinder and inability to record HD video.

One again I was back to the Panasonic v's the Sony.

Prices are £250 v's £300

Memory Cards various Sony Mark 2 only

Zoom 18x 20x

Night mode Noisy Not so noisy (gadget show review)

Video Stuttery Smooth

Quirks Panaramic mode

Continuous shot mode.

I also watched some reviews on youtube. Based on what I've seen and that zoom and night vision are going to be very important things

to have for what we're going to be doing I've decided to go for the Sony HX1.

I've found it on Simply Electronics for £300 and you can get it in packages to save pennies. I'm going for one of these - £340 for camera, 8gb memory card and spare battery. I think I'll get an additional memory card and a carry case as well.

I'm just wondering whether to add it to my insurance or if it will be covered by my home insurance.

Sounds like a good camera Jo..

20x if Im correct with 10fps burst mode.....Twilight function to compensate dark situation;s...

Only draw back is it doesn't do RAW format....but I TAKE it your not into tweaking the pics up so Jpeg should be fine,,

Battery life is suppose to be excellent...

Simply electronics are excellent...the best out there!!!

Over all I think you have found a good camera and it shoots HD

The real headline-grabbing features of the HX1, however, are in the camera's functionality, namely the model's 'Panorama sweep' and 'Handheld twilight' capture modes. The first of these capture modes allows the user to capture a 220° panorama image(SUPER CELL IN FULL VIEW) by simply pressing the shutter release and moving the camera in a sweep motion, with the HX1 automatically stitching together a series of images captured within a matter of seconds.

NICE camera...your tempting me..lol

I think every bit of camera equipment I have ever bought in the last 4 years is from Simply electroncs...

apart from the CF/SHDC card's....very reliable and fast.

[dogs32]

I think Jo at the moment this would be my favourite...for many reasons..

Infact I wish I had t he spare money..

Im going to put that in my favs as I might get later this year.. :lol:

Sensor

• 1/2.4 " Type CMOS

• 9.1 million effective pixels

• 1/2.3 " Type CCD

• 9.1 million effective pixels

Maximum Image Size 3456 x 2592 3456 x 2592

Lens • 28-560mm equiv.(4:3), 31-620mm (16:9)

• 20x Optical zoom

• F2.8-8.0(W)-5.2-8.0(T)

• 31-465mm equiv.

• 15x Optical zoom

• F2.7-8.0(W)-5.2-8.0(T)

Video Recording HD Up to 1440x1080 30fps Up to VGA (640x480) 30 fps

Sensitivity

• Auto

• ISO 125-3200

• Auto

• ISO 80-3200

Special Scene Modes Sweeping Panorama, Twilight, Anti-Shake, None.SUPERCELL IN VIEW...

LCD screen

• Tilting

• 230,000 pixels

• 3.0 inch TFT LCD

• Tilting

• 230,000 pixels

• 3.0 inch TFT LCD

Continuous shooting max 10 fps max 1.6 fps(0LIGHTNING CAPTURES

Weight (no batteries) 514g (18.1oz.) 547g (19.3 oz)

Other HDMI output

Price • UK: £429.99

• US: $499.95

Sensor

• 1/2.4" Exmor CMOS Sensor

• 9.1 million effective pixel

Image sizes

• 3456 x 2592

• 3456 x 2304

• 3456 x 1944

• 3648 x 2056

• 2048 x 1536

• 1920 x 1080

• 640 X 480

Image sizes

(Panorama) • 7152 x 1080

• 4912 x 1080

• 4912 x 1920

• 3424 x 1920

Movie clips • 1440 x 1080 (30fps)

• 1280 x 720 (30fps)

• 640x480 (30fps)

File formats

• Still Image : JPEG (EXIF 2.2), DPOF v1.1, DCF v2.0, MPF baseline

• Movie Clip : mp4, MPEG4

Lens

• Sony G lens

• 13 elements in 10 groups (including 1 ED and 1 Aspheric element)

• 28-560mm equiv.(4:3), 31-620mm (16:9)

• 20x Optical zoom

• f = 5.0-100.0mm

• F2.8-8.0(W)-5.2-8.0(T)

Conversion lenses Yes, Tele:VCL-HD1757 (Optional)

