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Helmet-Mounted Video Cameras

PostPosted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 12:19 pm
by Charles
Anyone used one when climbing or sking? I´d be grateful of a few pointers.

PostPosted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 2:07 pm
by JanVanGenk
I have Blackeye head and helmet camera. It has a very good quality and a nice wide angle, you can really record what you see. Last winter I took 2 hours of skiing video, really cool!

Check them out here:

http://www.blackeyeusa.com

Make sure your camcorder allows video recording from the external devices (AV-in enabled).

PostPosted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 4:03 pm
by JanVanGenk
squishy wrote:That's pretty cool, how much did the entire rig cost you? If you don't mind me asking...


I bought Blackeye Two + crash kit + shipping, in total about 250 euros. It was in January 2008. They did not have the high resolution version (540) back then. Although, Blackeye Two also gives a very high quality video. Things are cheaper now, if you check their online shop, they have a Christmas Special right now. I already had a camcorder with AV-in, so at least I did not need to buy that. My camcorder is Sony DCR-PC9E (a mini-DV), bought in 2000 at a really cosmic price... but it still works great and has all the functions one could wish.

PostPosted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 4:15 pm
by Charles
JanVanGenk wrote:I have Blackeye head and helmet camera. It has a very good quality and a nice wide angle, you can really record what you see. Last winter I took 2 hours of skiing video, really cool!

Check them out here:

http://www.blackeyeusa.com

Make sure your camcorder allows video recording from the external devices (AV-in enabled).

Thanks for the info and the link!

PostPosted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 4:55 pm
by Charles
phxphotog wrote:
charles wrote:
JanVanGenk wrote:I have Blackeye head and helmet camera. It has a very good quality and a nice wide angle, you can really record what you see. Last winter I took 2 hours of skiing video, really cool!

Check them out here:

http://www.blackeyeusa.com

Make sure your camcorder allows video recording from the external devices (AV-in enabled).

Thanks for the info and the link!


I'm not sure if you are looking for HD or not. Below are some links to SD video helmet cams. If you are looking for HD, be prepared to spend handsomely for any rig that you plan to use in that manner. It can be done but it will cost you.

http://www2.oregonscientific.com/shop/b ... =6&scid=14

I have used the one above on several occasions. Easy to use and you don't need a recorder. It records on an sd card. That's one less piece of gear to worry about. As with all of these cameras (reasonably priced one's anyway) quality is not the best. But for some applications, it does the job.

The one above is also water proof.... Big bonus if you ask me...... Plus, you can mount the thing to almost anything.. Trust me, darn near anything..

http://www.xtremerecall.com/Products/Xt ... ackage.htm

And this one.... You can actually rent with this company. Always a good thing to do before you lay out all that $$$$$$$

http://www.hoyttech.com/default_test2.htm

This one is also water proof. I have only used this one once. Not bad, but too many connections to worry about. It also means too many things to go wrong (bad cable or input, or the dreaded "forgot that cable syndrome").

Hope that helps. I've used many different types and styles of these small cameras, so I do have some familiarity with them. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Thanks - yes HD would be nice.

PostPosted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 5:25 pm
by Dave Daly
Got one you can use here in China Lake. In fact, I'm working on one right now. Functions not only as a video camera recording system but you can blow shit out of the sky with it as well!! :wink: 8)

Image

PostPosted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 11:13 pm
by JanVanGenk
HandjamMasterC wrote:Personally, I've never found helmet mounted cams to be of much use. You need someone to actually look though a viewfinder and shoot like a cameraman to get decent footage. Except maybe for some POV action footage.


Oh, you can shoot quite a decent action movie by using a head/helmet camera. That's why I like Blackeye - it's not on a top or on a side of your head/helmet, it's actually just a little bit higher than your eyes and gives a true view of what you are looking at. Eg. if shooting a ski descent, keep an eye on your mate and don't move your head too much/quickly. With some practice, it's no problem to do so (given that you can ski quite well). We filmed jumps/slalom/speed descent and the result was really nice. You have to think like a cameraman when wearing it.

PostPosted: Thu Dec 25, 2008 8:17 pm
by Sierra Ledge Rat
GoPro Helmet Hero

Waterproof to depths of 100 feet

170-degree field of view

About $190 US dollars

http://www.goprocamera.com/

The Oregon Scientific camera has a narrow field of view and I haven't found it to be of much use. I'll sell you mine for $40 if you're interested.

PostPosted: Fri Dec 26, 2008 7:57 am
by Charles
HandjamMasterC wrote:Personally, I've never found helmet mounted cams to be of much use. You need someone to actually look though a viewfinder and shoot like a cameraman to get decent footage. Except maybe for some POV action footage.

True but the POV would be part of a general cut.

