Off the grid - list of questions

[usbotg]

I need a lightweight, full frame photography system where I can print large. I am going to be off the grid for many months (no cars, this is going to be carried on my back), shooting raw photographs in a rough environment.

My set up is as follows...

Sony a7r. 450g

Third party, twin battery charger powered by USB. 100g

Solar panel. 400g

Jackery bar, battery pack. 300g

4, sony info lithium batteries. 200g

loxia 50mm lens. 320g

loxia 35mm lens. 340g

UV filters for protection. 30g

10, 64gb SD card.

fenix 3 watch, for daily GPS logging. The phone cannot be used for logging as it uses too much battery power. A watch can only store so much in the way of logs. I will transfer the logs to a smartphone using USB OTG. 80g

samsung t1 external SSD. 30g

sony xperia z3. The phone is used as a backup solution for GPS information and photographs. 150g

Neoprene case attached to the front of me. Modified backpack. 10g

Total = roughly 5.5 lb.

I have these questions:

Can the playmemories app transfer raw files from the camera, to the phone? Using a smartphone and USB OTG, I would be able to then transfer the raw files to the samsung t1 external SSD. Does anyone have experience with this? This is a 1ounce, backup solution. Do you have any other ideas? I could hit sony for not including dual memory card slots...

Does anyone have any other ideas for daily GPS logging? This has to record the entire journey, and not just a few minutes of each day

 

[bartjeej]

Sounds like you've got an awesome trip coming up! Where to, if I may ask?

Unfortunately and maddeningly, neither the Smart Remote Control app nor the Sync to Smartphone app transfers raw files; both are jpeg only. This is a major bummer to me, since transferring raw files would mean less opening of the camera (increased reliability in tough environments) and fewer cables / readers / etc required. You could see if jpegs set to Neutral -3 -3 -3 provide enough data for you to work with, but still, I think it's a MAJOR omission by Sony.

Can't help you with the GPS logging.

Have you considered bringing a satellite phone? Having no signal on your regular cell can be very bad if something goes wrong and you're way out in the middle of nowhere.

 

[Aasmund G]

Do you have any other ideas? I could hit sony for not including dual memory card slots...

you can use the Z3 with a USB OTG adapter and copy to a MicroSD, or use a microsd in the camera, swap it into the phone and copy to an external device. 2 other comments: What about tripod/support? maybe you are slightly overpowered on batteries. If you are going to be completely off the grid, you will need a reasonably powerful solar solution in which case 4 batteries, powerbank and charger seems a bit excessive. you could also probably keep your phone running if you wanted to, off the same solar.

 

[jayajohn]

Third party, twin battery charger powered by USB. 100g
Solar panel. 400g

Sounds like something to really look forward to. Could I ask which models of charger and solar panel you'll be using? I'm interested for longer hikes (albeit shorter than yours - 2-3 weeks with up to a week between access to mains electricity)

Thanks,

Jaya John

 

[Mister Roboto]

I need a lightweight, full frame photography system where I can print large. I am going to be off the grid for many months (no cars, this is going to be carried on my back), shooting raw photographs in a rough environment.

My set up is as follows...

Sony a7r. 450g

Third party, twin battery charger powered by USB. 100g

Solar panel. 400g

Jackery bar, battery pack. 300g

4, sony info lithium batteries. 200g

loxia 50mm lens. 320g

loxia 35mm lens. 340g

UV filters for protection. 30g

10, 64gb SD card.

fenix 3 watch, for daily GPS logging. The phone cannot be used for logging as it uses too much battery power. A watch can only store so much in the way of logs. I will transfer the logs to a smartphone using USB OTG. 80g

samsung t1 external SSD. 30g

sony xperia z3. The phone is used as a backup solution for GPS information and photographs. 150g

Neoprene case attached to the front of me. Modified backpack. 10g

Total = roughly 5.5 lb.

