High End Camera Setups

[ride512]

I was going over some footage I shot with my GoPro at dusk/after dark and it looks not great which got me thinking about higher end cameras that could be used for motovlogging. I remembered Adam from the Mythbusters talking about how they switched from GoPro's to Blackmagic cameras. It looks like it would cost about $1400 for the Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera with a wide angle lens and some batteries. As far as I can see there's no protective housing available for it though they do show it mounted on a motorcycle helmet. It's bigger than a GoPro, but smaller than a DSLR. I know I can't afford it and would probably rather put the money in to gear or a new bike.

Thoughts? Does the video quality matter that much in motovlogging?

 

[STR-Rider]

Thoughts? Does the video quality matter that much in motovlogging?

I'll give you some feedback as someone who's been studying other motovloggers -- Unless you're filming in a city with other lighting present, I don't think those night/dusk videos are really interesting when you can't see much anyway. Even if you invest in better low-light capable equipment, I don't think it will really help the overall quality. (opinion)

I just picked up my first GoPro set (Hero4 Black) and took it outside last night to see exactly what makes sense and what doesn't. If I'm in the city, the views are pretty good. Once I hit my home area, where it's pretty dark... no matter if I had a better camera, it's still not worth filming (at those evening hours anyway)

That all said, I've only tested the GoPro stuff myself and I personally will watch someone with interesting/funny content even if their video isn't top notch.

Just my 2 cents

 

[ride512]

I'll give you some feedback as someone who's been studying other motovloggers -- Unless you're filming in a city with other lighting present, I don't think those night/dusk videos are really interesting when you can't see much anyway. Even if you invest in better low-light capable equipment, I don't think it will really help the overall quality. (opinion)

Agreed. To be honest I'm not too concerned about night performance I don't plan on making a lot of night videos, but it was the poor quality of the GoPro that got me thinking about higher end more cinematic cameras that use photography lenses. Which leads me to a few questions:

Does the quality of the video really matter after a certain point?
Which is more important the video or the commentary? I personally rarely watch videos to watch where they are riding, but to hear what they have to say. Of course if it's a commentary style video then better quality video ( meaning sharper, higher contrast, etc ) would improve the experience.
Will we see a point when motovlogging takes a more cinematic approach?

Am I over thinking it? Probably, but why not.

 

[STR-Rider]

I'll tell you what I want to see....

YouTube recently developed their [viewer selectable] multi-view setup for live streams. What I would really like to see is this implemented for regular uploads. I think the multi-cam or 360 views would be one of the next steps to further immerse people in the riding experience on top of the commentary. (or, for those videos that are just meant for watching...)

Right now, does the quality of the video matter? Yes. But we may have varying opinions on the quality... For example, I hate shaky videos that never stabilize. Helmet cams are only bad if the host of the video is constantly shaking their head excessively when not needed.

Some videos, I watch to see where people are going and for others... I just like to veg out and listen to their rants, reviews, observations, etc. (the latter type, I'm not always watching the video to begin with, usually just listening... until I hear "Look at that!" and have to go back and see what it was, lol... ) Oh, another type that really holds my interest is dual-vlogging, need more of that. The banter between two or more people makes it more interactive and entertaining.

No reason not to over think it... That's what I've been doing while putting together my stuff. Thank god for these forums, I've read some really good tips to bring my head out of the clouds.

Btw, considering that quite a few TV productions are using GoPro units for their broadcast quality stuff, I think that's good enough for us, for awhile anyway.

Sorry that turned into mini-book, here I am overthinking posts. =.=

 

[MunkehsMotors]

Helmet cams are only bad if the host of the video is constantly shaking their head excessively when not needed

That's me!

 

[ride512]

I'll tell you what I want to see....

YouTube recently developed their [viewer selectable] multi-view setup for live streams. What I would really like to see is this implemented for regular uploads. I think the multi-cam or 360 views would be one of the next steps to further immerse people in the riding experience on top of the commentary. (or, for those videos that are just meant for watching...)

That might be tough to edit. I shot a video recently with two views picture in picture style. If I had a 3rd GoPro I'd try three views.

Right now, does the quality of the video matter? Yes. But we may have varying opinions on the quality... For example, I hate shaky videos that never stabilize. Helmet cams are only bad if the host of the video is constantly shaking their head excessively when not needed.

I wonder if one of those motorized 3 axis gimbals could be hacked to be mounted to a helmet. It might be cool to have a stabilized shot.

Oh, another type that really holds my interest is dual-vlogging, need more of that. The banter between two or more people makes it more interactive and entertaining.

