Thinking about getting a Go Pro 3 Silver

[SlatchJim]

I'm thinking of picking up a Go Pro for some footage of me and the tribe out in the waves. 
Good Camera?
Easy to use?
How about downloading it and making videos, anything special needed?
My hand held is a piece of cra...junk and getting easy download software was a complete headache so this will replace that rig too.

[LaPerouseBay]

Yes, the gp3 silver is a very nice camera, easy to use.  

If you have questions about movie making, I'm guessing you don't have an apple.  

My windows 7 has movie maker, which was designed for second graders.  It's a free download if you don't have it.  Several other choices for free, easy beginner programs.  

If you have kids, I'd hit them up for advice on making movies.  

I've kept up to date on the 84 page thread over on the helicopter forums regarding the gopros.  No complaints about the silvers.  I have a white, it's fine too.  Blacks are buggy, (but super powerful and flexible).  

Three simple steps they recommend.  

1. Use a card reader to download files into your computer. (remove the micro SD card from the camera, DON'T use the cable).

2. Format the micro SD with the gopro trash can (not your computer).

3. Charge the battery through the cable, with the camera turned off.

Be patient when setting up the first time.  Follow instructions carefully.

Oh yes, one more.  Get a PNY micro SD card.  The sandisk's Gopro sells on the website are easy to order, but some are shitty.  The PNY's are better.  32 gig is plenty big.  It will outlast your battery at 1080.  Class 10 only.   

Oh yes, one more thing, use the anti fog strips.  They work.     

[SlatchJim]

I've seen many posts on this forum, but I can't recall one so comprehensively helpful. LaPerouse Bay, you have done me a great service. Thank you very much. 

We have two options for movie making.  One would be for me to Cro-Magnon my way through the process.  The other option is to have my 21 year old college student daughter make quick work of it on her soon to be purchased mac.  I'm leaning toward No. 2.

[Wetstuff]

SJ, It's a great cam. They have made a lot of upgrades since the Hero1. There's a learning curve that does not favor the ADD, but support and results are what you expect of a market leader.




I have had a number small cams over the last few years.  If you want to do it on-the-cheap, buy a used Kodak Play Sport (blue/lower left) and a cheap suction mount. <$100. will get you some great video.  

Here's a simple frame grab of a friend, Brian.   ..showing video cams can also do decent stills. To my mind, they last longer.



Jim

[Deadbait]

Slatch,

I found making a video very overwhelming, until I had someone (my sister) walk me through it.  She said it was easy and it was, AFTER she showed me how.  Trying to figure some of these programs on your own is a big task.

Have your daughter walk you through the whole process.  You might be surpried how easy it is.

[NoSaltSuper]

SJ, It's a great cam. They have made a lot of upgrades since the Hero1. There's a learning curve that does not favor the ADD, but support and results are what you expect of a market leader.




I have had a number small cams over the last few years.  If you want to do it on-the-cheap, buy a used Kodak Play Sport (blue/lower left) and a cheap suction mount. <$100. will get you some great video.  

Here's a simple frame grab of a friend, Brian.   ..showing video cams can also do decent stills. To my mind, they last longer.



Jim

Holy crap, now that's a camera quiver! Good job on not losing them. The smaller ones don't seem to last long around my house, dang kids.

[hbsteve]

I hardly used my first GoPro.  So every time I went to use it, I had to learn it all over again.
Use it often.  Even if you think nothing good got recorded that session. 
There are plenty of good information on the Internet, matching GoPro to different movie making programs.

[SeaMe]

When I look at this all I can think is, No ContourROAM? 

[Beasho]

How about downloading it and making videos, anything special needed?

Like the rest of life, the more effort you put into the video the better.

I am a Windows guy and have never had a problem using Adobe Premiere.  It can do everything that a Mac can do and cost $80 bundled with Photoshop.  Yes it does take some learning.

The best advice I can give to starting, and making good videos is to pare down the footage IMMEDIATELY.  Put your source material into a folder and use a numerical ranking like:
 
        080 Best Ride Sunday morning
        065 OK Drop with Good Wipe out at the end

The best freeware that I have found for this is MPEG Streamclip (here: http://www.squared5.com/)

You start with a 2 minute clip and then extract the best 15 seconds to put into your hierarchy for editing.  Then throw the extra away.  Too much video will get lost with time, wear you down and use up all your hard drive.

SUP related GoPro video results: Thank the Laird:

Longest video (more short story) I have ever made 50% GoPro / 50% other If Not Me Then Who (forward to 10:00 for combined effects: 2 time synced camera angles, speech overlay, slow motion, music sync, stills and picture on picture):

PS: I am posting this for selfish reasons because I hope that with time you will produce more entertaining & engaging videos.  I typically spend 6 - 10 hours per 3 minutes of video.

[Wetstuff]

SeaMe... The Roam is out on loan for the last year-and-a-half.  I frankly don't find those heavier, 'long barrel' cams (Roam, Drift, Extreme) that useful.  They have a heavy moment arm that makes stabilizing them more difficult than shorter side-shooters like the new SONY or front facing, box cams.  A few are missing - Davie Jones is shooting mermaid porn with them.

Anybody: get a leash and/or a float if you go near the water. Not one floats.
 
Jim