Digital zoom Approx. 40x

Image Stabilization Optical SteadyShot

Focus

9 points / Center Weighted AF / Flexible Spot / Semi-Manual / Manual

AF area modes

Intelligent

Focus Mode • Multi

• Center

• Flexible Spot

Focus distance

• Normal :W:Approx.1cm(0.03') to Infinity, T:Approx.150cm(4.92') to Infinity

• Macro: W: Approx.1cm(0.03') to Infinity, T:Approx.150cm(4.92') to Infinity

ISO sensitivity

• Auto

• ISO 125

• ISO 200

• ISO 400

• ISO 800

• ISO 1600

• ISO 3200

Metering modes • Multi

• Center

• Spot

Shutter speed • Auto(2 sec- 1/4,000)

• Program Auto(1 sec- 1/4,000)

• Aperture Priority(8 sec- 1/2,000)

• Manual(30" - 1/4,000)

Aperture • Auto (F2.8./F8.0(W),

• Program auto (F2.8/F8.0(W)

• Manual( F2.8/F8.0(W)

Shooting modes

• Mode dial: Intelligent Auto, P Auto, easy, SCN, movie, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Manual

• Scene: High Sensitivity, Twilight, Twilight portrait, Landscape, Snow, Beach, Fire works, Sports, gourmet, Sports, handheld Twilight, Anti-Motion Blur, Sweep Panorama

White balance

• Auto

• Daylight

• Cloudy

• Fluorescent 1 (White Fluorescent)

• Fluorescent 2 (Natural White Fluorescent)

• Fluorescent 3 (Day White Fluorescent)

• Incandescent

• Flash

• Custom

Self timer • Off

• 10sec

• 2sec

Continuous Shooting 10.0 fps / 5 fps / 2 fps (10 shots max)

Flash

• Modes :Auto, Flash On, Slow Sync, Flash Off

• Red Eye Reduction : Auto, On, Off

• Range : ISO Auto: Approx.0.3-Approx.9.2m(W) Approx.1.5-Approx.5.1m (T)

Viewfinder • 0.2 inch

• approx. 201K pixels

LCD monitor

• 3.0 inch TFT LCD

• approx. 230,400 pixels

Digital input/output

• USB 2.0 High Speed

• Multi-use terminal Type2d

Microphone / Speaker Stereo / Mono

Video output • HD(1080i) - HDMI

• Composite

• NTSC/ PAL

Storage • Internal memory (Approx. 11 MB)

• Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/ Pro HG Duo

Power InfoLITHIUM H type 6.8V

Weight (no batt) Approx. 514g (18.1oz.)

Dimensions 115mm x 83mm x 92mm

(4 5/8" x 3 3/8" x 3 5/8")

AVCHD Video...looks good to me...

LOVELY PICCIES...9,000,000..PIXELS

Noise is the curse of the digital camera: it's the grainy look to images that sneaks in and ruins photos. We found in our tests that the HX1 didn't have any huge noise issues

[TornadoJo]

I bought it this morning from simply elctronics in a pack with memory card and spare battery for £339! Bargin.

Need to insure it now!

[dogs32]

I bought it this morning from simply elctronics in a pack with memory card and spare battery for £339! Bargin.

Need to insure it now!

jO...thats all you need then surely???

How come your looking into a cam? :lol:

[TornadoJo]

I was looking in case I wasnt happy with the video on the HX1 but having researched I think it should actually cover me for still images and video so I'm a very happy bunny! Which is aptly appropriate as it's nearly Easter LOL!

[dogs32]

I was looking in case I wasnt happy with the video on the HX1 but having researched I think it should actually cover me for still images and video so I'm a very happy bunny! Which is aptly appropriate as it's nearly Easter LOL!

Jo I think you have a good buy there.....how much space do you have with it?

[TornadoJo]

Got 8gb with the camera. Looking at getting more though. Found 16gb on ebay for £25.

Wondering if memory cards will be cheaper in the usa or even the airport?

[Backtrack]

Got 8gb with the camera. Looking at getting more though. Found 16gb on ebay for £25.

Wondering if memory cards will be cheaper in the usa or even the airport?

Airports are a million times more expensive, and USA memory cards might be different to our EU memory cards (Often the case with USA electronics).

[gpspete]

Airports are a million times more expensive, and USA memory cards might be different to our EU memory cards (Often the case with USA electronics).

