BrianOrange
Contributor
Here are some thoughts, insights, etc on the GoPro camera specifically meant for newbies like me. Many people on here might be used to taking photos, video, etc underwater. But if anyone is like me, the GoPro was my first attempt to take any type of picture underwater. This post is meant for the newbies like myself.
First, the GoPro is a great camera. It's easy to use and pretty straight forward. There isn't some huge manuel to study or thousands or cables and cords to set up. It's pretty much ready to go on arrival. Read the manuel that does come with it -- it's pretty small -- and just play around with the camera. Take some photos inside, practice loading them on your computer, etc.
Here are some general thoughts, insights, hints:
-Assuming your purchase a flat lens, look online and call place you got the lens to help you install it. There are a few videos on Youtube that will give you a few hints. Everyone said it's easy to install. This is correct if you are familiar with these types of things. But if you were like me -- ZERO experience with a camera and it's parts -- while it's still fairly simple, it's not as cut and dry as people on here would have you believe. So call and look around for help if you need it.
-Once you install the flat lens, while it's probably common knowledge, TEST it first (obviously do this without the camera inside the waterproof case). Run it under a faucet, put it in a bathtub, etc. You see any water in the case and you know something is off. If not, you should be good.
-First dive with everything ready to go, do the dive without the camera inside just to test for any last leaks. I did this and it really gives you a peace of mind that when you finally put the camera in the case and dive with it, you won't ruin your $300 investment on the first chance.
-Head strap -- it works. I dove with just the strap and was fine. Now, I was frequently making sure it was still snug on my head. You should do this. Once or twice I did strap it back down and it did feel like it was close to coming off. But like I said, keep it snug and you should be fine and it will work for you.
-Bubbles in field of vision -- NOT a problem whatsoever.
-If you want to just shoot video here and there and not just once long rip of video -- i.e. 1 minute of video here, 3 minutes there, etc -- that is fine but realize you are adding more files and you have a limit of something like 15 or 16 files the camera can hold before you have to move or delete them. At 15 or 16 you will no longer be able to take video.
-Some of the best shots I got were on the boat and on the boat looking down INTO the water. Just great color and so vibrant.
Overall it's a great camera with a big "wow" factor when you first show other people. Easy to use, well worth the money.
Hope this helps. Any advice, set me a message!
Brian
First, the GoPro is a great camera. It's easy to use and pretty straight forward. There isn't some huge manuel to study or thousands or cables and cords to set up. It's pretty much ready to go on arrival. Read the manuel that does come with it -- it's pretty small -- and just play around with the camera. Take some photos inside, practice loading them on your computer, etc.
Here are some general thoughts, insights, hints:
-Assuming your purchase a flat lens, look online and call place you got the lens to help you install it. There are a few videos on Youtube that will give you a few hints. Everyone said it's easy to install. This is correct if you are familiar with these types of things. But if you were like me -- ZERO experience with a camera and it's parts -- while it's still fairly simple, it's not as cut and dry as people on here would have you believe. So call and look around for help if you need it.
-Once you install the flat lens, while it's probably common knowledge, TEST it first (obviously do this without the camera inside the waterproof case). Run it under a faucet, put it in a bathtub, etc. You see any water in the case and you know something is off. If not, you should be good.
-First dive with everything ready to go, do the dive without the camera inside just to test for any last leaks. I did this and it really gives you a peace of mind that when you finally put the camera in the case and dive with it, you won't ruin your $300 investment on the first chance.
-Head strap -- it works. I dove with just the strap and was fine. Now, I was frequently making sure it was still snug on my head. You should do this. Once or twice I did strap it back down and it did feel like it was close to coming off. But like I said, keep it snug and you should be fine and it will work for you.
-Bubbles in field of vision -- NOT a problem whatsoever.
-If you want to just shoot video here and there and not just once long rip of video -- i.e. 1 minute of video here, 3 minutes there, etc -- that is fine but realize you are adding more files and you have a limit of something like 15 or 16 files the camera can hold before you have to move or delete them. At 15 or 16 you will no longer be able to take video.
-Some of the best shots I got were on the boat and on the boat looking down INTO the water. Just great color and so vibrant.
Overall it's a great camera with a big "wow" factor when you first show other people. Easy to use, well worth the money.
Hope this helps. Any advice, set me a message!
Brian