I have these questions:

Can the playmemories app transfer raw files from the camera, to the phone? Using a smartphone and USB OTG, I would be able to then transfer the raw files to the samsung t1 external SSD. Does anyone have experience with this? This is a 1ounce, backup solution. Do you have any other ideas? I could hit sony for not including dual memory card slots...

Does anyone have any other ideas for daily GPS logging? This has to record the entire journey, and not just a few minutes of each day

Goodluck with your awesome journey. May I suggest that you get one like this..

Pair it up with 128GB flashdrive or if you have external usb drive and you are good to for your backup needs.

 

[Sh_la_m]

While it is not tiny, you could consider some version of the Delorme inReach. http://www.inreachdelorme.com/product-info/inreach-explorer.php

I have an older version that I carry in no-cell-service situations in the US, more for emergencies than anything else, and I am thankful that I have not had to use it! It does clip on a backpack strap or hang off one pretty easily.

The newer version could work for you - but heavier than your proposal. Perhaps it does more than you need....

 

[usbotg]

It sucks that you can only transfer JPG files with the playmemories app. That's no use for me unfortunately.

"Where to, if I may ask?"

Pacific crest trail (southern usa to canada)

"Have you considered bringing a satellite phone?"

Yeah, I've considered the delorme. Unfortunately it can only send basic messages. It's great for life saving events but a smartphone can be used for so much more.

Benefits of smartphone -

Wifi in resupply areas. Diary. Navigational features. Backup storage.

Benefits of satellite messenger -

It could potentially save my life. I can msg family from nearly anywhere on the trip. The delorme will supposedly record the entire trip to a website, and from that site, gpx tracklog files can be exported.

I really have to think about which is more important to me. I wish there were redundancy and GPS options for the sony a7 series but never mind.

"you can use the Z3 with a USB OTG adapter and copy to a MicroSD"

This is a great idea. I could buy the samsung t1, a 64gb microsd card and then --> sd into card reader --> usb otg --> phone --> microsd. Detach sd card reader. Microsd --> phone --> usb otg --> samsung t1. Failing that, 10, 64gb microsd cards, assuming the phone can write at about 50mb/sec. I could do nightly backups or something like that.

The battery solution has to account for dark periods, clouds, cold conditions, and weight. I'll likely take the scharger 8. I'm not 100% decided on the battery solution yet.

"What about tripod/support?"

I am either going to modify my backpack to screw the camera to it, buy an extremely small tripod designed for a point and shoot or not bother with a tripod at all. I'm already taking too much weight so I can't really add much else unfortunately. Worst case scenario, I'll rest the camera on a rock, jacket or something.

"Could I ask which models of charger and solar panel you'll be using?"

scharger 8 for the solar panel. I've just looked on ebay for usb chargers.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NP-FW50-B...674?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3aa70a081a

I'm sure I found a twin charger somewhere but I've lost the link. Sony support has been utterly useless with this and in camera charging is no use.

"May I suggest that you get one like this.."

I will have a look, thanks.

"you could consider some version of the Delorme inReach"

I am tempted by this device. Their customer support replied quickly, and they said their devices will record the entire trip. I find it hard to believe. The tracklog is kept on their servers and the information comes from the satellites as opposed to having to upload information from the device. They told me the tracklogs are only removed if intentionally deleted.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and information

 

[Rol Lei Nut]

Not answering one of your questions, but since you listed all your equipment I think it's fair game.

Why take both a 35mm *and* a 50mm? Usually it's one *or* the other, depending on taste. Why not a 35 + 90mm or 50 + 28mm, keeping the same or similar weight, for example?

I use a Mindshift Ultralight Camera Cover when walking/trekking: great for holding the camera near your body while at the same time providing some padding, dust and light rain protection.

Where are you going?

Have fun!

 

[ProfHankD]

I need a lightweight, full frame photography system where I can print large. I am going to be off the grid for many months (no cars, this is going to be carried on my back), shooting raw photographs in a rough environment.

