Packing my bags for Italy - need some help on equipment

Stu Holmes · May 12th, 2006, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Floris van Eck

I am thinking about aluminum or carbon fiber instead of metal.

Carbon fibre is pretty big bucks but it´s a very rigid material and low density.
Aluminum...... is a metal ! ;-)

I think 99% of tripods are alu or carbon-fibre. Magnesium or titanium would be an option if you were a really purist but impractical as it´d be stupidly expensive, and i´m 99% certain that alu or cf is about it.

Harry Pallenberg · May 12th, 2006, 04:30 PM

Hope I'm not to late for you planning... and its not gear related... but here is a thing I send to people.... formatting is gone... maps, & pics too, try googleing the names of places... enjoy!

A few places to go in Italy.... tips. in general DO NOT eat anywhere close enough to see the building that made the town famous. do not eat if the menu is in english - worse if its in english & german & japanese - RUN.

Florence...
eat at IL LATINI - ask anyone, they will know where it is. Make a reservation! They do 2 seatings. Get there about 10 min early even with reservations. Be very hungry the food does not stop.
Via dei Palchetti Florence
Ph: 39 055 21 09 16
The steak is great – best in Italy - if you are not worried about Mad Cow, also make sure you get the Vin Santo & Biscotti for desert.

The other great place to eat for real cheap is the Pizza at the post office - this is basically the commisary for the mailmen - but its some of the best in all of Italy - or it was 10 years ago - most people don't know that its open to the public, and there was talk of closing it so ask...

For ice cream go to Vivoli
Address:
Via Isola della Stinche, 7r
Florence 50122
In the Historical Center
Phone: +39 55292334

To buy leather goods... it is cheaper than most stores & cooler
Inside the Monastery of Santa Croce
Manufaturers of fine leather goods The main entrance into the Leather School is through the Santa Croce Church (we are located next to the Sacristy, in the old dormitory of the Franciscan Friars) but, out of respect for the Church, we invite our visitors and customers to use the entrance through the garden that surrounds the magnificent Apse of the Church (Via San Giuseppe 5R).

Half way between Florence & Rome –

On the MONTE ARGENTARIO - there is a great 7 mile long beach... the town of Porto Ercole is very nice, the foccacia bread at the tiny bakery between the town square & the port is some of the best in italy.

Terme di Saturnia - ( about an hour from Porto Ercole) now you can either go to the fancy spa hotel - but you probably won't be able to get in on such short notice, or you can do the free open to the public one. sure there are allways lots of german tourists, but there are lots of real Italian farmers/blue collor types there too. You can sit in a waterfall which gives a great massage, and rub the sulphorus moss all over your body. there is no changing area so bring a towel.

After you go to Saturnia eat at a place called Laudomia. It is near Montemerano -- i.e. the restaurant is between Montemerano and the Terme di Saturnia. Montemerano is north of Manciano, a biggish town on Route 74.

Parco dei Mostri (or "Monster Park") by the town of Bomarzo about an 75minutes from Rome (north west) close to the town of Viterbo. The park of Monsters of Bomarzo was devised by the architect Pirro Ligorio (he completed the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Rome after the death of Michelangelo and built Villa d'Este in Tivoli) on commision of Prince Pier Francesco Orsini, called Vicino, only to vent the heart broken at the death of is wife Giulia Farnese The park was born in 1552 as "Villa of Wonders" to be the only one of it's kind in the world. Phone # +39-761924029

You can literally go inside this ones mouth!

A more modern take on the Bomartzo is in Garavicchio, Tuscany, about 100 km north-west from Rome along the coast. The garden, called Giardino dei Tarocchi in Italian, contains sculptures of the symbols found on Tarot cards. The garden took many years, and a lot of money, to complete. It opened in 1998, after more than 20 years of work. it is by Niki de Saint Phalle.

In Rome, eat at Da Tonino a cool little place where the drivers for the members of Parliment often go to eat. It is hard to find, there is no sign, in fact it barely looks like a place to eat, but the address is (I think) 18 Via Governo Vecchio at corner of Vico d' Avila - basically get to the parliment square and ask people even if you dont speak Italian - they might not even have heard of the resturant, but should be able to help with the streets. Look for guys who are drivers... dark suits, standing by nice dark cars smoking... watch where they eat.

Giolitti
Super ice cream – best in all of italy
neighborhood: Centro Storico
tel: +39 066991243
email: info@giolitti.it
web: http://www.giolitti.com/

Great Bar Harry's Bar
Reminiscent of the 1950s La Dolce Vita era.
Via Veneto 150

Floris van Eck · May 12th, 2006, 04:49 PM

Wow! Thanks for the great information. I am going to print your post and take it with me, on my trip and in my planning!

