Need your input. Filming equipment choice

[outcrydrummer]

Ok guys so I need some help deciding here.............

I have a few hundred bucks that I want to put into some sort of filming equipment. I have a small low key youtube channel that I'm trying to grow a little and looking to step up my filming game.

I want to do a lot of yard race kart filming (with friends with racing karts) and just some general videos on some builds coming up.

Here is what I had it narrowed down to.

New(used craigslist) Gopro Hero 5 black
I choose this camera because of the 2.7k stabilized filming and they now provide a gps overlay on the video's (if you choose to) that shows G-force, speed, and a map.
I thought this might be really cool for pov filming on my racing kart and motorcycle etc.

Phantom 3 standard / aee ap11 drone
Both of these drones can be bought used for around the same money as the Gopro. They both have a follow me feature and are already equipped with 2.7k camera's.
The ap11 has a bracelet for the follow me function would be nice for riding in the racing kart while the phantom 3 standard follows the flight controller.....no real good way to strap that on a racing kart or drift trike.

Both serve a distinct purpose but both could be used to film general episodes as well on builds.
The drone offers the cool areal video's while the Gopro will shoot 4k video unstabilized (perfect for build episodes when the camera is stationary) and the GPS overlay is really sweet for comparing gear changes, performance mods to the engine etc.

I thought it might be cool to strap a stock predator 212 to my racing kart and do a top speed run and acceleration test. Then install the stage 1/2 nr racing kit and do the same test and compare. Then remove governor completely and install billet rod and springs and retest etc.
I figured that would be a really good video for viewers on what to expect for the money on a mild predator build.

What ya think

 

[itsid]

drones are cool..
but what's the aerial speed, what's the legal standing for using video drones in public in your area?
can they keep up with a go kart or are they meant to follow you jogging, or maybe on a bike.

what's they're collision detector worth? do they end up in trees or powerlines while you were driving?
What's the dead battery warning
(does it drop out of the sky if you don't hear the buzzer?, does it just land in the middle of the street to get roleld over by a truck?)

IDK, cool.. some footage is really nice... I like drones

but frankly:
personally I'm for the GoPro

you can fab a small'ish camera pole you mount on your kart (say like a kiddie flag) to get some closeup 3rd person footage

and if your battery dies during the ride, you do not have to go searching for it, it's strapped to the kart.

And as you just said: you can 4k record if you like.

'sid

PS drones are getting cheaper by the minute ... (or better per buck if you want to see it that way) there's still time for getting one later this year

 

[outcrydrummer]

Valid points sid
In my area i can fly drones without restriction but a few miles closer id be in the zone where i would need to call the airport and inform them before flying.
Both of those drones will return to home with signal loss or low battery so were good there.
They wont keep up with the kart flat out on a straight long stretch but in the yard would be no issue.
Most.can cruise around 20 to 30 mph with a max speed of 40 mph or so depending on the drone.

The go pro is seeming to be the smart choice for a first purchase. I like the idea of a stick for a 3rd person view.......that would be cool and easy to fabricate.

 

[frostyflammable]

I like my GoPro, however I am less than impressed with the low light quality. May not be an issue for you if you do mostly daytime / well lit shooting, just something to keep in mind.

--Dan

 

[pRoFiT]

sid, great idea. Was thinking about the same thing last night. Fabricate a flag like poll on the rear of the kart to hold a camera. Maybe build a clamp on one end so it can be moved around the kart easily. Luckly the company i work for made its start building camera mounts! Should be some good parts laying around here.

second thought, maybe ours are too big! time to fab something up.

 

[chancer]

I like the quality of whatever you are using for you "in shop" Videos so far.
I think Drone footage is amazingly Cool!
I do not like Go pro Helmet cam footage. For first person Filming.
Guys want to show off their new kart and it is never in the Video! Lame.
You need a Camera man, or chase vehicle.
Which takes us back to the Drone in "follow me"mode.
I Vote Drone.

 

[itsid]

true.. helmet cams are ANNOYING as -that warm place near the molten planet core-
they wobble, always "look" in the wrong direction with the wrong FOV...
you see wither a set of feet, or are barely able to see the road.

NO helmet cams!
there's a nice cam stabilizer (pan tilt gyro) that produces much much better results than any software (no distortions) but it's not too cheap I'm afraid.

good cam tests IMHO are from a guy called techmoan on yt (british.. products are still the same though )

Anywhoo, a rigid mount (or better a pan tilt gyro mount) instead of helmet.. helmet mounted cam footage is crap 99.9% of all times.
If you need a helmet mounted cam.. at least check the FOV

Still I'm pro GoPro in this poll
And yes, I like drone footage myself... but right now, IMHO it's only the second best thing for everything but live action footage...

'sid

 

[chancer]

The gyro stabilizers are the trick to any mini cam. At least for viewer enjoyment.
"pan tilt Gyro mount" good to know

 

[itsid]

if you want to look it up, I think "stabilized Gimbal" yields better results
I can't find the handheld phone - thingamabob techmoan tested last year.. it was sooooo beautiful ... (and expensive )

anyways, some are cheap and good, you need nothing too fancy for something the size of a gopro really

'sid

 

[outcrydrummer]

It would be nice to find a all in one solution.
Possibly by a separate 3 axis gyro to mount the drone camera to for 3rd person kart footage, chase vehicle etc.

