It's been a while since I've posted anything. Life can get a bit crazy at times here in Japan. The summer is way too hot and humid. The air-conditioners cost a lot to run so my wife and I avoid it by using fans and ice packs, very old-school.
BUT you don't want to hear about life and how hard it can be...you want to know about the GoPro HD Hero and it's abilities.
First thing is first...for the price, it is a great little toy. Video delivers in great HD quality and the pics are very usable. I wouldn't go trading in your DSLR or anything but the quality of the 5MP camera isn't that bad for photography.
There is a down side to this and the biggest is not being able to compose your shots since there is no LCD screen for you to use. You actually have absolutely no idea what you've taken until you get home and put it on your PC. That is of course unless you have a laptop you bring into the field with you. Also, since you have no manual control over the aperture, the following problem CAN occur when using video: You start your video in a bright scene where your GoPro HD will open stop down the lens (Close the size of the hole of the lens in order to reduce the light coming in to allow a proper exposure of the scene). Then you turn off your GoPro HD. Then your in another scenario where the area your filming is a bit darker. Your aperture will be stopped down (From the previous scene you recorded)and will start off very dark and slowly brighten as the aperture opens up (The hole of the lens gets bigger). However, if you are not aware of this you may take your footage 'dark' and think you've taken it properly exposed. THAT'S the disadvantage (Or one of many) to not being able to compose your shots. Of course, GoPro is planning on add-on packs, one which will be an LCD screen so you CAN compose and review your shots (Still photos or video).
Still, the pros outweigh the cons. It's small, indestructible in it's case, able to mount onto ANYTHING without worrying about replacing it if it does happen to fall and break. The fact it's water-proof up to 60m deep when many pro HDSLR water-housing units are in 1000's of dollars (I have an Epic Water-Housing unit which I would have NOT bought had I known I could get a camera AND housing unit in one for the same price).
The unit comes with 2 outer casings, one that allows more audio in (But is not water-proof and one that is completely water proof. The little I have used it in water, it's turned out pretty good. Some have complained about fogging. I can say that I have had fogging issues not with going under-water but going from a nice air-conditioned bus to a very hot and humid outside...a little wipe with a cloth will fix that in most cases.
It doesn't have 24p but it's slowed down 60i is wonderful and it's 30p can easily be converted to 24p in post-processing if necessary. GoPro has stated it's up and coming firmware update will include a 25p (And perhaps 24p) frame rate. Customers have also asked about being able to set the camera to take video up-side-down so that they can avoid this in post (The attachments for the GoPro are versatile so to allow almost any angle of shooting) Some like to have their GoPro set up-side-down and want the camera to take the video this way so they don't mess with it in post (I personally don't see this as a big deal since you're composing your video on scene...you're guesstimating.)
The various attachments make this a must for many sports users, rock climbers, cliff divers, racer car drivers etc. It's a safe camera to use if you're not sure setting up an expensive unit is worth the risk. I wouldn't get this for photography ONLY. Taking a bit of time to understand the field of view in it's different settings is a must so you can guesstimate what you're going to get out of it when you have it in any of the settings. The front menu LCD is a bit, what's the word: chaotic, encrypticogopheric (Is that a word)...hard to understand would best summarize it. If you want to use it for photography, learn the settings...if you want to use it for video, learn how to go back and forth between 30p and 60i and it's different field's of view. I still take video and pictures with my thumb in the way. Give yourself enough time (When taking video) to allow the aperture to stop down or open up to allow the exposure to compensate for itself.
For the money it's a great b-camera. Get yourself one and say I told you so (Maybe if you say my name enough they'll send me some free stuff, and free is always good, if it's useful). I've recommended this to many friends and most of them have got themselves one. A lesson or two from me and they know what to do in their individual circumstances. At the end of the day, you have to decide whether you can live without composing...that is until they get their LCD add-on...at which time this review may be invalid (But still, mention my name...it can't hurt)
Below you'll see a couple of shots taken with the GoPro HD and a video I've posted on Vimeo. The last 3 videos have been with the GoPro HD Hero ONLY because it's been small and easy to use compared to the Canon 1D Mark 4 I usually use.
Takarazuka Gardens from Jason McDonald on Vimeo.
At the end of the day I can only say that if you like photography or video and you need a camera you can afford to lose and not worry too much about your wallet but enjoy as much as if you had spent a whole wad of cash on, this is it. No turning back on this one!
My ugly mug
Harmonie Ambrassee Wedding Hotel
If this review was helpful to you, send me a quit email to let me know. I'm a fan of flattery...but at the end of the day, if you've bought yourself a good usable camera that helps your business or the ability to enjoy life with your friends and family, that's all that's important.
Here is a video that I really enjoyed taken with GoPro HD Hero and an RC airplane.
wet weekend from Wobby on Vimeo.
Now that's what I call VIDEO to the EXTREME!!
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