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Next eclipse advanced planning - travel abroad setup options, tripods, tracker - Canon 6D?

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#1 markm75c

markm75c

    Apollo

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Posted 23 April 2024 - 09:24 AM

I have a canon 6D OG, which did a decent job in the 2024 eclipse, coupled with the 11lb skywatcher 2i tracker (i guess 11lb isnt the actual weight, maybe 5lbs unsure) + a 17" 65 watt laptop and a zoom cheap lens (https://www.amazon.c...sk_ql_qh_dp_hza) and eclipse orchestrator script, i also had a power bank to power everything.

For this last eclipse i was using an older (20 years or more) sony aluminum tripod that worked well, but isnt portable.

Recently been testing this tripod but i feel like with the ball its not super stable (national geographic)

https://www.amazon.c...e?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I think the ball cuts the weight in half, so if its rated at 20, its really 10lbs and my current setup is around 15 lbs
 

I was also going to try this $100ish tripod (carbon fiber), looks more solid:
https://www.amazon.c...e?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

 

I was trying to plan ahead for a flight in 2026 possibly, trying to minimize things.  I'm not super skilled in the DSLR realm, so using the orchestrator script made things pretty easy.  

 

I guess in theory i could take a 100 watt hour power bank (limit) (carry on) + the laptop (maybe carry on or has to be) + the 11-13lb? case with the skywatcher (checked luggage) + camera bag (i guess checked luggage though that would make me nervous).

 

What do others do for going abroad.  I think i've seen some setups that are just two cameras and doing "bracketing"/intervalometer but i'd rather be able to script things since im not super skilled/experienced with the dslr and eclipses.. or maybe there is a more portable way to script

 

I dont know that there is an eq tracker lighter than 11lbs either (or 6lbs my number was wrong i think)?

I suppose to reduce weight i could just get the skywatcher mini (forget why i went with the 2i, i think to get extra weight capacity or setting modes without the phone), i think this might drop 2-4 lbs (not sure it really saves much).

 

Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

Thanks in advance


Edited by markm75c, 23 April 2024 - 11:15 AM.


#2 Cajundaddy

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Posted 23 May 2024 - 07:42 PM

I think one size definitely does not fit all and your destination and ground transportation matters a lot.  I might take the full kit to Spain or Australia but Egypt would be only what would easily fit in a small backpack-  light fixed tripod and camera for wide field time lapse.  No trackers, no batteries, no long lenses, no laptops.  Some friends were planning to film their Egypt adventure a few years ago and alarmed customs agents with their "professional looking" camera gear.  All of it was confiscated for the duration of their stay and they ultimately had to bribe officials to get it back when they left.  A less than appealing experience.

Maybe folks could do a "what's in your camera bag" video and link to it here.  We could all learn from the very experienced eclipse chasers in this group.


Edited by Cajundaddy, 24 May 2024 - 10:44 AM.




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