Using a Helmet Camera as a Chase Cam - Snowboarding Forum

baconzoo · 03-03-2011, 08:44 AM

So you might have noticed that I'm bit into the whole helmet cam thing. I have a Drift, Contour and GoPro. But lately I've been using the Drift as a Chase Cam that is mounted on a MonoPod. I dig this because I can put both in my pockets and ride normally without having to wear a backpack or carry a ski pole.

Check out my latest vid, shot in 4hrs in the park using a 4GB SD card, which I actually ran out of room and it caused me to split. Try to get past the skier action...

Enigmatic · 03-03-2011, 12:46 PM

damn there were some sick tricks in there...

vid came out pretty good, I especially like the way you shot that one kinked rail, like starting from the ground and following up to the rider

I use the gopro as a follow cam but my vids all have pretty terrible cinematography...

I got the gopro because I thought the image stabilization and picture quality were best (at least better than contour, didn't even know about drift at the time) would you agree? or do you think the drift vid quality is as good? Looks pretty cleary in this vid

baconzoo · 03-03-2011, 01:42 PM

The GoPro and Drift are equals (except for the built in LCD and Remote with the Drift.)

At 720p the GoPro and Drift have a wider field of view than the Contour.

The MonoPod really helps stabilize the shot, I conscientiously move the monopod and camera to be as smooth as possible.

yusoweird · 03-03-2011, 01:51 PM

Doesn't that monopod rattles? I have something similar and it got pretty annoying with the rattling noises. I use a clamp style lock trekking pole instead. It is a bit too big to put in pockets though...

baconzoo · 03-03-2011, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yusoweird

Doesn't that monopod rattles?

NO this one is tight. Yea I use a big one too (5 foot) In the second half of this video. It captures some interesting angles.

kneedeeppow · 04-26-2011, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baconzoo

NO this one is tight. Yea I use a big one too (5 foot) In the second half of this video. It captures some interesting angles.

any links for these 5ft non rattly mono pods? i can only find short wobbly ones which stink out the shot with its wobblyness. which ones would you recommend?

baconzoo · 04-26-2011, 06:53 AM

So this is the one I use: Amazon.com: Dynex DX-SW040 70" Digital Camcorder/Camera Monopod: Camera & Photo

Here is a shot of it collapsed. I broke off the rubber end that is supposed to stick into the ground and replaced it with a standard Drift Handle Bar Mount. I also have a Remote Handle Bar Mount on the larger fat end. It's sweet that I can boom the camera into a scene and remote start and stop from my fixed grip. Super-pipe video from Whistler dropping later today...

Music Moves · 04-26-2011, 07:52 AM

Just to be clear, baconzoo, you recommend the Drift before the Gopro?

baconzoo · 04-26-2011, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Music Moves

Just to be clear, baconzoo, you recommend the Drift before the Gopro?

I own a GoPro HD Hero, Contour 1080P, and 2 Drift HD170 Stealth cameras. I hardly ever use the Contour because of the 127* field of view and week battery life. The GoPro gets used more for Moto-X as I like the way you can articulate the camera on the side of a helmet. But for snowboarding, the Drift is the best choice hands down. The LCD and Remote are key features as well as a all-day battery that I never run out unless I'm doing a timelapse, but even then I just plug-in the USB power to AC plug. The Drift External Mic is clutch too.

also note a still image taken from video using the 5' monopod that was taken behind the crowd barrier.

baconzoo · 04-26-2011, 08:37 AM

oh, the Super-pipe video that I'm working on is of skiers... duhh! I forgot that I had already edited the snowboarding one... It was a long and exhausting week at Telus. But I'm not complaining, as it was beyond epic in every regard.

03-03-2011, 08:44 AM	#1 (permalink)
baconzoo Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Western New York Posts: 256	Using a Helmet Camera as a Chase Cam So you might have noticed that I'm bit into the whole helmet cam thing. I have a Drift, Contour and GoPro. But lately I've been using the Drift as a Chase Cam that is mounted on a MonoPod. I dig this because I can put both in my pockets and ride normally without having to wear a backpack or carry a ski pole. Check out my latest vid, shot in 4hrs in the park using a 4GB SD card, which I actually ran out of room and it caused me to split. Try to get past the skier action... __________________ Drift Helmet Cameras

03-03-2011, 01:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
baconzoo Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Western New York Posts: 256	The GoPro and Drift are equals (except for the built in LCD and Remote with the Drift.) At 720p the GoPro and Drift have a wider field of view than the Contour. The MonoPod really helps stabilize the shot, I conscientiously move the monopod and camera to be as smooth as possible. __________________ Drift Helmet Cameras

04-26-2011, 08:37 AM	#10 (permalink)
baconzoo Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Western New York Posts: 256	oh, the Super-pipe video that I'm working on is of skiers... duhh! I forgot that I had already edited the snowboarding one... It was a long and exhausting week at Telus. But I'm not complaining, as it was beyond epic in every regard. __________________ Drift Helmet Cameras

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03-03-2011, 12:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
Enigmatic Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: So Cal - Bear Mountain Posts: 484	damn there were some sick tricks in there... vid came out pretty good, I especially like the way you shot that one kinked rail, like starting from the ground and following up to the rider I use the gopro as a follow cam but my vids all have pretty terrible cinematography... I got the gopro because I thought the image stabilization and picture quality were best (at least better than contour, didn't even know about drift at the time) would you agree? or do you think the drift vid quality is as good? Looks pretty cleary in this vid

03-03-2011, 01:51 PM	#4 (permalink)
yusoweird Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Houston Posts: 508	Doesn't that monopod rattles? I have something similar and it got pretty annoying with the rattling noises. I use a clamp style lock trekking pole instead. It is a bit too big to put in pockets though...

04-26-2011, 07:52 AM	#8 (permalink)
Music Moves Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Under the influence... Posts: 1,152	Just to be clear, baconzoo, you recommend the Drift before the Gopro?