GO PRO Video tips?

Dr.Dan · #1 01-12-21, 12:42 PM

I haven't yet put a gopro on my plane but I plan to do it at some point.

Guys like Trent Palmer get amazing footage, but he's also a professional so I think it's reasonable to lower the bar a bit for us (well me at least haha).

I have a gopro 7 black. It's a couple models old now but a decent camera. I'd expect the newer models to be even better. The picture quality in 4k is really quite remarkable for such a small camera. The downside of gopro is the limited battery life (at least in my experience). If mounted outside in the cold it chews through battery pretty quick. I doubt I'd get more than an hour out of each battery.

As for mounts, there are a million options out there for gopro. There are fancy universal mechanical mounts that guys put on struts or wherever. I haven't tried these but I'm sure there's some good ones although expect to pay accordingly. The plastic clips with 3M tape hold pretty well and are dirt cheap in bulk. I'm not sure they will hold at 200 mph, but I guess I'll find out at some point.

DD

mshac · #2 01-13-21, 04:42 PM

Thanks for the replies. I've been looking closely at the Go Pro 8 Black, but the Max 360 is interesting as well. Garmin's unit looks nice, but overpriced at $799. Gonna keep looking. Maybe I could use a cheaper one for certain shots when using multiple cameras at once? I bought a $40 one from Amazon to play around with. Picture isn't too bad, but absolutely no image stabilization. OK for static photography, no so great for in-motion. Even this cheapo version has its own built-in wifi network, so you can monitor and control the camera from your smartphone.

hharney · #3 01-14-21, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr.Dan

The plastic clips with 3M tape hold pretty well and are dirt cheap in bulk. I'm not sure they will hold at 200 mph, but I guess I'll find out at some point.

DD

Do NOT use adhesive stick on mounts for exterior mounting. You will loose your camera. There are some really easy ways to mount exterior or buy a solid fixed mount to use outside.

mshac · #4 01-14-21, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hharney

Do NOT use adhesive stick on mounts for exterior mounting. You will loose your camera. There are some really easy ways to mount exterior or buy a solid fixed mount to use outside.

Thanks Herb, I definitely don't want to lose my camera! My understanding is that there are mounts that screw into existing holes on the airplane, such as inspection port holes? Is this correct?

Dr.Dan · #5 01-15-21, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hharney

Do NOT use adhesive stick on mounts for exterior mounting. You will loose your camera. There are some really easy ways to mount exterior or buy a solid fixed mount to use outside.

Yeah that makes sense. A regular gopro isn't very aerodynamic. I wonder if a bullet shaped camera or aerodynamic cover would be more suitable. You certainly don't want it falling out of the sky.

n86121 · #6 01-16-21, 12:12 PM

You can buy the slightlyolder GoPros on ebay for next to nothing.

I have two 3s and a 4, as well as a 5.

Just need time to play with them.

All you really want, I think, is basic image stabilization to get get rid of vibration.

They are all 4k ultrawide etc.

My hought plan is to edit / focus on edit.

IT I ever get around to it.

As well as being deep in the FRZ in C (Cannot get ANY deeper), I have a fistful of true 'national security parables' that might make a fascinating soundtrack in the telling while flying.