ASK & DISCUSS
INDEXAnyone used a GoPro in a narrative film?
12 years ago - Matt Jamie
I'm looking to get a superwide wide angle lens for my DSLR kit (like, 10-12mm or so), but for the same kind of money I could buy a GoPro 3. Obviously the lens on the GoPro will be massively inferior, but there are other used for the GoPro which would be useful (underwater, attaching to the head of a cat, all that useful stuff). But has anyone here used a GoPro for anything other than crazy sports videos? How limited are they? Is everything auto? Is it fixed focus? Is there any way to monitor the picture "live" while recording? And what does the image look like when cropped (if you didn't want super mega wide is the centre of the frame clear enough for some cropping?) Any thoughts? thanks Matt
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12 years ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin
From what I've seen, they are what they are, but no better.
They are great for when you want a shot at a silly angle, but (aside from buying extra backs at additional cost) you point, press, hope. They are extremely capable considering how simple they are, but they are designed not to have much in the frills/options department.
The good news is they're the kind of thing you can borrow for a day or two from a friend, or with minimal hire charges. Have a play with one and see the results. Great if you want a wide jib-style shot and only have a brim handle. Dreadful if you're trying to go for a long lens rack focus effect on an intimate scene. Horses for courses.
12 years ago - Matt Jamie
Thanks paddy. I've got other lenses/kit for the intimate / long lens stuff - Its whether it would be useful (or rather, useable) for wide angle stuff, or whether i'd get annoyed by the lack of control. I think I already know the answer... "Lack of control" is not a phrase a director or DoP wants to hear really....
12 years ago - Nigel Rogers
On the plus side: You can
wirelessly change all the settings.
live preview to the point of recording (requires iPhone/iPad and free app).
Hdmi out can now be hooked to a monitor to watch whilst recording.
1080p recording allows 3 focal length changes.
12 years ago - Joe Wilkes
I've got one, bought in a flurry of excitement last year (Hero 2). There's no doubt that even after the expense of buying all the backs/mounts it's a great little camera, but I'd pretty much only use it when the practicality of using an alternative is unwise. I've taken it on horseback, used it for impromptu shoots and recces, and stuck it to various vehicles. For these things, no problem, but I'd never use it as a primary camera unless I had to. It just doesn't allow you to finesse the shot. I'd rent one if I were you!