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I've only had a few days with the new GoPro Hero4, and although I love the image quality there's been a few issues i've run into. Most of the accessories seem to fit, but 'The Frame' from GoPro does not work properly. The top recording button on the HERO4 appears to be more 'raised' than on the HERO3+.


Collection of GoPro Cameras - HERO, HERO32, HERO3, HERO3+, HERO4

Another problem is an SD card error which i'm still experimenting with. Possibly it's the 64GB card, so I'll try to replace it with a smaller 32GB (instead of 64GB) microSD Card.

GoPro 4K Issues

[UPDATE] Not all Class 10 cards will work. Here's a list of cards that should work: http://cheesycam.com/sd-error-microsdxc-card-requirements-gopro-hero4/

The biggest and most important problem that I found is with my new Battery BacPac ordered directly from the GoPro.com website and I just received it today. The bacpac seems to get unusually hot, and if you leave it on long enough it continues to get even hotter. I've had a few GoPro cameras in my time, so I know this is far from normal. Here's a video about some of my issues below.

Originally I thought I just ended up with a bad Battery BacPac, but here's a little bit more testing using the same extended battery on my Hero3+ and the Hero4. Keep in mind, this is the 'NEW' battery bacpac which that has been redesigned from the old one and I just received it today. In just a few minutes the Hero4 gets hot enough to distort the plastic, but trust me - leaving it on any longer feels like it will catch fire.

So I don't know what to make of this just yet, but if this could be a serious issue. I've heard stories of 9V batteries thrown into a garbage shorting out and burning down a house, so it's not something to take lightly. Throwing a bacpac onto your GoPro Hero4 and leaving it unattended to get extremely hot could be very dangerous, so i'm just putting this information out there. I honestly hope mine is only a defective product, but i'm curious if anyone else has the same issue???

HERO4 Battery
GoPro HERO4 w/ new Battery BacPac deforms plastic from overheating

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Apparently Adorama may have the only stock available on these new WiFi enabled Tascam Audio Recorders at this time, and they're also throwing in FREE 3 Day shipping as well. The hype about the new Tascam DR-22WL and DR-44WL audio recorders is that they can be controlled and configured remotely through WiFi, and files can also be transferred directly to your smartphone or computer wirelessly.

Because i've been working with my cameras on ultra mini gimbals, i'm not running an audio pack into the camera. I tend to use a Zoom H1 hand held recorder and sync the audio in post. The trick is once the Zoom H1 is tucked away with the subject it's a bit of work getting the audio to start/stop, change levels, or even double check if it's recording.

Having a wifi connection to change all settings remotely would be ideal with some of my projects. I know a few people who pocket Zoom H1 recorders with the Groom during a wedding, and this recorder may work well for that workflow as well. Unfortunately you can't monitor the audio over WiFi in real time during recording, but the concept is still a step up from a Zoom H1. More info below.


DR22WL-largetascam_dr_22wl_wi_fi_enabled_portable_recorder_1079894
read more button Tascam DR-22WL 2-Channels Portable Audio Recorder


DR44WL-largetascam_dr_44wl_wi_fi_enabled_portable_1079895
read more button Tascam DR-44WL 4-Channel Portable Audio Recorder

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Panasonic Nocticron and the Panasonic 35-100mm lenses have a $100 Instant Rebate via Adorama. Here are your links below.

Panasonic Leica DG Nocticron 42.5mm f/1.2 ASPH / POWER O.I.S Lens for Micro Four Thirds Lens Mount System
panasonic 42.5
visit website button cheesycam blue Reg: $1,597.99 / Special: $1,497.99

Panasonic LUMIX G Vario 35-100mm f/2.8 ASPH Lens for G Series Cameras (in stock, limited quantities)
ipc3510028_2
visit website button cheesycam blue Reg: $1,497.99 / Special: $1,397.99

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GoPro Hero4 Camera
GoPro Hero4 available in stock
visit website button cheesycam blue GoPro.com - New GoPro Hero4 4K 30FPS Camera

Get ready for tonight (Saturday @midnight) or if you're on the East Coast then expect Sunday at 3AM as orders for the new GoPro HERO4 4K camera officially open up. While you may be planning to just pick up the HERO4 itself, there's been a few new accessories every serious GoPro shooter may want to consider to get the most out of this new camera.

