Action Cam options

[capediver]

15 minutes ago, BaGearA said:

Devinci is free but takes some time to learn 

I have tried DaVinci and its a mind boggler to get your head around! Gave up very quickly but people swear by it...

[BaGearA]

6 minutes ago, capediver said:

I have tried DaVinci and its a mind boggler to get your head around! Gave up very quickly but people swear by it...

Its insanely capable but i barely scratch the surface and am satisfied 

[ChrisF]

45 minutes ago, The Ouzo said:

hardware and hardrives not a big issue. I'm pretty decently setup with apple stuff from doing photography. 

Software, I guess depending on what I want to do could be an issue.

 

My i7 setup works perfectly for my Lightroom and Photoshop, but buffers when doing larger video editing .... 

 

Video file sizes are insane ..... filling harddrives so much faster than RAW photography.

 

 

I would love to know what @capediver uses for hardware, storage and software.  He certainly does a lot of videos 

[The Ouzo]

47 minutes ago, capediver said:

I have been a GoPro fanbooi since the Hero 3 and have had it as the mainstay of most of my action cam arsenal...also tried the Garmin VIRB 30 ULTRA but Garmin got left behind in the tech race for stability, FPS and image quality but it is still a pretty decent piece of kit and the editing software is still ok and works well if you want GPS gauge overlays

Lately I have been using the Insta360 X3 and it is a fantastic camera and ALMOST (ALMOST) is the single action camera you need, light, good stability, constantly updated firmware, good easy to use App and no issues importing footage direct into Premier Pro or Final Cut Pro (comes with a plugin that is installed when you download their Studio version for editing). The Studio version is OK and you can do basic editing and re-framing of 360 footage but you cannot string a number of clips together into a video...so you need another full editor like PP or FCP.

 

So ALMOST, because the GP will always be more rugged and take a proper beating...the front lens is replaceable (unless you use the Max Mod but even then if you scratch that lens, you buy another.....any other 360 camera including the GP Max, if you scratch that lens its bricked!), the new stabilisation and horizon levelling on the 11 just makes the camera so easy to use. Oh and built in GPS...the Insta360 does not have this and you need to have it hooked to your phone to embed GPS data or use the expensive remote accessory...and it needs to always be connected so battery life suffers and you end up with long clips to be trimmed...every time you switch off the camera, the link to your phone has to be re-established for the next clip...PITA!

 

So GoPro FTW if its true action rugged video stuff, Insta360 if it's just run of the mill, low impact.

 

this is the kind of info I need. Thanks.

So it looks like it wont be a cheap exercise unless I forego all the modern nice to haves. 

[Iwan Kemp]

Agreed with GP being more rugged out of the box. There are screen protectors and other cases that will rugger-up the Insta, though. Most of which you will in any case acquire for a GP. Well, maybe not all of it.

Circling back to your OP, I would definitely rather have the Insta for something like the CTCT. A GP will look in one direction, and that direction will be of limited use if you or your mate do not fill that spot. With the Insta you can pan around. Focus in on the view when it makes sense, flip it around to get some of yourself in the shot when descending or bleeding up Suikerbossie, then pan around and get some of your mate riding, etc. 

I also used a GP since GP4, but the Insta changed things up massively for me. I even use it on shoots. Mount it to my camera's hot shoe mount and let it snap intervals for the duration of the shoot. Then when I'm done I have a cool timelapse that I can still frame in post. 

Riding with my kid - same thing. Stick on a bar or wherever and then frame it afterwards. Kids party? Stick it on a desk and frame the shots afterwards. No need to fiddle while your kid is opening presents. A nifty little gadget.

 

But yes, it will need protective lens films (I think it comes in the box) and maybe a dive or rugged case. I have a Smallrig case for mine as I often bolt other gadgets to it. Rode Wireless Go or whatever.

[capediver]

Shot all on Insta360 X3 and using Premier Pro with no fancy edits/transitions etc and a LUT to bring in some vibrance..

Used Insta360 self stick which is really light, short and easily handled and works like a an old car aerial, no twisting or locking off so best for this type of action.

 

PS lenses are naked, I have tried the supplied covers and films, they all affect the shot, soft focus, errors with stitching...haven't tried the dive case..

Edited March 16, 2023 by capediver
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[Steady Spin]

9 hours ago, The Ouzo said:

I was going through a few Youtube vids of the 2023 CTCT to show the family what its like and the wife joked about getting an action cam for my bike.

This got me thinking, next year is #21 for my mate, so we will ride together, the year after is #21 for me, so we will ride together. It might be a nice little momento to have some footage of us.

But I know new GoPros, especially the latest versions, are rather pricey.

So, do I start looking at used GoPros, or look at other brands.

 

There is no budget for this, so the preliminary investigation would be into options and their pricing so that I can try and work towards getting something. 

Take a trip to Centurion for a free GoPro Hero+ LCD if you want to start playing around with something to see if you like it. 

Might have a chest strap for you as well. 

[Steady Spin]

7 hours ago, The Ouzo said:

hardware and hardrives not a big issue. I'm pretty decently setup with apple stuff from doing photography. 

Software, I guess depending on what I want to do could be an issue.

Davinci Resolve is free and super powerful. 

[betaboy]

The reviews Ive seen on the smaller Insta has the battery as the main downfall. Shooting 4K and you only got 30 minutes before it’s flat or over heats…

[Fred van Vlaanderen]

10 hours ago, The Ouzo said:

I was going through a few Youtube vids of the 2023 CTCT to show the family what its like and the wife joked about getting an action cam for my bike.

This got me thinking, next year is #21 for my mate, so we will ride together, the year after is #21 for me, so we will ride together. It might be a nice little momento to have some footage of us.

But I know new GoPros, especially the latest versions, are rather pricey.

So, do I start looking at used GoPros, or look at other brands.

 

There is no budget for this, so the preliminary investigation would be into options and their pricing so that I can try and work towards getting something. 

I have a Hero 4 black you can borrow and trial for a bit if you want. Older version but still really good footage. Pop me a message if you are interested.

[The Ouzo]

Thanks for the offers chaps.

@Steady Spin, expect a PM inbound

@Fred van Vlaanderenthanks, if I dont come right with Steady Spin I'll be in touch.

[Oodles]

I have a GP 5 hero black and an Insta360 one X2. Insta is great in that you don't have to worry about framing the shot when shooting.  However it requires lots of time to edit if you have multiple clips that you want to string together. First framing each clip in the Insta apps and then stringing together in a different app.

[hermanconradie]

I recently bought a 2nd hand GoPro Hero 10 Black for a great price on marketplace and compared to the previous GoPro's this is already leaps and bound ahead. It makes your rides looks smooth with the Hypersmooth 4.0 so I can imagine how good the GoPro  Hero 11 would be with Hypersmooth 5.0.

Here is some footage with preset Action camera settings:

It really looks great in 4k and up.

[scubes]

Guys any advice as to whether it is worth getting the entry level 

Insta360 Nano?

[Shebeen]

5 minutes ago, hermanconradie said:

I recently bought a 2nd hand GoPro Hero 10 Black for a great price on marketplace and compared to the previous GoPro's this is already leaps and bound ahead. It makes your rides looks smooth with the Hypersmooth 4.0 so I can imagine how good the GoPro  Hero 11 would be with Hypersmooth 5.0.

Here is some footage with preset Action camera settings:

It really looks great in 4k and up.

what's a good price?!

 

[hermanconradie]

R4k in excellent condition