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Any tech/photography items recommended for vlogging a 2 month trip to Europe?

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I'm looking for any tech or photography items for my 2 month trip to several European countries in the summer, I do plan on vlogging most of it. I already have a couple things, just recommend anything I guess, cameras, lenses, EDC, headphones, etc.
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What type of camera are you going to use? Have you vlogged before?
If you're using a DSLR, you'll want a gimbal. It'll help stabilize and position the camera when you're pointing it at yourself. The audio can come from a directional shotgun mic or camera-mounted mic mounted on the camera. If you use a lapel/lavalier mic, they tend to be omnidirectional which will pick up even the slightest wind and all the surrounding noise, plus you are now tethered to the gimbal system. If the mic doesn't come with a fluffy furry windscreen you'll definitely want one.
You can also record into a portable recorder so you can set your levels appropriately for the situation. You may not need this if the mic takes care of it for you. If you do, you'll need an attenuator to send the signal to the camera so you can sync the audio in post. You'll also likely need a bracket (depending on the gimbal) so you can mount the camera, the recorder, and the mic appropriately. This is getting heavy so make sure you can hold it up for lengths of time.
You'll also need a lens with a short focal distance since you can't hold the gimbal out so far. If you're on the Canon system, the nifty 50mm f/1.4 is great because it can be used close, has a nice natural framing (assuming you're using full frame), is a fast lens at f/1.4, AF motor is relatively quiet, is small and light, and is relatively inexpensive. It'll be great for journo-style photos as well.
If this sounds like you can't handle it, there are other options. You can go with an action camera like a GoPro, or use your mobile phone. But the general idea stays the same. They'll still be mounted on a gimbal (or maybe a selfy stick but that's not as stable), you'll still want a good shotgun mic, etc. But it's less weight and bulk.
Whatever you choose, do some vlogging around the home, outdoors, in busy/noisy places and test your kit and abilities out.
Great camera! Quality image, front-facing screen, and it's light, it's like it was made for vloggers.
Gimbals for vlogging are going to be motorized. 3-axis to minimize motion in every direction since it's handheld. But it gets expensive. And it needs to be powered. So you can go with a purely mechanical solution like a steadicam. The downside to that is the extra bulk for the counterweight.
So look up the DJI Ronin-S, Zhiyun Crane, those are the better gimbals. For steadicam you can build your own or look up Loha and Imorden's offerings. Another option is the Joby Gorillapod Focus. The bonus to that is you can wrap it around a lot of things for creative positioning. I've been using their stuff for years for photography and now for videography. Note that you need to get the Ballhead-X as well to mount your camera.
For mics look up the Rode Videomic Pro and Shure Lenshopper series. They're both shock-mounted to reduce motion noise, and they're shotguns made to reject side sound. They're intended for this application, so you can route it directly to the camera to keep the rig light. Been using both brands for a long time, can't go wrong with either, so if you can demo them it's the sound characteristics you're after.
You'll want spare batteries for anything that is powered. If you are going where it is very cold, keep in mind batteries underperform. If it's VERY cold (below freezing), you will want a handwarmer and an insulated pouch (or use a pocket) to stick the battery near it to rejuvenate it. If using a chemical handwarmer, make sure you can revive it (it needs hot water, you can stop up a sink and use a coffee maker to boil water), but they make air-activated disposable ones too.
You'll want multiple memory cards, and are you bringing a laptop? You'll want to offload the cards at day's end (cards are more prone to data loss than a hard drive). I don't bring a laptop when I travel light. What I do is attach a USB hub to my phone (it's OTG capable), then attach a card reader and portable hard drive to it. I use a file manager on the phone (ES Explorer Pro) to copy it from the card to the hard drive. My phone provides enough power to run this, since the hard drive is an SSD mounted in a case. If you're using a mechanical hard drive, the USB hub probably needs to be powered.
You'll want a case for the memory cards. I like ThinkTank's Pixel Pocket series since it's compact, protective, durable, and it can attach to your belt, bag, whatever. You'll want a bag to carry all this stuff. I like Peak Design's sling (was offered on Massdrop) when I travel light. Straps on the bottom could hold the gimbal. Backpacks are an option too, since you probably want to carry other stuff. Look up ThinkTank's options, I've been using their stuff for years for photography, and they've got a solution for everything.
You could use a compact 18% grey card so you can color balance it later, or just color grade it freestyle. If using a grey card, just hold it up with your free hand when you start filming yourself. If you change position (since the lighting changes), hold it up again.
You also want a compact/mini LED light box if you think you'll be going some place without a lot of light or at night. To save space you might not want the bulk of a box but this you'll have a harsher light. Or you could just tape paper over it to diffuse it a bit. Then there are ring lights to make you look sexy that go around the lens.
Oh yeah, lens. Not familiar with the Lumix's options but like I said, a 50mm equivalent for up-close journo-style. Consider a wide zoom if you want to capture the scenery around you. 10mm-24mm equivalent, something around that range, nice and flexible. Note focal distance, make sure you'll be in focus at arm's length.
aaronwilliamv
0
Jan 10, 2018
b9d9ffdad3ac59e7f6fSince it will be quite a long trip I'll be bringing a laptop to do video editing and possibly some light gaming. But I'll definitely look at getting something similar to what you recommended in-case I'm away from my laptop.
Thanks
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