Danny Campbell BMX

Words and photos by Daniel Smith

We hooked up with Danny Campbell to shoot some BMX at Castle Cove trails in the northern beaches area of Sydney. The trails were suffering a bit of neglect but after a sweep and water down they were ready to go.

We have a few days left of our Spring Into Action Catalogue so if you have not seen it yet, then have a look at some of the excellent products. All action cam shots were taken using the Sony Action Cameras, a sponsor of Danny.



Check out Danny on Instagram and Facebook.

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A Call to Action!

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock-climber for the last few years you’ve likely heard of action cameras or at the very least “GoPro”.   These tiny wearable video cameras have taken the sports/recreation scene by storm and now account for an enormous (and still growing) slice of the video camera market pie.  If you’ve yet to pick up an action camera for yourself or know someone who has it high on their want list, it might pay to brush up on your facts and figures. Let us help with the below information. 

Grab your helmet and strap yourself in as we give you the run down on what’s available and who it’s likely to appeal to.

GoPro Hero 3 Range

The big name in Action Cameras for many years, GoPro was once sought after only by extreme sports people and hardcore divers looking to record their unique past-times.   Thanks to some excellent footage captured by these top users, demand for GoPro among the wider public has soared.  Attach the camera to your head, car, bike, surf board, skate board… press record and do your thing.  Today GoPro is available in 3 different flavours, and a couple of very recent revisions.

GoPro White Edition:
Entry point to the GoPro range, the White Edition packs all the fun and waterproof ruggedness into a low cost package, ideally suited to casual/family use.  GoPro White is compatible with all of the GoPro mounts and accessories and still features built in Wi-Fi connectivity for Smartphone/Tablet remote control.  Full 1080 HD video capture is present with 5MP stills and the same 60m waterproof housing as higher models in the range.

GoPro Silver and Silver+ Edition:
Middle child of the GoPro set, the Silver Edition builds on the specs of the White Edition increasing the still photo resolution to 11MP, time lapse and adding a 10 frame per second burst shooting, advanced recording modes such as looping video, manual white balance and ProTune aimed at cinematic colour grading.  The new Silver+ improvements include reduced size and weight, 30% better battery life, faster Wi-Fi access and better lens optics for even sharper footage.

GoPro Black+ Edition:
Feature packed and among the most wanted, the GoPro Black+ Edition crams so much into its tiny form factor to easily please even the most discerning video adventurer.  Used by professionals in the sports broadcasting, documentary filmmaking and news/journalism fields and loved by enthusiasts the world over.  The GoPro Black+ Edition comes bundled with its own wireless waterproof remote, ability to record higher than Full HD at 4K and 2.7K resolutions, slow motion capture of up to 120fps as well as improvements to low light capabilities and still image capture and a better lens, smaller (by 30%) form factor and better battery life than the recently replaced Black Edition.

Competitive Spirit

While GoPro are the undisputed kings of action cameras, there are still two places on the podium.  Contour and Sony both have enviable reputations in the marketplace.

Contour
Contour, one of the original action camera manufacturers has two cameras in their current range, the ROAM2 and the +2.

ROAM2:

This is the entry level Contour camera and features a 270 degree f2.8 lens projecting onto a high quality 5 megapixel sensor.  This camera records at full high definition at 30fps and high definition at 60fps and is waterproof without a case down to 1 metre with an optional housing that goes down to 60 metres.   The lens rotates 270 degrees for level mounting on any angle surface and has an easy to activate record button.

+2:

The +2 has a lot of the same features as the ROAM2 but with a better quality lens and better low light performance. It also features built in GPS functionality and Bluetooth connectivity.  It also does full high definition video and 120fps slow motion video at 480p.

Sony

Sony has just announced its all-new Action Cam HDR-AS100V (as detailed in our blog below) – it’s a new splash proof wearable video camera that records high-quality Full HD pictures. Due in Australia in March.

Currently available, the Sony HDRAS30V is an awesome action camera from the electronics giant.  It is almost the same as far as sensor and lens (170° Ultra-Wide Angle Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar Lens) as the previous version but with a few new tricks added to keep it very current.   This video camera uses the excellent Exmor R Back-Illuminated CMOS sensor for great colour reproduction and very good low light performance.  The recording options go up to 60fps at full high definition or high definition at 120fps.  You can also record slow motion video at 120fps or 60fps at a resolution of 1280 x 720p.  Still images can be captured at 11.9 megapixels.  Connectivity options are ample with the camera featuring Wi-Fi and NFC compatibility.  It also has GPS built in, of course.  You can buy this with an LCD housing to give it an LCD screen so it can be used as a normal camcorder and it also has a universal mount adapter included to fit all of your existing GoPro mounts.  This camera is excellent value for money.

So, when looking around for cameras to capture your adventures don’t just limit yourself to the GoPro range.   There are a lot of options out there for recording high quality video footage of you and your friends crashing/jumping/winning/riding your favourite extreme sports.

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Why not video too?

Our team is made up of passionate photographers, videographers, brand-loyalists, enthusiasts and the types of creative image-capturers that could convince departments of education around the world that funding for the arts should remain a priority. They’re passionate.

They are passionate about their chosen genre of visual communication - still photography, videography, mixed media and others.

With the ever-changing nature of technology and the genius of innovators in photography design and manufacturing, we are lucky enough to have tools and equipment that make the cross-over from one form of visual communication to another a hassle-free process.

The equipment is readily available. Things like basic camera bodies and lenses, action cameras, copter/drones for aerial shots, microphones and headphones, underwater accessories, software and printers are available online and in stores.

The transition from still photography to video is also conveniently possible. It’s simple with a few accessories. The fact that a standard DLSR camera is able to take high quality video also means that still photographers can move into the video medium without having to spend too much money and without having to learn an entirely new piece of equipment.

