Sierra Leone Gear List

Choosing my Sierra Leone gear list was a difficult task. I wanted a balance between mobility and high quality.

What do I mean by that? I needed gear that was easy to transport but could still shoot great photos and video.

Sierra Leone Gear List

Before we travelled to Sierra Leone, I knew it would have to be light on gear. There was no way I would be casually getting a portable slider/ dolly in my flight bag. That was out of the question.

On previous trips, I have overcome this challenge by taking a steadicam with me.

This time on the Sierra Leone gear list, I wanted it to be functional and lightweight. This was going to be difficult.

FULL LIST OF GEAR AT THE END OF THIS ARTICLE

 

Aerials

excitement-overload

In my bag is my favourite toy, the DJI Phantom 4 (Get it here).

This drone massively ticks those functional and lightweight boxes. Some drones are huge, this one is decent. It will still raise questions at airports. You’ll get the usual prompt to open the case and explain it’s contents. I found it much easier to describe it as a camera, until one airport security guard knew it was a drone… Fortunately, he was excited to see it. WIN 👍

Whilst the Phantom 4 does come with it’s own case, I would highly recommend getting an actual carry case as it much easier to sling a purpose built protective rucksack on your back. Best one I have seen so far is the Anbee Hard Shell (Link), but there is a cheaper alternative (here). That hard shell just gives you a bit more peace of mind knowing your drone is safe.

— Additional Note: I bought my DJI Phantom 4 with extra batteries. Trust me you’ll need them because once you fall in love with aerial photography/ filming you’ll want to keep going. Here’s an alternative bundle of the DJI Phantom 4 with extra batteries just in case (Link)

Photography and Filming

Now this is where it gets tricky…

#Repost @wildminds.co ・・・ 🇸🇱 Squad goals 💪 #wildminds #adventure

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I knew if I was going to stick to the functional and lightweight rule, it was going to be impossible to bring two cameras. One for photography, one for filming.

My first thought was “my Sony a7sii was going to be overkill” – and it’s not as robust as I would like it to be. Any dust on that mirrorless sensor and it’s game over. On this occasion I opted for the Canon 80D. A great mid-range DSLR. I knew from experience I could still get decent stills but also great video. But that’s not all.

I paired the Canon 80D body (link) with two lenses… and I spent a great deal of time justifying to myself, why these two:

  • Canon EF 24-105 mm f/4L IS II USM Lens – Black (link)
  • Sigma 10-20mm f3.5 EX DC HSM Lens for Canon* (link)

* That ‘Canon’ bit is important to make sure you have the correct mount for your camera.

With these two lenses I covered myself all the way from big wide shots at 10mm all the way up to capturing distant shots at 105mm. Anything beyond that I was just going to have to walk nearer.

Backup Camera

Different tasks need different tools. For backup I always like to have a small compact camera on me for those occasions.

This time I took with me the ever reliable Canon G7x (link). I even shoot a good portion of my vlog series on the Canon G7x because it’s so functional and lightweight!!

A great alternative is the Sony RX100 iv (link) – only because it shoots 4k video and at 1000fps – YES, one-thousand frames per second!

Check out the vlog series here if you haven’t seen it yet.

Smooth Filming

It is not always possible to transport a stabiliser or steadicam. They are completely worth it, but not always practical.

Clearly I can’t leave it there. There is always a solution, and about one week before this trip, I found it.

DJI have their second entry on my Sierra Leone gear list. It’s the DJI Osmo Mobile (link). I’d known for a while there would be occasions where we would benefit from filming with some stabilisation, but how to achieve it had been playing on my mind.

I had come across the DJI Osmo (similar tech but more expensive – link), but once I heard there was one you could incorporate with your mobile device, I was sold. It meant I could shoot 4k stabilised footage on my iPhone, genius.

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Sierra Leone Gear List in Full

All the items mentioned in my Sierra Leone gear list are listed below on Amazon. I would be grateful if you are considering purchasing any of these items you use my affiliate links (below) as they help towards the cost of maintaining this website.

KIT LIST

Whilst this has been a very specific look at my Sierra Leone gear list. Basically what I could squeeze in my bag at the time, here is a better look at my favourite gear I take with me on my adventures.

My Gear List: VLOGGING KIT (On the Road)

Sash and Bronze BTS

Let’s go Behind the Scenes with Sash and Bronze. The Sash and Bronze team worked with Fashion Photographer, Lucie Desmond to produce a series of contrasting and stand out styles.

Sash and Bronze specialises in high end make up and hair styling for events and fashion shoots. Founded by Sukh Bhandal and Manni Sanghera, the sister team design and create their look and photoshoots to represent their smouldering and elegant brand.

For more of their work and insights into their designs, follow them on Instagram:
@sukhy_mua_sashandbronze
@mannisanghera_sashandbronze

or Facebook Page. As featured in Elléments Magazine 

BTS videography and editing by BeAdventurous

MUSIC (Creative Commons)
Intro:Rous – Evoke Artist – License

Main Comp:
The xx – Fiction (Fever 105 & Kulkid Remix) – Artist – Release

See what I’m up to on
Twitter
Instagram

Give me a shout on Twitter what you’d like to see on the vlog. I’m always on the lookout for new adventure ideas.

