Trad Gang

Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Ladams on September 02, 2011, 02:48:00 PM

Title: Action Camera
Post by: Ladams on September 02, 2011, 02:48:00 PM
How Many of you use a small action cam strapped to your bow or your hat to film a hunt, If so what cams do you recomend?
Title: Re: Action Camera
Post by: Onions on September 02, 2011, 02:50:00 PM
I don't have one but if I was going to buy one it would be the GoPro. HD, waterproof, shockproof and very small.

chris <><
Title: Re: Action Camera
Post by: Ladams on September 03, 2011, 09:55:00 PM
come on guys surley there are some of you that have filmed your hunts,I
would like to purchase a cam before season but I am having a tough time choosing the rite one.
Thanks
Title: Re: Action Camera
Post by: Ladams on September 03, 2011, 09:56:00 PM
Chris I too like the go pro but also like the contour hd, but cant find any info on how they preform in low light
Title: Re: Action Camera
Post by: excelpoint on September 04, 2011, 04:56:00 AM
I have the Contour HD. Great camera. Bit more compact then the Go Pro. I use mine strapped to my head. Low light footage is pretty good but like any camera (go pro included) with a small sensor, low light performance is not going to be optimized.

I have also just bought a 2X zoom lens for the Contour. Will see how that goes when it arrives.
Title: Re: Action Camera
Post by: Gray Buffalo on September 04, 2011, 10:43:00 AM
I have and like the go prd. the only problem I have with is the sound is not real clear
Title: Re: Action Camera
Post by: ckanous on September 04, 2011, 04:48:00 PM
Here is my Epic cam mounted on a stabilizer on my Hoyt. It films alot better when mounted to something besides the bow. It is pretty loud and the aftershock is pretty annoying to watch but also kind of neat to see a shot from this perspective.
(http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc244/ckanous/IMAG0100-1.jpg)
Title: Re: Action Camera
Post by: Ladams on September 04, 2011, 11:13:00 PM
I would love to here the results of the zoom lens,
thanks guys for the input,
Title: Re: Action Camera
Post by: excelpoint on September 05, 2011, 03:57:00 AM
I will let you know when it arrives.
Title: Re: Action Camera
Post by: sidebuster on September 05, 2011, 09:53:00 AM
You can buy eyeglasses that act as a camcorder
Pretty decent videos.  The company is i Kam extreme and not that expensive.

Here is a link describing them

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8xTtFZzsW8
Title: Re: Action Camera
Post by: oxnam on September 05, 2011, 02:58:00 PM
One problem you'll find is that it is difficult to keep them pointed where you want them to record.  

I put one on a head band to try and record.  For walking around footage, having it positioned between my ear and temple worked great.  But if I was shooting the bow, I had to have it clear back on the back left portion of my head.  So if I shot an animal I had to conciously remember to keep my head in it's "shooting position" in order to continue to get footage of the subject/target after the shot.

Then I built a leveling mount so I could attach it to the bow, but that produced poor results because of the vibration and movement upon release.  The mount didn't have any vibration reducing parts so that could possibly be improved.

Just realize before you buy one, that getting great footage (shot to impact)is difficult and will take some creativity.

I looked at iKam, but no one ever has their face square to the target so I don't know how someone could ever keep their subject centered.
Title: Re: Action Camera
Post by: acollins on September 05, 2011, 03:12:00 PM
I have this one for sale I know this is not the place to put this.  I figured if would get the most looks here.  Price is 50 dollars shipped records to an SD card.  I have hooked it to my bow and my gun before.  If interested please let me know by PM.

(http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii248/ashhcollins/007-1.jpg)
Title: Re: Action Camera
Post by: excelpoint on September 05, 2011, 03:24:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by oxnam:
One problem you'll find is that it is difficult to keep them pointed where you want them to record.  

I put one on a head band to try and record.  For walking around footage, having it positioned between my ear and temple worked great.  But if I was shooting the bow, I had to have it clear back on the back left portion of my head.  So if I shot an animal I had to conciously remember to keep my head in it's "shooting position" in order to continue to get footage of the subject/target after the shot.


Then I built a leveling mount so I could attach it to the bow, but that produced poor results because of the vibration and

movement upon release.  The mount didn't have any vibration reducing parts so that could possibly be improved.

Just realize before you buy one, that getting great footage
(shot to impact)is difficult and will take some creativity.

I looked at iKam, but no one ever has their face square to the target so I don't know how someone could ever keep their
subject centered.
With the newer cameras like the Contour and Go Pro it is not too bad getting the shot as well as follow up footage. They have an extremly wide angle of view around about 120 to 130 degree.

