GEAR BUYERS’ GUIDE
ULTIMATE KIT FOR... RAINY DAY FILMMAKERS As we head into winter we take a look at some of the best gear out there for filmmakers who have no option but to carry on working in the great outdoors – nomatter what the conditions
If your job as a filmmaker involves you working on location, then sooner or later you’re going to have to brave conditions that are less than perfect, from torrential rain and howling wind to snow and ice. As a professional you know you’ll still be expected to come back with great footage while, from a personal point of view, you won’t want to be putting your precious gear in peril – so what’s to be done? The answer, of course, is to invest in kit that comes with a degree of weatherproofing, or in bags and weatherproof covers that can protect gear that doesn’t take kindly to a dousing. With the weather in many places very unpredictable, this Buyer’s Guide reveals kit that can help you withstand anything the great outdoors throws at you, including trusty tripods, rugged hard drives, waterproof cameras and floating bags - this is your go-to list for gear that goes the distance. To make things even easier we’ve also sorted the kit into three different price brackets. Budget Minded: equipment for those just starting out or strapped for cash (but either way still demanding high- level results); Pro Performers is the next level up, home to workhorse kit that is consistently reliable and full of handy features, while producing some incredible results. And if you’re looking to splash out on your weatherproof gear then look to the Dream Buys section, where you’ll find a range of high-end, professional kit that won’t give up until you do.
WORDS LAURA JEACOCKE
1. TRIPOD: MANFROTTO COMPACT LIGHT TRIPOD £40/$60 www.manfrotto.com
A decent compromise between a mini and a full-size tripod is achieved by the Compact Light fromManfrotto. Weighing just over 800g but reaching a maximum height of 130cm, it’s the perfect size for outdoor shooting, and being flexible and lightweight it’s exactly the kind of tripod you want should you get caught in a sudden downpour. The built-in ball head and single adjustment knob means that any small camera can easily be locked into place and used within seconds. Although it only supports up to 1.5kg, when paired with the Olympus Tough TG-5 that’s quite enough. The Compact Light is also made from aluminium so it doesn’t mind the rain. Great value for money, this nifty little tripod is light and compact for quick transport, easy to use and practical in the rain. A brilliant addition to any low-budget weatherproof kit.
BUDGET MINDED GREAT VALUE KIT THAT DOES THE JOB
2. STORAGE: LACIE RUGGED RAID £285/$320 www.lacie.com
LaCie is one of the most trusted, go-to brands around when it comes to keeping data safe. As part of the company’s Rugged series, the Rugged Raid offers some of the best protection available when it comes to all-weather, extreme environments. The bumper and cap means it can survive a five-foot fall and one ton of pressure, and it has an IP54-rating for water and dust protection. With a thunderbolt and USB 3.0 connection, the Rugged Raid has speeds of up to 240MB/s and 4TB of storage. It also has two internal drives, so if one fails you can still access your data from the other. Not only do you want safety from the weather, but also from theft; the Rugged Raid has both password protection and AES 256-bit encryption, so it offers security in every sense of the word.
116 PRO MOVIEMAKER WINTER 2018
Powered by FlippingBook