GoPro Hero3 announced

[kryan1077]

I went with the Sony Action Cam...its pretty sweet!

 

[Joe the plumber]

I'm new to Gopro so can someone explain to me something. On the hero 2 outdoor model it says it comes with waterproof housing. I see you guys talking about a flat diving lens? Is this different from what comes in the hero 2? also looking to get one of these cameras for christmas so do I get the hero 2 outdoor model our the white 3? I don't want to spend $400 but the $200 would work. also how are you guys mounting these thing when scuba diving?

 

[DMDavid]

I'm new to Gopro so can someone explain to me something. On the hero 2 outdoor model it says it comes with waterproof housing. I see you guys talking about a flat diving lens? Is this different from what comes in the hero 2? also looking to get one of these cameras for christmas so do I get the hero 2 outdoor model our the white 3? I don't want to spend $400 but the $200 would work. also how are you guys mounting these thing when scuba diving?

The current GoPro Hero 2 does not come with a dive housing (Flat Lens) but it does have a housing that you can take underwater.
The new GoPro coming out soon does come complete with the dive housing (Flat Lens).
You should wait for the new camera if want to use it for diving.

 

[flareside]

I'm new to Gopro so can someone explain to me something. On the hero 2 outdoor model it says it comes with waterproof housing. I see you guys talking about a flat diving lens? Is this different from what comes in the hero 2? also looking to get one of these cameras for christmas so do I get the hero 2 outdoor model our the white 3? I don't want to spend $400 but the $200 would work. also how are you guys mounting these thing when scuba diving?

The Silver 3 is the lowest recommendable model for diving as it has many of the problems already resolved. It has both the flat lens housing and the manual white balance.
The White 3 has the flat lens but no manual WB so it still requires a color correction filter (of which none currently exist).
The Hero 2 requires the purchase of both the flat lens housing (+$50) and a color correction filter (+$40 to $83).

 

[RDRINK25]

Anyone know if the Backscatter red filter will fit on the new 3?

 

[Marty Cerven]

The Silver 3 is the lowest recommendable model for diving as it has many of the problems already resolved. It has both the flat lens housing and the manual white balance.
The White 3 has the flat lens but no manual WB so it still requires a color correction filter (of which none currently exist).
The Hero 2 requires the purchase of both the flat lens housing (+$50) and a color correction filter (+$40 to $83).

The manual wb will just help out the filter as its surprising they work as they do with the current GoPro's and AWB and do help mask the cameras wb issues but best results are with manual wb and a filter. Filters are generally only recommended to be used with cameras that give you WB control so having this will only allow you to maximize the filters potential rather then do away with it.

Anyone know if the Backscatter red filter will fit on the new 3?

None of the current Hero1 or 2 options will work well mounting to the new housing as they are, the flat port and housing latch have been changed pretty significantly so only some form of DIY mod will allow the old housing options to be mounted and not sure how well these could work.

Im sure there are options already in the process of development and the new hero3 I think will be much more popular in the dive community as its a huge step up from the hero2 or the upgraded hero2 which is the hero3 Silver. The silver has some extras that make it a better choice then a hero2 for a new user but if you already have a hero2 I dont think the WB option, built in WiFi new lens and new housing with the same hero 2 processor and sensor are enough of an upgrade to get a new silver one IMHO. I think most hero2 users would be better off either getting the black or just sticking with the hero2 if they dont want the black especially if you already have a flat lens.

 

[toozler]

Does anyone have a HD3 yet? From what it seems - and I would bet on this, this new design has a filter attachment system to mount them inside the housing. The manual is not available online to check it out.

[edit] No mention in the manual.. Here is the link if anyone is interested: http://gopro.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/HD3_UM_Black_ENG_FINAL_Web.pdf

 

[fbk]

The manual wb will just help out the filter as its surprising they work as they do with the current GoPro's and AWB and do help mask the cameras wb issues but best results are with manual wb and a filter. Filters are generally only recommended to be used with cameras that give you WB control so having this will only allow you to maximize the filters potential rather then do away with it.

Im sure there are options already in the process of development and the new hero3 I think will be much more popular in the dive community as its a huge step up from the hero2 or the upgraded hero2 which is the hero3 Silver. The silver has some extras that make it a better choice then a hero2 for a new user but if you already have a hero2 I dont think the WB option, built in WiFi new lens and new housing with the same hero 2 processor and sensor are enough of an upgrade to get a new silver one IMHO.

I don't have either camera yet but I just bought a Hero2 with all the extras (LCD, battery backpac, BS housing, filter) for less than a Hero 3 would cost on its own. The 3 is what I was after but I got impatient and the deal on the 2 made it as attractive.

Can someone please explain to me what the "manual WB" feature being touted here will mean? I have read the H3 manual and the only WB options are 3000, 5500, 6500, there is no "manual" WB option and in any case how would you set it underwater without a button? Doesn't the "manual WB" option refer to using the RAW/Protune which is now also available to the H2 anyway?

To my mind the only difference between the H2 and the H3 silver were wifi and smaller size. I thought the H3 black was the only one with an upgraded lens. While the wifi would be nice to use with a tablet or phone I think the LCD backpac is more useable. And as for the size - its not like they were enormous to begin with

EDIT- I read the manual again, I gather those WB options are just suggestions and you can set the WB to any value you want - 3000..4000..6500..etc. Still don't get how you set it throughout the dive though... wouldn't not being able to set it manually against a card at various depths defeat the purpose?

 

[flareside]

Based on the information found in the HD3 manual which was finally posted, apparently there is no manual WB setting. (Previous comments were all based on misconceptions caused by inconsistencies in the GoPro website, some claiming there was manual WB.) Apparently the only real gain in WB is Cam RAW video mode which creates a fixed, neutral WB and this only works in ProTune mode. So while you don't have to deal with AWB fluctuating while it tries to neutralize your red filter, you still have to deal with the massive ProTune files.

 

[Marty Cerven]

Based on the information found in the HD3 manual which was finally posted, apparently there is no manual WB setting. (Previous comments were all based on misconceptions caused by inconsistencies in the GoPro website, some claiming there was manual WB.) Apparently the only real gain in WB is Cam RAW video mode which creates a fixed, neutral WB and this only works in ProTune mode. So while you don't have to deal with AWB fluctuating while it tries to neutralize your red filter, you still have to deal with the massive ProTune files.

Can I quote myself

Only Info regarding white balance atm is this for both black and silver models.

Auto, Cam Raw, 3000K, 5500K and 6500K white balance modes

I have heard full manual too but not sure how that would be implemented and that's an unconfirmed rumor even though its from someone that should know quite well. I will try and find out more info regarding the wb as its one of the weakest parts of current GoPro cameras underwater, some control is better then none but full manual would be best "cam raw" may be good to just set wb in post possibly.

Rumors were all it was regarding full manual wb, I didn't expect it to be true but neither did I expect 4k to be true but it half isnt anyway lol.

There is still no confirmation on the Hero2 wb in pro-tune if this is the same as "Cam Raw" in the hero3.

Full manual wb would be nice but a proper raw capture if done properly is much easier to work with and just adjust WB in post to a white balance card/slate. Put it into the frame at the start of recording or every change of light/depth if recording continuously and you dont have to deal with any in camera wb setting that may not be correct when working in post starting with a clean slate.