GoPro for Exploring?

Echo · 16 Feb 2016, 5:36 pm

Does anyone here own a GoPro/use it when exploring?

I've been looking at getting a GoPro Hero 3+ Black Edition, although have been pretty broke. With my Birthday in less than a month however I feel that I should be able to convince certain people to buy me one.

Just wondering if anyone can provide feedback on their own experiences with GoPro?

dodger · 16 Feb 2016, 6:31 pm

I've got a GoPro Hero 3 Black. Use it for exploring occasionally. TBH, quality is rubbish, especially in low light. It's good though for when you don't have free hands (chest/head mounted if you're climbing for example) or for when you're going to get wet.

sydnavigator · 16 Feb 2016, 8:52 pm

Only thing my gopro has been any good for so far was Gobbledox rafting

but even then the footage was crap in the dark.
I don't think drains and video cameras work so well because there just isn't any light, and you're essentially trying to take photos with 1/30 sec shutter speed. Photos are infinitely easier to play around with in terms of lighting.

Echo · 16 Feb 2016, 8:58 pm

Sounds like a GoPro isn't really worth getting and I'd be better off upgrading my camera lens instead.

SavvyK · 16 Feb 2016, 9:33 pm

If you can get a camera that's good in low light, then I'd go for it. If not, an upgrade to your camera kit is always worth it. What lens(es) are you using now?

Echo · 16 Feb 2016, 9:35 pm

SavvyK wrote:If you can get a camera that's good in low light, then I'd go for it. If not, an upgrade to your camera kit is always worth it. What lens(es) are you using now?

Just using the stock 18-55mm on the Nikon D3200. Might get a wide angle.

SavvyK · 16 Feb 2016, 9:40 pm

Echo wrote:
SavvyK wrote:If you can get a camera that's good in low light, then I'd go for it. If not, an upgrade to your camera kit is always worth it. What lens(es) are you using now?
Just using the stock 18-55mm on the Nikon D3200. Might get a wide angle.

Yeah good idea! Tamron or Sigma are good if the official Nikon Branded lenses are out of your budget

Light Knight · 17 Feb 2016, 10:44 am

GoPros have a tiny little 1/2.5" sensor, similar to low end compact cameras. Thus they are reasonably useless in low light situations.
https://microshooters.files.wordpress.c ... -chart.jpg

Better to spend the same money on a wide angle lens.

Cat · 05 Sep 2016, 3:52 pm

I used to use a gopro, which was kinda fantastic for camera size but really shitty for low-light performance.

If you just want a new camera and don't want to have to accessorise it, go with something from the Sony RX100 series. I recently traded my Hero 4 in for a RX100 MkIII, and the thing is absolutely fantastic. Good image stabilisation, amazing low-light performance (it can see better than I can a lot of the time!), and works incredibly well without a tripod.