Gopro or no go?

robsmaze · Posted: Feb 26, 2011 9:03 pm Post subject: Gopro or no go?

My work camera took a dump last week and I have to get something new. I'm usually taking pictures in little rooms with mediocre lighting or up on the top of buildings or tv towers in bad weather. I end up dropping cameras in puddles and down 300' on a regular basis.
I almost have my boss talked into buying a gopro with a backpack but he thinks that since it only takes 5 megapixel shots and has no flash it'll only be worth while when I'm wake skating on weekends. He's probably right. Any one know any cameras that would work for me for work AND wake skating? Since my company is buying me a new one I might as well try killing two birds...

Orionwrx3 · Faceplant Joined: 10 Jul 2009 Posts: 22 City: Orlando

I dont know much about cameras, but I was looking through these the other day. They are waterproof and shockproof with decent megapixels

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Compact-Cameras/Waterproof-Cameras/pcmcat214000050004.c?id=pcmcat214000050004

acesfull420 · Pop Shuvit Joined: 13 Apr 2009 Posts: 155 City: slicker

the gopro is great for wakeskating, but not the best for a regular camera because it cant zoom and it is a sort of fish eye lens all the time (wide angle). its ok as a regular camera, but probably not what you want it for.

rfmcrx · Posted: Feb 27, 2011 9:45 am Post subject:

I have the kodak playsport,it takes pretty good still photos and video.
Its waterproof and shockproof. I dont know how it will work for wakeskating, because are lakes are still frozen. I use it for ice fishing and snowboarding right now. I have dropped it down our ice fishing hole and it went to the bottom of the lake an surived. heres at few pics i have taken with it. It has a zoom, but no flash.

PIRATE · Kickflip Joined: 11 Jul 2006 Posts: 2651

i want that bike.......................

rfmcrx · Posted: Feb 27, 2011 12:10 pm Post subject:

PIRATE, Its forsale, freshly restored!

Slapdown · Kickflip Joined: 20 Apr 2005 Posts: 4240 City: Austin

rfmcrx, What kind of bike is that?

Orionwrx3, Good find. Those all seem to be pretty good solutions.

rfmcrx · Posted: Feb 27, 2011 4:50 pm Post subject:

Slapdown, its a 1960 matchless g80cs 500 competiton bike. Has a huge carb on it.

southpaw · Posted: Feb 27, 2011 11:47 pm Post subject:

robsmaze, I just got a gopro and got a chance to film myself wakeskating here are some screenshots from the video. It's great for close action (5-15ft) video or pictures, and the screenshots from video are great! You can change the resolution for different settings. the below shots were 960p video 1280x960. I've taken some pictures in my room which was low light and they turned out great and looked well lit. I dont have any of those pics on this computer though.

Steven M · Posted: Feb 28, 2011 12:20 am Post subject:

http://blogs.babble.com/family-style/2011/02/22/a-take-it-anywhere-digital-camera-that-can-take-the-abuse/

Moohaumed · Faceplant Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Posts: 39 City: Valdosta

Saw this thread and felt it was my duty to share.. For whatever it's worth:

GoPros can be lame, but they are awesome cameras if used correctly. I love the camera for so many reasons, but you can read the specs and all that crap from their website. What I really wanted to share was my customer service experience. First couple of weeks having the goPro my 10 year old cousin caught his edge with a stupid helmet cam and the adhesive came off the helmet. It was totally retarded and the whole thing was really my fault.. anyway it sunk about 15 feet and after an afternoon of scuba diving and sifting through beer cans and silt I gave up the search and rescue and tried one more desperate longshot with a simple email to the company. Long story short, the guy I actually had a conversation with sent me a brand new camera for free, with extra "sticky mounts", despite the fact that being an idiot is not covered under their warranty.

One criticism I do have: The camera does not float. Other than that it's awesome in EVERY way. Wink

POPTART · 360 flip Joined: 24 Jul 2007 Posts: 7621

get one robby, you'll like it

Latent_Image · Faceplant Joined: 28 Feb 2011 Posts: 2 City: Parts unknown

Hey man,

I have used a camera or two and here's my 2 cents: I think it really depends what your work needs from the pictures/videos that will decide if the gopro is for you or not. When used well It has a distinct effect and the resolution is acceptable for what most people need at a fair price. But like someone already mentioned: the fixed fisheye lens isn't exactly the pinnacle of mechanical reproduction or handy for everything. Top of a tv antenna in bad weather? Amazing. Inside a small poorly lit room with no flash? Some to significant problem solving required. It also seems worth mentioning if you are looking for a camera that can regularly survive a 300 ft drop I would advise investing in a camera strap or if you're one of those indy "DIY" types: rope and a book on tying knots. Tell your boss that it will no doubt be amazing for recording wake skating though. Hope this helps

robsmaze · Posted: Mar 02, 2011 6:12 pm Post subject:

well, to end this little conversation. the boss has nixed the gopro. he has also discounted my excuse of dropping things from tall buildings - it went something like "well you're just a f*$k up then." so now the other boss, i.e my wife, will have to approve the gopro for purely personal use and i am just getting a lame best buy camera for work.
it's OK because i have already eyed all the tube steel i am going to "repurpose" from the back of our shop into a nice 20' rail...

spowell · Posted: Mar 04, 2011 2:08 pm Post subject:

bit late maybe but for an alternative to gopro check out sanyo xacti cameras i have a pretty sweet 720p one and they're good value for money i reckon