My Contour HD has two lazers that I use to align the camera. I set if up with the bow in the shooting position so the lazers are pointing slightly right of the bow (right hand shooter, camera on Left side of head). This allows for good point of impact as well as good footage when stalking.
Title: Re: Action Camera
Post by: trad_bowhunter1965 on September 05, 2011, 04:26:00 PM
Maybe pull all of our video footage and make a DVD
Title: Re: Action Camera
Post by: toppredator on September 05, 2011, 04:45:00 PM
I had an Epic cam mounted on my bow for a little bit and absolutely hated the footage it gave me.  It was like watching The Blair Witch Project, really shaky and grainy.  I went to a small Panasonic camcorder that I mount on a tree arm and have been really happy with that instead.  Just my opinion, hope this helps.  TRW
Title: Re: Action Camera
Post by: excelpoint on September 05, 2011, 05:53:00 PM
If you follow the link below you will see a little footage I did first time out with the cam. In the second post click on VIMEO
 http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=75;t=000399
Title: Re: Action Camera
Post by: Onlyaspike on September 05, 2011, 08:04:00 PM
can you take a pic of this camera while mounted on your headstrap? Is it awkward at all while shooting? I want some type of camera(i.e. Contour,GoPro,Playsport) to do a little self videoing this fall, and Im totally confused about which one to get. I like the Contour and GoPro because they'll allow a headmount to eliminate vibration during the shot. But I like the ease of use if it was mounted to the bow...The playsport has a 3x zoom and Ive seen it mounted with a "insane" mount and had little vibe. You could also use the zoom while mounted with your fingertip. Im more confused now then when I started looking......
Title: Re: Action Camera
Post by: White Falcon on September 05, 2011, 08:26:00 PM
I use the Go Pro for hunting and Kayaking!
Title: Re: Action Camera
Post by: Scott Beitzel on September 05, 2011, 08:31:00 PM
i just bought a midland xtc extreme action camara
from dunhams and have tried it out a couple of time from here on the porch shooting the bag with the bow . not to bad . it comes with a visor mount bow mount tree mount and one you can put on the handlebars of a bike .
it was 100.00 but also had a 30 dollor mail in rebate so not bad for 60 bucks and with a card willt ake two hours of sound and video. can't wait for season to open up to try it .

Scott
Title: Re: Action Camera
Post by: excelpoint on September 06, 2011, 01:10:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by Onlyaspike:
can you take a pic of this camera while mounted on your headstrap? Is it awkward at all while shooting? I want some type of camera(i.e. Contour,GoPro,Playsport) to do a little self videoing this fall, and Im totally confused about which one to get. I like the Contour and GoPro because they'll allow a headmount to eliminate vibration during the shot. But I like the ease of use if it was mounted to the bow...The playsport has a 3x zoom and Ive seen it mounted with a "insane" mount and had little vibe. You could also use the zoom while mounted with your fingertip. Im more confused now then when I started looking......
The Contour is very easy to use while hunting especially with gloves on as the record button is a big slide button on top of the unit so no fiddling with small buttons etc. Here is a quick pic with me wearing it.

(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m95/excelpoint/P1030221.jpg)
Title: Re: Action Camera
Post by: excelpoint on September 06, 2011, 01:16:00 AM
The Kodak Playsport ZX5 is a nice little camera but not really suitable as a Point Of View Camera which was what I was after, hence the purchase of the Contour. I've watched a fair bit of bow mounted camera footage and have not seen any yet that you didnt lose the field of view at the shot due to the jump from the bow on release.
Title: Re: Action Camera
Post by: excelpoint on September 06, 2011, 01:19:00 AM
Here is another little clip I put together.

    http://vimeo.com/26898717
Title: Re: Action Camera
Post by: LeeBishop on September 06, 2011, 02:17:00 AM
I use a Kodak Playsport ZX5 for things like this. I'm going to try and record my first trad kill with it. I'm going after a bear that I've run across here in the mountains.

I will post video for you guys when I finish it.

The camera records in 1080p quality. It's slim so you can put it in your pocket, waterproof (to 10ft), shock proof and, unlike the GoPro, it has a LCD on the back so you can frame your shots.

If you get a GoPro then you have to upgrade $75 for their LCD to put on the back of the camera.

The Kodak Playsport ZX5 cost about $100 at Wal-mart right now. A GoPro will cost you $250.
Title: Re: Action Camera
Post by: Ladams on September 06, 2011, 03:17:00 PM
The aiming thing has me a little concerned if worn on the head but i think it will work good atached to the bow if the shock is not too much, thanks for the input guys,acollins i sent you a PM
Thanks
Title: Re: Action Camera
Post by: excelpoint on September 06, 2011, 03:32:00 PM
You can see from the two vids that I posted that aiming is not an issue. The Contour has two lazers that help line it up. The angle of view is plenty big enough to get both the shot and stalking in just shooting normally.
Title: Re: Action Camera
Post by: oxnam on September 06, 2011, 04:16:00 PM
I just watched the video, it has a fair amount of "fish eye" effect but actually looks like pretty good footage.  With the wide angle shots, the impacts never show up very well though.  I like the advancements we are seeing in this type of technology.

Off topic:  It looks like Luke (I think it was him) has a lot more draw length available that he is missing out on.
Title: Re: Action Camera
Post by: acollins on September 06, 2011, 04:37:00 PM
I have traded my camera for a quiver.  Thanks for all the interest in it.
Title: Re: Action Camera
Post by: joekeith on September 06, 2011, 06:58:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Ladams:
The aiming thing has me a little concerned if worn on the head but i think it will work good atached to the bow if the shock is not too much,  
One bad thing about being attatched to the bow is AFTER the shot.  Hard to keep the bow up and pointed the whole time.  :dunno:
Title: Re: Action Camera
Post by: LeeBishop on September 06, 2011, 07:14:00 PM
If you have a branch near your lean-to stand then you can attach the camera with a gorilla pod (flexible tripods that grip what they're wrapped around) to the branch towards your scent dripper, mineral deposit or trail.

Then when you make the kill shot you can pick up the camera and talk to it if you are wanting. Just edit the clips together properly and it won't look like raw footage.

You could even just wrap the tripod around part of the lean-to.

I think I'm going to build myself a quick mount
since I have a couple of extra little heads for camcorders. Obviously I won't be putting them on my bow since I don't have a tap for a stabilizer. I only have that option with my compound(which I don't think I will use anymore)

But you can buy two Kodak Playsports for what you  have to pay for one GoPro
Title: Re: Action Camera
Post by: excelpoint on September 06, 2011, 07:54:00 PM
For me I do not hunt from stands or over feeders (illegal here in Australia ) it's all spot and stalk so a hand held camera is not an option that's why I use a head mounted cam like my Contour. Horses for Coarses I guess.