On 21 July 2016 at 13:37, Stuart Prior <stuart.prior(a)wikimedia.org.uk> wrote:
Hello all,
Just a reminder that Wiki Loves Monuments is around the corner, andn
coincidently we are looking for input on volunteer equipment. (Specifically
photography and AV equipment)
Here is a list of current equipment we have:
https://wikimedia.org.uk/wiki/Equipment_Loan_Procedure#Multimedia
We’d ideally strive for some kind of balance between quality and quantity,
but are not averse to a big ticket item if it will facilitate a specific
piece of work.
But ideas suggested to me by volunteers and other Wikimedians so far have
been:
More lapel microphones (to record panel events etc)
Shoulder rig
Video light box.
Filters.
Extra batteries and memory cards.
A bigger telephoto lens
A handy audio recorder
A camera drone
A selfie stick
We have a budget of £1000. If as part of the suggestions, people could also
look at prices and possible good value vendors, that would be helpful too.
Please reply all here, or alternatively, with suggestions on the wiki.
Looking to firm up decisions over the next couple of weeks.
Thanks
--
Stuart Prior
Hmm the usual rule I have with photographic equipment is don't buy
until there is an active need. What are you and volunteers doing?
Looking through the list:
Shoulder rig--some people like these, some don't. Are you doing a lot
of mobile video?
Video light box.--don't you have a couple of these already? If you
have an event where you need more they might be worth renting.
Filters--could have sworn you have some. Anyway circular polarisers
are pretty useful. Anything else I'd wait for a specific need.
Extra batteries and memory cards.--Yup.
A bigger telephoto lens--You've got a fair bit of reach with your
current setup and there aren't really any cheap ways of doing this. If
you really want more than the cheapest decent option would be a second
hand Canon 100-400mm L IS MK1 which london camera exchange are
currently selling for as low as £650.
https://www.lcegroup.co.uk/Used/Canon-EF-100-400mm-L-IS-USM_153926.html
ebay may be cheaper.
A camera drone--Not really an option within your current budget. Try
again next year.
My experience is that stuff wikipedia needs photos of tends to be wide
rather than long. Cheapest option would be £270 samyang 14mm Samyang
14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC or the samyang 10mm at £330. These lenses are
manual focus only mind.
http://www.ukdigital.co.uk/samyang-10mm-t31-vdslr-cine-lens-canon.html
http://www.ukdigital.co.uk/samyang-10mm-f28-edas-ncs-cs-lens-canon.html
Amazon and ukdigital tend to be level on prices with regards to
samyang but ukdigital have given my better customer support.
--
geni