Hello my new friends,

My name is Rian Flynn and i am professional photographer. I currently own a Canon 1ds mark II and a lot of great glass for it. I live and work in Giza egypt right now, but I grew up in the United States.

Anyway, I have taken a job as a videographer/photographer for an archeological project on the Giza Plateau and I need a little help. What are my options for a decent HD Camera from $1500-$3000. Also, any ideas for keeping sand out of the camera would me more than welcomed!

Thank you for you help with this! Sorry to be a noob and ask the obvious question, but i am desperate! :)

Cheers,
Rian

An HDR-HC1 or HC3 would do.

Yeah have been looking at these, what about the sand?

Rian

How do you keep the sand out of your still camera? The same principles would apply - namely great care to avoid sand at all costs. When sand does accumulate on the camera body, remember not to wipe it off, since that's highly abrasive. Absolutely, positively get yourself a manual blower device like this one (http://cinemasupplies.stores.yahoo.net/bigblower.html).

If you're working in high winds (heaven forbid), you can change tapes in a film changing tent or some nearby structure or sleeping bag. And shoot nothing outdoors until you get a UV filter fitted to the lens. In fact, it may behoove you to have several identical UV filters on hand - one is bound to get scratched at some point, but that's a heckuva lot cheaper than a scratched lens.

You might also want to investigate rain gear for whichever camera you choose - it's waterproof, but also sand-proof. Beyond that, never rest the camera on the ground - remember that aside from its case (you are getting a good case, right?) the tripod is the best place for the camera to be, even if it's not turned on. Clean your gear every day - that blower should be getting a good workout.

If you are potentially talking real sand-storms-from-heaven kind of conditions, I wonder if a 10 meter underwater housing might work for you? A PAIN to take it in and out & operate, but if conditions are REALLY bad might be worth it <shrug>.

Someone else just posted somewhere that he just came back from Egypt and was very careful, but his focus ring now had sand in it... so a case might be worth it.