GoPro Hero footage looks like crap...

Rylan Zolinski

Rylan Zolinski

Well-known member
http://vimeo.com/29586881

I'm not expecting amazing quality, but something is definitely "off" with the footage. It's blurry/hazy and not sharp at all. I've seen footage with this same camera that produces crisp/clean footage but mine will not. I've tried filming in brighter conditions and the results are the same. Anyone have any idea on why my footage looks the way it does?
 
Thats exactly the quality I see from most GoPro footage, the best results come from when people shoot w/o the case, or at least remove the lens cover, most issues are a result of the case lens cover, it was really poorly manufactured and has lots of issues and imperfections, plus it traps dust like no other.
 
yes, I might agree with natums regarding the case. Have you tried comparing shots under same conditions with and without the case? Although if that proves anything, you gro pro would be less useful without the case since thats where the mount attaches.

I'm editing material shot with it and its not that hazy like your sample though.
 
I've shot without the case plenty of times. I used a big rubber band, and wrap it around the Go Pro HD and the head of my tripod. The case will cause some loss of quality-but, you were also shooting in some difficult lighting conditions, and there is a setting in the camera to meter in "spot"-try that. And, either remove the plastic lens from the case, or get creative with mounting the camera without the case-assuming you don't need water-proof and the camera is relatively protected.
The Go Pro is a great tool to have in your bag of tricks. It's how you use it, and edit it, that makes or breaks the footage.
You can also try to add some grain in post, to mask some of the idiosyncrasies of the camera.
It's POV camera, for $200-so, you get what you get.
 
Well, the first thing that jumps out to me is that you're shooting into the sun. Even though it's getting toward sunset, the camera is still pointed at the source. That's a guaranteed way to make your video look hazy and washed-out. Try the exact same shot, except during golden hour and with the sun behind you.
 
I noticed the same after the camera had "fogged" once or twice. The condensate on the inside surface of the housing lens doesn't just go away...it leaves a film of sorts. Try really cleaning it with lens tissue.
 
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