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Shot on – Nikon D5300 and 3200
Edited in Adobe Premiere
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Check out my last two adventures

Tarifa Windsurf

Mount Toubkal | GoPro Holiday


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Brecon Beacons BTS

Behind the scenes footage not shown on the original Brecon Beacons video  As you may already know in November 2013, Charlie will be travelling to Nepal in order to commence a 3 week acclimatisation trek to Everest Base Camp area ahead of completing a 26.2 mile marathon on Mount Everest.

So far, fundraising has reached well over £1,000! Support has been incredible from friends and family alike. All support goes to Charlie’s chosen charities. Please head over to the Just Giving page (http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/CharlieTweed) if you would like to sponsor Charlie.

Charlie is undertaking this challenge to raise money and support for two charities, Women’s Aid and the Everest Marathon Fund – two great charities, both with the aim of helping others in need. None of the money raised will go towards paying for the expedition.

Women’s aid supports women and children fleeing domestic violence- did you know over two women per week are killed by current or ex-partners, and that one in four women in the UK will experience domestic violence in their lifetime?

The Everest Marathon Fund supports the Nepalese population in the Himalayas with basic things we would take for granted in the West.

(Music (cc) by Grapes – I Dunno)

Social Media

See what I’m up to on
Twitter
Instagram

Give me a shout on Twitter what you’d like to see on the vlog. I’m always on the lookout for new adventure ideas.

———————–
Shot on – Nikon D5300 and 3200
Edited in Adobe Premiere
———————–
Check out my last two adventures

Tarifa Windsurf

Mount Toubkal | GoPro Holiday


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Marathon on Mount Everest

Combining a three week acclimatisation trek to Gorak Shep (5184m) and a final 26.2 mile Marathon across the Himalayas is the challenge many set out to achieve.

UPDATE: Charlie became the second highest contributor to the Everest Fund, thanks to donations raised from this challenge

Epic Adventure

The course throws up steep inclines and treacherous declines, all whilst running in conditions with low levels of oxygen due to the altitude. Altitude sickness is the ultimate obstacle for many a runner. Whilst over night, temperatures can drop to lows of -20C and runners experience highs of +30C during the day. If this wasn’t enough, runners can expect to cross icy/rocky terrain, rivers and glaciers. All the while dodging the renowned yaks of Nepal, responsible for transporting grain and other necessities to remote communities. If you come face-to-face with a yak on a narrow alpine pass, there is no right of way.

Regardless of these obstacles, here is Charlie’s adventure to Nepal, completing a respectable 20 of the 26.2 miles, in support of the charities Women’s Aid and the Nepalese based Everest Marathon Fund.

Sponsor Charlie

Watch Charlie’s Brecon Beacons training here:

And the Behind the Scenes (Brecon Beacons):

Have you seen the preview yet?

Music (CC)
Intro: Music For Quietness by Prem Rana ‘Autari’

Main:
Overwerk – Conquer
Images
Flickr (CC) Gunther Hagleitner and Sam Hawley

Social Media

See what I’m up to on
Twitter
Instagram

Give me a shout on Twitter what you’d like to see on the vlog. I’m always on the lookout for new adventure ideas.

———————–
Shot on – Nikon D5300, D3200 and GoPro
Edited in Adobe Premiere
———————–
Check out my last two adventures

Tarifa Windsurf

Mount Toubkal | GoPro Holiday


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Training on the Brecon Beacons

In November 2013, Charlie will be travelling to Nepal in order to commence a 3 week acclimatisation trek to Everest Base Camp area ahead of completing a 26.2 mile marathon on Mount Everest.

Charlie is undertaking this challenge to raise money and support for two charities, Women’s Aid and the Everest Marathon Fund – two great charities, both with the aim of helping others in need. None of the money raised will go towards paying for the expedition.

Women’s aid supports women and children fleeing domestic violence- did you know over two women per week are killed by current or ex-partners, and that one in four women in the UK will experience domestic violence in their lifetime?

The Everest Marathon Fund supports the Nepalese population in the Himalayas with basic things we would take for granted in the West.

This is Charlie’s training regime, which will prepare him for the tricky terrain, cold conditions and the demand on himself to complete the challenge. All support goes to Charlie’s chosen charities. Please head over to the Just Giving page if you would like to sponsor Charlie.

Video produced and edited by BeAdventurous and Charlie Tweed. Thanks also to James Johnson for his patience.
(Music by The Daylights – I hope this gets to you)

Social Media

See what I’m up to on
Twitter
Instagram

Give me a shout on Twitter what you’d like to see on the vlog. I’m always on the lookout for new adventure ideas.

———————–
Shot on – Nikon D5300 and 3200
Edited in Adobe Premiere
———————–
Check out my last two adventures

Tarifa Windsurf

Mount Toubkal | GoPro Holiday


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