dslr video

GoPro HERO4 Overheating Battery BacPac Test 3 – Surprise it may be your Camera • 45 Comments

Emm • October 7, 2014

Ok, I really hate posting too many things on one subject, but this battery issue may or may not be a serious problem - I personally think it is. In fact, in order to confirm this issue I went ahead and opened up another brand new $500 dollar GoPro HERO4. That's a lot of money spent on testing (you owe me GoPro) but I think the results were worth it. Unfortunately this final test shows exactly what the problem is, but still leaves me completely clueless at the same time. Watch the video below to see what I mean.

So turns out the battery is not the problem. It's actually a bit disturbing. I have two brand new GoPro HERO4 cameras, both appear to be in perfect working condition. Yet the bacpac doesn't like one of them and it does it in a very dangerous way. Someone would never know this until after 3 minutes of powering on the camera. Had this been in the waterproof housing this could have ended up in a very different way.

With millions of these units shipping, I'm hesitant to say I have the only one in the world with this issue. If you plan to pick up a HERO4 camera with an external battery bacpac, you may want to give it a good long test outside of the housing before deciding if it's perfectly fine. As for now i'm still waiting to hear from GoPro support. If anyone else is experiencing something 'not quite right' with the HERO4, leave a comment below.

---------Updated Information--------------------

I picked up a Temp Gun earlier today and ran a quick scan. I can't vouch for the accuracy of this cheap gun, but after about 8 minutes powered on the general reading of this unique HERO4 was 156° F.

GoPro Temp Reading Hero4

So to put that in perspective, they say that a person will receive a second degree burn in 3 seconds of exposure and a third degree burn in 5 seconds of exposure to water at 140°F. And just for kicks if you've ever placed a powered on MacBook Retina over your skin that's about 102°F-113°F which is very uncomfortable. So again, i'm not vouching for the accuracy of this temp gun, but if it's close 150°F is not something you want to throw in your pocket.

---------Updated Information--------------------

[Update] I just got an email from GoPro support and I will be sending in the unit(s) over for them to inspect more in detail. Hopefully we'll have an answer soon and hopefully it's just a very isolated incident [with mine]. I'll try to keep you updated.

First Problems with GoPro Hero4 4K Camera – Dangerous Battery? • 101 Comments

Emm • October 7, 2014

I've only had a few days with the new GoPro Hero4, and although I love the image quality there's been a few issues i've run into. Most of the accessories seem to fit, but 'The Frame' from GoPro does not work properly. The top recording button on the HERO4 appears to be more 'raised' than on the HERO3+.

Loading

View on Instagram

Collection of GoPro Cameras - HERO, HERO32, HERO3, HERO3+, HERO4

Another problem is an SD card error which i'm still experimenting with. Possibly it's the 64GB card, so I'll try to replace it with a smaller 32GB (instead of 64GB) microSD Card.

GoPro 4K Issues

[UPDATE] Not all Class 10 cards will work. Here's a list of cards that should work: http://cheesycam.com/sd-error-microsdxc-card-requirements-gopro-hero4/

The biggest and most important problem that I found is with my new Battery BacPac ordered directly from the GoPro.com website and I just received it today. The bacpac seems to get unusually hot, and if you leave it on long enough it continues to get even hotter. I've had a few GoPro cameras in my time, so I know this is far from normal. Here's a video about some of my issues below.

Originally I thought I just ended up with a bad Battery BacPac, but here's a little bit more testing using the same extended battery on my Hero3+ and the Hero4. Keep in mind, this is the 'NEW' battery bacpac which that has been redesigned from the old one and I just received it today. In just a few minutes the Hero4 gets hot enough to distort the plastic, but trust me - leaving it on any longer feels like it will catch fire.

So I don't know what to make of this just yet, but if this could be a serious issue. I've heard stories of 9V batteries thrown into a garbage shorting out and burning down a house, so it's not something to take lightly. Throwing a bacpac onto your GoPro Hero4 and leaving it unattended to get extremely hot could be very dangerous, so i'm just putting this information out there. I honestly hope mine is only a defective product, but i'm curious if anyone else has the same issue???

HERO4 Battery
GoPro HERO4 w/ new Battery BacPac deforms plastic from overheating

New Tascam Wifi Controlled Audio Recorders In Stock • 2 Comments

Emm • October 7, 2014

Apparently Adorama may have the only stock available on these new WiFi enabled Tascam Audio Recorders at this time, and they're also throwing in FREE 3 Day shipping as well. The hype about the new Tascam DR-22WL and DR-44WL audio recorders is that they can be controlled and configured remotely through WiFi, and files can also be transferred directly to your smartphone or computer wirelessly.

