jared

Trip Planning, Netbooks, and Camera Questions

First – I have some more updates and then I had some questions.

I went to get the Netbook from Walmart for $298 and it was out of stock. I then went to BestBuy who had the solid-state version for the same price (no HD just an 8GB RAM drive) – which was nice – but I need the storage. I next went to Microcenter which had the unit in stock but… sitting right next to it was an MSI Wind u100 netbook.  This computer has the same processor and RAM but a larger HD – 160GB, a non glare screen, a slightly larger keyboard and it just felt nice – all for only $319.

The funny this is that to upgrade the RAM you have to violate the warranty – but I will wait to see how performance is first.  It turns out to be an interesting beast.  It comes with XP Home so I had to do my normal clean it up routine to make windows run smooth and fast.  I found that the track-pad had tapping enabled and the only way to remove it was to install drivers from another company but now that it is off I am very happy.

It does introduce a host of new questions, beyond just backing up my memory cards I should install some software.  Office (which version), Photoshop (which version), should I get navigation software and a gps for it and carry one less device?  All problems to ponder.

In response to my post of yesterday about still photography I was asked a few questions.

1) Are you sure the old lenses will work on the Pentax dSLR?

Yes that is what makes Pentax such an amazing camera – they even have special modes to fine tune and remember up to 20 custom lenses.  It also let’s you map out hot pixels and has a find dust on the sensor utility.

2) Why shoot in RAW+JPG why not just in RAW and save space?

I doubt I will get to play with the images in Photoshop on the road so it will be nice to see them on the netbook as JPG – plus it is just one more copy.

3) Why not just get some cheap and small SD cards?

It isn’t the size it’s the speed.  Most memory cards are Class 2 but for faster access to the camera you really want Class 6.

4) Why don’t I borrow Tom’s 20D?

Because while it is a GRACIOUS offer (thank you Tom) I won’t be happy with 8MP plus I hate borrowing optics from anyone.  And at the end of the day I like to be able to customize and tweak my own stuff.

Next  – more updates on my netbook installation and we ponder video!

[Re-posted from my University Blog & Edited 07/01/2011]

Trip Planning Continues – Moving from Film to Digital

So the next big planning hurdle for the trip is how will I be shooting  my still photos?

And there is an irony to this question.

With only one exception I am only going to places that I have already been (this of course is the nature of the trip).

So I will only be replacing and augmenting photos from my collection not really expanding on them.

Part of me considered not shooting stills at all – but since I wouldn’t know what to do without a camera in my hand the question remains.

The first step is to establish what I won’t be shooting:
1) No 3D
2) No Panoramas
3) No VR

It is hard to let those go – but it is an awful lot of equipment.

My regular camera is a Pentax MZ-30 35mm film camera.

On my last 3-week trip I took 120 rolls of film and at 24 photos/roll that is 2880 photos.
(On my two week trip to Peru I took close to 2600 photos)

Rolls of film can range in price (from $1.30 to $2.50 depending on the ISO) and at an average $2/roll of film and then another $3.88 for processing and printing (at Costco) my photo costs would total $705.60.

The same 2880 photos printed at $0.13 each from a digital camera would total $374.40 for a savings of $331.20.
This ignores the added discounts from the fact that not all the photos would get printed and the time saved from scanning my negatives.

I own 4 lenses for my Pentax:
Tamron 17-35mm
Tamron 70-300mm
Vivitar 28-210mm
Pentax 50mm

I scan my 35mm negatives with a Nikon Supercoolscan 9000 ED which gives at 4000 DPI gives me between 20 and 22MP.
I like the digital ICE feature as well as the grain removal tool – though I find I also like what NeatImage does for me in post.

To migrate over to digital I would want to stay with Pentax and I am considering a K20D 14.6 MP dSLR.
This has vibration reduction in the camera so I can still use my older lenses with it.

The first problem is the magnification factor of 1.5 that comes with a non-full frame sensor.
I know for a fact that my Tamron lenses are designed for digital – the others would work but I would want to test  for quality.

My lenses then become:

Tamron 17-35mm = 26-53mm = wide but not super wide
Tamron 70-300mm = 105-450mm = very telephoto
Vivitar 28-210mm = 42-215mm = we will see if this lens works
Pentax 50mm = 75mm prime

On my trip to Peru I didn’t bring the Vivitar because of it’s vignetting – this should go away with the smaller sensor.
The only reason I brought the 50mm lens was because I was scared to travel with a gap between 35mm and 70mm.
I used the lens maybe 4 times – I really do love shooting with a wide angle lens the best.

