XHA1 to Cuba...good or bad idea?

Allan Black · October 24th, 2009, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Hooey

Osmany,
I also would really love to fly over to Havana for a day to see the big city too.

Don't you fly in and out of Havana International? Stay over for a day, check out the historical area of the city.

Cheers.

James Hooey · October 24th, 2009, 07:33 PM

Our flight does not take us to Havana, it goes from Toronto Pearson Airport to Holguin City (Holguin Province). Seeing as the two are quite far from each other we are entertaining the idea of flying over to Havana for a day depending on the cost. I understand there is also a railroad system that links some of these provinces so that might be an option as well.

We are just getting our last minute preparations done this evening before leaving for the airport tommorow.

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this post, lots of great input and information has made the preparations smoother and less anxiety about the trip. I'll post again when we return to help wrap up this thread and hopefully relate many wonderful experiences!

All the best,
James Hooey

C.S. Michael · October 26th, 2009, 11:58 PM

I just got back from Jamaica, where I brought my HV20, a Beachtek, and some mics. My Sony EX1 stayed at home.

I think you made a great choice in the HV40. Low profile & light weight is the way to go.

Safe travels!

Matthew Overstreet · October 28th, 2009, 12:08 PM

I definetly have to agree. Leave the big camera home and take something like an hv20 or hv40.

Daniel Weber · October 30th, 2009, 08:54 AM

I have filmed in Cuba twice. Once with a Sony DSR-570 and another time with a Sony Z1. I would say take your XHA1!!! How many times will you have the chance to shoot in Cuba?

You have probably already left for the trip, but I would be kicking myself if all i had was a small camera for what you will see in Cuba.

I have never had a problem going in and out of customs in Cuba and I am an American.

Daniel Weber

Dom Stevenson · May 17th, 2010, 09:16 AM

My 2 cents.

I've never been to Cuba, but i took my XHA1 to Iran and spent much of my time kicking myself for not taking a smaller camera. It's not that you can't shoot with bigger cameras, but that you feel a lot more self conscious doing so. There's always the feeling that you look like you're a serious filmmaker and ought to have some kind of permit. With smaller camera's you just look like a tourist. I now own a 5Dmii, and just wish i'd had it when i was in Iran as i'd have shot 3 times as much without any paranoia whatsoever.

Having said that, you'll probably be fine, but i think that since there are so many excellent small cameras around these days, it's better to take along one of them instead. Of course if you have the cash you could take along a small one as well, and i wouldn't mind betting you get more good stuff from that.

Doh! Just realised this thread is 6 months old. Hope you had a good trip.

October 24th, 2009, 07:33 PM	#17
James Hooey Major Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Bruce Pennisula, Canada Posts: 316	Our flight does not take us to Havana, it goes from Toronto Pearson Airport to Holguin City (Holguin Province). Seeing as the two are quite far from each other we are entertaining the idea of flying over to Havana for a day depending on the cost. I understand there is also a railroad system that links some of these provinces so that might be an option as well. We are just getting our last minute preparations done this evening before leaving for the airport tommorow. Thanks to everyone who contributed to this post, lots of great input and information has made the preparations smoother and less anxiety about the trip. I'll post again when we return to help wrap up this thread and hopefully relate many wonderful experiences! All the best, James Hooey __________________ For Stock Footage http://www.revostock.com/ViewProfile.html?&ID=4811 My Website http://www.soundprostudios.com

October 26th, 2009, 11:58 PM	#18
C.S. Michael Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 197	I just got back from Jamaica, where I brought my HV20, a Beachtek, and some mics. My Sony EX1 stayed at home. I think you made a great choice in the HV40. Low profile & light weight is the way to go. Safe travels! __________________ Bored? Check out my blog (shot with Sony EX1, Panasonic TM700, Nikon D7100, Sony NEX-5N, GoPro2): LongLongHoneymoon.com

October 28th, 2009, 12:08 PM	#19
Matthew Overstreet Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Whitman, Massachusetts Posts: 168	I definetly have to agree. Leave the big camera home and take something like an hv20 or hv40. __________________ Late December. A feature film by Matthew Overstreet & Christopher J. Adams.

October 30th, 2009, 08:54 AM	#20
Daniel Weber Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Maryland, USA Posts: 696	I have filmed in Cuba twice. Once with a Sony DSR-570 and another time with a Sony Z1. I would say take your XHA1!!! How many times will you have the chance to shoot in Cuba? You have probably already left for the trip, but I would be kicking myself if all i had was a small camera for what you will see in Cuba. I have never had a problem going in and out of customs in Cuba and I am an American. Daniel Weber

May 17th, 2010, 09:16 AM	#21
Dom Stevenson Major Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: London UK Posts: 430	My 2 cents. I've never been to Cuba, but i took my XHA1 to Iran and spent much of my time kicking myself for not taking a smaller camera. It's not that you can't shoot with bigger cameras, but that you feel a lot more self conscious doing so. There's always the feeling that you look like you're a serious filmmaker and ought to have some kind of permit. With smaller camera's you just look like a tourist. I now own a 5Dmii, and just wish i'd had it when i was in Iran as i'd have shot 3 times as much without any paranoia whatsoever. Having said that, you'll probably be fine, but i think that since there are so many excellent small cameras around these days, it's better to take along one of them instead. Of course if you have the cash you could take along a small one as well, and i wouldn't mind betting you get more good stuff from that. Doh! Just realised this thread is 6 months old. Hope you had a good trip.