PostPosted: Fri Dec 26, 2008 8:05 am
by Charles
phxphotog wrote:
charles wrote:
phxphotog wrote:
charles wrote:
JanVanGenk wrote:I have Blackeye head and helmet camera. It has a very good quality and a nice wide angle, you can really record what you see. Last winter I took 2 hours of skiing video, really cool!

Check them out here:

http://www.blackeyeusa.com

Make sure your camcorder allows video recording from the external devices (AV-in enabled).

Thanks for the info and the link!


I'm not sure if you are looking for HD or not. Below are some links to SD video helmet cams. If you are looking for HD, be prepared to spend handsomely for any rig that you plan to use in that manner. It can be done but it will cost you.

http://www2.oregonscientific.com/shop/b ... =6&scid=14

I have used the one above on several occasions. Easy to use and you don't need a recorder. It records on an sd card. That's one less piece of gear to worry about. As with all of these cameras (reasonably priced one's anyway) quality is not the best. But for some applications, it does the job.

The one above is also water proof.... Big bonus if you ask me...... Plus, you can mount the thing to almost anything.. Trust me, darn near anything..

http://www.xtremerecall.com/Products/Xt ... ackage.htm

And this one.... You can actually rent with this company. Always a good thing to do before you lay out all that $$$$$$$

http://www.hoyttech.com/default_test2.htm

This one is also water proof. I have only used this one once. Not bad, but too many connections to worry about. It also means too many things to go wrong (bad cable or input, or the dreaded "forgot that cable syndrome").

Hope that helps. I've used many different types and styles of these small cameras, so I do have some familiarity with them. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Thanks - yes HD would be nice.


Here it is!

There are not too many of the "self contained" packages such as this one. In fact, you would be hard pressed to find another that would fit your application needs. This is in it's first phase of delivery and I'm not sure of the availability yet. You may have to call Sony directly for more information. But this little gem has been highly desired in my field. This seems as if it would fit the bill for what you are looking for. There is quite a bit of information on this link as to the specs and other functions this little wonder can do.

Hope this helps...

http://www.sony.ca/hdv/files/Brochures/ ... HXRMC1.pdf


That looks interesting - the one to hire maybe!
Cheers
Charles

PostPosted: Sun May 02, 2010 5:35 am
by mtngeek
Sierra Ledge Rat wrote:GoPro Helmet Hero

Waterproof to depths of 100 feet

170-degree field of view

About $190 US dollars

http://www.goprocamera.com/

The Oregon Scientific camera has a narrow field of view and I haven't found it to be of much use. I'll sell you mine for $40 if you're interested.


Reviving an old thread.

Anyone have experience with the newer GoPro Hero HD cam?

A friend has one that we've used skiing a few times and it worked pretty well except for once when the case fogged and the day's footage was useless.

PostPosted: Sun May 02, 2010 5:49 am
by SkydiveKen
We use the GoPro Surf hero at work. I use a custom made glove for a wrist mount to video tandem skydives. The Surf Hero has a wide angle lens that makes it incredibly easy to keep our students in frame. No view finder or LCD display but that has not proved to be an issue. GoPro has an HD model out that I hear the other skydivers are very happy with.

I am planning on taking one on my up coming climbs and maybe mount it on the bike just for kicks.

http://www.goprocamera.com/index.php?area=2&productid=7

PostPosted: Tue May 04, 2010 1:10 am
by Sierra Ledge Rat
The HD GoPro is just as good as the regular GPro - except it is HD.

Fogging in a waterproof case is expected unless you take certain basic precautions. If your friend's camera fogged while skiing, either the camera was wet, your hands were wet, or you got snow in the case at some point. Or perhaps the camera got cold and then when the case was opened some condensation formed on the camera -- changing SD card maybe?

In any case, fogging is always user error unless there is damage to the case.

The camera should not be too cool before it is placed into the waterproof case.

It is best to put the camera in the case in a low-humidity environment, like an air conditioned or heated room where ambient humidty is low.

The camera and case must be dry before you put the camera in the case. Your hands must be dry.

Small dessicant packs, available at camera stores, are useful for absorbing any residual mositure. Or stuff some toilet tissue around the camera.

I regularly use the GoPro underwater at shallow depths, and in high-humidity environments. Never had any problems with fogging. RainX on the lens helps prevent water droplets from adhering to the lens in watery environments.

PostPosted: Tue May 04, 2010 5:59 am
by ccs25
I have a Contour HD, not a bad little camera. Below is to a link to some helo training. First time I used it, just strapped it to my helmet and pressed record. Nothing special. When I cut it down you'll notice a purple line appearing, that's not in the original footage. Sorry for all the head movement, you need your head on a swivel up there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5G8iE8TuUE

PostPosted: Tue May 04, 2010 7:18 am
by JJ
www.slopeviews.com/onsnow-beta There is also footage of Will Gadd ice climbing with this rig in Ouray. Very Cool!!