Because I need ultra wide angle for my castle photos I would need to get an additional 12-24mm (18-35mm equiv.) lens.

Step one – purchase new camera and lens = $1160

Looking at lenses again I keep seeing this Pentax 55-300mm lens (with great reviews) for $300.
That would eliminate the Tamron 70-300mm, the Vivitar, and the Pentax 50mm.
I like the idea of fewer lenses.

Now what else do I “need” for my still camera kit.

Well it comes with ‘a’ battery which with LiveView off and no flash averages to 530 shots.
While more than enough for a single days shooting – I still want a spare battery.

A spare battery is another $40 and an extra charger (with car adapter) is $18.

I was tempted by the other accessories like the add-on grip that holds the extra battery but for $130 I don’t think I want the extra ‘heft’. or the infrared remote – which while ‘cool’ is something I won’t use – since I am never in my own photos nor will I be able to shoot on the sly with it. I also don’t need the AC adapter because I won’t be near any.

This brings us to the matter of memory cards.

Shooting in the Raw+JPG mode I should be able to fit about 100 pictures on a 4GB card.
If I shoot 3000 pictures I will need about 120GB of storage. Film is starting to look cheap again.

So how do I get 120GB of storage?

Well I don’t.  Instead I get some reliable memory cards – in this case  3 – 8GB High-Speed – Name-Brand cards.
Each 8GB card can hold 200 images so that should be good for a day and also be ok in case one -gasp- dies.

But that is only 600 pictures (and 24GB) so how do I store more?

I have been investigating the various “photo safes” that are on the market that allow you to transfer your SD card to a portable HD.
Years ago I owned an early model called a Terrapin Mine.  It was bulky and bizarre but it worked well.
Most of the products on the market have mixed reviews – people love em – people hate em.
If I am going to do this I will go with the ColorSpace O by Hyperdrive.
It has the best of the ‘works well’ reviews and you can install your own hard-drive which I figure is better because I can pick
the brand and size. It also will read and display the RAW files so I can use it as a viewer too!

The problem is – do I really want to put all my eggs in one basket?
As a film photographer I only have several worries:
1) X-rays
2) Crushing/Opening the roll
3) Losing the roll

I know how to combat x-rays (fast talking and lead bags)
and after years of travel I keep all exposed rolls on my body at all times (in case of loss).
As for damaged film – I carry a changing bag and accessories in case of emergency.

But with this – hardware failure looms – and it is so scary!
Even if I purchased this device for $250-$350 dollars the only  way I would be happy is if I purchased two of them!

I could bring my laptop – but I don’t want to lug it around France (and I plan on having some repairs done to it while I am out of town).

One thought is to get one of those little Acer Netbooks and an external USB hard-rive as backup.

I like this idea because I have two copies on two devices that are small enough to keep on my person.

The problem is if the notebook dies – I can’t get the data to the USB hard-drive.

I even looked into portable DVD burners!

My concluding logic is as follows:
I will get a Netbook and a ColorSpace so that I am as secure as possible and both should be small enough to keep on my person.

One last item!

I have been looking into GPS data loggers.  They are so powerful and so inexpensive these days.
I think it would be great to be able to track exactly where I was when I was shooting and to route the entire trip.
At first I was a little apprehensive because the one I like holds – ‘about’ 3 weeks of data – but since I am getting the NetBook I can monitor how full the device is getting.

I really like the look of the GiSTEQ PhotoTracker and my friend Mace went out and got one and is in love with it!

So what will my digital kit look like?
-Pentax Camera + Lens = $1160
-Pentax 55-300mm Lens = $300
-Extra battery + Charger = $60
-3 8GB Memory Cards = $180
-ColorSpace + HD = $260
-Acer Netbook = $298
-GiSTEQ PhotoTracker = $80
-Tamron 17-35mm= Already Own
-Camera Wraps = Already Own
-Blower = Already Own
-Cleaning Supplies = Already Own
-Camera Strap = Already Own
-MemCard Safe = Already Own

What won’t I bring (that I usually do)?
-Stereoscopic Camera
-Light Meter
-Panoramic Camera Mount
-Small Digital Camera
-Fish-eye Lens
-Scissors
-Changing Bag
-Film!
-Film Shields

So what does all this get me?
1) Less equipment – it really is just one camera
2) Instant Feedback – which I admit I do like
3) No development or processing costs
4) Cheaper printing costs
5) No scanning time
6) Vibration Reduction
7) Kick ass new Wide Angle and Telephoto Lenses
8) GPS Data Tracking

I think it is doable.