As a first step, you could simply use yourexisting digital camera, add some inexpensive pieces of sound recording equipment such as microphones or headphones, and you are ready to shoot. You could also install editing software on your computer and seek a friend to assist in editing your footage. What you end up with is a high quality video at a basic level. Don’t misinterpret us – it takes time to shoot the footage you want, plus it takes time to edit. Also, depending on where your final cut is going to end up, the time that you spend on your project will need to be adjusted, but it’s possible. E.g. Is it for your family or for a board meeting?  You can quite easily test your talents at video production.

Just think about all the videos you could shoot, edit and upload to YouTube: your kids’ first soccer match edited down to 3 minutes, your 4 minute Christmas video, or action footage of you on the slopes or the waves!

There are a number of brands in the market place that are specialists in the field of sound and sound recording equipment. We choose to stock our stores with four brands – Sennheiser, Audio-Technica, Rode and Rycote. Sennheiser is a German company with innovative design. Audio-Technica is known for its quality and comfort of headphones. Rode manufactures microphones used by enthusiasts and industry professionals globally. Rycote are renowned for their recording accessories. Along with a vast number of other manufacturers and distributors, all four of these brands design reliable products that will enhance video production, whether you’re an amateur or professional.

So, it’s an easy transition from still photography to video when you’re ready. Just make the decision, source the accessories and get shooting.

The question is… are you ready?

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New Contour ROAM2 and Contour SD Card Information

The action cam market continues to expand with the latest offering from the propellerheads at Contour, the Contour ROAM2! 

With significant upgrades over the original ROAM, the ROAM2 boasts a locking "instant-on" switch making it the most simplistic action cam out there, perfect for concentrating on the task while still capturing amazing video. Capable of shooting 60fps at 720p, it lends itself well to fast-paced action and delivers a consistently smooth result.

The ROAM 2 is waterproof without the need for a case, making it one of the most slimline and versatile tools available. The built-in laser level ensures you always have the correct angle, while the long battery life keeps you conquering earth, sea and sky longer than ever before.

It comes in stylish black as well as red and blue, a first for the Contour series. Priced to compete with the big guns, it is set to grab its market share and run with it so don't get left behind.

IMPORTANT SD CARD INFORMATION:

Some users have reported problems with some MicroSD cards in Contour devices. Refer to this information as it may just help you out:

ContourROAM2
You can use any* microSDHC card up to 32GB in size between Class 2 and Class 10 in speed.  Be sure that you format microSD cards using the in-camera method  for this model of camera.

ContourGPS, Contour+, ContourROAM, and Contour+2
You can use any* microSD or microSDHC card up to 32GB in size and up to Class 10 in speed.  Be sure that you format microSD cards using the in-camera method  for each of these models of camera.

ContourHD 1080p
You can use up to a 32GB card in your ContourHD 1080p.  When that camera  was first introduced, 32GB cards were not widely available and that is why the printed manual in the box references 16GB cards.  Since then the microSD card market has expanded and so your camera can use a 32GB card.

However, because the camera was not designed to use a card of that size, the memory card light will alway indicate that the card is full by showing a red light anytime you check the card status.  This is true even when the card is not full.  Other than that, it will function normally.

ContourHD 720p
You can use up to a 16GB card in your ContourHD 720p.

*SanDisk Ultra cards are only compatible with Contour cameras using the latest firmware.

*SHDC-1 microSD cards are not currently compatible with any of the Contour cameras.

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Control the Adventure: The GoPro App

Have you heard?

Bird, bird, the bird is the word.

Apart from that, word on the street is GoPro have released a pretty butt-kickin' app for iPhone and Android that adds a whole new dimension to your shooting experience, especially on the new GoPro HD HERO3 (it also works well with the HD HERO2, in conjunction with the optional Wi-Fi BacPac).

Use your compatible smartphone or tablet as a remote control through the GoPro app, providing easy video preview in real-time as you shoot. Seize full control over camera settings, features and more while perfect composition is at your fingertips while you concentrate on the task ahead.

Since it is now in your head, enjoy this video. We apologise in advance:

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Sneaky Game Changer - GoPro HD HERO3!

Typically announcements from GoPro are mercilessly leaked and rabidly anticipated months prior to the eventual release.

In the case of the new GoPro HD HERO3, it seems to have slipped under the radar only to have unleashed with a phenomenal bang on October 17 2012. Now one of our most asked-about cameras, this industry fireball is available for preorder with the first shipment expected in Mid November.


This generation comes in Black, Silver and White editions. The Black Edition is the pièce de résistance, a GoPro that is 30% smaller, 25% lighter and 2x more powerful than previous models. It comes with the waterproof Wi-Fi remote for ultimate control at a distance, and perhaps the most amazing feature is the ability to shoot 4K Cinematic Video at 12fps. Nope, that's not a typo; your adventures will be reproduced in the most stunning detail and colours yet (and also munch a lot of the memory on your MicroSD cards).  You can also shoot gorgeous 12 megapixel still photos and a lot more, but we're still getting over the 4K video.

The Silver Edition offers a similar diminutive body packed full of performance, but leaves the video at a still-respectable HD 1080p/24, while incorporating built-in Wi-Fi (though you'll have to buy the remote with this one) and 11MP stills with 10fps continuous shooting.

The White Edition is the entry-level, basically offering similar specs to the Original HD HERO in a smaller, lighter Wi-Fi enabled package with the brand new User Interface.

All editions of the HD HERO 3 are compatible with the insanely fun GoPro app for smartphones and tablets, allowing live video preview and control right from your device. They also support most mounts and accessories in the existing range.

For all the details and to preorder your own adventure-recorder, better head to our website!

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