The GoPro HERO2 was released a couple of weeks ago, but I wanted to mention it here despite being late with the news. I have no desire to make this blog exclusively about $10,000 cameras just because I'm in line for one, and this $299 weather-proof, shock-proof, idiot-proof wonder is a prime example. The HERO2 claims to be twice as sharp as the first version (though they're both 1080p), with better low light capability and an 11 megapixel sensor. Unchanged from the first edition is the fact that it's often used to capture envy-inducing activities, which the following video demonstrates perfecty (pretty much everything except the shark part):
If you want to nitpick... there's some CMOS skew on those helicopter blades. That's about it. It's $300 and it goes anywhere!
Okay, so, to bring this back to independent film... I was lucky enough to meet with Doug Liman as part of the IFP and Lincoln Center program, Emerging Visions, and it was fascinating to hear a big-time Hollywood director talk about all of the obstacles he's faced not only on the set of huge blockbusters like The Bourne Identity and Mr. and Mrs. Smith, but also to hear of the issues he faced when shooting Swingers ON FILM with a budget of only $200k. As part of a discussion about the budget of Man-child, one of his responses was, "well, maybe you'll have to come up with a way of shooting the basketball scenes that no one's thought of. Attach GoPros to the actors and just leave them in the shot, or something." I'm not going to take it that route -- though there are a number of POV shots -- but his attitude was inspiring, which is "find a way to get it done no matter what." And while I don't think the GoPros are right for Man-child, I do have another narrative/interactive project that they might be right for... first things first though!
Link: GoPro HERO2 at Amazon (three versions, Outdoor, Motorsports, and Surf)
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Your Comment
25 Comments
I'm thinking of the typical basketball film angle: GoPro on the hoop.
November 14, 2011 at 7:10AM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
Get real and place inside the ball.
November 14, 2011 at 7:14AM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
Yes! Rolling shutter barf-fest!!
November 14, 2011 at 8:29AM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
There we go. Ball POV!
November 14, 2011 at 9:59AM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
There's a prototype spherical panorama camera that you could use for that kind of a shot, and get full 360 coverage. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Th5zlUe6gOE&feature=player_embedded
November 17, 2011 at 1:45PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
Well, you could use it for the tip-off at least :)
November 17, 2011 at 1:50PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
The image quality looks really bad, but two GoPros instead of 36 crap cams might actually work for continuous movie capture.
November 17, 2011 at 3:42PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
Not an impossible idea.
November 17, 2011 at 3:41PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
Have 'em play 2 on 2, with each guy wearing one via the Chesty mount. Swap shots libeally between cameras and spinkle in some super-slo mo. That'd be intense.
I own 4 of the HD HEROes, and they really allow you to let your imagination run rampant. Sure wish I could upgrade them to the HERO2...
November 14, 2011 at 7:56AM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
*like*
November 17, 2011 at 3:45PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
I love the GoPro. It' really nice to have a camera that you can throw into harm's way without a thought. I'm really looking forward to using them in a car chase very soon.
Shot this film with one last summer: http://vimeo.com/27947662
November 14, 2011 at 8:04AM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
My only complaint about this camera is the mandatory fisheye: wouldn't a rectilinear 24mm-equivalent make more sense? (maybe even 28mm could do). This fisheye effect renders the camera useless for many situations, IMHO
also, does it come with a twixtor license, or what? :)
November 14, 2011 at 9:40AM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
I was shooting this summer some underwater for film project with 5D and had HERO with me as well. Since I just got my monofin I had some fun just letting it sit on the ocean floor ( about -15feet ) :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5aEvXE_Lko
November 14, 2011 at 9:49AM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
There are three field of view options with the Hero 2; wide, normal and narrow. Narrow has no fisheying to it.
November 14, 2011 at 11:12AM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
yes, but it is still using the same lens, so I'd bet it still has lots of barrel distortion, probably enough to show the kind of horizon bending that make me hate a lot of the Hero 1 footage
November 15, 2011 at 7:28AM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
Various programs (AE, PS, Motion) have plugins for reducing barrel distortion. You can even use it on the timelapse stills by batching from PS. Timelapse stills are big enough to do some BBC Earth-style panning of timelapses.
-Olaf
November 17, 2011 at 12:40PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
The gentlemen of StillMotion created a fabulous POV camera with a HDSLR on a helmet for NFL shots. This may create some great unique shots on the court, with more control over settings, as opposed to submitted to the auto-function of GoPro's: http://vimeo.com/21162399
November 14, 2011 at 3:15PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
This one of the most mesmerising video that I have ever seen. That music just went so well with the energy of the content. Although at 1080P on a 1080p monitor, quality leaves a lot to be desired. Would'nt it be great if there was a gropro sized camera but with a large sensor, high bit rate codec, more exposure control, 60fps at full HD 1080p and with interchangeable lenses. That would be a dream camera. ....Oh wait..there already is....SONY NEX 5N.
November 16, 2011 at 12:32AM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
GoPros are what got me interested in filmmaking. I got my first one a couple years ago to make some off roading videos with and then I just ended up going nuts with them. Here's one of my latest off road videos that you can see the great angles you can get. I've even attached them to the safety flag (whip) before. This one was all done in After Effects. It was shot at the Imperial Sand Dunes (hence the completely pointless star wars theme). It's all in fun.
GoPros are the good stuff. Looking forward to trying one of these HD2's out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Rm9Eknolzo
November 14, 2011 at 4:16PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
Wearable camcorders are a great concept and currently very trendy. Nevertheless, I think it takes immense talent as a wearer and even more talent as a post-production editor to create clips that don't have the viewer puking.
November 17, 2011 at 12:38PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
I'm getting a GoPro Hero 2 because the only camera I currently own is a Canon 5d mark II and as you know it only shoots at 24p and 30p. No 60p, I got twixtor and I want to do some slow motion stuff. Also I'll just slap it on a tripod or stick it to a wall and use it as a second cam.
On a side note, Koo your wordpress skills are amazing. I just recently got into it and love it. Now I really appreciate what you've done with the site. My website link is at the bottom, it's for my small videography business, any tips would be much appreciated.
Lowell
TheVideoGenius.com
November 17, 2011 at 1:43PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
Love my GoPro Hero1 and will look into buying the Hero2. My only complaints about the GoPro is it's only useful in bright locations (most indoor video is poor) and the underwater video is never sharp (unless you buy a third party case with flat lens cover). All daytime content in this video was shot with a GoPro: http://vimeo.com/28328065. A LOT of stabilizing in post was needed to make this video watchable, but I think the final product is good, especially considering I wouldn't have been able to use a higher quality camera in the dusty desert environment of Burning Man.
November 17, 2011 at 4:01PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
Trying to show a thumbnail for my video....
November 17, 2011 at 4:02PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
Hmmmm.... How can I show a thumbnail for a video below my comments?
November 17, 2011 at 4:03PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
You can get an HD lens for gopro and no 'curves' with that. Require to remove the WA lens and screw in the HD lens from Sunex.
November 17, 2011 at 7:55PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM