Looking at making a couple of short vids but not all that interested with the angles gopro has to offer. Thinking of picking up a Panasonic Lumix FT2 and attaching it to a tripod and filming from the beach/dunes. Or even trying to wedge a pole in the shallows and attach the camera for some close ups...
Was thinking with a bit of zoom, and the right angle, I could get better footage than what a gopro could offer.
Anyone else opted for this option rather than attaching the cam to themselves/kite? Just looking for any helpful advice, really.
Thanks in advance
Most important - get a good tripod with a smooth action, preferably with a hydrolic head. I was lucky to pick up a really nice Miller a few years back. It weighs about 10kg but is rock solid in 30 knots. Check out an old kiting movie of mine on youtube, search "Kurnell Big Air Day" and you'll see how important a steady camera is particularly when you use zoom.
^^^ what he said.
Basically you want to position yourself as close as possible to the subject, this will give you the steadiest footage and best quality. Get a camera that has image stabilisation.
Depending upon what your price point is and how big a camera you are wanting, I really like the sony VX series. You want to look from the VX2000 upwards as the 1000 is getting on now and has no viewfinder. This camera uses mini DV tape and in my opinion the actual picture has a much nicer tone than newer cheap HD cams. This is also the type of camera that is still used by most good skateboarding filmers.
p.s. You are right about GoPro footage though, it's a fad that is about as cool as power scam bracelets.
The key is a good tripod as Kit33r and sir Rowdy said. Avoid fluid action heads. You need a proper Fluid head. Try also to avoid the very end of the zoom as on lots of cameras focus goes soft right at the end of the zoom. This is even the case with Professional Fujinon and Cannon lenses, with these lenses you can tweak it with backfocus. use a backfocus chart to check if the camera goes soft when full zoomed in www.mediacollege.com/video/camera/focus/back-focus.html
^ You're a wealth of knowledge, Ian. Anyone would think you worked in the industry!
I have a Lumix and they are a great option for kite attachment but wouldn't really have the zoom you need for beach shooting.
Try a Fuji HS10 or some of the other 'superzoom' cameras that do HD vid.
Good tips above on tripods. I have a light-weight cheapy and it does make a diff.