Stu, this are some tripods I looked at. What do you think?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

These two look perfect for travelling:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

They may not be the best tripods but I just need a good one for travelling that is light-weight and above all compact. It is either this or no tripod, as I am not going to carry a heavy, large tripod nor a $400 Bogen tripod.

But maybe there are other suggestions in this category.

Floris van Eck · May 13th, 2006, 05:13 PM

Ok, I have decided to purchase the Sony VRT1500 tripod as it looks really sturdy yet compact and and light-weight.

For the bag, I narrowed down the field:

Lowepro Mini Trekker AW Camera Backpack - Black
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=278343&is=REG

Petrol PCCB-1N Compact Camcorder Bag - for Canon GL-1, XL-1, Sony DSR-PD100 and DSR-PD150 Camcorders
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=236223&is=REG

Porta Brace CS-DV2U Mini-DV Camcorder Case with Universal Cradle - for Most Mini DV Camcorders up to 14" Long (Black with Red Trim)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...oryNavigationd

The Porta Brace bag ($149) looks beautiful as well as really though. However, I do not like it that it is not weather-proof / water-resistant (at least, I can not find that stated anywhere, nor does it have the rain icon in its brochure). The Petrol bag ($99) looks good but there is something about it I do not like. Finally, the Lowepro Mini Trekker seems perfect. It is all-weather-proof, has many compartments, a tripod can be attached and it fits the compartments for luggage in airplanes. $110 also is a nice price. I also think a backpack is the most comfortable transportation method. In places with thieves, you can always carry them in the front. It might look ackward but it is better then having your expensive gear ripped.

I will think about it a little bit more and make a good decision.

Lawrence Spurgeon · May 13th, 2006, 10:21 PM

OK, I see 2 easy ways to carry your gear. Roller case or padded backpack (photo backpack). The BEST roller case has got to be a Pelican TM1510DF (or 1610 if you want larger). You can slap a lock on it - but yes never let it out of your sight.

In Rome find Cafe Abruzzi. Best ravioli I have ever eaten. I still dream about it (and the 100+ year old waiters are wonderful)

Joe Barker · May 13th, 2006, 10:41 PM

Always watch out for scooter's that come in close,thieves have a trick of grabbing your gear and dissapearing into the crouded streets.Also make shure you buy a top quality ND filter.I bought a well known but cheaper brand and I find at certain angles in bright sun light I get tiny spots showing up in the footage,it looks like dust particles, but infact it turned out to be a problem with the glass.Also if you are going on a holiday,thats a lot of ground to cover in two weeks,you'll be running around like a blue arsed fly, take an extra week and enjoy yourself.

Floris van Eck · May 14th, 2006, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawrence Spurgeon

OK, I see 2 easy ways to carry your gear. Roller case or padded backpack (photo backpack). The BEST roller case has got to be a Pelican TM1510DF (or 1610 if you want larger). You can slap a lock on it - but yes never let it out of your sight.

In Rome find Cafe Abruzzi. Best ravioli I have ever eaten. I still dream about it (and the 100+ year old waiters are wonderful)

Thanks. I will locate that one. Thanks for all the great tips.

Floris van Eck · May 29th, 2006, 07:23 AM

I have purchased the Lowepro Nature Trekker AW II and received it a few weeks ago. After a few test, I can really say that this is very comfortable backpack with ample of space for all my gear. I have growth options! I will upload some picture in the near future with the bag and all my gear.

The only thing I am not completly sure about is the tripod and head. The tripods I am considering at this moment are:

Manfrotto/Bogen 755B (67cm folded, 163cm extended, 2.8kg)

http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/cache...lsf=73&child=5

Manfrotto/Bogen 756B (59cm folded, 143cm extended, 2.2kg)

http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/cache...lsf=73&child=5

The fluid heads I am considering are:

Manfrotto/Bogen 503 (8kg load)
http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/cache...d=80|86&idx=87

Manfrotto/Bogen 701RC2 (4kg load)
http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/cache...d=80|86&idx=87

Finally, I might consider one of these:

Velbon DV-7000
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

Velbon CX-570
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation

The last two might be for travel purposes only. As the CX-570 only costs $40, it could be the perfect travelling tripod. For my production, I can then purchase a more expensive and sturdy Bogen/Manfrotto tripod with 503 video head like the 755B/503 combination.

Peter Ferling · May 29th, 2006, 09:37 PM

Ah, Italy. I remember those days when I was still the Navy, back in 83'. Our home port on the mediterranean cruises was Naples.

I remember a few times when a group of us would pile into two cabs and tell the drivers that first one to the military comissary would get an extra $20. Those guys were nuts! Nobody obeys a traffic signal. The sidewalks arn't even safe.

