I am going to be conducting some interviews in an RV and im looking for a camera and mount that is semi-discreet that i can mount onto either side of the front window to get good angles for both the driver and the passenger. I was thinking GoPros but if you guys have any suggestions you might be able to make id love to hear them.
Equipment recommendations for in-car interviews?
- Thread starter Killawa
- Start date
Darren Levine
Veteran
gopros work darn well, but a dslr with an ultrawide lens can do the trick as well, just be sure to use heavy duty suction supports, a traditional size camera would be tricky to fit inside. im guessing outside is not an option due to the discreet request.
David W. Jones
Veteran
You might tell us your budget for this project, so we don't recommend something outside of your price range.
Rent, or purchase?
Do you already have an audio solution for this shoot, or must this also be factored into the equation?
well i just asked my boss, and she said "whatever i need." that being said, i dont think she has any idea on how much a person can actually spend on camera and audio equipment.
We are looking to purchase, this will be an ongoing project and the interviews will be somewhat impromptu involving the company's owner and his best friend/assistant during road trips so the setup cant be too complicated. I don't have any experience with the on-camera mic of the gopros so im not sure of the quality.
We are looking to purchase, this will be an ongoing project and the interviews will be somewhat impromptu involving the company's owner and his best friend/assistant during road trips so the setup cant be too complicated. I don't have any experience with the on-camera mic of the gopros so im not sure of the quality.
David W. Jones
Veteran
You don't want to use the on-camera mics of any camera for this. Each person will need their own mic.
You will also likely need more than 2 cameras.
Ask your boss if the budget for this ongoing project falls in the $20K range, $10K range, or the $5K range, and see where this plays out before going on. That way you will know for sure how much you have to work with.
You will also likely need more than 2 cameras.
Ask your boss if the budget for this ongoing project falls in the $20K range, $10K range, or the $5K range, and see where this plays out before going on. That way you will know for sure how much you have to work with.
homestar_kevin
Well-known member
Gopro's are definitely the way to go then
I always like what they get for comedians in cars getting coffee
I always like what they get for comedians in cars getting coffee
David W. Richardson
Chapelgrove Films
I can foresee two problems with the GoPro for this situation.
First is the fact that it's a fixed focus camera, so you won't be able to use shallow depth-of-focus to blur the background and help accentuate and isolate your subject. Assuming the big, wide world will be seen in the background through the windows.
Second problem is the fact that, as I understand it, the GoPros have no manual exposure capability. If your subject is inside the RV, against windows, then they're going to be backlit most of the time. And as the outside light level varies -- due to passing various bright and dark reflective surfaces -- the camera's image might get brighter or darker to compensate. No steady, even lighting.
It seems to me what's needed here is a camera that has an adjustable focus lens, can take ND filters (to enable larger aperture openings, giving a shallow depth-of-focus), and also has manual exposure settings. I think DSLRs might be a better choice for this situation.
First is the fact that it's a fixed focus camera, so you won't be able to use shallow depth-of-focus to blur the background and help accentuate and isolate your subject. Assuming the big, wide world will be seen in the background through the windows.
Second problem is the fact that, as I understand it, the GoPros have no manual exposure capability. If your subject is inside the RV, against windows, then they're going to be backlit most of the time. And as the outside light level varies -- due to passing various bright and dark reflective surfaces -- the camera's image might get brighter or darker to compensate. No steady, even lighting.
It seems to me what's needed here is a camera that has an adjustable focus lens, can take ND filters (to enable larger aperture openings, giving a shallow depth-of-focus), and also has manual exposure settings. I think DSLRs might be a better choice for this situation.
Darren Levine
Veteran
im sorry, but where did the OP say he needed, or even wanted shallow DOF? Your point is valid that it will be infinity focus, but you stated it as if it were a necessity, not a consideration...
You also allude to the fact that you've never used gopros before? if that's the case then it would be best if you didn't comment on their abilities, there's plenty of folk here who have used them and can comment on their workings. for instance, yes, they are auto exposure, but it's not as you speculated, they don't jump up and down in exposure ruining shots, and you have two exposure modes: spot, or scene, to choose from.
i would agree with you that a DSLR would have numerous advantages for the OP, but he's made it clear that the solution needs to be discreet, and easily setup/taken down.
not out to offend your input, just keeping things relevant and informative to the OP
David W. Richardson
Chapelgrove Films
And yet you do exactly that by implying that no one who has not used a particular piece of equipment before should make any kind of comment about its suitability for a particular project.
I only pointed out what I saw as possible problems. I didn't state anything as a 'necessity'. If the OP does WANT shallow focus in order to better isolate his subject from the background, then he needs to consider the fact that this might be difficult to do with a GoPro.
And if we're going to be nitpicking each other, then I will point out that the OP did NOT say "the solution needs to be discreet". What he said was "im looking for a camera and mount that is semi-discreet..." I take this to mean he doesn't want a bulky, pro video camera strapped to a hostess tray or some other large mounting device. He did mention GoPros, but I felt that had more to do with his budget than anything else. And the fact that he is ASKING for advice indicates he's not convinced the GoPro is the right choice for him.
By all means, the people with experience using GoPros are the best source of information. But he needs to consider the down side of fixed-focus lenses and auto exposure only cameras, neither of which had been addressed in the conversation up to this point.
Andrius Simutis
Veteran
This can be lessened by tinting the vehicle side windows. Not limo black of course, but a little tint can make a big difference. Your talent will still be lit from the light coming in through the windshield, but the camera will have less tendency to get blown out by outside light.
David W. Richardson
Chapelgrove Films
True. Good thinking.
Allan Black
Veteran
If the RV is moving and they're not pro voices, then a lav on each person is recommended to help mask the noise, but you have to feed them to each camera and sync it up in post. Check out the Rode smartLav >> http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/922914-REG/
Clipped in postion on the pocket facing the other person so neither is off mic. Carefully select the area where the RV is driven so traffic is light, passing obstructions won't block the light and the cops won't bust in on the interview. Also are you going to sit behind them to direct, plan the interview before you set out
For some interviews, it might be better parked in a suitable location, so the noise is stopped, cameras can look in through the front windshield, and there's some variety in the series. Then you might be able to use 1 lav clipped on the rear view mirror, run a series of tests.
Cheers.
Clipped in postion on the pocket facing the other person so neither is off mic. Carefully select the area where the RV is driven so traffic is light, passing obstructions won't block the light and the cops won't bust in on the interview. Also are you going to sit behind them to direct, plan the interview before you set out
For some interviews, it might be better parked in a suitable location, so the noise is stopped, cameras can look in through the front windshield, and there's some variety in the series. Then you might be able to use 1 lav clipped on the rear view mirror, run a series of tests.
Cheers.
I figured lav was going to be our best bet. Thank you for the response!