Dont wory about buying memory cards abroad they are a standard types the world over sometimes a particular brand may not work in your device but you can find brand compatibility list on most device websites.

Beware of cheap cards/ memory sticks for pc/usb sticks etc. on ebay they are sometimes manufactures seconds or non branded but disguised as well known brands they may not be full capacity as they sometimes have errors/bad sectors on them.

but they still usualy work i still use em myself

[dogs32]

Just a trivial note here but an important one.. to the mistake I made last year regarding Photographs...

Make sure your in focus at night as its hard to focus in dark areas....

Many of my lightning pics where blurred...TURN OFF AUTO FOCUS..

Point two...make sure you dont have the date showing in the pic's...OR in my case I had the wrong YEAR

though easy sorted out in an advanced Photo programme its time consuming..

[gpspete]

For anyone interested if you go to my youtube page http://www.youtube.com/user/gpsranger you will see several vids all done on different cams from an old super 8 cine film, a nokia n95 mobile phone, an Archos 404 with bullet cam, sony camcorder dv tape, a contourHD 1080p headcam , and a Kodak Zi8 the Kodak film was uploaded in 1080p to youtube but they only published it in 720p will be doing it again soon as i made a mistake with the date on my film edit,

you can compare the different medias used.

packing my bag ready to go

[TornadoJo]

Hey all,

It's nearly time to pack.

I know suitcases are not a good idea cause of getting them in the car. How do we feel about wheeled holdalls?

You know - sports bags with wheels on - Are these ok?

Thinking of getting one and it would be better than carrying a large bag around with me.

Jo

-x-

[Ross B]

Hi Jo, I'm sure Paul would be able to give you a definite answer but my brother and I both used holdalls last year and it was ok. Ian is usually tasked with fitting everyones bags into the car every morning and I don't think there were any probs last year :winky:

[Arron]

Thats what I used last year Jo and so did the others I was with. Some this this http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/2860097/Trail/searchtext%3EANTLER.htm

Dont forget to check max size for the airline :winky:

[TornadoJo]

Cheers guys Thanks for the advise.

Now.. to find a suitable lary one so I can find it easily on the carousel at the airport.....

[Paul]

Those on tour 1 will be receiving their final info pack (which includes a packing guide!) today.

We'll then send them out for those on the subsequent tours about 2 weeks prior to departure :unsure:

[Harry]

Those on tour 1 will be receiving their final info pack (which includes a packing guide!) today.

We'll then send them out for those on the subsequent tours about 2 weeks prior to departure

Very much looking forward to receiving it

Can't believe it's 2 weeks tomorrow!! It's come round so so quickly it's scary, though I think I've got the majority of the stuff sorted - just need to get some new t-shirts, shorts etc, a new larger holdall (thanks for the argos link!! ), some money - plus a remote release for the camera! Can you get these in the States btw? If so will prob get it out there, as I imagine it'll be cheaper than here.

My partner's Dad bought the same camera as me about a week after mine, which came with the 70-300mm lense, UV lense, tripod, and I can borrow them so am sorted in that respect

Bring it on!! :blink:

[John Hanrahan]

- plus a remote release for the camera! Can you get these in the States btw? If so will prob get it out there, as I imagine it'll be cheaper than here.

Unless we get to a specialist camera shop on a down day you are going to find it very difficult to get one over there (I've tried). I would advise you get it before you go.

I said in a previous post to you that I have a spare that you can borrow if you wish. Thats up to you.

[dogs32]

Unless we get to a specialist camera shop on a down day you are going to find it very difficult to get one over there (I've tried). I would advise you get it before you go.

I said in a previous post to you that I have a spare that you can borrow if you wish. Thats up to you.

John or Mark(cant remember which one) the one you recomened to me was superb...realy good with a nice digital display.....excellent value for money

[Harry]

Unless we get to a specialist camera shop on a down day you are going to find it very difficult to get one over there (I've tried). I would advise you get it before you go.

I said in a previous post to you that I have a spare that you can borrow if you wish. Thats up to you.

Ah wicked if I can John that'd be great - apologies I must have missed that

[John Hanrahan]

Ah wicked if I can John that'd be great - apologies I must have missed that

No worries Harry. I got the one Pat's talking about which also doubles as an intervalometer so I wont be needing two.

Yes Pat its the dogs (pardon the pun) especially for 30 squid.