LCD back or not

[Spg01]

I am a bit confused on the LCD. GoPro shows backordered vs discontinued and I've read the LCD attachment requires a different housing than the one that is used with the Hero3+. Any clarifications?

Yes you will need a different housing for the battery bacpac and lcd. The Hero3+ case will only fit the camera. I bought the battery bacpac limited edition (ABPAK-303) and it comes with the hero 3 housing and an extra door that is big enough to fit the camera and battery.

---------- Post added March 20th, 2014 at 08:20 AM ----------

worst thing you can do is shoot video the whole dive (editing nightmare)

I usually shoot most if not my entire dives, you never know when something cool is going to show up. My trick is to start a new video after I see something cool, so if I have a long file I know nothing really happened until the end of the clip. I also try to start a new video every now and then to help with editing. One file of the entire dive would suck.

 

[Thook]

I don't use mine underwater... It runs through power too quickly. Just memorize where your lens is and point. That's really all you need. Especially if you're shooting wide.

 

[CosFragger]

I use my lcd back but have 2 spare batteries that i bring along.

 

[Trigger-F]

I usually shoot a lot of macro. Without the LCD I'd be cutting all subjects in half or end up with blurry video clips. I turn on/off mine as needed. Battery usually lasts for 1 dive.

 

[phoenix31tt]

I have a GPH3+ Black shooting in 1080p Medium on a SRP "The Tray"... I shoot in bursts and I shoot specific things... I do not need the LCD when shooting... i have had maybe 6-8 dives so far with the setup and some freedives... after my first couple dives i more or less got the hang of where my what my cam was recording without having to see it on any LCD...

 

[Dauntless]

IMHO, it has to do with the individual, if you have good hand-eye coordination, you will do better without looking at the little window because it will allow you to frame better, Yikes, did he say that! yes, remember the rule of thirds applies to video as well as still images and from what I see of video that LCD backers post, they indeed do get an object centered in the shot to the detriment of the visual experience. If they video a sponge, that's what you see, a sponge, not the seascape that the sponge is a part of.

But not everyone has been blessed with ability to point and shoot like a shotgun.

To see what category you fall into, look at something on the wall, close your eyes and point your finger at that object and open your eyes and if your dominate eye shows that you have pointed at the object with your eyes closed, you can point your GoPro with accuracy. Also, can you stand in the shower and lather up your hair and replace the shampoo bottle correctly on the shelf with your eyes closed without fumbling around?

Most camera trays will function as a crude viewfinder and if you get what you want to shoot between the handles it will appear fairly centered in the video.

AND... if you have a regular camera on your tray along with the GoPro, use the camera's LCD, it works well if the goPro is lined up with the camera.

 

[TONY CHANEY]

Dauntless, I am not too sure I agree. I looked at a lot of your pitures ans saw several that would have been much better had you had a way of framing them. i.e. PIC_0183 - ScubaBoard Gallery

 

[Dauntless]

Dauntless, I am not too sure I agree. I looked at a lot of your pitures ans saw several that would have been much better had you had a way of framing them. i.e. PIC_0183 - ScubaBoard Gallery

RIF Reading is Fundamental That was a still image from a JVC Picsio, no tray, and BTW it has an LCD display and it was from way back 2009. Not video However, attached is a more current GoPro still image, no LCD but with tray.

Actually, glad you found that. This was why I quit looking at the LCD, my experience with the Picsio. Found I could just point and shoot better than looking at the LCD.

This was shot swimming upside down, the GoPro 3 Black camera was upside down, NFW i could have framed it in an LCD. I heard Obewan's voice "let the force guide the shot"

 

[jclifton]

I ended up buying the LCD. After a week of diving in Cozumel I'm was really thankful I had the LCD back. I simply makes it so much easier to frame shots. The added benefit was reviewing footing which helped my shooting technique in that it showed me i needed to hold shots more steady, less shake, and helped me with panning over objects.

@Dauntless - Nice pic (above).

 

[Dauntless]

I ended up buying the LCD. After a week of diving in Cozumel I'm was really thankful I had the LCD back. I simply makes it so much easier to frame shots. The added benefit was reviewing footing which helped my shooting technique in that it showed me i needed to hold shots more steady, less shake, and helped me with panning over objects.

Now that's one use that we can agree on especially if you are on a live aboard or remote location.

OK, a little humor, how would you use a LCD here on the end of a pole? IMHO a GoPro is for fun, I have a Canon for serious stuff.
Let's have FUN
[video=youtube_share;uC11H_ERaw8]http://youtu.be/uC11H_ERaw8[/video] [video=youtube_share;zfC_UIG9YWw]http://youtu.be/zfC_UIG9YWw[/video]