It might be because I'm older, but I like the dual vlogs with guys riding with their wives or girlfriends. I'd take those any day over the screaming while riding a dirt bike/enduro videos I see from time to time.

 

[Runnin1ife]

Quality is a must. But you also have to look at TV's, not 1/3rd the populous of the U.S. has anything higher than a 1080P. And over half the people that watch us are usually from a mobile device or the laptop.

 

[ride512]

Quality is a must. But you also have to look at TV's, not 1/3rd the populous of the U.S. has anything higher than a 1080P. And over half the people that watch us are usually from a mobile device or the laptop.

Agreed. I'm not really talking about going to 4k, but just using nicer cameras. Like a DSL compared to a GoPro. Grantet it'd be tough to rig a DSL to your helmet, but that Black magic camera I linked to above is about the size of a softball has a larger sensor and uses photographic lenses. Which would give a sharper image with a more cinematic look.

Really I was just thinking out loud trying to figure where motovlogging is going next. Is it going to be video quality? Better audio some how?

 

[SwissMotard]

That might be tough to edit.

It will take no more time than editing one camera.

The biggest change in motovlogging will be professional levels of editing and story telling, not equipment.

 

[thunderous71]

It will take no more time than editing one camera.

The biggest change in motovlogging will be professional levels of editing and story telling, not equipment.

While I have to agree with that sentiment the equipment or use of it will also play a part. For example second angle cameras, slomo etc.

 

[ride512]

It will take no more time than editing one camera.

If all the the views are encoded in to one file then yes it will be as easy as editing one camera.

While I have to agree with that sentiment the equipment or use of it will also play a part. For example second angle cameras, slomo etc.

Agreed.

 

[SwissMotard]

While I have to agree with that sentiment the equipment or use of it will also play a part. For example second angle cameras, slomo etc.

Well no, because all you do is sync all the cameras, and cut them all together as if they were one.

The viewer then chooses which angles they want to look at while they watch rather than you.

It's very different to using multiple cameras in a single video.

 

[ride512]

Well no, because all you do is sync all the cameras, and cut them all together as if they were one.

The viewer then chooses which angles they want to look at while they watch rather than you.

It's very different to using multiple cameras in a single video.

Makes sense. I edit in iMovie so it would be tough.

 

[MotoJedeye]

I'll give you some feedback as someone who's been studying other motovloggers -- Unless you're filming in a city with other lighting present, I don't think those night/dusk videos are really interesting when you can't see much anyway. Even if you invest in better low-light capable equipment, I don't think it will really help the overall quality. (opinion)

I just picked up my first GoPro set (Hero4 Black) and took it outside last night to see exactly what makes sense and what doesn't. If I'm in the city, the views are pretty good. Once I hit my home area, where it's pretty dark... no matter if I had a better camera, it's still not worth filming (at those evening hours anyway)

That all said, I've only tested the GoPro stuff myself and I personally will watch someone with interesting/funny content even if their video isn't top notch.

Just my 2 cents

Concur.

 

[RideLondon]

I don't understand who in their right mind would buy a BMCC for a helmet mount.

If you want to make your night videos better, film at 1080P but 30fps, and use ProTune. Then use a GoPro LUT in your editing software.

95% of people with GoPros are nowhere near harnessing the true video capabilities of the camera. Use ProTune with a Rec709 LUT and you will see immense results. This is the one I use:

https://www.groundcontrolcolor.com/free-gopro-lut.html

 

[SwissMotard]

I don't understand who in their right mind would buy a BMCC for a helmet mount.

If you want to make your night videos better, film at 1080P but 30fps, and use ProTune. Then use a GoPro LUT in your editing software.

95% of people with GoPros are nowhere near harnessing the true video capabilities of the camera. Use ProTune with a Rec709 LUT and you will see immense results. This is the one I use:

https://www.groundcontrolcolor.com/free-gopro-lut.html

wow that really makes skin tones look messed up.

 

[RideLondon]

wow that really makes skin tones look messed up.

Yeah it does. That's because this LUT is specifically designed for grading action footage, so the emphasis is on vibrance contrast and saturation. Faces are the least important thing in action footage, which is after all what the GoPro is built for.

 

[SwissMotard]

I use protune and apply my own colour grading. It gives my video its own look rather than copying others too

Plus I can avoid those bizarre skin tones.

 

[Arctic Pride]

I think if you've got the cash buy the best...

 

[ride512]

I use protune and apply my own colour grading. It gives my video its own look rather than copying others too

Plus I can avoid those bizarre skin tones.

I need to start color grading my footage. I did a lot of color correction when I was doing photography, but it didn't occur to me to do it with video until I started using Premier.