GoPro or....

AntonHunter

Any thoughts welcomed, as I'm going round in circles with this a bit. I'm looking for a camera and could do with it fulfilling a few criteria....

- use as a webcam for online teaching (along with the inbuilt camera on my MacBook, so I can have one pointing at the guitar, and one at my face)
- use to film gigs when they start again, so it's not just a short-term purchase

Based on those two uses, I think I'd need it to run on mains power (not sure if this is possible with GoPros, do some of them have issues where the casing means this is tricky?), pass clean HDMI and not be total garbage in low light. 

I'd be happier not getting a GoPro as it doesn't need to be an action cam, a regular HD camcorder thing would be cool. But, yeah, any ideas?

steveb

Ive heard a couple of people say good things about these

https://www.gear4music.com/PA-DJ-and-Lighting/Zoom-Q2n-4k-Camera-for-Musicians/2SYQ?origin=product-ads&gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WGSx82mUfkoZzydtIOA8hxknXoOuF37JLi-rLKD_4y8c0ilpnN0UVBoCLSkQAvD_BwE

exocet

Personally I've found the video built in to mobile phones to be better than Go Pro.

I bought a GoPro 5 a couple of years ago and for gigs it was outshone by my old Samsung S6 in both Video and Audio quality.

AntonHunter

steveb said:

Ive heard a couple of people say good things about these

https://www.gear4music.com/PA-DJ-and-Lighting/Zoom-Q2n-4k-Camera-for-Musicians/2SYQ?origin=product-ads&gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WGSx82mUfkoZzydtIOA8hxknXoOuF37JLi-rLKD_4y8c0ilpnN0UVBoCLSkQAvD_BwE

Good shout, although the gig footage I've seen seems to be a bit dark.

exocet said:

Personally I've found the video built in to mobile phones to be better than Go Pro.

I bought a GoPro 5 a couple of years ago and for gigs it was outshone by my old Samsung S6 in both Video and Audio quality.

I think you're probably right, but I'm not sure that's an option for online teaching. And I wonder how the memory compares. 

spark240

AntonHunter said:

steveb said:

Ive heard a couple of people say good things about these

https://www.gear4music.com/PA-DJ-and-Lighting/Zoom-Q2n-4k-Camera-for-Musicians/2SYQ?origin=product-ads&gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WGSx82mUfkoZzydtIOA8hxknXoOuF37JLi-rLKD_4y8c0ilpnN0UVBoCLSkQAvD_BwE

Good shout, although the gig footage I've seen seems to be a bit dark.

exocet said:

Personally I've found the video built in to mobile phones to be better than Go Pro.

I bought a GoPro 5 a couple of years ago and for gigs it was outshone by my old Samsung S6 in both Video and Audio quality.

I think you're probably right, but I'm not sure that's an option for online teaching. And I wonder how the memory compares. 

Id say Go Pro is a little more durable and cheaper to replace when you drop it !

TTBZ

GoPro's are pretty terrible in anything with less than ideal lighting. The promo videos usually look great because they're outside with either good weather or snow which is highly reflective and bright. So for gigs you can expect it to be shite. The sensor is tiny so all you'll get is noise. I've used one mounted to the top of my stills camera when I was shooting a proper gig and even with decent pro lighting the footage is shit.

exocet

AntonHunter said:

steveb said:

Ive heard a couple of people say good things about these

https://www.gear4music.com/PA-DJ-and-Lighting/Zoom-Q2n-4k-Camera-for-Musicians/2SYQ?origin=product-ads&gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WGSx82mUfkoZzydtIOA8hxknXoOuF37JLi-rLKD_4y8c0ilpnN0UVBoCLSkQAvD_BwE

Good shout, although the gig footage I've seen seems to be a bit dark.

exocet said:

Personally I've found the video built in to mobile phones to be better than Go Pro.

I bought a GoPro 5 a couple of years ago and for gigs it was outshone by my old Samsung S6 in both Video and Audio quality.

I think you're probably right, but I'm not sure that's an option for online teaching. And I wonder how the memory compares. 

There are apps available to allow camera phones to be used as web cams to stream video.

I use a couple of adapters to mount it on a mic stand. 

Ulanzi Metal Phone Tripod https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06Y5HJCLY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_OmatFbMGTWP5T

Zacro 2pcs 1/4" Screw Mini Camera Ball Head, 360 Degree Swivel Bracket Holder Mount Ball head for DSLR Camera, Light Stand, Tripod https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B071774PTC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_cpatFbS150Z9Q

hollywoodrox

I would say buy a 2nd hand iPhone 5s or the old SE from CEX  it will be well under £100 and award winning  films have been shot on older iPhones ,plus there is an excellent app called filmic pro  and all sorts of add ons and gadgets. There is even an anamorphic lens for iPhone 5 etc.

i don’t use a mobile , mine has never had any credit on it since I bought it, just got it for the camera and a portable computer,plus I can use WhatsApp over WiFi .

a 5s costs about £60 or cheaper 

AntonHunter

Thanks for the replies all, maybe a dedicated phone-as-camera isn't such a bad idea.

@hollywoodrox - do you use yours to film whilst away from the computer? Decent enough storage on it?

exocet

AntonHunter said:

Thanks for the replies all, maybe a dedicated phone-as-camera isn't such a bad idea.

@hollywoodrox - do you use yours to film whilst away from the computer? Decent enough storage on it?

I can’t comment on iPhones  but Samsungs can access external storage via the USB / Charging connector.

hollywoodrox

AntonHunter said:

Thanks for the replies all, maybe a dedicated phone-as-camera isn't such a bad idea.

@hollywoodrox - do you use yours to film whilst away from the computer? Decent enough storage on it?

There’s the rub ,I have a 32gb so not a great deal of storage probably but it suits my budget and needs .  Exocet did make a good call on the Samsung  having external Storage. I do have some special sticks to put in mine but not sure if they are widely available they are called integral and have a lightning connector ,but I mainly use them on my iPad .

hollywoodrox

I had a look on CEX and you can get a 64gb a grade 5s for about £115  I find the grading quite good though so a B grade at £92 looks good . I’m guessing at this price you might pick up a 2nd hand DSLr too with the ability to video .

there are some good articles too like best budget camera for vlogging under £100 etc 
i would look at them too . A phone is very portable though 

i even got a ring light cheap off eBay for mine ,i’ll Post pic underneath 

hollywoodrox

A cheap holder plus a cheap ring light off eBay , it’s like everything else though, you get too busy playing/practicing to use it lol

spark240

Errr....is that vintage audio equipment there !

hollywoodrox

Yes sirree Bob , it’s a sharp gf 666 searcher ghetto blaster