Because i've been working with my cameras on ultra mini gimbals, i'm not running an audio pack into the camera. I tend to use a Zoom H1 hand held recorder and sync the audio in post. The trick is once the Zoom H1 is tucked away with the subject it's a bit of work getting the audio to start/stop, change levels, or even double check if it's recording.

Having a wifi connection to change all settings remotely would be ideal with some of my projects. I know a few people who pocket Zoom H1 recorders with the Groom during a wedding, and this recorder may work well for that workflow as well. Unfortunately you can't monitor the audio over WiFi in real time during recording, but the concept is still a step up from a Zoom H1. More info below.

Tascam DR-22WL 2-Channels Portable Audio Recorder

Tascam DR-44WL 4-Channel Portable Audio Recorder

$100 OFF Panasonic 35-100mm F/2.8 and 42.5mm F/1.2 Instant Rebates

Emm • October 5, 2014

Panasonic Nocticron and the Panasonic 35-100mm lenses have a $100 Instant Rebate via Adorama. Here are your links below.

Panasonic Leica DG Nocticron 42.5mm f/1.2 ASPH / POWER O.I.S Lens for Micro Four Thirds Lens Mount System
panasonic 42.5
Reg: $1,597.99 / Special: $1,497.99

Panasonic LUMIX G Vario 35-100mm f/2.8 ASPH Lens for G Series Cameras (in stock, limited quantities)
ipc3510028_2
Reg: $1,497.99 / Special: $1,397.99

New GoPro Hero4 4K Camera Accessories • 5 Comments

Emm • October 4, 2014

GoPro Hero4 Camera
GoPro Hero4 available in stock
GoPro.com - New GoPro Hero4 4K 30FPS Camera

Get ready for tonight (Saturday @midnight) or if you're on the East Coast then expect Sunday at 3AM as orders for the new GoPro HERO4 4K camera officially open up. While you may be planning to just pick up the HERO4 itself, there's been a few new accessories every serious GoPro shooter may want to consider to get the most out of this new camera.

For one, there's now a different style battery for the HERO4 and if it's anything like previous GoPro cameras, you'll definitely need some spare batteries. GoPro has made it very clear this battery is specific to the HERO4 so don't count on your old HERO3/+ batteries helping you out.

gopro hero 4 new battery model version spare battery GoPro Hero4 battery spare batteries
GoPro Hero4 available in stock
GoPro.com - GoPro Hero4 4K Spare Battery

With the extra batteries, you'll probably want a more convenient way of charging them. GoPro has also released a new Dual Battery Charger which can charge via USB. This charger is specific to the new HERO4 batteries.

GoPro Dual Battery Charger Hero4 4k
GoPro Hero4 available in stock
GoPro.com - GoPro Hero4 Dual Battery Charger for HERO4 Batteries

Aside from the new battery, there's an optional external battery pack for the HERO4 (when you don't want to use the LCD) that will more than double up your run time. Handy when you can't easily swap batteries. Chances are though because this new one is backwards compatible, your older version may still work, but GoPro claims this new model offers at least 15% longer run time than the previous battery BacPac. Something to consider as this new cameras is 2x more powerful than the HERO3 and 4K video may eat up runtime.

gopro hero4 battery bacpac double battery gopro spare bacpac battery
GoPro Hero4 available in stock
GoPro.com - GoPro Hero4 4K Extended Battery BacPac

Also what appears to have received an upgrade is the LCD Touch Screen Bacpac. Again if you have an older version, chances are it may work with the HERO4. I'm not sure what changes have been made exactly from the previous version, but the new model will be available at the same time the HERO4 will be released.

GoPro Hero4 Hero3 Hero3+ LCD Bacpac
GoPro Hero4 available in stock
GoPro.com - GoPro Hero4 LCD BacPac

So if you're anything like me, i'll be online tonight trying to get my orders in. For popular items such as this, I tend to buy a little more than I need in case it sells out, and always have the option to return or sell it off if I don't need it. So who else is planning to purchase the new GoPro HERO4?

Alware Senrigan GP 55 3 Axis Brushless Gimbal V2 With Bluetooth • 16 Comments

Emm • October 3, 2014

I'm far from being an expert on these things, but I've seen my share of small gimbals, and have even built a few myself from scratch. This newly upgraded version of the Senrigan GP-55 3 Axis Gimbal caught my attention because it's now running the new 32 bit Basecam controller (Alexmos) with Dual IMU Sensors and includes a Bluetooth Module. It also comes with the metal housing kit covering the controller and both IMU sensors. There is certainly quite a bit going on here for the price.