For one, there's now a different style battery for the HERO4 and if it's anything like previous GoPro cameras, you'll definitely need some spare batteries. GoPro has made it very clear this battery is specific to the HERO4 so don't count on your old HERO3/+ batteries helping you out.

gopro hero 4 new battery model version spare batteryGoPro Hero4 battery spare batteries
GoPro Hero4 available in stock
visit website button cheesycam blue GoPro.com - GoPro Hero4 4K Spare Battery

With the extra batteries, you'll probably want a more convenient way of charging them. GoPro has also released a new Dual Battery Charger which can charge via USB. This charger is specific to the new HERO4 batteries.

GoPro Hero4 dual battery charger usbGoPro Dual Battery Charger Hero4 4k
GoPro Hero4 available in stock
visit website button cheesycam blue GoPro.com - GoPro Hero4 Dual Battery Charger for HERO4 Batteries

Aside from the new battery, there's an optional external battery pack for the HERO4 (when you don't want to use the LCD) that will more than double up your run time. Handy when you can't easily swap batteries. Chances are though because this new one is backwards compatible, your older version may still work, but GoPro claims this new model offers at least 15% longer run time than the previous battery BacPac. Something to consider as this new cameras is 2x more powerful than the HERO3 and 4K video may eat up runtime.

gopro hero4 battery bacpac double batterygopro spare bacpac battery
GoPro Hero4 available in stock
visit website button cheesycam blue GoPro.com - GoPro Hero4 4K Extended Battery BacPac

Also what appears to have received an upgrade is the LCD Touch Screen Bacpac. Again if you have an older version, chances are it may work with the HERO4. I'm not sure what changes have been made exactly from the previous version, but the new model will be available at the same time the HERO4 will be released.

GoPro Hero4 LCD BacPacGoPro Hero4 Hero3 Hero3+ LCD Bacpac
GoPro Hero4 available in stock
visit website button cheesycam blue GoPro.com - GoPro Hero4 LCD BacPac

So if you're anything like me, i'll be online tonight trying to get my orders in. For popular items such as this, I tend to buy a little more than I need in case it sells out, and always have the option to return or sell it off if I don't need it. So who else is planning to purchase the new GoPro HERO4?

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I'm far from being an expert on these things, but I've seen my share of small gimbals, and have even built a few myself from scratch. This newly upgraded version of the Senrigan GP-55 3 Axis Gimbal caught my attention because it's now running the new 32 bit Basecam controller (Alexmos) with Dual IMU Sensors and includes a Bluetooth Module. It also comes with the metal housing kit covering the controller and both IMU sensors. There is certainly quite a bit going on here for the price.

Sure it may be a great little kit to mount with medium sized multicopters, but it could be great for handheld use. If it's not super clear by now, these Basecam driven gimbals are completely self contained systems. Once you add battery power, they can fully operate without being mounted to some type of multicopter. Basically if you can find a way to clamp a couple of handles over the top of these units, you'll have yourself a working 32 Bit Dual IMU 3 Axis Handheld camera gimbal stabilizer.

Of course the only problem with this particular gimbal is that the frame will limit you to work with smaller cameras around the size of a Sony NEX5 or possibly a BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera with either a Lumix 14mm or 20mm pancake lens. Or possibly with one of those new Panasonic 4K compact cameras i've been eyeballing.

You can check out additional photos and info on the Senrigan GP55 Gimbal (found here)

Alware Senrigan 3 Axis Gimbal Stabilizer DIY stabilizercheesycam 3 axis gimbal stabilizer senrigan alexmos DIY
find-price-button Senrigan Alware GP55 2 Axis Gimbal Stabilizer

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Today Tascam announced an upgraded Mark II version of their popular DR-60D Audio Recorder. Here's an original video showing the features of the first DR-60D.

