How Much Video Equipment is Too Much?

[ABOMIBOT]

Hi Folks:

After multiple WDW visits over the last ten years I'm finally coming back to Disneyland for the first time since I left college in LA over 15 years ago!!! I can't wait to come back again (for my birthday later this month) and see what's different (ahem-DCA-ahem) and what's the same. Can you believe I've never even ridden Indy?!? Or SM 2.0?!? Or Roger Rabbit!?! Suffice it to say this is a long overdue trip...

Anyway, I want to shoot as much HD video as possible while we're out there and I have a question for you more frequent visitors about equipment: How much is too much?

I have an extremely tiny HD camera with a hard drive inside that's 100% consumer-level tech. No worries there.

But I also have a mono-pod (a one-legged tripod) that collapses down to about 20 inches. I've taken it on a plane before so I know it'll get past the TSA. How about DL security? Will they let me in with it?

I also have a slightly larger prosumer Sony HDV camera I was thinking about bringing because the quality is so much better than my little consumer number... but would they even let me in with this thing?

Any advice?

I will, of course, gladly post my HD footage in a trip report when I'm done...

Thanks in advance!

[Junthor]

Re: How Much Video Equipment is Too Much?

I think that if it doesn't burden you or hamper you in anyway .... Bring it along... I'm fairly certain DLR doesn't have a problem with the 20 inch set up... Thats not TOO big...


Welcome to Micechat!

[DisneyIPresume]

Re: How Much Video Equipment is Too Much?

Welcome to Micechat.

You and I share the same birthday! Is it also 1968?

If you are going to be here on a Sunday stop by the hub at noon and say hi to me and the rest of the Micechatters.

Sorry -- can't answer the rest of your question though!

[chadb14]

Re: How Much Video Equipment is Too Much?

How much can you carry without dropping something? That's enough, what ever you drop is too much. Have a great trip and get some good videos.

[ABOMIBOT]

Re: How Much Video Equipment is Too Much?

@ DisneyIPresume:

Ah, fellow Scorpio! I was born three years earlier than you. The 28th falls on a Sunday this year, so my partner and I will definitely be in DL that day. We'll stop by the hub at noon and say, "Hi!"

[MickeyMaxx]

Re: How Much Video Equipment is Too Much?

I don't know to a certainty, but have been told by other photographers that monopods are fine, tripods are not. As with everything these days, it depends on the day the CM is having. My partner's mother got into DCA with her knitting needles, but after we had lunch at the Grand Californian, they were confiscated by another CM. She's 78 years old. Not that she's not a threat.

Oh, and my best to Gort. An old childhood friend of mine.

Lu

[IMAGINE]

Re: How Much Video Equipment is Too Much?

Yeah im sure a small setup that you have would be fine...

[JeffYardDog]

Re: How Much Video Equipment is Too Much?

When you have to visit the chiropractor afterward.

[fo'c's'le swab]

Re: How Much Video Equipment is Too Much?

I believe this would be a good example of too much.

[techskip]

Re: How Much Video Equipment is Too Much?

I believe this would be a good example of too much.

Proud father attempting to capture a "baby's first" moment

I'm an extremely light packer. I am not sure if you are staying onsite, or nearby, but if you are I would recommend taking the entire setup. In your room you can decide what works best due to onsite weather etc. Also one camera may be better at night shots and the other at day shots. Please be mindful that the park may be somewhat crowded, so whatever your choice, you will still need to maneuver around people.

[daddyb]

Re: How Much Video Equipment is Too Much?

Tripods are ok too. I take one in all the time.
Anything short of steadicam units, booms, dollies, lighting shades/umbrellas and external lighting is going to be just fine. Don't forget that some people still have those full-sized VHS cameras, and they are not tiny at all. So your larger Sony won't have any problem whatsoever.

I have gone through security with 2 digital still cameras, assorted lenses and filters and batteries, a Notebook computer and extra battery, tripod and Sony digital video camera all stuffed into a camera backpack. While security seemed a little "what a dork"-ish to me, they waved me through just fine once I explained what everything was. I apologized to the folks behind me in line.

Once inside the park, about 1/3 of it all went into a locker.

I think a certain Disneyland home videographer even converted his monopod into a sort of homemade steadicam that could be taken apart to convert back to a monopod for his last filming trip. I don't think he got stopped for using it while walking around inside the park, and certainly got thru security just fine as it looked like a monopod still.

[Sambo]

Re: How Much Video Equipment is Too Much?

Yeah, there are some nice mini-tripods that go from under 11" to over 40".

I carried mine in my bag and it fit diagonally in the bottom. Used it mostly at night...

[Datameister]

Re: How Much Video Equipment is Too Much?

On the practical side of things, make sure you have a game plan for rides. Space is limited and rides can be turbulent. I take my large camera bag to the park with three lenses, an SLR body, and anything I might normally put in a backpack or fanny pack. Extra compartments can make turn a camera bag into a great man-purse. Anyway, make sure you secure everything when you go on rides and, in the case of Splash Mountain or Grizzly Peak, have a water protection game plan. Mine generally consists of posing wildly for the photo and then rushing to envelope my closed camera bag in a sweatshirt. :lol:

[akfandisney]

Re: How Much Video Equipment is Too Much?

When sub get rebuilt I use a monopod.

But I also have a mono-pod (a one-legged tripod) that collapses down to about 20 inches. I've taken it on a plane before so I know it'll get past the TSA. How about DL security? Will they let me in with it?

Answer is yes
Tell it is a tripod.