Expedition Photography/Video - GoPro VS DSLR

[Go_Home_Loki]

Good morning everyone!

Just wanted to pop a question that has been bothering me for the entire night.
I'm currently planning a short expedition to the Indian Himalayas (6 weeks of trip, 4 weeks trekking) and I'm getting quite nervous thinking about how to record the whole thing: both in stills and videos.

I normally do documentary/travel photography and keep at home 2 full-size DSLR, one of which is able to record films.
I just got my hand on a GoPro and am testing it at the moment.

Basically I am tempted to just pack up the GoPro for the entire trip but am still kind of skeptical about the quality of the produced data (especially photos) and its versatility.
The main adventage is obviously weight as I do not think I'll be able (or more willing) to carry the GoPro and a DSLR.

Has anyone ever recorded a full trip using a GoPro? Do they have any kind of special advice?

Thanks a lot!


(Sorry for any language mistake ^^)

 

[AA1PR]

Unless you buy an aftermarket GoPro charger for the batteries they dont last very long

 

[mtnbike28]

I could never consider a great trip without the dSLR, I think you will look at the images when you get back and be disappointed with the quality on a GoPro.... and you possibly won't be going back soon. I am confused, if you are taking a full dSLR, the GoPro is tiny... I would think both would be fun. I have a GoPro that has been sitting since I bought it. I charged it and went to use it and it was dead, re-charged it and it didn't last long.... I just have not been motivated to recharge it and try again.

 

[hesterj]

^^ mtnbike28,
Please send that broke GoPro to this poor old cowboy. It has caused you nothing but headache.
When you have a headache, you get distracted.
When you get distracted,you drive poorly.
When you drive poorly,you have a accident and die.

So...please send me that worthless GoPro so i may save your life!!! You owe it to your family.

PM me if you would like to part with it. Thanks

 

[mtnbike28]

Thanks for the offer, but it belongs to work. I have to learn it so I can use it for work.... but I have till September, so I have time ; )

 

[Go_Home_Loki]

Let's say I am really trying to NOT overpacked myself: we are unspported so every single gram that can be left at home will be a plus.

 

[goodtimes]

I use both - and a Go Pro is absolutely no replacement for even an entry level dSLR.

The Go Pro is great for what it is - a dash camera that you can strap to your head (or chest, or helmet, or . . . ). It's almost complete lack of any adjustment is what makes it great. Just point it in the general direction you want and hit the button. For POV footage it's great. For a dash-cam, it's pretty good. For strapping to the bottom of an R/C helicopter and getting inexpensive aerial footage, it's great. For anything else - meh.

I would not use it as my sole means of documenting a trip (unless I was exploring my own back yard). You can't frame any images, you can't review them to see if you really got what you wanted, you are stuck with the ridiculously wide lens (again - great for POV images, not much else), you have very limited control (not even basic shutter speed or aperture adjustments) - it just isn't a very versatile camera.

If weight is a concern, consider a point and shoot camera in addition to the GoPro. You gain a *lot* of versatility without a lot of weight or cost. Image quality still isn't there (relative to a good dSLR), but it would be well ahead of what you would get out of the GoPro.

 

[Go_Home_Loki]

Many thanks eveyone! Lots of useful advice there
When it comes to the wide lens and not being able to review the footage: I was planning to play with Medium/Wide mode (or even crop a larger 2.7k in post) and add maybe the LCD mini screen.
I think I keep trying to make the most out of that small camera because it just feels so convenient to have it in the pocket while trekking up and down the mountains instead of carrying a heavy D4.

But yeah I can feel somewhere at the back of my mind that if I leave my baby Nikon at home, I'll regret it real bad ^^

 

[off-roader]

Maybe getting a Sony NEX camera is a good alternative to your dslr. APS-C sensor is great for low light and it does take beautiful videos. It's light enough that I've replaced my point and shoots with it. I still use my dslr for any important shots though.

If you or your colleagues / trip mates have canon lenses they even make adapters for them.