Now i'm not quite sure how much of a difference the new MK II DR-60D Audio recorder brings, and it's probably not enough to justify an upgrade from the old version. But for anyone looking to purchase the popular DR-60D recorder, it's now available for $199.99 + FREE US Overnight Shipping via Adorama. Yes FREE Overnight means that depending on when you get your order in you should receive it the next business day (click here)

tsdr60mkii
find-price-button Tascam DR-60D MKII Digital Audio Recorder

Adorama Pro Video deal: Save big on new Canon Cinema Camcorder Kits!
Canon EOS C100 Cinema Camcorder Kit with EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Zoom Lens - With Dual Pixel CMOS AF Feature Upgrade & Ninja 2 Recorder, 240GB SSD, HDMI Cable
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Canon EOS C300 Cinema EOS Camcorder Body with Dual Pixel CMOS AF Feature Upgrade & Zacuto Z-Finder Kit - EF Lens Mount
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FCPX has been a great editing tool but one of the things that always bothered me was the lack of simplified exposure, color, and sharpening tools. You have to jump through so many tabs as opposed to just scrolling down with everything in one place. Today I decided to test out a very very inexpensive plugin called HyColour Pro and I have to say it's an extremely helpful plugin I think everyone should consider. Once installed you simply drop it to your video clip, and the tools show up in the Video inspector.

It's extremely intuitive and feels much like Adobe Lightroom with basic sliders that control individual components to quickly correct or grade your footage. This plugin can save you an enormous amount of time in those areas. I think the one feature I favor the most is the comparison overlay which allows you to do side by side or split screen comparisons to your original footage.

Unfortunately you'll run into problems with projects larger than 1080p, but hopefully they'll be working on an update. If you're just starting to use FCPX, and are still focused mainly on 1080p content, then you should definitely check out HyColour Pro (click here).

HyColour-PRO-Box
HyColour Pro Color Grading Tool for FCPX

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goprohero4b

The web is buzzing about a possible new GoPro Hero4 camera capable of 4K video at 30fps. There is also mention of the new Hero4 to offer more manual exposure controls and a built in LCD monitor (no bacpack attachments). If this info is true, it will be another camera i'm guaranteed to pick up.

Not just for drone use, but i've really been keeping an eye out for the most compact 4K video camera combined with an extra wide field of view. Using a wide FOV is perfect for capturing small interior spaces, and the 4K resolution allows you to de-fish while maintaining more than 1080p quality for final output. If the manual exposure works well and the sensor is decent in at least dim lighting, this would be great for some of you guys doing Real Estate tours.

[Update September 29th] Here's the first video from GoPro showing off the new Hero4 4K Camera.

With such a small camera, the only thing you'll need is a mini 3 Axis GoPro Gimbal Stabilizer (like these).

4K gopro hero 4 3 axis gimbal hand held gopro hero4 4k mini 3 axis gimbal stabilizer gopro hero4 hero 4k video gimbal stabilizer steadicam steadycam
find-price-button GoPro Handheld Mini 3 Axis Gimbal Stabilizers

The new GoPro Hero4 4K Camera is already listed on the website showing an October 5th release date. You can check it out at the GoPro Website.
blackback silverback

[source info via PetaPixel]

compare pricing Amazon / B&H Photo

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The Nyrius Aries Pro is just one of many consumer grade kits available to stream wireless hd video via HDMI. I have a few articles posted on this blog going back a few years ago, but with the recent popularity of Gimbal Stabilizers, these streaming video tools can really aid your production. Here's a great demo from Rod Guajardo [thanks Rod] on how they use the Nyrius Aries Pro kits.

Though many of the wireless kits on the market may look similar, the internal components differ slightly offering faster processors and more channels for less interference, less video lag, and greater range. Still if you're just planning to monitor from a camera without having to be tied down by wires, the Nyrius Aries Pro is an excellent kit (found here).

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find-price-button Nyrius Aries Pro Wireless HD Video Kit

[Update] It should be noted that these kits have no mounting options so you'll have to be creative. They also require power over USB which are very common these days, but only certain batteries with a high mAH rating should be used. You can see a list of compatible USB batteries and also some creative mounts used by the CMR Radian kits (found here).

radian wireless pro kits stream hd video hdmi
read more button Camera Motion Research [CMR] Radian Wireless Bundles