Yes, most of your best eating places will wind up in somebody's basement makeshift restuarant. I can't remember them anymore.

The HC1 is a perfect choice. Small, concealable and will command little unwanted attention.

My only advice to you is what our command told us. Blend in. Don't look like a tourist. We wore simple clothes and didn't shave much, etc. Take note.

Most of all, have a good time.

May 29th, 2006, 09:37 PM	#24
Peter Ferling Trustee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Wyomissing, PA Posts: 1,141 Images: 57	Ah, Italy. I remember those days when I was still the Navy, back in 83'. Our home port on the mediterranean cruises was Naples. I remember a few times when a group of us would pile into two cabs and tell the drivers that first one to the military comissary would get an extra $20. Those guys were nuts! Nobody obeys a traffic signal. The sidewalks arn't even safe. Yes, most of your best eating places will wind up in somebody's basement makeshift restuarant. I can't remember them anymore. The HC1 is a perfect choice. Small, concealable and will command little unwanted attention. My only advice to you is what our command told us. Blend in. Don't look like a tourist. We wore simple clothes and didn't shave much, etc. Take note. Most of all, have a good time. __________________ Pete Ferling http://ferling.net It's never a mistake if you learn something new from it. -------------------------------------------

May 12th, 2006, 04:30 PM	#17
Harry Pallenberg Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 122	Hope I'm not to late for you planning... and its not gear related... but here is a thing I send to people.... formatting is gone... maps, & pics too, try googleing the names of places... enjoy! A few places to go in Italy.... tips. in general DO NOT eat anywhere close enough to see the building that made the town famous. do not eat if the menu is in english - worse if its in english & german & japanese - RUN. Florence... eat at IL LATINI - ask anyone, they will know where it is. Make a reservation! They do 2 seatings. Get there about 10 min early even with reservations. Be very hungry the food does not stop. Via dei Palchetti Florence Ph: 39 055 21 09 16 The steak is great – best in Italy - if you are not worried about Mad Cow, also make sure you get the Vin Santo & Biscotti for desert. The other great place to eat for real cheap is the Pizza at the post office - this is basically the commisary for the mailmen - but its some of the best in all of Italy - or it was 10 years ago - most people don't know that its open to the public, and there was talk of closing it so ask... For ice cream go to Vivoli Address: Via Isola della Stinche, 7r Florence 50122 In the Historical Center Phone: +39 55292334 To buy leather goods... it is cheaper than most stores & cooler Inside the Monastery of Santa Croce Manufaturers of fine leather goods The main entrance into the Leather School is through the Santa Croce Church (we are located next to the Sacristy, in the old dormitory of the Franciscan Friars) but, out of respect for the Church, we invite our visitors and customers to use the entrance through the garden that surrounds the magnificent Apse of the Church (Via San Giuseppe 5R). Half way between Florence & Rome – On the MONTE ARGENTARIO - there is a great 7 mile long beach... the town of Porto Ercole is very nice, the foccacia bread at the tiny bakery between the town square & the port is some of the best in italy. Terme di Saturnia - ( about an hour from Porto Ercole) now you can either go to the fancy spa hotel - but you probably won't be able to get in on such short notice, or you can do the free open to the public one. sure there are allways lots of german tourists, but there are lots of real Italian farmers/blue collor types there too. You can sit in a waterfall which gives a great massage, and rub the sulphorus moss all over your body. there is no changing area so bring a towel. After you go to Saturnia eat at a place called Laudomia. It is near Montemerano -- i.e. the restaurant is between Montemerano and the Terme di Saturnia. Montemerano is north of Manciano, a biggish town on Route 74. Parco dei Mostri (or "Monster Park") by the town of Bomarzo about an 75minutes from Rome (north west) close to the town of Viterbo. The park of Monsters of Bomarzo was devised by the architect Pirro Ligorio (he completed the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Rome after the death of Michelangelo and built Villa d'Este in Tivoli) on commision of Prince Pier Francesco Orsini, called Vicino, only to vent the heart broken at the death of is wife Giulia Farnese The park was born in 1552 as "Villa of Wonders" to be the only one of it's kind in the world. Phone # +39-761924029 You can literally go inside this ones mouth! A more modern take on the Bomartzo is in Garavicchio, Tuscany, about 100 km north-west from Rome along the coast. The garden, called Giardino dei Tarocchi in Italian, contains sculptures of the symbols found on Tarot cards. The garden took many years, and a lot of money, to complete. It opened in 1998, after more than 20 years of work. it is by Niki de Saint Phalle. In Rome, eat at Da Tonino a cool little place where the drivers for the members of Parliment often go to eat. It is hard to find, there is no sign, in fact it barely looks like a place to eat, but the address is (I think) 18 Via Governo Vecchio at corner of Vico d' Avila - basically get to the parliment square and ask people even if you dont speak Italian - they might not even have heard of the resturant, but should be able to help with the streets. Look for guys who are drivers... dark suits, standing by nice dark cars smoking... watch where they eat. Giolitti Super ice cream – best in all of italy neighborhood: Centro Storico tel: +39 066991243 email: info@giolitti.it web: http://www.giolitti.com/ Great Bar Harry's Bar Reminiscent of the 1950s La Dolce Vita era. Via Veneto 150

