GoPro cameras for tree work

[southsoundtree]

Any recommendations or known problems with current models?

 

[27RMT0N]

I've filmed work on and off over the years, and while sometimes it's fun, it is also more work than a lot of people realize. Setting up shots, moving a tripod, hitting your helmet cam on the branch above you, actually capturing interesting footage, then you actually need to edit it, which is pretty time consuming and its own artform. Then the fact that things tend to look smaller and less cool on video than in real life. When I have a camera on, I often feel like there is a nosy-neighbor looking over my shoulder and it adds its own mental load that I don't want to deal with when doing big or sketchy work. Yet that's exactly what makes the coolest footage. I've got like $1,200 of gopro gear in my truck and I don't think I've even pulled it out in a year. Not trying to dissuade you, just be realistic about what you are filming and why.

My understanding is while GoPro brand is still the big name, it's becoming less and less the standard, with a lot of other competitors. They are a few hundred bucks, but you can get some generic brands that will.... probably do about the exact same thing.... for like $70 on Amazon. Watch some comparison videos where people review a few brands and maybe start with a cheap one and see how you like it and if you actually use it before shelling out for the nicest stuff.

 

[Lumberjack]

We primarily use Insta X5 360 cameras now, when we record.

 

[southsoundtree]

Thanks for the input.





I'm having some idea that a way to scale a tree work biz is through content creation. IDK.


I hear all the parts of it being work.


I anticipate it being a chill exploration and long-term project.





I see people being successful at doing tree work with drama. I just saw a guy rookie-ing a leaning alder... guess what... it barberchaired, like a previous time.

"Guess I should have bote cut it".



Maybe I can put together something different.




A good starting point is learning about editing.

 

[data farm 26]

I'd love to see some content from you, Sean. No info on gopros though, sorry.

I agree on what mtron said, can be so much work!!! The editing... But if it is a hobby for you, it can be really fun.

I used to make vids basically for the treebuzz peeps to see what I was up to, it was a fun way to get a glimpse into other people's work for a while there. Then some people just took it way too far and I got completely sick of any tree vids lol.

I'd personally be interested in vids from Oly just to see what the woods are like there and what not, how you all are taking care of business!

 

[Friedrich]

maybe find someone who is into editing. my brother is studying film and i find it quite amazing what he is able to do with it.

 

[Lumberjack]

Finding a third party editing service (can be remote) is a huge help in quality and throughput for the average business creator.

 

[evo]

Thanks for the input.





I'm having some idea that a way to scale a tree work biz is through content creation. IDK.


I hear all the parts of it being work.


I anticipate it being a chill exploration and long-term project.





I see people being successful at doing tree work with drama. I just saw a guy rookie-ing a leaning alder... guess what... it barberchaired, like a previous time.

"Guess I should have bote cut it".



Maybe I can put together something different.




A good starting point is learning about editing.

It might be an easier and better (possibly cheaper if you value your time) to hire a commercial videographer. There is a crazy amount of drone photographers out there now, many working in real estate.
My kids hired school photographer, whom I’ve chatted with on and off for nearly two decades was working across the street from us. Just asked for him to do a couple of flyby’s while pulling hangers from over electric vehicles charging ports.
There are so many first person take down videos with rambling for 15-30 minutes….
It would be nice though to actually each someone who knows what the hell they are talking about vs overcompensation of word salad on shit they don’t know. But can the average homeowner tell the difference?

 

[moss]

I would dip your toes into it. Get a basic GoPro kit, all you need is the camera, helmet mount, a couple of high capacity MicroSD cards and 4 batteries. There's a ton of other crap you can buy for your GoPro but it's like a newbie buying tree climbing gear, how do you know what to buy if you don't know what it's all about? Do POV footage off your helmet to get to know your system. Once you're more fluent you can figure out if and how you want to get different viewpoints with mini tripods, selfie-sticks (yuck, ha!) etc.

Current model GoPro's are intuitive and super reliable. They can withstand any weather you encounter year-round. If you drop it from 80' it will be fine unless it hits a rock. would be dinged but probably still functional. It defaults to very wide angle (makes everything look smaller) but that can be changed in the camera settings. It's a "mature" product so there are a zillion settings and features. Intimidating if you're starting from zero with video production. Like most consumer tech products the developers assume the user is a dumb-ass and doesn't have any patience. They'll assume you want to be the latest Tik Tok star and the default features tend to aim you that way. I had to override all the out-of-the-box settings to get the thing to give me the video spec/resolution that I want.

If I was teaching GoPro I'd say put it on your helmet and shoot video while you climb. Don't worry about getting the most awesome moments of your work. Goal is to get to know what works for you footage-wise and what are the gothcha's to solve. Play around with some editing, be patient and see if you find it interesting.

I carry a small digital camera soft case/ with an over the head shoulder strap. It holds spare batteries and the extra MicroSD card. I'll stow the camera in it when I don't want it on my helmet.

You will bang the camera on overhead branches, it will grab small branches, your head will get hung up until you get used to avoiding that. You will have to take your helmet off and reset the angle of the camera view as needed. The helmet mount knob cannot be tightened enough to prevent the camera from being moved from a limb impact. You can use a phone app to preview your camera angle without taking your helmet off, that's too fidgety for me, too much to do when I have real tasks to perform safely in a tree. I ditched the GoPro app off my phone a long time ago ;-) I simply offload video files from the camera to my laptop and use Adobe Premiere (Home Edition doesn't cost much) to edit clips into longer videos.

The learning curve is as much as you want to take on. Editing can be quick and easy (make short finished clips) or as deeply cinematic (joke) as you have the time to invest. If you get into it ask questions, good luck and have fun!
-AJ