---------- Post added at 08:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:01 PM ----------

Sid I have seen a few of the hand held cell phone gimbals on amazon etc but can never find one that will attach to tubing or anything but hand held really.

---------- Post added at 08:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:04 PM ----------

Nvmd. I see they accept go pro accessories etc with a 1/4 x 20 threaded hole on the bottom for the most part.

 

[outcrydrummer]

Ok guys bumping this up.
Added a pole.....

I have around 350 bucks to play with here.
Need something to keep my video's going and keep me motivated.

The Options:

1) Buy a used GoPro hero 5 black. Record POV race kart and drift trike action with GPS (MPH) overlays

2) Buy a used phantom 3 standard drone. Get some drone footage and attempt to get along side footage of racing kart and drift trike.

3) Buy NR Racing stage 3 kit. Build the kart hemi with ; billet conrod, billet flywheel, mod 2 cam, bored carb, 18lb springs, thin head gasket, etc. The attempt here would be to hopefully be able to do ridiculous gearing (11/67) in an attempt with the new power to be able to create a combination that will do a good burnout.
The burnout isn't really the goal but would be a sweet gauge of power. By burnout I don't mean chalking the front wheels I mean put it in my driveway with some water and see if it will smoke the slicks (either 10" or 8" ) with the power and gearing.

I prefer option 3 but I also know I need better filming equipment too...... dang I hate having to pay bills LOL

 

[KartFab]

So, I used a $100 canon Vixia hf R400 camcorder that films in 60fps 1080p for most of my videos (including all of my videos on "how to build a go kart" playlist here --> https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzJ0LQjPgipfr9mDUN1PEpkcigEcKjuxK

So its not so much how much you spend on equipment, but your eye for storytelling and getting good shots. So literally $100.... I even recorded some of the voice overs on my videos, including the first one on some crappy $20 webcam mic. Ive since upgraded my camera to a canon 80d, and have the phantom 4, two go pro sessions, one go pro black, and just got a 3 axis gimbal for my DSLR to get some good shots. With that said, everything has its place, and even a $100 old camcorder will get the job done i don't want to trash talk what I have or what you should/shouldn't get, but everything has a place, and can be overused. I now use my equipment like this:

DSLR canon 80D main camera, great all around, but has its quirks since its a dslr, makes me miss having that little camcorder. If zooming in too much you can get way too much bokeh/depth of field issues, so footage looks like crap and drives people crazy. Its good to keep it zoomed out for most shots. Also good for doing B-roll footage (stuff you mix into your main video when people are talking etc.

Go Pro's only good for short shorts, helmet cam is annoying, but good to put in places where you wouldnt want to trash your main camera.

drone only good for establishing shots, and other short shots, drone footage is over used, and should be intermittent, just like go pros it has its place for mixing footage into what you are doing.

Just my thoughts, mostly from an amateur hobbyist video guy.

 

[outcrydrummer]

Thanks for the info and tips KartFab.
I intend to use a camera or possibly just my phone for how to's etc main footage.
The S6 with the right camera app is pretty awesome. Microphone is pretty good and it will shoot 2.7k video so hey I can't complain lol.

I definitely agree that helmet cam stuff is kind of obnoxious. If I got the go pro I would want to mount it behind me off of the frame of the karts etc. The Gopro would then have to be coupled with a stabilizer for sure but the video stabilization would work for a little bit until then I'm sure.

 

[Rail rider]

sid, great idea. Was thinking about the same thing last night. Fabricate a flag like poll on the rear of the kart to hold a camera. Maybe build a clamp on one end so it can be moved around the kart easily. Luckly the company i work for made its start building camera mounts! Should be some good parts laying around here.

second thought, maybe ours are too big! time to fab something up.

Dollar stores sale selfie sticks for a buck .I like the clamps they use...

 

[chancer]

2SlickNick has used his Selfie stick on his mini bike. I think it actually makes for some decent shots compared to helmet cam. Might be a neat little tool to try Cheap enough for sure.
That coupled with the Drone, I voted Drone. and your Phone for the how to's.
I think you are headed in the right direction.

 

[outcrydrummer]

Dollar stores sale selfie sticks for a buck .I like the clamps they use...

Nice I will have to check that out.
Is that at like dollar general or other dollar stores??

---------- Post added at 07:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:13 PM ----------

On a side note... anyone know why I can't see the poll??? LOL
I voted to try and see if it would show up then but still noting.
I don't even see an option anymore to view poll results haha

 

[itsid]

you set it up as hidden... thus you cannot see the poll results until it runs out ;
and you cannot see the ballot either since you already voted

'sid

 

[outcrydrummer]

you set it up as hidden... thus you cannot see the poll results until it runs out ;
and you cannot see the ballot either since you already voted

'sid

Is it default as hidden??
I didn't change any of the default settings with the exception of the poll option numbers?????????

Oh well

 

[itsid]

Uhm.. nope..

I see what's going on, IDK if that's intentional though...
please hang on, I need to check with Robert.

Oh and nothing to see really.. unfortunately there is NO conclusive result, not even an exclusive one ... 6 votes.. two each *shrugs*

'sid

 

[outcrydrummer]

Itsid, chancer was saying maybe the polls were disabled on the forum to conceal the voting results for build off. Seems like a legit reason.