Next up – let’s talk Video Equipment!

[Re-posted from my University Blog & Edited 07/01/2011]

Updated List, Updated Order, and Fuel Costs

As I continue to plan for the film I have been updating my destination list – the order of the list and so on…

I had to ad one more place to the list because I had a very long stretch of driving between Marseilles and Paris. I decided that even though I haven’t been there that the Cathedral at Autun could not be missed and made a very nice break in the trip.

Going through my old records I found that the website http://mappy.fr/ was good at estimating, time, mileage, and even estimate of petrol, fuel costs, and tolls!

On the bad side of things is that many places are closed on Monday or Tuesday so I needed to arrange accordingly.

The total distance is about 3289km or 2087 miles.

Now let’s do the math.

I am looking at leasing a 308 SW Premium turbo diesel 5 door automatic (cause I cant drive stick).

This car gets 7.13L/100 km or 14.02km/L.

For a total of 234.5 L of diesel

At 1.107Euro/L the total is 238.5 Euros

At 1 Euro = $1.289 the total is $308 for fuel!

and

My revised list – in order – looks like this:
* = Not on my original proposal list.

Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport
Gross Tour Du Roi in Compiegne
Chateau de Pierrefonds
Chateau de Chantilly
* Amiens Cathedral
* Chateau de Gisors
Chateau-Gaillard
* Jardin de Monet a Giverny
Chateau de La Roche Guyon
* Chartres Cathedral
Mont Saint Michel
Chateau d’Angers
Chateau de Saumur
Chateau de Langeais
Chateau d’Azay-le-Rideau
Chateau de Villandry
Chateau de Chenonceau
Chateau de Bouilh
Chateau de Rocamadour
Carcassonne
Chateau de Peyrepertuse
* Arena of Nîmes
* Maison Carrée
* Pont du Gard
* Palais des Papes
* Arles Amphitheatre
Chateau d’If
* Autun Cathedral
Vaux-le-Vicomte
Chateau de Versailles
* Eiffel Tower
* Arc de Triomphe
* Notre Dame de Paris
* Sacré-Cœur Basilica
* Musée d’Orsay
Chateau de Louvre
Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport

More to come…

[Re-posted from my University Blog & Edited 07/01/2011]

Updated Destination List

Planning this film is a lot of work!

So I have gone over my original list of 20 Castles and asked myself what is missing from the ‘experience’.  I am holding to the original premise that I will not be going anywhere ‘new’ on this expedition so that my previous research has some value and that I have at least some constants.  That being said – you can’t go to France and only see the 20 castles previously listed.

So I went and added some iconic destinations to the trip and also mapped them around France so I could get an order to the list so I can start building a real timetable.

Here is the updated destination list – in order:
* = New to List

Chateau de Pierrefonds
Gross Tour Du Roi in Compiegne
Chateau de Chantilly
* Amiens Cathedral
* Chateau de Gisors
Chateau-Gaillard
* Jardin de Monet a Giverny
Chateau de La Roche Guyon
* Chartres Cathedral
Mont Saint Michel
Chateau d’Angers
Chateau de Saumur
Chateau de Langeais
Chateau d’Azay-le-Rideau
Chateau de Villandry
Chateau de Chenonceau
Chateau de Bouilh
Chateau de Rocamadour
Carcassonne
Chateau de Peyrepertuse
* Arena of Nîmes
* Maison Carrée
* Pont du Gard
* Palais des Papes
* Arles Amphitheatre
Chateau d’If
Vaux-le-Vicomte
Chateau de Versailles
* Eiffel Tower
* Arc de Triomphe
* Notre Dame de Paris
* Sacré-Cœur Basilica
* Musée d’Orsay
Chateau de Louvre

More updates to follow…

[Re-posted from my University Blog & Edited 07/01/2011]

Of Castles and Crepes: A Documentary of French History and Culture

I am thrilled to announce that this Summer I will be heading back to France to film:
Of Castles and Crepes: A Documentary of French History and Culture.

I am able to announce this because of La Maison Française de Cleveland and their generous support of this work.

