Action-cam for upcoming trip?
Discussion
What say ye?
We're off to Thailand shortly and I have been mulling over getting an action cam. I'd almost certainly plumb for the DJI Osmo Action 4 (and now the 5 is out they've been reduced a little). I'd maybe go for the hiking kit with the mini-tripod-stick and the backpack strap mount.
Thing is, would it be actually worth while other than scratching years long itch?
I've had "should I get an action cam?" thoughts I think since the original Insta360 GO came out and each time I've sat on it and then not bothered. Always convinced myself it's going to be more effort than it's really worth and the results will be "Terry Bull". I have a Sony RX100 VA as my main travel shooter and I am very comfortable with travel photography. I also have my Pixel 8 smartphone which can take video if needed (and is waterproof as well). So If I want to take video I am kinda already covered in a way. I don't have a gimbal but a gorilla pod does get you half way there. But something in my head says "do it, get one!"
Would appreciate some thoughts on this because it's very easy to get visions in your head about how you'll take some great "travel vlog" style video for future reminiscing. But realistically..... is it just going to be a lot of faff for some wobbly, wide-aspect footage you'll never revisit? Has anyone else bought something like this with the exprressed view to capturing golden holiday moments on video rather than still?
Part of me thinks it will be worth it for the "experiment" alone. I can try it and then if it doesn't work out, punt the lot on eBay. Part of me thinks I'd get more use out of spending the money on an Asus RoG Ally gaming device
We're off to Thailand shortly and I have been mulling over getting an action cam. I'd almost certainly plumb for the DJI Osmo Action 4 (and now the 5 is out they've been reduced a little). I'd maybe go for the hiking kit with the mini-tripod-stick and the backpack strap mount.
Thing is, would it be actually worth while other than scratching years long itch?
I've had "should I get an action cam?" thoughts I think since the original Insta360 GO came out and each time I've sat on it and then not bothered. Always convinced myself it's going to be more effort than it's really worth and the results will be "Terry Bull". I have a Sony RX100 VA as my main travel shooter and I am very comfortable with travel photography. I also have my Pixel 8 smartphone which can take video if needed (and is waterproof as well). So If I want to take video I am kinda already covered in a way. I don't have a gimbal but a gorilla pod does get you half way there. But something in my head says "do it, get one!"
Would appreciate some thoughts on this because it's very easy to get visions in your head about how you'll take some great "travel vlog" style video for future reminiscing. But realistically..... is it just going to be a lot of faff for some wobbly, wide-aspect footage you'll never revisit? Has anyone else bought something like this with the exprressed view to capturing golden holiday moments on video rather than still?
Part of me thinks it will be worth it for the "experiment" alone. I can try it and then if it doesn't work out, punt the lot on eBay. Part of me thinks I'd get more use out of spending the money on an Asus RoG Ally gaming device
Oh yes - USA road trip this summer - new DSLR, and an Insta360 X3. Also had a dash cam to record the whole trip!!
The Insta - I found it really tricky before I went to get to grips with it - but learned how to record 360 deg footage and thought I would tackle the processing/editting when I got back.
The packages software is dead simple to use - limited by your imagination only - my imagination is lacking somewhat so absorbing all the experts on YT to work out how to make it much better.
IMO it is effing brilliant - I am not the most artful of people, so this, being able to just point and record, allows me to sort composition later. It needs plenty of batteries (they don't last long when recording at 5k etc) but we got a twin pack off Amazon in a charging case that do the trick.
I also bought a car mount but I bought cheap, and it just did not work. I also have the standard 1m selfie stick, and a 3m stick. It does this fancy trick of deleting the stick when recording so it does look a bit like a drone. I nearly played safe to buy a GoPro - so glad I didn't.
The first use in anger is at the link. Like I say, I still have the 360 footage so as I hone the editing technique, I hope to make this better. I don't think you can go wrong - does pretty good still photos too, but then, so does an iPhone.
The Insta - I found it really tricky before I went to get to grips with it - but learned how to record 360 deg footage and thought I would tackle the processing/editting when I got back.
The packages software is dead simple to use - limited by your imagination only - my imagination is lacking somewhat so absorbing all the experts on YT to work out how to make it much better.
IMO it is effing brilliant - I am not the most artful of people, so this, being able to just point and record, allows me to sort composition later. It needs plenty of batteries (they don't last long when recording at 5k etc) but we got a twin pack off Amazon in a charging case that do the trick.
I also bought a car mount but I bought cheap, and it just did not work. I also have the standard 1m selfie stick, and a 3m stick. It does this fancy trick of deleting the stick when recording so it does look a bit like a drone. I nearly played safe to buy a GoPro - so glad I didn't.
The first use in anger is at the link. Like I say, I still have the 360 footage so as I hone the editing technique, I hope to make this better. I don't think you can go wrong - does pretty good still photos too, but then, so does an iPhone.
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