Title says it all.
What’s your go-to camera? Whether it be on a ride, during a build video or just to take great esk8 pics.
I’m grabbing a Samsung gear 360 (2017 edition) tomorrow and it got me wondering what’s the general likes of other members
For photos and film making I have a Sony a7 mk2. It’s the cheapest full frame mirrorless camera with phase detect auto-focus and in body image stabilization. That + a small & cheap 24mm prime is a wallpaper worthy setup for travel photography.
Many here use the Insta360 one x with the invisible selfie stick for documenting rides, and imo it looks the best out of all 360 cameras. I’m considering getting the Insta360 one R (was released a few months ago), because its 360 is on the same level, but you have the option of switching the camera + lens module, so you can cheaply convert it to a regular action camera for just mounting to your helmet as a dash cam. The twin edition (360 and regular modules) costs as much as other comparable action cameras, so it’s a no-brainer for esk8 purposes I think.
I was having a look at insta and Ricoh. But the prices made me think twice about if I’d even like it or not, so I decided to go for Samsung to a feel first
Bitrate and resolution matter so much for 360, that I don’t know if cheap options are even worth it, but would love to see what you get nonetheless!
I have that one. just use it for general 360 video, nothing like what a Insta360 can do in terms of easy phone app editing.
Can it do the effect I keep seeing in videos?
Where the camera just turns from one view to another (like do a 180 spin on the view at any given time)
My go to cameras are the Sony A7III and the Panasonic GH5. Both are excellent video cameras, but the Sony is a much better photo camera and it performs better in low-light. I use a GoPro Hero 7 Black to record rides occasionally, but I am not happy with the digital stabilization and want to try out one of those gimbals that can be board or chest mounted like the mountain bike guys use. I also agree that a 360 camera is great for ESK8.
I’m sure it can be done if you have a paid computer software, but the Samsung app is pretty much useless. I just upload the raw file to youtube and I can watch it and look around using a goggles with my phone or click and drag the video around. I got the samsung gear 360 for $40 so not too much of a waste as I use it more like a dashcam than anything.
Rylo and Insta360 can do the effects you are looking for just on your phone, watched someone do it when we stopped to charge and it was awesome. Not sure about the Ricoh or GoPro’s 360 cameras though.
iPhone XS? I love all the video content y’all are putting up, but can’t see myself doing that much editing and uploading TBH.
This always happens to me
Like something, search for an entry level product, get screwed for lack of that one single feature I’m after.
I use a Sony A6500 with a Sigma F1.4 18mm (I think) lens - that’s normally strapped to a Ronin SC out and about or a Crane V2 at home. I started with a Panasonic Lumix cheap thing which was excellent until I killed it.
I have the Gopro Max and the Insta 360 one X - gopro is better imo but on both the image quality is lacking. The audio on the gopro is leaps and bounds above the insta.
I now use the Gopro hero 8 a fair bit too, that works really well strapped to a helmet or chest
How does it fare against a ronin s? Wife has one
I’m not very impressed with the SC - it has a couple of really annoying things about it. The S looks much better.
For one, there is just one lock that locks two of the axis. This is the same lock that you need to unlock to slide the camera out, so whenever you take the camera off the gimbal, you need to rebalance it in two axis.
The screw for locking the camera to the the plate is recessed below the plate and you cant get a wide screwdriver in there to tighten it so mine is gradually getting knackered.
You cant get to the camera battery without taking the camera off the gimbal - then you need to rebalance.
To charge the battery it needs to be connected to the gimbal as the USB C connector is on the gimbal not the grip.
It’s also not a great gimbal, it works bit it’s too light to be super smooth.
That said I can hold it all day out on a group ride as it’s so light, so it wins there
I tried to edit a whole solo ride video… gave up and just post raw videos lol
If you want to enjoy the process of photography and want something that feels like an actual camera, there is only one option. The Fujifilm X series of cameras.
I have a x-t20 I absolutely adore. Tried a bunch of Sony over the years. Technologically, they are amazing but they feel like computers. Fuji X will make you want to go out and take pictures.
This is so true about the Sonys - the menus are horrendous. I was thinking about picking up their new vlogging camera - think it’s called ZV1 or something but I’m not sold I think I need to be looking somewhere else for my B camera
I think I got PTSD. One thing I will never ever do again regardless of specs is buy a Sony camera or an Android phone. Been fooled too many times by spec sheets.
FWIW - Sony overhauled the menu system on the new A7SIII - It is finally navigable using the touch screen and they put things into more logical categories the way Canon does. I would imagine that most of their new offerings will launch with this long-overdue usability upgrade.