On the Road with a Camcorder Case

For fifty weeks a year, life seems to move with the predictability of a spinning washing machine. Then, all of a sudden, the countdown you've run for months reaches zero and you're about to embark on a vacation, camcorder in tow. Maybe you'll zoom in on a space shuttle launch, tape the kids screaming aboard Disney's Space Mountain roller coaster or watch through the viewfinder as Hong Kong's Star Ferry moves against an amber Asian sunset.

Travel is a way of temporarily escaping from routine daily living and video can help you freeze those exciting days for future enjoyment. Follow these tips for globe-trotting with your camcorder, and the next time you return from an exotic locale you'll re-experience the sounds and images that make travel so enjoyable.

A Camcorder Case Packed Right

An immediate question most people have before setting out to videotape their vacation is: What to pack in a camcorder case? The answer is as little as possible. If you load up on accessories, you probably won't take them farther than your hotel room.

Start with just your camcorder and its case, the battery charger/AC power supply, a current power converter and all of the appropriate plugs. A word on power sources: remember that power voltages and frequencies vary widely from country to country. Your charger probably can handle either 50 or 60 cycles seamlessly and, as most of the world uses 220 volt current, many power packs can accommodate that as well (check your instruction booklet). When you must plug something in, make certain that the power coming out of the wall isn't DC (direct current) or you may fry your power pack. Always ask your hotel staff if you aren't sure.

Other essentials to pack in your camcorder case include two or more cassettes, instructional booklets and a remote control unit if you have one. Leave the floodlamps home. Many historic houses and museums will let you take video as long as you don't use video lamps; this restriction includes small built-in camcorder lights. A handful of filters could be beneficial. They spice things up, and are easy to squeeze into a camera bag. Tripods are optional on vacation; a good compact model will provide stability in certain situations, but often will get in the way when you're and exploring the surroundings.

Invest in extra batteries--bring two or more high-capacity battery packs--and keep them fully charged. It's more than a little frustrating to run out of power while you're shooting a …