POV Hunting at DVinfo.net

James J. Lee · September 16th, 2009, 07:00 AM

I have some clients that asked me to do some research on POV cams. Their plan is to mount 2-3 cameras to cover deer hunts from a fixed position. Videos will be presented on web. Priorities are: 1) 720 or 1080 resolution 2)Long Battery life/record time (hunts last up to 4 hrs.), 3)remote activation if possible, 4) Good durability (water resistance, temps down to @0F.) 5)Price (max about $300.
Any ideas appreciated.

Jim Martin · September 16th, 2009, 12:00 PM

There is the ContourHD small camera that might work for you...small, weater resistant, HD,etc...their web site is: HD Helmet Camera - ContourHD by VholdR They are just getting them out and we have 20+ on order but have only received 2 or 3 so far here at Filmtools.

Jim Martin

James J. Lee · September 16th, 2009, 08:54 PM

Thanks Jim, I do have my sights on that one. Just wondering what the options are. If this does not have some type of remote switch, I think battery life/record time, could be an issue. Also think my clients would be more comfortable with set-up if they had some way to monitor the image. Any ideas? Is Contour HD the only game in town for HD right now?

Shawn McCalip · September 17th, 2009, 12:52 AM

Well, there's also this:
Sony | HXR-MC1 Digital HD Video Camera Recorder | HXR-MC1/ACC

But it's much more expensive than the ContourHD. I'd love to pick up a couple of these, but at nearly $3k a piece, I might have to settle on the Contour. Of course, if price is no obstacle, then go for it!

Panasonic also released a model similar to the Sony for a similar price, but I can't remember the name off hand...

Jim Martin · September 17th, 2009, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawn McCalip

Well, there's also this:
Sony | HXR-MC1 Digital HD Video Camera Recorder | HXR-MC1/ACC

But it's much more expensive than the ContourHD. I'd love to pick up a couple of these, but at nearly $3k a piece, I might have to settle on the Contour. Of course, if price is no obstacle, then go for it!

Panasonic also released a model similar to the Sony for a similar price, but I can't remember the name off hand...

The Panasonic one has been discontinued and was about $2k and needed its separate power unit to work

Jim Martin

Marcus Martell · November 19th, 2009, 05:05 AM

THe point is: CONTOURHD (WITH1080p) or GOPROHD?Any thoughts?

James J. Lee · November 19th, 2009, 06:42 AM

As a follow up, I ended up getting the ContourHD. I like it though I sometimes wonder if I would have been better off with one of the tiny handicams. You can learn a lot about it's strengths and weaknesses here: http://www.vholdr.com/forums/contourhd-0
The biggest pain is that ridiculous rail mount system. They've decided to try to make their fortunes by selling mounts evidently instead of having a simple tripod mount machined into the unit so we could use our existing options.
On the other hand, it's so light that gaffer's tape holds it just about anywhere.

Marcus Martell · November 20th, 2009, 01:36 AM

Hey James i saw yor site: u 'r a terrific photographer!5 stars bro!
BTW going back to theese little cams:
i was planning to buy the contour for the cockpit shooting on both jets or helicopters....
What's your experience in that?

thx
once again u r an awesome photographer

James J. Lee · November 20th, 2009, 06:47 AM

Hey, Thanks Marcus. Just learning the video game though. I haven't shot video from cockpits but have been in a lot of plane and helo cockpits with my still cameras. The big problem with them is the harsh contrast between outside and in that no camera will handle. You generally have to choose whether the highlights are more important or the shadows and since these little cams have no exposure control, they'd be a real PITA. Unless, you're talking about shooting directly out through the window? If so, you'll likely be good. These little single chip cams just need a lot of light.

Larry Hill · January 7th, 2010, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Martin

The Panasonic one has been discontinued and was about $2k and needed its separate power unit to work

Jim Martin

I just ran across this thread and couldn't help but comment that B&H shows the Panny AG-HCK10 and AG-HMR10 in stock, though together with a proprietary 9' connecting cable this outfit will set you back $4183.85....

Robert Turchick · January 7th, 2010, 11:19 PM

I have a Contour HD and my biggest complaint is the lens distortion. Plus is has a really hard time going from full sunlight to shadows. The GoPro is in the same boat. I wish there was a middle ground for HD POV cams rather than the jump from $300 to $3k for the Sony. 2 hours is the max battery life on these cams and the Contour has no way to add a bigger battery as it's a proprietary one. I am currently researching which flash memory camcorders will do the same job but look better. Some are not that much bigger and have image stabilization, auto focus and auto iris as well as the ability to take lens adapters or filters AND bigger batteries. We'll see!