First off, I would never count on one of anything critical. That means at least two solar panels and two camera bodies. Backup body could be an A6000 or somesuch. SD cards are cheap and durable, so I'd be pretty comfortable with a stack of cards and a good protective case... smaller ones might be safer, and you could even use microSD to truly minimize size.

There are GPS loggers that are smallish and have 2 months battery life or longer; they're the ones usually intended to be stuck to your teenage kid's car. Alternatively, things like the i-gotU are cheap and tiny, allowing up to 30 hours continuous logging, or a lot longer intermittently or with USB charging.

I certainly get why you'd bring a phone, but power is a serious issue if you aren't near AC power regularly. Might even be able to get a decent charger out of a Peltier device -- the heat differential from a campfire might get you 10W+ using a little homemade device, and that can work even if there's no sun, but there really aren't many commercial units. If all you want to do is duplicate SD cards, there are stand-alone copy units from about $65 that can copy relatively fast and I'd bet they use less power.

Oh yeah. You also absolutely need to bring a few cleaning supplies (lenspens, blower, cleaning tissues) and either one of those stupid "underwater housing" bags that costs under $15 on eBay or a seriously waterproof camera as your second body.

 

[usbotg]

Not answering one of your questions, but since you listed all your equipment I think it's fair game.

Why take both a 35mm *and* a 50mm? Usually it's one *or* the other, depending on taste. Why not a 35 + 90mm or 50 + 28mm, keeping the same or similar weight, for example?

I use a Mindshift Ultralight Camera Cover when walking/trekking: great for holding the camera near your body while at the same time providing some padding, dust and light rain protection.

Where are you going?

Have fun!

It was a white lie to avoid creating any zeiss rumours, I also didn't want the thread to become a "take this lens instead!" thread or "that lens might not exist!" The size and weight is comparable to the 35mm (if I had of said 50mm and a wide angle, I felt the thread would become off topic).

I tried to keep my answers to as few posts as possible, but in case the answer was missed, I am going across the pacific crest trail.

That bag looks like a great idea, thank you

 

[usbotg]

"That means at least two solar panels and two camera bodies. Backup body could be an A6000 or somesuch."

The a6000 doesn't offer me the photographs I want and it's extra weight. SD cards are cheap, but the camera doesn't have redundancy. A smartphone can offer me redundancy with USB OTG. I cannot take another solar panel, it adds too much to my base weight. Adding 5.5lb to my base weight in camera gear is going to be a real struggle.

"There are GPS loggers that are smallish and have 2 months battery life or longer"

None that I have seen can record that much travelling.

"I certainly get why you'd bring a phone, but power is a serious issue if you aren't near AC power regularly."

The phone will only be switched on when essential. GPS watches like the fenix 3 typically have a 500mah battery, they are far more efficient than phones.

"Might even be able to get a decent charger out of a Peltier device"

These typically weigh 400 grams, and require the campfire to be up for longer than you should have a campfire up. I could make a homemade one but I believe the cons outweigh the pros.

"If all you want to do is duplicate SD cards, there are stand-alone copy units from about $65 that can copy relatively fast and I'd bet they use less power."

The samsung t1 weighs 30g, uses very little power and is small. I haven't seen anything comparable to it yet

 

[ProfHankD]

"That means at least two solar panels and two camera bodies. Backup body could be an A6000 or somesuch."

The a6000 doesn't offer me the photographs I want and it's extra weight. SD cards are cheap, but the camera doesn't have redundancy.

The probability of your A7R failing under prolonged rough outdoor conditions is way higher than that you'll have even one SD card of many suffer any permanent data loss... and if the A7R fails, you're going to go all the way down to your cell phone, which is a heck of a lot poorer IQ than an A7R (or an A6000). For that matter, an A7II will often beat an A7R in IQ without a tripod.