This film will document an expedition to 20 castles around France. These castles have been chosen from those I have visited on my previous expeditions and selected based on their geographical, historical, and cultural significance with the goal of giving the viewers the widest possible vision of France. The film is part history, part travelogue, and part cultural expose in order to entice the viewers to learn more and to visit France from themselves. The feature length (90-120 minute) film will be in English, however some interviews will be in French with English subtitles. The final film will be screened locally, produced and distributed on DVD, and made available for viewing online.

The 20 Castle Destination Includes:

Chateau de Chantilly
Gross Tour Du Roi in Compiegne
Chateau de Pierrefonds
Chateau-Gaillard
Chateau de La Roche Guyon
Mont Saint Michel
Chateau d’Angers
Chateau de Saumur
Chateau de Langeais
Chateau d’Azay-le-Rideau
Chateau de Villandry
Chateau de Chenonceau
Chateau de Bouilh
Chateau de Peyrepertuse
Carcassonne
Chateau d’If
Chateau de Rocamadour
Chateau de Louvre
Chateau de Versailles
Vaux-le-Vicomte

This list is tentative and is subject to change.

I will post planning updates regularly.

I want to say Thanks again to La Maison Française de Cleveland!

[Re-posted from my University Blog & Edited 07/01/2011]

Peru Day 14 – Atlanta, Cleveland, Aftermath…

We landed in Atlanta and cleared customs without any troubles.

The only trouble we did have is that after we boarded he plane to Cleveland they kept us on the ground for 1.5 hours trying to fix it before we took off.

Finally we made it home.  My wife met us at the airport and all the luggage made it – none of the presents broke!

We dropped Tim off and then headed to Costco.

Finally tally 83 rolls of regular film, 2 rolls of 3D film, and about 500 digital shots.

They called Monday night to let me know that the film is ready and I’m heading to Costco this am to pick up all 2600 prints!

Thanks for reading – hope you enjoyed.

Jared

Peru Trip Closed!

[Re-posted from my University Blog & Edited 07/01/2011]

Peru Day 13 – Lima

So its 7am and we made it back to Lima.  The problem is – our flight doesn’t leave until 12:30 am.  So how do you kill 17 hours in Lima.

Well first you find a hotel.  We figured that the best thing to do was get a room just to shower and pack from so we could be decent on the flight back home.

We also found an amazing museum – The Rafael Larco Herrera Museum in Lima which  houses the largest private collection of pre-Colombian art: 45,000 pieces!  So we had the taxi take us to a hotel near it and we took a nap before venturing out.

The museum was gorgeous.  Very well organized and very educational.  The storage is open so you can see literally all 45,000 works just stacked on shelves – it was just crazy!

They also had a very fancy restaurant which we ate at and a really good gift shop so Tim finally got the reproductions he needed for teaching purposes.  Lastly, the erotic pottery was very well… explicit.

After spending the day there we headed back to the hotel.  Along the way we stopped to get money since we were told we would need $30us as an exit tax to leave the county.

The taxi to the airport was very scary.  He took a lot of side roads and Tim and I both thought we were being kidnapped!  But eventually we made it.

The airport experience was great.  Peru officials hand checked my film (that’s right 4 airports – 0h X-rays!) and they separated me and Tim to give us more room.  They showed “The Bucket List” on the flight again but I just slept into Atlanta.

[Re-posted from my University Blog & Edited 07/01/2011]

Peru Day 12 – Arequipa

On Friday we woke up knowing two things – we had to be at the bus station at 4:30pm for Lima and that we couldn’t leave our bags for the day at the hostel.

We got up and took a taxi (with our bags) to the town square – where I recalled from the night before there being a 4 star hotel.  They let us keep our bags there for the day (very nice thank you).

As Tim and I wandered around the square with a few hours to kill we decided to split up and meet back at 4pm.  Arequipa, is a big city and it was nice to get a feel for it.  The Spanish architecture is everywhere and seeing a colonial town made for a nice comparison.

I went to a music store, a couple of churches, a craft market, it was a slow but nice day.  I met a match salesman – he just sold books of matches on the street corner.

I went back to the square and loved seeing the snow capped mountains in the distance.  As I tried to take a photo of the mountain and a church a policeman stopped me and told me not to photograph the church.  I thought this was weird as its not a government building or anything and then he explained himself.  He told me not to photograph the church from the square but told me a building that would let me up and give me an even better vantage point!

Very nice guy.

Tim showed up on time at 4pm and we headed for the bus station.
At the station we were amazed as ever at the  myriad of little convenience store like stands that all sell the exact same thing!

We boarded the bus (first class) and found that it was just me and Tim on the 14 hour ride back to Lima (at least in first class).

