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So I Should get a Go Pro or a Different Camera?

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TheQuailman
Posts: 7382 - Karma: 147

I have no experience filming.  I'm not interested in filming or editing as a hobby.  I just want to ski and get good footage of my friends and I skiing.  I have almost never edited a video before.  I'm looking for something thats user-friendly.  Something that I can ski around with and film and not have to worry about any tech stuff.  I have no camera gear yet.  I'm only using this for skiing.  I will probably be doing mostly follow cams but I will most likely put it on a tripod and hike at some point in time.  I want something I can hand to my friends and they can film.

I have enough money to buy a Go Pro and whatever other accessories I need for it.  If there's a reason to get a better camera, I can afford it, I just don't know if there is one that could be one that better fit my needs?

Also whats the cost-benefit analysis of the Go Pro HERO 960 compared with the Naked Hero?

Thank you very much for your help + karma.

Oct 17 2011 2:01AM
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blatt
Posts: 5584 - Karma: 3,097
If your looking for something that is essentially bombproof and are not looking for pristine video quality, a gopro would be great.
Oct 17 2011 2:03AM
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SteezoSaurus
Posts: 2630 - Karma: 2,668
Since your not too stoked on putting in a bunch of time and energy into filming, the Go Pro is a great way to go. Super convenient for those of us with no filming/editing skills. And not to mention you can drop the damn thing off a building no problem.
Oct 17 2011 2:14AM
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DIX~
Posts: 4695 - Karma: 6,502
GoPro sounds right for you, once you use it for a while you'll know if you need something else. Even if you do upgrade, a GoPro is always useful to have
Oct 17 2011 4:12AM
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TheQuailman
Posts: 7382 - Karma: 147

Thanks, KARMA FOR ALL!!!!

Also whats the cost-benefit analysis of the Go Pro HERO 960 compared with the Naked Hero?

Oct 17 2011 1:19PM
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plorr
Posts: 3131 - Karma: 528
The 960 doesn't have as good of video quality. The Naked hero comes with nothing but the 1080 camera, no mounts or waterproof casing. So unless you already have all the mounts you want, its sort of pointless.

Your best bet is to get the HD Helmet Hero, since it comes with all the mounts you would probably need for skiing use. Also, its a good idea to get a tripod mount (like 8 bucks), and a retractable monopod (like 10 bucks on amazon) to use for follow cams.
Oct 17 2011 1:42PM
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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
i use the handlebar mount and my ski pole, both work pretty well
Oct 17 2011 5:13PM
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50in07
Posts: 3070 - Karma: 1,471
I don't get why people use ski poles for follows with a gopro. It's a lot easier to keep your head steady than it is to keep a ski pole.
Oct 17 2011 5:21PM
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McFellon
Posts: 1841 - Karma: 2,005
I was in the exact same position as you before I got my GoPro. It's definitely the way to go.
Get the tripod mount. You can use a small, light-weight tripod for follow shots, and then set it up if you want a super steady/ smooth shot.
Also, I didn't even realize I would ever use this feature when I bought the camera, but the timelapse mode can be super fun, especially in the summer.
You can do as much or as little editing with it as you want, but color correcting can look so sick.
If you need another reason, check out some of the USC Ski and Snowboard edits if you haven't seen them already. Abe is a boss at filming + editing, and he only uses GoPros.
Oct 17 2011 6:47PM
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broto
Posts: 9039 - Karma: 25,662
it's a lot easier to see a gopro on a ski pole than one on your head (to know where it's pointing..)
Oct 17 2011 8:02PM
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dispatchQ_main
Posts: 2619 - Karma: 629
I disagree, i use an old hockey stick and I found my vids got instantly better. Buth that is also 2 hand grips vs a skinny pole.
Oct 17 2011 8:04PM
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erikK
Posts: 3245 - Karma: 2,328
GoPro sounds good for you, but I bet once you film and edit for a couple months with it you'll find yourself looking to upgrade. However, if you do end up upgrading the gopro is still nice to have. A big difference between the 960 and normal HD hero is that the 960 doesn't shoot 720/60p, if you want to do lots of slomo, you need 60p. (But the 960 does shoot 480/60p).
Oct 17 2011 8:09PM
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juicedrummer11
Posts: 1960 - Karma: 1,331
go with the HD, it may be a little more money wise but there are many more options and its much more versatile IMO. the 960 might get old after a while and the slow mo quality 480i60p isn't that good. HD one would be perfect for you
Oct 18 2011 2:36AM
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DGski
Posts: 3491 - Karma: 2,328
go 960, using it in 1080p for skiing is pointless anyway. however, if you really want to get the bacpac which is the screen attachment on the back, go 960
Oct 18 2011 10:07AM
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the.cheat
Posts: 2859 - Karma: 171
no, get a 1080
Oct 18 2011 10:44AM
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FMeissner
Posts: 490 - Karma: 85
Not just about smoothness, also about distance.
Oct 18 2011 12:05PM
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WillStart
Posts: 3955 - Karma: 3,192
the 1080 has 720p60p as well. i use 1080p30p for all lifestyle stuff too, like swimming underwater.

1080 is a much better value imo
Oct 18 2011 12:20PM
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juicedrummer11
Posts: 1960 - Karma: 1,331
a ski pole is smoother because it takes out all of the little bumps caused by just riding over groomed runs, even if your arm gets a little jolt running over a patch of chatty ice or something, the pole compensates by absorbing that energy before the camera feels it and "shows" it in your video...but for not following and just standing still then you don't really need a pole
Oct 18 2011 1:33PM
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