going to Iraq?

[monkeybruce]

I am a photographer who has been working on a series of nat packs about life in the recently mobilized TN National Guard. I have been living as an embed with the 278th off and on for months.
My Sony Betacam is taking a beating at Camp Shelby, MS. I am wondering if there is anyone out there who has done something like this as a solo project and or spent time in the Mojave desert or Iraq, as I am preparing to go with them maybe as early as Nov. Wondering what to expect to need in the way of gear and if mine can take it. Wondering if I have gotten myself in over my head, I ain't no one man band.

[Rad]

CHeck with Ken Corn kcorn@wral.com He's been over there twice. I highly suggest using something like a PD 150 over there.

[tdelarm]

That and a ton of life insurance.

[vidrock]

You're not over your head, but you may want to make sure you hold onto it if you're going to Iraq.......

[NewsMan]

I have spent the last 4 months in Afghanistan in conditions as bad or worse than I suffered in Iraq. I use a DVX-100 and have had no problem I believe the key is daily upkeep.

[ August 01, 2004, 10:03 AM: Message edited by: NewsMan ]

[<yep>]

go with a small DV camera for sure. i've spent months in that corner of the world with both big and small gear, and the same rules apply for ANY gear.

dust is NOT your friend. use canned air and/or a damp cloth whenever possible to keep the exterior of the camera as clean as possible. (if you can keep the outside clean, there is less of a chance of that dirt working its way into the guts of the camera.

keep the camera in a bag whenEVER you're not shooting.

keep the camera bag CLOSED except for moving the camera in and out of it.

don't change tapes out in the open (do it in a building or in a car - WHEN you can)

when you do change tapes, don't leave the tape door hanging open forever - have the new tape ready to go into the camera IMMEDIATELY.

know how to clean the heads - either manually or the proper use of a head-cleaning tape

if you can, i'd suggest finding a rain cover that you feel comfortable with on the camera at all times. it can bit awkward, but it can really protect the gear from more than just rain.

[Priam1998]

A friend of mine who is in the guard said when they went, they were issued pantyhose to cover some of their gear with to keep dust out. Don't know if this helps or not but I thought it was worth mentioning.