With the HDSLR and HD camcorder revolution comes a whole new way of dealing with transportation and support. Light weight and small size ripples down through the entire production process, replacing armadas of teamstered trucks with backpacks. In the Alps, they even have a name for it: photo-trekking.
The idea is to pack camera, lenses, tripod, head, laptop, production accessories, lunch and some extra clothes in a small and lightweight backpack.
The winning backpack for me, so far, is Kata’s KT R-103 Rucksack. It weighs a mere 3.74 lbs and is 17.7″ x 12.9″ x 5.9″.I’m not a fan of carrying a high-end carbon fiber tripod strapped to the outside of the backpack like an ice-axe, but most tripods are too big to fit inside.
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The December 2009 Issue of Film and Digital Times has gone to press in LA and should be in the mail soon. Our online edition is now ready to download (PDF files) for all Subscribers and Members. We end the year in low light, with articles on: Forgetting Three-Point Lighting; Lighting with Paint at one footcandle; ISO 12,800 to 102,400; Game-Changing Hybrid Cameras; Why We Still Need Big Lights on Cranes; Twice the Distance = One Quarter the Light; Anamorphic Ahead; Anamorphic 2x and 1.3x; Sensors; Backpack Cinematography; People and Products of the Year; Run & Gun Kit from iDC Photography; and more.
Forget Three-Point Lighting; Lighting with Paint in Low Light (one footcandle); ISO 12,800 to 102,400; Game-Changing Hybrid Cameras; Why We Still Need Big Lights on Cranes; Twice the Distance = One Quarter the Light; Anamorphic Ahead; Anamorphic 2x and 1.3x; Sensors: Film and Digital
Backpack Cinematography; People and Products of the Year; Run & Gun Kit from iDC Photography
Some thoughts on shooting HD Video with the 7D. The image stabilization of the Canon lenses is helpful in reducing shake, wobble and roll. Sifting through the plethora of handheld brackets and supports, remember that a camera this light picks up every breath you take, every move you make. It’s no accident that “Slumdog Millionaire” settled on a Kenyon Gyro and Manfrotto Magic Arm to smooth out the bumps. A camera this good deserves a good tripod and cine/video style fluid head, especially on long lenses. Look at the small FSB-4 from Sachtler and Action Pro from Cartoni. Also a monopod. I like the Bogen Manfrotto 790B Modo 5 section Monopod. It’s like a ski pole and popular in Europe for Phot-Trekking. You can leave it attached as a counterbalance for handheld, “poor-man’s Steadicam.” Or try the Steadicam Merlin. 
With the HDSLR and HD camcorder revolution comes a whole new way of dealing with transportation and support. Light weight and small size ripples down through the entire production process, replacing armadas of teamstered trucks with backpacks. In the Alps, they even have a name for it: photo-trekking.