Want to record water aerobics underwater....

FitKat

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May 31, 2013
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Want to film water aerobics underwater to make a video to sell. Don't know anything about cameras. Budget around $200. Thinking HD, 60+ fps, and needs to be mountable to a tripod. Suggestions?
 

andrew_berge

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Apr 29, 2013
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You should check out the Go Pro line of cameras, but there are other good action cameras as well:
http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-action-sports-camera-is-the-gopro-hero-3/
 

USAFRet

Illustrious
Moderator


A GoPro will do it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcS-Kt3p_Uc

However...there are several conflicting statements there:
make a video to sell
and
Don't know anything about cameras
and
Budget around $200

These do not mesh...
 

FitKat

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May 31, 2013
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Do you know if GoPro is Mp4? I won't be good at trying to convert files and doing anything complicated. If it could go straight to Youtube would also be good.
 

USAFRet

Illustrious
Moderator
If you had gone to the GoPro website, you might have found that the GoPro White (at your $200 budget) indeed saves in h.264 codec, .mp4 format.

However....and video you take will need some post editing. At which time you could convert it to whatever size and format is necessary.

What are you trying to do here?
 

andrew_berge

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Apr 29, 2013
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A note for FitKat: I hope you don't think all you need is the right camera to make professional quality videos.
The camera plays a part, but you also need proper video editing software and a computer powerful enough to run that software.
These are basic components, each requires accessories and add-ons (such as a tripod, as you've mentioned).

That's still only the equipment part. There's a lot of skill involved with filming and editing, and getting that skill takes time and patience.
 
With a budget of $200 you would be able to get the GoPro Hero3 White Edition which can record 720p at 60fps. To get the tripod mount you will need to add an additional $7.99. However, the White Edition isn't known for it's lowlight performance so when you shoot you need to make sure you have to make sure that what you are shooting is well lit. They do offer a free version of CineForm Studio which will require a powerful enough computer to run it ( http://gopro.com/3d-cineform-studio-system-requirements/). Keep in mind those are the minimum requirements. As Andrew_berge has already mentioned it takes time and patience to become a skilled videographer and editor. Shoot as much as you can for the practice and review the shots to see what you did well and what needs improvement. At the very least you must learn your camera's weaknesses and strengths. Anyone can shoot video but not everyone can shoot good video. Editing matters.