Jon Wilson · February 9th, 2010, 09:27 PM

Hi Robert,

I have similar misgivings with the Contour HD. I've run it side by side with the GoPro and my results show the GoPro have a distinctively better image but neither do well in very low light. In my opinion the lens in the Contour HD 1080 is of low standard but I'm impressed with the GoPro.
The battery life is a real pain and also the availability of spare batteries is an issue I hope GoPro can address.
On another issue of after sale back up (which is also a consideration). I recently purchased a Contour HD that has malfunctioned and I'm finding it difficult to get my money back from the retailer. After supplying footage detailing the malfunctioning camera and getting vague responses from the retailer I've now contacted the manufacturer for a response. I'll update the post with their response when i have it.

James J. Lee · February 9th, 2010, 09:38 PM

I had a problem with my mount on the Contour HD. Have I mentioned it's a stupid set-up? Anyway, I've got to give the manufactures credit, they responded quickly and shipped me a new flat mount within days. I get the feeling that we users of the Contour line are all product testers helping to refine the product. They are changing/improving so fast, I think there should be a trade-in special for "early adopters."
Still, I'm pretty satisfied with it for the price. I bought it to use to get extra b-roll from angles I couldn't get otherwise and it works OK for that purpose and at that price.

Stefano Sernagiotto · February 12th, 2010, 03:23 AM

So the Go pro seems to be a better choice,isn't it? I wanna bring it on a Cessna, what are your thought about the mounts i should buy?Thanks a lot

Jon Wilson · February 12th, 2010, 06:46 AM

Regarding the mounts for the GoPro Stefano. I have used the suction cup mount and the Roll Bar mount to good effect in small spaces such as cockpits and car interiors. I also have the grab bag of mounts which you can purchase and contain a series of adhesive mounts and bits and pieces. Its a good idea to get a few of these mount applications so you have some options.

September 16th, 2009, 07:00 AM	#1
James J. Lee Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Triad Area, NC Posts: 99	POV Hunting I have some clients that asked me to do some research on POV cams. Their plan is to mount 2-3 cameras to cover deer hunts from a fixed position. Videos will be presented on web. Priorities are: 1) 720 or 1080 resolution 2)Long Battery life/record time (hunts last up to 4 hrs.), 3)remote activation if possible, 4) Good durability (water resistance, temps down to @0F.) 5)Price (max about $300. Any ideas appreciated. __________________ J.Lee Photography, LLC http://www.jamesjlee.com

September 16th, 2009, 08:54 PM	#3
James J. Lee Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Triad Area, NC Posts: 99	VR Hold Thanks Jim, I do have my sights on that one. Just wondering what the options are. If this does not have some type of remote switch, I think battery life/record time, could be an issue. Also think my clients would be more comfortable with set-up if they had some way to monitor the image. Any ideas? Is Contour HD the only game in town for HD right now? __________________ J.Lee Photography, LLC http://www.jamesjlee.com

November 19th, 2009, 06:42 AM	#7
James J. Lee Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Triad Area, NC Posts: 99	Got the ContourHD As a follow up, I ended up getting the ContourHD. I like it though I sometimes wonder if I would have been better off with one of the tiny handicams. You can learn a lot about it's strengths and weaknesses here: http://www.vholdr.com/forums/contourhd-0 The biggest pain is that ridiculous rail mount system. They've decided to try to make their fortunes by selling mounts evidently instead of having a simple tripod mount machined into the unit so we could use our existing options. On the other hand, it's so light that gaffer's tape holds it just about anywhere. __________________ J.Lee Photography, LLC http://www.jamesjlee.com

November 20th, 2009, 06:47 AM	#9
James J. Lee Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Triad Area, NC Posts: 99	Cockpits Hey, Thanks Marcus. Just learning the video game though. I haven't shot video from cockpits but have been in a lot of plane and helo cockpits with my still cameras. The big problem with them is the harsh contrast between outside and in that no camera will handle. You generally have to choose whether the highlights are more important or the shadows and since these little cams have no exposure control, they'd be a real PITA. Unless, you're talking about shooting directly out through the window? If so, you'll likely be good. These little single chip cams just need a lot of light. __________________ J.Lee Photography, LLC http://www.jamesjlee.com