Sure it may be a great little kit to mount with medium sized multicopters, but it could be great for handheld use. If it's not super clear by now, these Basecam driven gimbals are completely self contained systems. Once you add battery power, they can fully operate without being mounted to some type of multicopter. Basically if you can find a way to clamp a couple of handles over the top of these units, you'll have yourself a working 32 Bit Dual IMU 3 Axis Handheld camera gimbal stabilizer.

Of course the only problem with this particular gimbal is that the frame will limit you to work with smaller cameras around the size of a Sony NEX5 or possibly a BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera with either a Lumix 14mm or 20mm pancake lens. Or possibly with one of those new Panasonic 4K compact cameras i've been eyeballing.

You can check out additional photos and info on the Senrigan GP55 Gimbal (found here)

Alware Senrigan 3 Axis Gimbal Stabilizer DIY stabilizer cheesycam 3 axis gimbal stabilizer senrigan alexmos DIY
Senrigan Alware GP55 2 Axis Gimbal Stabilizer

Tascam new DR-60D Mark II Audio Recorder • 15 Comments

Emm • October 2, 2014

Today Tascam announced an upgraded Mark II version of their popular DR-60D Audio Recorder. Here's an original video showing the features of the first DR-60D.

Now i'm not quite sure how much of a difference the new MK II DR-60D Audio recorder brings, and it's probably not enough to justify an upgrade from the old version. But for anyone looking to purchase the popular DR-60D recorder, it's now available for $199.99 + FREE US Overnight Shipping via Adorama. Yes FREE Overnight means that depending on when you get your order in you should receive it the next business day (click here)

tsdr60mkii
Tascam DR-60D MKII Digital Audio Recorder

Adorama Pro Video deal: Save big on new Canon Cinema Camcorder Kits!
Canon EOS C100 Cinema Camcorder Kit with EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Zoom Lens - With Dual Pixel CMOS AF Feature Upgrade & Ninja 2 Recorder, 240GB SSD, HDMI Cable
Reg: $6,299.00
Special: $5,799.00 (Save $500)

Canon EOS C300 Cinema EOS Camcorder Body with Dual Pixel CMOS AF Feature Upgrade & Zacuto Z-Finder Kit - EF Lens Mount
Reg: $15,499.00
Special: $13,499.00 (Save $2,000)

HyColour PRO Color Grading Tool for FCPX • 2 Comments

Emm • September 29, 2014

FCPX has been a great editing tool but one of the things that always bothered me was the lack of simplified exposure, color, and sharpening tools. You have to jump through so many tabs as opposed to just scrolling down with everything in one place. Today I decided to test out a very very inexpensive plugin called HyColour Pro and I have to say it's an extremely helpful plugin I think everyone should consider. Once installed you simply drop it to your video clip, and the tools show up in the Video inspector.

It's extremely intuitive and feels much like Adobe Lightroom with basic sliders that control individual components to quickly correct or grade your footage. This plugin can save you an enormous amount of time in those areas. I think the one feature I favor the most is the comparison overlay which allows you to do side by side or split screen comparisons to your original footage.

Unfortunately you'll run into problems with projects larger than 1080p, but hopefully they'll be working on an update. If you're just starting to use FCPX, and are still focused mainly on 1080p content, then you should definitely check out HyColour Pro (click here).

HyColour-PRO-Box
HyColour Pro Color Grading Tool for FCPX

GoPro Hero4 4K 30FPS Action Camera • 19 Comments

Emm • September 26, 2014

The web is buzzing about a possible new GoPro Hero4 camera capable of 4K video at 30fps. There is also mention of the new Hero4 to offer more manual exposure controls and a built in LCD monitor (no bacpack attachments). If this info is true, it will be another camera i'm guaranteed to pick up.

Not just for drone use, but i've really been keeping an eye out for the most compact 4K video camera combined with an extra wide field of view. Using a wide FOV is perfect for capturing small interior spaces, and the 4K resolution allows you to de-fish while maintaining more than 1080p quality for final output. If the manual exposure works well and the sensor is decent in at least dim lighting, this would be great for some of you guys doing Real Estate tours.

[Update September 29th] Here's the first video from GoPro showing off the new Hero4 4K Camera.