
The GoPro has certainly taken cinematography to new heights (and depths and everywhere in between), but what if you're not much of an adventurer who just wants to see what you're filming?
Enter the CAMpanion, a mounting solution for the GoPro that is currently on Kickstarter.
This device lets you easily mount any GoPro anywhere, including any smartphone to allow you to see and review everything you're filming. It seems like a straightforward, practical, no frills kind of tool -- and it is (it's basically just a mounting plate with adhesive) -- but it lets you use your GoPro in new, pretty exciting ways.
First of all, of course, you can mount it to any flat surface:
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Not only that, but the CAMpanion team notes how you can make interesting action/reaction videos with just the one smartphone/GoPro/CAMpanion setup:
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But this is why I think it reached its Kickstarter goal so quickly -- by mounting your GoPro to the CAMpanion, you can use the GoPro app to turn the whole thing into a camera that you can control and handle easier, while being able to see what you're shooting. Furthermore, not only can you utilize your smartphone's onboard flashlight, but the cold shoe mount gives you the ability to add accessories to your little setup.
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Here is the list of features and benefits of using the CAMpanion:
- Comfortable Live Viewing: Use your GoPro and smartphone together as one unit so that you can easily follow and capture the action.
- Basic Lighting: use your smartphone flashlight to light up the shot, or attach additional lighting (or other accessories) to your CAMpanion’s cold shoe mount to see and hear even more.
- Comfortable Handheld Grip: The size of the CAMpanion is ideal for a comfortable handheld grip, which allows you to get a more stable grip of the camera, and produce more stable shots.
- Action & Reaction Videos: With the CAMpanion you can use your GoPro to catch the action while using your smartphone to catch your reaction.
- Portability: Fits in your pocket so you can easily take it anywhere.
- Comfortable Viewing Angle: Rest your smartphone on a table at a perfect viewing angle.
- Universal Compatibility: Fits with all smartphones and tablets (or any other flat surface)
You can learn more about the CAMpanion by checking out the website or their Kickstarter page.
Your Comment
5 Comments
Dope! I want!!!
February 14, 2015 at 8:24AM, Edited February 14, 8:24AM
I saw this a few days ago. My thought stream went something like:
What a stupid idea... became
Who would want to buy that? became
Although...I can see it coming in handy sometimes. became
Especially for all those people who want a $500 high framerate, good dynamic range (Protune mode) and resolution camera that is pocketable... became
Why oh why did I not think of this first!!! Easiest product to develop ever!!! Second only to "My Pet Rock", though much more useful. Well played CAMpanion.
February 14, 2015 at 9:59AM
Useful! But I think people underestimate how maddening the 1-second lag is for the smartphone live preview. Great for checking frame and composition, but would be difficult to record with handheld. Also, many of the shooting modes don't support live preview while recording, like 2.7k/60fps and 1080/240fps (at least, on the Hero4 Black).
Still, this is a great solution for a myriad of situations for the simple fact that changing your settings through the smartphone app is way faster than using the onboard menu of the GoPro.
February 14, 2015 at 11:29AM
yeah, I saw this a few days ago too… I thought it was kind of pointless seeing how there are so many re-stickable products out there that are cheaper and more multi functional, like sticky tack. And good point about the lag, it's gotten better than what is was on previous versions but still not functional as a 'live' view.
February 14, 2015 at 2:57PM, Edited February 14, 2:57PM
Seriously? I just use VELCRO for attaching my gopro to my smart phone. Also works great with gopro to external battery combo. and its way cheaper and versatile.
February 21, 2015 at 4:52PM