Penny Can

The Hobby Shack => Photography => Topic started by: Chiprocks1 on November 21, 2016, 12:42:16 pm


Title: Action Cameras (The GoPro and Alternative Cam Thread)
Post by: Chiprocks1 on November 21, 2016, 12:42:16 pm
THE BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO BUYING AN ACTION CAMERA
 (http://misadventuresmag.com/beginners-guide-action-camera/)



So, I'm currently in the market for an Action Camera (also referred to as a Action Sports Camera) and in my research, I have been flooded with so many alternatives that it's almost defeating me before I even get out of the starting block. There's too many to actually review. A lot of them can be found on eBay and they all have their selling points...the price being at the top of the list. You can get a GoPro in the $350-$400 range, or you can get what is dubbed the GoPro Killer which ranges anywhere from $50 to $100. But what do you actually need in a Sports Camera? Well, the above link is a good crash course of what to look for. I still don't know what camera I will settle on at the moment though, but it's nice to have some direction to go with the list above.
Title: Re: Action Cameras (The GoPro and Alternative Cam Thread)
Post by: Neumatic on December 27, 2016, 07:08:27 pm
Got a GoPro for X-Mas, and today I was able to go out and play with it.  Its real fun (despite me not living enough of an action-packed life to warrant filming).  That sucker fits comfortably in the palm of my hand, and with the built-in stabilizer and superwide view, it's really just "point in the general direction of what you want to film."  It reminds me of Robert Rodriguez shooting "El Mariachi," just aim, run, and hope it gets in there.

A couple stills:

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C0uyhw1XUAAOXWb.jpg:large)

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C0uxWM6UkAAEmKW.jpg:large)

That second one I'm REAL impressed with, being able to get Cozmo and my sister in the same shot.  I was filming her playing this game with him and moving the camera all over the place, at floor level without looking at the viewfinder, and I was able to keep them both in frame a good amount of time (if there was only more light down there, though...)

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C0u2CWdUsAEu48e.jpg:large)

Yeah, that shot and the two-shot were done in the same take, no adjustments required.  I can't think of another camera that's so small that can see that much.  I mean, I'm sure there are, but I'm still impressed.  Watching this two-minute thing reminded me of movies where those knds of shots would have to be stitched together.

This was my fave test (though I wish I had recorded him learning her name, it's adorable!), but the tests really point out the differences in strengths between this and a regular DSLR camera.  The stills that a GoPro makes are... not that hot, they're like video frames.  A DSLR lets you take the perfect shot that you want, the GoPro is great for someone who doesn't have time to think about the settings, who only has time to react.

Basically, DSLR=act, GoPro=react.
Title: Re: Action Cameras (The GoPro and Alternative Cam Thread)
Post by: Chiprocks1 on December 27, 2016, 07:52:15 pm
Sweeeeet!!
Title: Re: Action Cameras (The GoPro and Alternative Cam Thread)
Post by: Neumatic on December 27, 2016, 10:50:56 pm
I will say, that two and a half minute video of Em playing with Cosmo I must have shot in 4K or something close to it, because it's 800 MB!  For 2 and a half minutes at MP4.  Something to bear in mind: clear plenty of space!
Title: Re: Action Cameras (The GoPro and Alternative Cam Thread)
Post by: Mac on December 28, 2016, 07:03:52 am
That is impressive. Wow, I had no idea. Honestly tech for phones and cameras I purposely avoiding. I just can't keep up.

I really appreciate you guys posting this stuff. It's really the only thing I pay arrention too.
Title: Re: Action Cameras (The GoPro and Alternative Cam Thread)
Post by: Chiprocks1 on December 28, 2016, 10:31:17 am
It's really the only thing I pay arrention too.

Liar (http://pennycan.createaforum.com/photography/the-hot-chick-thread/msg26780/#msg26780).
Title: Re: Action Cameras (The GoPro and Alternative Cam Thread)
Post by: Mac on December 28, 2016, 12:38:49 pm
I meant... reading what you guys write about stuff I don't know about.

Penny Can would be nothing without a hot chicks thread.
Title: Re: Action Cameras (The GoPro and Alternative Cam Thread)
Post by: Chiprocks1 on December 28, 2016, 12:58:55 pm
Penny Can would be nothing without a hot chicks thread.

I concur. More Hot Chick Threads coming soon......

 ;D
Title: Re: Action Cameras (The GoPro and Alternative Cam Thread)
Post by: Neumatic on December 29, 2016, 05:48:40 pm
GoPro's shots of the year 2016.  Gotta get off my butt and find things to film!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jc8VaMQ5aOo