... "There are GPS loggers that are smallish and have 2 months battery life or longer"

None that I have seen can record that much travelling.

How about this one -- it claims 6-8 weeks on 2 AAA batteries. Of course, a logger is just a logger, not a navigation aid, and I think the navigation aid aspect is more important.

... The phone will only be switched on when essential.

Be aware that the act of powering-up a typical cell phone eats significantly more power than keeping it on for a while (often a good fraction of an hour or more). Basically, initialization is at full power, while normal operation has nearly everything in standby or low power modes.

It sounds to me like you've already decided what you want to do, so I'll just wish you well and be on my way.... ;-)

 

[neil holmes]

"That means at least two solar panels and two camera bodies. Backup body could be an A6000 or somesuch."

The a6000 doesn't offer me the photographs I want and it's extra weight. SD cards are cheap, but the camera doesn't have redundancy. A smartphone can offer me redundancy with USB OTG. I cannot take another solar panel, it adds too much to my base weight. Adding 5.5lb to my base weight in camera gear is going to be a real struggle.

Pocket Socket hand crank generator weighs just under 400g and allows charging the same as from a wall socket.

Might come in handy as a solar panel will not always give you all you need.

great for a top up and can just wind it for a few minutes at night.

A couple of minutes winding may well give you plenty of power for a days photos (assuming you are not shooting all day everyday)y.......even forty to fifty shots should be ok....a few minutes winding would give a few percent of charge (as it gets close to 100% it seems to take longer to get to the top).

Can charge an A7 series camera (usb or take a wall charger or both)...also can charge AA or other batteries too if you have the plugs.

Maybe you could just take two batteries and your solar charger and a hand crank generator (there are others....even smaller and lighter but I have this one and it works a treat.

Maybe try something like this and see if it would work for you.

https://www.k-tor.com/k-tor-annouces-pocket-socket-2/

Good luck and enjoy.

BTW I would not use it to charge a depleted battery all the way (unless you own a slave) but as a top up or for those less than sunny days......

Maybe if you are also using AA or AAA batteries they could be charged in around 20 to 30 minutes in several short bursts of winding.

 

[Russell Evans]

I need a lightweight, full frame photography system where I can print large. I am going to be off the grid for many months (no cars, this is going to be carried on my back), shooting raw photographs in a rough environment.

I wouldn't rely only on solar, I would buy a charging pot.

http://www.amazon.com/PowerPot-Devices-Emergency-Campfire-Electronics/dp/B00J5MP0JU

Can the playmemories app transfer raw files from the camera, to the phone? Using a smartphone and USB OTG, I would be able to then transfer the raw files to the samsung t1 external SSD. Does anyone have experience with this? This is a 1ounce, backup solution. Do you have any other ideas? I could hit sony for not including dual memory card slots...

It would use too much power to use WiFi for file transfer. Be sure to reformat the hard drive to exfat before you attach itto your phone. Android doesn't have NTFS support.

You can buy a small hub to use with the phone and OTG cable, so that you can connect the USB drive and a card reader to the phone.

http://www.amazon.com/Cute-USB-2-Port-Splitter-White/dp/B00A81ISJ6

You can replace both the SD card reader and OTG cabe with this unit.

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www.amazon.com

Does anyone have any other ideas for daily GPS logging? This has to record the entire journey, and not just a few minutes of each day

http://www.amazon.com/Q-1000XT-BT-Q1000XT-Bluetooth-Waypoints-Vibration/dp/B00144PH1S

40 hours on battery and you can replace battery.

http://www.qstarz.com/Products/GPS Products/BT-Q1000XTM-F.htm

Thank you
Russell

 

[usbotg]

"How about this one -- it claims 6-8 weeks on 2 AAA batteries. Of course, a logger is just a logger, not a navigation aid, and I think the navigation aid aspect is more important."

