Camera suggestions?

[havand]

I am looking for a camera for track events. I know the standard response will be 'gopro'. However, if I can get something better that I can also use elsewhere as an actual camera, why not?

I was looking at the Gopro Hero 2, Replay XD 1080 and a Sony HX9V.

I can get Canon cameras at a very good price, but unfortunately they don't do high fps video like the Sony. Also, if I am buying an actual 'camera', the panorama mode on the Sony cameras is pretty awesome.

Should I bother with a point and shoot or just get a gopro so I can mount it on the hood or wherever without a second though? I need to order something within the next day or two so feedback would be appreciated. Thanks guys.


EDIT: Also, how important is the difference between wideangle and not? I found a comparison between what people have said the go pro is (~14mm equiv) and a more realistic point and shoot of 24mm. Link. http://www.flickr.com/photos/9945386@N06/6964386425/

[Robert]

GoPro Hero2

[Chunter]

Get a T2i, especially if your just starting out and want to shoot video. For the price, you cannot buy a better Full HD DSLR. Gives you alot of room to expand with lenses and magic lantern along with being able to shoot full manual. GoPro's are overrated.

[havand]

The T2i is limited to 4gb files... About 12min. I guess most runs are DE events are like 20 mins? Hmmm.

[jlevie]

The GoPro works very well and is quite versatile with respect to mounting. I run mine in standard definition (not high def) to get longer recording time. If you mount the camera via suction cup, attach a safety lanyard to the camera. Cameras aren't very tolerant of bouncing at high speed.

[spencers]

If you have an iPhone, just buy a suction cup mount for the windshield. That's what I use for auto-x events.

http://www.amazon.com/Satechi-Universal-BlackBerry-Windshield-Dashboard/dp/B002K9IPOC/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1346689949&sr=1-1&keywords=satechi+mount

Here's a video from auto-x using the setup

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmE44cmAr8Y

[pantelones]

The T2i is limited to 4gb files... About 12min. I guess most runs are DE events are like 20 mins? Hmmm.

Do you own a lap top? You can feed the camera into the HD for as much space as you please. But, I would not recommend using a DSLR unless you can properly mount it using a glide cam, or some sort of equivalent. Also you would need to get an external shotgun mic for decent audio. Go pro is the way to go if you want reasonable quality and your not looking to spend $1000 + on a quality set up.

[Chunter]

Are you talking about mounting on your car to film events like Auto-X and what not or are you trying to make edits out of the events? If your going to be filming and editing alot then a T2i is the way to go but if your trying to mount the camera on your car for events than a GoPro would be alot better. I was confused to what you were looking for in a camera.

[jpichu]

Go-Pro2






thats my 2nd video on my Sig

[yeaseth]

I agree go pro 2 Motorsports package. I also have other cameras I shoot with for work(60d, xf100) but I would trust the go pro the most because of its durability. I've dropped mine from a 2 story building onto a marble floor and it survived just fine. The quality is great for 300 bucks.

[havand]

Are you talking about mounting on your car to film events like Auto-X and what not or are you trying to make edits out of the events? If your going to be filming and editing alot then a T2i is the way to go but if your trying to mount the camera on your car for events than a GoPro would be alot better. I was confused to what you were looking for in a camera.

Wasn't looking for anything that complicated. Just wanted to be able to record the runs to watch later. Gopro is just so popular and meh, wanted to see what other thoughts people had.

[Emre]

Durability is very important. I've personally destroyed 2 in-car cameras: the vibration generated by a full-race suspension and R-compounds shook them to pieces. And this was with a shock-absorbing, motorsports camera mount by I/O Port Racing.

The original GoPro Hero (not the Hero 2) can be had for just $220 these days. The Hero 2 is a bit more user-friendly and also has a stereo microphone input, but it will set you back $50 more. I have one of each and there's no big difference between them. Unlike the other stuff I've tried, the GoPro will hold up to serious track use.

[Nsquared97]

If you have an iPhone, just buy a suction cup mount for the windshield. That's what I use for auto-x events.

http://www.amazon.com/Satechi-Universal-BlackBerry-Windshield-Dashboard/dp/B002K9IPOC/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1346689949&sr=1-1&keywords=satechi+mount

Here's a video from auto-x using the setup
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmE44cmAr8Y

Is that also an iPhone (app?) displaying the telemetry in the bottom corner? If so that's pretty sweet.

Also another vote for the GoPro HD 2, they are just very durable, and easy when your filming. When your getting ready to leave the line for an autoX, the last thing you want to do is be fussing with a camera and not getting yourself focused for the run. Hell 2 weeks ago I had my old standard def GoPro meet a cone head on at 40+ mph and got ripped off the car, survived just fine with a few scratches to the case. This is the same camera that had the mounts rip off one of my ski's while downhill skiing, and literally rolled halfway down the hill. New case and it was good to go. Definitely tons you can do with them, driving, skiing, biking, and remember they are waterproof too, I have taken some pretty neat underwater pics with mine as well.

Oh and said video of GoPro meeting cone:

[j0oftheworld]

All the comparison videos online have the ReplayXD waaaaaay out in front as far as picture/sound quality. GoPro's suck ass IMO.

[yeaseth]

You know the clips you see from that other camera are probably color corrected and modified right, you can make any in car camera look good with a couple touch ups in after effects