Curious as to what peeps think is the best angle for a Gopro to film wave riding. I had it on my helmet what I was out in double mast Margs and you cant see **** in the footage, all you can see is a bit of white water and looks like 2 foot slop...
Yep, everything I have tried makes the wave look tiny (and airs look bigger...that's one plus lol)
My back mount (like the K4 one) is a perfect angle - but then turns bad as when you lean forward in the bottom turn it also points down, then you get a good shot briefly as you transition to top turn, then as you top turn it points too high. So that one is only good for a still jussst as you hit the top. Like:
That is about head high in the section I hit, looks like stuff-all.
Have not tried it yet but I reckon a boom mount that hangs out way past the clew, and maybe lower than the clew looking up a bit will be the best one ??? But again, only for stills as it will point too many directions away from the wave for video.
Then #2 is a nose of the board but extended out the front a bit and also turned sideways a bit. But the standard mount falls off board noses at the best of times, adding 30cm of extension will be asking for trouble so the board mount will need to be screwed on and /or epoxied.
You inspired me to remember I was going to try that, heading to the shed
^^^ I agree ....... it is great for a bike or something, but the angles change too much when the camera is mounted on the gear...... so the cam is pointing the wrong way most of the time.
Then, the wide angle makes waves look like chop. I am glad I didn't pay for mine, if I paid $450 for a GoPro to film myself waveriding I'd be p!ssed orf.
I recon get a cheap waterproof and pay a kid $20 to hold it on his boogie board. Oh as long as they can swim OK in mast high.....
That's why I reckon the tracking drone like Lily and the Soloshot thing will do realllly well, trouble is they're not much good for us. Too fast and/or too far out
I like the clew view for multiple reasons:
- always framed correctly
- captures most of the rider
- can see jumps and surfs well
- can film others
As far as how big the waves look on camera, it was a concern at first but honestly it was mostly about bragging rights!
When on the lip before there's any white water around whether we are 1 or 3m above the flats doesn't show any difference.
But while out when it's big, there'll always be some perspectives that show the size.
Plenty here: www.facebook.com/Manus-Windsurfing-Blog-204083476593704/
Hey Manu, you have some nice clips on there and youtube- some good light wind skills you have. Just wondering what mount are you using?
I tried this angle but kept breaking the mount. Any hints on construction? I loved the angle when it worked. Kept on failing on loop landings.
I found just above the boom pointing back at the rider is a good angle as you can assess technique quite well. Agree the boom end is better view overall...
This is V1. A thin aluminum pipe taped inside a plastic PVC tube wrapped with duct tape and electrical tape.
V2 now has two PVC pipes instead of one which was prone to breaking, I used some piece of inner tube to dampen vibration and prevent slippage between the pieces and around the boom. It's very light, steardy enough but one has to be careful not to drop the clew on the ground.
Then I simply use the rollbar mount upside-down and pointing more or less to the first batten ajustment screw.
Manuel that is a really simple solution: love it!!!!
I am going to do the same with a section of carbon SUP paddle shaft and maybe use a couple of stainless hoseclamps to attach it.
I've tried a few including the K4, Fly Mount and I've also got a FCS insert in the tail of a board. I like the flymount looking down from the top of the sail as it seems to give a nice shot, I've also seen Polakow use a extended front mount of the boom (looks like an old boom arm) that looks back at the rider that gives a nice shot. Here's a vid I did that has a a few of mine in action, Fast forward a bit as I use to think I was a film maker and there's quite a bit of dribble at the start.
Pics are from Cabarete, Dominican Republic where I live and sail.
I didn't want any clamps as I sometimes end up holding the boom there and want my hands to freely slide towards the clew.
Otherwise, it may hinder ducking moves. I shot some videos of the installation of the mount when I get a minute (more rare these days!) I will publish a how-to video of the mount. V2 has been super strong and hasn't moved on either of my booms (I have two), requiring no adjustment or repair of any kind.
Also, when I don't have the camera mounted on, I can't even tell the difference so swing weight isn't a concern.
It does hit the water frequently at the jibe and bottom turn but rarely rotates.
For clew view I use this: www.chathamwindandtime.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=135
Works brilliantly!
So i thought Manuel's idea was good enough to give it a go...love the perspective. So i went down to the local tip to find suitable material for the mount, searching through old windsurfing stuff and found a carbon boom, wow this might be the ideal material. and i'm thinking a little more, this thing is actually in really good nik just a bit of bark off the grip in places. It's a bit old but will do as a good spare. I can't chop this up
Nautix Carbon prepreg W 154-196 NX
Select to expand quoteMark _australia said..
Yep, everything I have tried makes the wave look tiny (and airs look bigger...that's one plus lol)
My back mount (like the K4 one) is a perfect angle - but then turns bad as when you lean forward in the bottom turn it also points down, then you get a good shot briefly as you transition to top turn, then as you top turn it points too high. So that one is only good for a still jussst as you hit the top. Like:
That is about head high in the section I hit, looks like stuff-all.
Have not tried it yet but I reckon a boom mount that hangs out way past the clew, and maybe lower than the clew looking up a bit will be the best one ??? But again, only for stills as it will point too many directions away from the wave for video.
Then #2 is a nose of the board but extended out the front a bit and also turned sideways a bit. But the standard mount falls off board noses at the best of times, adding 30cm of extension will be asking for trouble so the board mount will need to be screwed on and /or epoxied.
You inspired me to remember I was going to try that, heading to the shed
GEE Mark if that your best angle
You got head and neck like like like hmmmm
KOJAK
KING KONG BUNDY
Got the new toy today. Looks quite good quality and well thought out design. Will post how it goes. Hopefully field test this arvo!
Be careful with the design above when grabbing the end of the boom getting washed in the waves, at the duck jibe or duck tack.
Here is my latest vid with jumps, frontside and backside wave riding, white water climbing, filming others, all done with just one mount.
Select to expand quotegmitton said...
Here is the outcome for the boom cam shown above:
Nice skills
Select to expand quoteManuel7 said...
Be careful with the design above when grabbing the end of the boom getting washed in the waves, at the duck jibe or duck tack.
Here is my latest vid with jumps, frontside and backside wave riding, white water climbing, filming others, all done with just one mount.
Manuel. Live it!!
My wife wants to go to Saint barts. Any windsurfing there?
Select to expand quoteYuppy said..
gmitton said...
Here is the outcome for the boom cam shown above:
Nice skills
-> gmitton - I find it very useful to open up the straps so you can really lean over the center of the board and get the board carving..
let us know if it works for you.