January 7th, 2010, 11:19 PM	#11
Robert Turchick Trustee Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 1,389	I have a Contour HD and my biggest complaint is the lens distortion. Plus is has a really hard time going from full sunlight to shadows. The GoPro is in the same boat. I wish there was a middle ground for HD POV cams rather than the jump from $300 to $3k for the Sony. 2 hours is the max battery life on these cams and the Contour has no way to add a bigger battery as it's a proprietary one. I am currently researching which flash memory camcorders will do the same job but look better. Some are not that much bigger and have image stabilization, auto focus and auto iris as well as the ability to take lens adapters or filters AND bigger batteries. We'll see! __________________ The older I get, the better I was!

September 16th, 2009, 12:00 PM	#2
Jim Martin Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Burbank, CA 91502 Posts: 949	There is the ContourHD small camera that might work for you...small, weater resistant, HD,etc...their web site is: HD Helmet Camera - ContourHD by VholdR They are just getting them out and we have 20+ on order but have only received 2 or 3 so far here at Filmtools. Jim Martin

September 17th, 2009, 12:52 AM	#4
Shawn McCalip Major Player Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Anchorage, AK Posts: 315	Well, there's also this: Sony \| HXR-MC1 Digital HD Video Camera Recorder \| HXR-MC1/ACC But it's much more expensive than the ContourHD. I'd love to pick up a couple of these, but at nearly $3k a piece, I might have to settle on the Contour. Of course, if price is no obstacle, then go for it! Panasonic also released a model similar to the Sony for a similar price, but I can't remember the name off hand...

November 19th, 2009, 05:05 AM	#6
Marcus Martell Trustee Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: spain Posts: 1,202	THe point is: CONTOURHD (WITH1080p) or GOPROHD?Any thoughts?

November 20th, 2009, 01:36 AM	#8
Marcus Martell Trustee Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: spain Posts: 1,202	Hey James i saw yor site: u 'r a terrific photographer!5 stars bro! BTW going back to theese little cams: i was planning to buy the contour for the cockpit shooting on both jets or helicopters.... What's your experience in that? thx once again u r an awesome photographer

February 9th, 2010, 09:27 PM	#12
Jon Wilson New Boot Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Hervey Bay, Australia Posts: 19	Contour HD Hi Robert, I have similar misgivings with the Contour HD. I've run it side by side with the GoPro and my results show the GoPro have a distinctively better image but neither do well in very low light. In my opinion the lens in the Contour HD 1080 is of low standard but I'm impressed with the GoPro. The battery life is a real pain and also the availability of spare batteries is an issue I hope GoPro can address. On another issue of after sale back up (which is also a consideration). I recently purchased a Contour HD that has malfunctioned and I'm finding it difficult to get my money back from the retailer. After supplying footage detailing the malfunctioning camera and getting vague responses from the retailer I've now contacted the manufacturer for a response. I'll update the post with their response when i have it.

February 9th, 2010, 09:38 PM	#13
James J. Lee Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Triad Area, NC Posts: 99	Good Service I had a problem with my mount on the Contour HD. Have I mentioned it's a stupid set-up? Anyway, I've got to give the manufactures credit, they responded quickly and shipped me a new flat mount within days. I get the feeling that we users of the Contour line are all product testers helping to refine the product. They are changing/improving so fast, I think there should be a trade-in special for "early adopters." Still, I'm pretty satisfied with it for the price. I bought it to use to get extra b-roll from angles I couldn't get otherwise and it works OK for that purpose and at that price. __________________ J.Lee Photography, LLC http://www.jamesjlee.com

February 12th, 2010, 03:23 AM	#14
Stefano Sernagiotto Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Rome Italy Posts: 28	So the Go pro seems to be a better choice,isn't it? I wanna bring it on a Cessna, what are your thought about the mounts i should buy?Thanks a lot

February 12th, 2010, 06:46 AM	#15
Jon Wilson New Boot Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Hervey Bay, Australia Posts: 19	Regarding the mounts for the GoPro Stefano. I have used the suction cup mount and the Roll Bar mount to good effect in small spaces such as cockpits and car interiors. I also have the grab bag of mounts which you can purchase and contain a series of adhesive mounts and bits and pieces. Its a good idea to get a few of these mount applications so you have some options.