They played some music and some Spanish Karaoke and then the dog of a movie “The sound of thunder” which you shouldn’t see and I’ve seen like 4 times (thank you HBO).

At about 1am first class filled up but it was a nice ride that actually arrived in Lima early!  So there we are last day in Lima at the bus station at its 6:45am….

[Re-posted from my University Blog & Edited 07/01/2011]

Peru Day 11 – Puno

[So technically its Monday and I’m back in Cleveland, but I figured some of you wanted to hear how the story turned out.]

So on Thursday Tim and I got up and found that our bus tickets to Ariquipa were still not there yet but the hotel guy promised they would be there by the afternoon.

They were still trying to sell us on a ‘tour’ of Titicaca and we almost went for it – instead we took the taxi to the dock and charted a boat for the day.  They told us to take pencils or candy with us for the children so I got a pack of pencils.  If I would have known I would have brought more.  So there we are me, Tim, and 3 Peruvians on a 5 hour boat ride on the highest lake on the planet.

Instead of heading to the tourist island they took us deep into the lake and to a very small island that only 5 families lived on.  After about 1.5 hours we found ourselves in water so murky with seaweed that they had to pole the boat.  A small rowboat full of children came out to our boat and then rowed us back to this little floating island.  The island which is really floating reeds was very flimsy and we found ourselves getting wet just walking on it.  I gave out my pencils quickly and Tim and I saw a living hut and a cooking hut.  We gave money to their parents and then after about 15 minutes left the island for the boat.  It was devastatingly poor there and Tim felt really bad that the little kids were rowing us and tried to take over.  He wished he had food to give and not just money.

We went back to our slow boat across the lake and Tim asked them to go a little faster when the boat stalled out for like 15 minutes (which I thought was funny).  We finally came back to the more touristy islands that were selling crafts and had restaurants and even a place to ‘stay’ and have the experience.  To be honest everything was overpriced and nothing they were selling were they actually making.  We did have a nice fish lunch and then headed back.

All and all it was about a 5.5 hour cruise and very nice.

We then headed back to the hotel to find that the travel agent sent us really cheap bus tickets at a later bus and then was nowhere to be contacted.

I was angry (still am) so instead of accepting the late bus we just headed to the bus station and tried to find something sooner.  I found something an hour earlier (that was supposed to get in at midnight) and Tim pawned off our old tickers for 3/4 their value.

The bus was a local and very slow and cramped (and cold) and got in at 1am instead of midnight.

We got a taxi and Tim found a cheap hotel (in fact a hostel) and pretty much passed out at 2am in Arequipa.

[Re-posted from my University Blog & Edited 07/01/2011]

Peru Day 10 – Cusco to Puno

Well I got up before Tim and went to a travel agent to find out what to do next.  See its Wed am and we are in Cusco and on Sat pm we have to be in Lima.  Tim wants to fly but I don´t want to get caught in that mess and also want to lower the risk on my film.  I am up to 74 rolls (72 regular and 2 3d).

At the travel agent I arranged a bus from 11:30 from Cusco to Puno (but not a luxury bus – a bus that the locals take) and also a bus on Thursday night from Puno to Arequipa.  The lady told me that buses from Arequpia to Lima run regularly. She also got us a hotel in Puno – The Camino Real where I am writing from right now.

I woke up Tim, we at and headed out.  The bus was a real trip.  No AC and very filled with locals.  Every few minutes they would sell food.  The trip took longer than expected. I slept most of the way (thank you Dramamine and sore muscles) though at one point we stopped at people through their garbage out the window at some waiting dogs who scooped it all up.

We got into Puno and it is cold – I mean VERY cold. Winter cold.

I got up to write this and brief you all on the rest of the trip. On Friday the University is shutting down the blog server for the weekend so this might be my last entry till I return.

Its Thursday – we are in Puno and we visit Lake Titicaca and the floating islands – we bus tonight to Arequipa.

On Friday we visit the colonial town of Arequipa and maybe hit a museum of two.  Friday at 5pm we have first class seats on a luxury bus to Lima (its 14 hours).

Sat am we hit Lima where we will get a hotel room near the airport so we can shower and repack and leave our bags there while we hit a few more spots and then catch out 12:30 am (yeah that late flight)

We arrive back in Cleveland around noon on Sunday!

Thanks for reading will post more if I can.

Jared

[Re-posted from my University Blog & Edited 07/01/2011]