camcorders

[wayno60]

After reading all the posts about how to mount your cam, it got me thinking what brand/make cam has everyone got.
The minister for finance, after seeing some of the clips of you guys in action (willo, spot82)
happened to mention that a cam mighten be a bad idea....

So what have you got, why did you pick it, any plus or minus for it.


cheers

[Spot82]

Mine have been made on an Olympus tough 8000 still camera, but Sean just got a GoPro camera, seems pretty good! 60m waterproof and full HD for around $400 and has 170 degree angle of view....

Anthony

[Willo]

Hi Wayne
I have upgraded to a Sony Handycam HDR-XR200E and use a sony waterproof housing with it
Just went this cam for a better quality pic and some great features on the cam

Before this I had a Sony Handycam DCR-HC28 MiniDV Camcorder which also served me well
There lots of good Cams around at the moment and if you stick with a known brand ya cant go to far wrong
Cheers Willo

[aussiebasser]

Check the GoPro Hero on thEBay. They are now less than $300. Absolutely awesome little camera. If you buy a standard Handycam type camera you will need a wide angle lense adaptor for it to be any good in a boat. You'll get the same result with a GoPro.

[wayno60]

this is the one im looking at..
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150517140400&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

[tsea]

Hi Wayne,
Would definitely second the GoPro Hero HD.
Plenty of good mounts too.
The record time can be limited.
I use sony vegas 10 software which is just terrific.
cheers
TC

[Jabiru658]

I've got a GoPro Hero HD as well, it is a very versatile setup with a variety of mount options. I use mine for everything from trail bike riding in the dust to fishing in the boat.

Highly recommended.

[wayno60]

thanks guys for the feedback, that'll be the way im going.

cheers

[evobda2]

For small HD (720p-1080p) cams there are a few out there..
I race a heap of downhill mountain bikes and we use the GoPro with ok success. For simple video work (without the harsh shaking and bumps on a bike) it would be more than adequate.

Here’s a quick comparison of a few.. best bought on ebay from the US with the dollar so high as you can get them under $300au shipped.

http://www.helmetcamreview.com/CamTests.htm

[aussiebasser]

You can get a GoPro in Aus for under $300 as well. Then you don't need to buy a charger converter.

[tropicrows]

PM Aigutso (mike) he had one at 1770 this year not sure of the make and model, but it fitted into the palm of your hand. It's the one he used to make the video clips of 1770 this year that are up on utube.

[wayno60]

aussie, yes your right but then you still have to get a SD card and there around the $89 mark for a 16gb and then get the right mounting system that you want to use///

[wayno60]

ok ive found out that not all hero cams are the same. Seems alot of the older version hero's that are for sale on ebay are not HD. Do you think that theres a big enough difference to warrent getting a new HD model.

cheers

[tsea]

Hi Wayne
The HD model can shoot 720p at a 170degree field of view at 60 frames per sec.

Great for on the head mount or up the front of the boat on the grab rail.
The high speed means you can do good slow motion stuff on the computer.

The 1080p shoots at 127degrees.

cheers
TC

[wayno60]

Thanks tsea,
if it wasnt hard enough as it was then you throw this at me.

[evobda2]

There is actually a couple of different what they call “HD" Gopro cams..
One is up to 720p 30 frames/sec.. and then there’s the 1080p 30 frames/sec which can also shoot in 720p but in 60 frame/sec.

[tsea]

There might be a few different models.
I picked up a HD Hero and it shoots in 5 modes.
WVGA,720p at 30fps,720p at 60fps,960p at 30fps,1080p at 30fps.
It also fires off stills every "x" seconds for whatever time.
I haven't tried that but i guess it would be like time lapse?
A fun toy!
cheers
TC

[wayno60]

T,
so which model one did you get??

[tsea]

Hi Wayne,
I picked up the HD Hero Naked (which is just camera and waterproof case).
I also got a handlebar/seat post mount, head strap and chest harness.
A 16GB card too.
cheers
TC

[wayno60]

cool, well i got the same cam at you but the motor sport model. i only got that one cause of the suction cap fitting that i thought would be good for the boat, (dash or windscreen), and for the 4x4.
just need to get a 16 or 32gb card now...

thanks for your help

[Rhinoc]

Any of you blokes looked at the ContourHD? It appears to be a direct competitor to the GoPro. I was set on a gopro but a fella at work showed me the Contour and I'm swayed. It seems to have a more suitable design and from my research is approximately the same cost.

Check it out here (http://contour.com/camera/contour_hd)

They have even recently added a GPS integrated model.

Interesting.

Rhino...

[wayno60]

ok, so what swayed you?.......they seem about the same just a diff shape..

[Rhinoc]

ok, so what swayed you?.......they seem about the same just a diff shape..

I guess the shape was the main thing. As far as specs go they are almost the same but the shapes are quite different. The GoPro is shaped more like a traditional camera which is not as conducive to body/helmet mounting whereas the contour appears much more streamline and more like a small LED torch shape.

Not having experienced either model and given most in this thread had mentioned the GoPro I just wanted to see if the Contour had been considered. If so, why the GoPro won out. If in fact it did.

I haven't committed to any model yet so would rather ask the questions pre purchase as opposed to post purchase.

Cheers,

Rhino...