May 12th, 2006, 04:49 PM	#18
Floris van Eck Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 993	Wow! Thanks for the great information. I am going to print your post and take it with me, on my trip and in my planning! Stu, this are some tripods I looked at. What do you think? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search These two look perfect for travelling: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search They may not be the best tripods but I just need a good one for travelling that is light-weight and above all compact. It is either this or no tripod, as I am not going to carry a heavy, large tripod nor a $400 Bogen tripod. But maybe there are other suggestions in this category.

May 13th, 2006, 05:13 PM	#19
Floris van Eck Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 993	Ok, I have decided to purchase the Sony VRT1500 tripod as it looks really sturdy yet compact and and light-weight. For the bag, I narrowed down the field: Lowepro Mini Trekker AW Camera Backpack - Black http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=278343&is=REG Petrol PCCB-1N Compact Camcorder Bag - for Canon GL-1, XL-1, Sony DSR-PD100 and DSR-PD150 Camcorders http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=236223&is=REG Porta Brace CS-DV2U Mini-DV Camcorder Case with Universal Cradle - for Most Mini DV Camcorders up to 14" Long (Black with Red Trim) http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...oryNavigationd The Porta Brace bag ($149) looks beautiful as well as really though. However, I do not like it that it is not weather-proof / water-resistant (at least, I can not find that stated anywhere, nor does it have the rain icon in its brochure). The Petrol bag ($99) looks good but there is something about it I do not like. Finally, the Lowepro Mini Trekker seems perfect. It is all-weather-proof, has many compartments, a tripod can be attached and it fits the compartments for luggage in airplanes. $110 also is a nice price. I also think a backpack is the most comfortable transportation method. In places with thieves, you can always carry them in the front. It might look ackward but it is better then having your expensive gear ripped. I will think about it a little bit more and make a good decision.

May 13th, 2006, 10:21 PM	#20
Lawrence Spurgeon Regular Crew Join Date: May 2006 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 31	OK, I see 2 easy ways to carry your gear. Roller case or padded backpack (photo backpack). The BEST roller case has got to be a Pelican TM1510DF (or 1610 if you want larger). You can slap a lock on it - but yes never let it out of your sight. In Rome find Cafe Abruzzi. Best ravioli I have ever eaten. I still dream about it (and the 100+ year old waiters are wonderful)

May 13th, 2006, 10:41 PM	#21
Joe Barker Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Perth WA Australia Posts: 124	Always watch out for scooter's that come in close,thieves have a trick of grabbing your gear and dissapearing into the crouded streets.Also make shure you buy a top quality ND filter.I bought a well known but cheaper brand and I find at certain angles in bright sun light I get tiny spots showing up in the footage,it looks like dust particles, but infact it turned out to be a problem with the glass.Also if you are going on a holiday,thats a lot of ground to cover in two weeks,you'll be running around like a blue arsed fly, take an extra week and enjoy yourself.

May 29th, 2006, 07:23 AM	#23
Floris van Eck Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 993	I have purchased the Lowepro Nature Trekker AW II and received it a few weeks ago. After a few test, I can really say that this is very comfortable backpack with ample of space for all my gear. I have growth options! I will upload some picture in the near future with the bag and all my gear. The only thing I am not completly sure about is the tripod and head. The tripods I am considering at this moment are: Manfrotto/Bogen 755B (67cm folded, 163cm extended, 2.8kg) http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/cache...lsf=73&child=5 Manfrotto/Bogen 756B (59cm folded, 143cm extended, 2.2kg) http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/cache...lsf=73&child=5 The fluid heads I am considering are: Manfrotto/Bogen 503 (8kg load) http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/cache...d=80\|86&idx=87 Manfrotto/Bogen 701RC2 (4kg load) http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/cache...d=80\|86&idx=87 Finally, I might consider one of these: Velbon DV-7000 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search Velbon CX-570 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation The last two might be for travel purposes only. As the CX-570 only costs $40, it could be the perfect travelling tripod. For my production, I can then purchase a more expensive and sturdy Bogen/Manfrotto tripod with 503 video head like the 755B/503 combination.