Navigation aid will be on the watch, so that shouldn't be too much of a problem. It looks like a good device, I just don't know that it can record my entire trip unfortunately. I'm awaiting some information regarding the watch. Hopefully I'll be able to access data from it.

"It sounds to me like you've already decided what you want to do, so I'll just wish you well and be on my way...."

Not at all, it's just difficult finding something lightweight and suitable. Part of my problem stems from not owning an android phone. I don't completely know what to expect. I have set up plenty of linux machines and if they offer that kind of customizability, I should find them suitable.

"Pocket Socket hand crank generator weighs just under 400g and allows charging the same as from a wall socket."

Southern california should offer a LOT of sun. After I leave california and go to darker states, I should be more knowledgeable about what my battery usage is. The problem with hand cranks is that after you've walked 30+ miles, you don't feel like using them.

"You can replace both the SD card reader and OTG cabe with this unit."

That looks interesting, thank you

 

[usbotg]

Third party, twin battery charger powered by USB. 100g

Solar panel. 400g

Sounds like something to really look forward to. Could I ask which models of charger and solar panel you'll be using? I'm interested for longer hikes (albeit shorter than yours - 2-3 weeks with up to a week between access to mains electricity)

Thanks,

Jaya John

I replied to this as part of another post, but in case you missed it -

Scharger 8.

You might also want to look at the goalzero nomad 20, but it is heavy.

There's plenty of chargers on ebay but they all look fairly low quality unfortunately. I'm unsure about which is best

 

[neil holmes]

"How about this one -- it claims 6-8 weeks on 2 AAA batteries. Of course, a logger is just a logger, not a navigation aid, and I think the navigation aid aspect is more important."

Navigation aid will be on the watch, so that shouldn't be too much of a problem. It looks like a good device, I just don't know that it can record my entire trip unfortunately. I'm awaiting some information regarding the watch. Hopefully I'll be able to access data from it.

"It sounds to me like you've already decided what you want to do, so I'll just wish you well and be on my way...."

Not at all, it's just difficult finding something lightweight and suitable. Part of my problem stems from not owning an android phone. I don't completely know what to expect. I have set up plenty of linux machines and if they offer that kind of customizability, I should find them suitable.

"Pocket Socket hand crank generator weighs just under 400g and allows charging the same as from a wall socket."

Southern california should offer a LOT of sun. After I leave california and go to darker states, I should be more knowledgeable about what my battery usage is. The problem with hand cranks is that after you've walked 30+ miles, you don't feel like using them.

That is true, after walking a lot I would not want to sit down and wind for ages. It is just that any other solution for power will mean either carrying more things (like fuel) or finding stuff (like wood)....or storage for power (and still have to generate it).

Solar is great ...I love it and have far too many solar panels sitting around not used ( just like lenses and cameras !).....I have even cooked a meal using a 12 volt solar panel directly without battery (well thin sliced meat for a sandwich anyway).

I just don't think you will have enough solar to be sure and would take a small crank generator just to use two or three minutes at a time ...even if you don't have to use it if you are lucky enough to get enough sun to charge all you need.

Seems like the trip of a life time....good luck!

"You can replace both the SD card reader and OTG cabe with this unit."

That looks interesting, thank you

 

[Everythingis1]

Now you know why carbon fiber tripods are so highly recommended! You can get a cheap chinese carbon fiber tripod for about $160-$180, and a super light small ball head for $20. A perfect companion to those 2 is a tiny little tripod tarp that you can hang from the legs, and use stone and other things around you in nature to weight your super light weight tripod down!

If you aren't shooting at iso 100, than there isn't a lot of advantage to the A7R!

--
https://www.flickr.com/photos/everythingis1/

 

[jayajohn]

Thanks for the reply. Very interesting thread!

 

[usbotg]

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forums.garmin.com

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forums.garmin.com

Posts from these threads have came back with positive results. It seems like a GPS watch and a smartphone will offer the most flexibility for me. For others interested in logging, you might want to consider a watch