Observing the speed limit

Because media cards have so many uses, the capacity of a card and the speed at which it transfers data will vary. Regardless of which kind of card you’re using, here’s a breakdown of the Speed Class Rating system, a system created by a consortium of manufacturers. You can find more information at www.sdcard.org.

• Class 10: 10MB per second
• Ultra High Speed, Class 1: 10MB per second
• Ultra High Speed, Class 3: 30MB per second
• Video Speed Class: From 6–90MB per second

Checking card capacity

HD movie files are large, and the 4K ones are even bigger. That’s why it’s important to have a large-capacity card so it doesn’t fill up sooner rather than later. Today, microSD cards continue to increase in capacity while going down in price. But sometimes the difference in price between using the right card and a slower one isn’t that much different. That’s why you should purchase the card based on its speed and storage, and not because of its cost.

Not all UHS cards are created equal. They represent the minimum speed requirement, so even cards from the same manufacturer differ in speed.

Here are transfer speeds for a few popular cards that you can use with your GoPro:

• Lexar 633x UHS I: This card comes in several sizes ranging from 32GB to 200GB and offers a maximum transfer speed of 95MB per second.
• Samsung Pro Plus: This media card has capacity up to 128GB and transfer speed up to 95MB per second.
• SanDisk Extreme Pro: SanDisk’s Extreme Pro comes in two sizes: 64GB and 128GB. This card is incredibly fast, with a write speed up to 100MB per second, and read speed up to 275MB per second.

GoPro can capture 4K video, with four times as much detail as HD. With great quality, however, comes great size. Capturing 4K video requires a fast, high-capacity card, because 4K takes up far more space than HD does. How much depends on the frame-rate setting. Regardless, 4K video is going to take up more than half of the capacity of the card, so a 32GB card with 4K video on it will hold less than a 16GB card would for the same amount of video capture.

Choosing the right card

The best type of card for you depends on what you’re trying to do and on your budget. Still-image capture requires less transfer speed than video does, so if you don’t have the fastest card, you can still get by. When you’re shooting HD movies, though, you need a card with a write speed that can keep up with movie capture. Using a low-speed card is like having slow workers on a factory assembly line; it makes the operation less efficient.

GoPro recommends SDHC cards with a minimum Class 10 rating. Slower cards, if you happen to come across them, will work, but they process moving images less efficiently. Also, there’s always a risk that a slower card will lag and stop recording. Worse, you could lose data with a slow card. If you’re doing 4K, consider UHS Speed Class 3 cards for seamless capture. They’re the most expensive cards but are designed for the fastest transfer rates.

Managing media cards

Unlike calling a bald guy “Curly,” or a large person “Tiny,” there’s nothing ironic about a microSD card. They live up to their name as being a small media card. Not just small, but the kind of small that’ s easy to misplace in plain sight. Yet, it’s amazing how much data these little memory devices can hold. But it’s also possible to easily lose and misplace them because of this size, as shown in Figure 2-1.

Here are some suggestions to keep track of your cards.

• Always have a card in the camera: There are a few reasons for taking the card out of the camera, including to connect to a card reader or switch for a different size card. If you remove the card from the camera, be sure to put it back.
• Keep extra cards in their case: I cannot overemphasize that these cards are small and can easily get lost. And when you consider the cost of some of the bigger, faster ones, you have a lot to lose if you’re not careful.
• Delete after downloading: After you securely save the content of your card, purge the card. There’s nothing worse than being on an important shoot and running out of space because you have last summer’s water balloon fight still on the card.
• Format the card regularly: Think of it as “super” erasing the data on the card. Merely deleting files still leaves extraneous traces of data on the card, while formatting removes everything, allowing you to capture on a fresh data-free card. You don’t need to do it every time, but before each important shoot.
• Organize your cards: Don’t forget that “micro” in a microSD card means it’s small. That’s why it’s a great idea to store and organize it in a card caddy. If you don’t what to be so formal, a small box or a Ziploc bag can work for you.

Using underwater accessories

If you’re looking to record underwater seascapes or artful pool pictures, GoPro lets you easily capture submerged scenes. Whether you’re using the new HERO5 models, or a previous generation model, you can capture underwater scenes with relative ease and little worry.

The HERO5 Black comes with a built-in LCD screen making it possible to monitor and frame the scene right out of the box. Previous versions are a little more challenging, when it comes to viewing the scene. Normally, you would monitor the scene with your smartphone (see Chapter 1), but that’s not feasible for underwater recording because of the whole water-is-wet thing. So, there’s a little more guessing involved. Of course, you could also attach the optional Touch BacPac (see the next section) on most HERO models, Session excluded. The Touch BacPac allows you to monitor the scene from the back of the camera, but it’s submersible only to shallow depths, and the touch panel won’t work underwater.

Here are some accessories to consider for underwater recording:

• Antifog inserts: These inserts drop into the camera’s housing to prevent fogging in cold and humid environments. You can reuse them several times by drying them out in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes.
• A big media card: You can’t change the card underwater (or anywhere that’s even slightly moist, for that matter), so it’s a good idea to use the biggest one you can afford.
• Color-correction filters: Underwater scenes are beautiful, but they have blue or green casts. An optional color-correction filter in red or magenta can reduce or eliminate the cast.
• Floaty Backdoor: This accessory attaches to the back of the camera and keeps it afloat in case you accidentally let go of it while taking an underwater selfie (see Figure 2-2). Any time you play in the water, there’s a risk that the camera will take more of a plunge than you’d like. Thanks to this bright-orange back, however, you’ll have no problem spotting it in the water.
• Dive Housing: The waterproof housing that comes with the camera works well for most underwater situations, but if you want to take the camera deeper, consider this housing. It’s more durable than the standard model and is waterproof to 197 feet (60m). The kit includes Standard, Skeleton, and BacPac backdoors. Its increased durability makes it perfect for more serious diving encounters. And its glass lens delivers optimal sharpness in and out of the water. While the HERO5 Black is already waterproof to 33 feet, to go deeper requires the optional Dive Housing.
• The Handler: The handgrip provides stability when holding the camera. It’s great for use in and out of the water, and will float if you accidentally drop the camera.
• Scuba mask: The GoMask is a cool third-party accessory that lets you wear the camera on your face while snorkeling or scuba diving so you can see what you’re capturing.
• Video lights: You can get a complete light system that mounts on a rack with your GoPro and provides up to 900 lumens of illumination for densely lit underwater scenes.

Going deep

GoPro plays equally well in and out of the water, with the HERO5 Black and HERO5 Session no longer requiring a waterproof housing. Previous models come with a waterproof housing that can withstand depths of up to 131 feet (40 m). For these models, you can leave the housing on the camera when you’re using it for non-water-based fun. (You need it for some mounting options, because they attach to the housing. But I’m talking about waterproof situations in this section.)

Two backdoors come with your GoPro (except for the HERO5): The Skeleton, which provides good sound quality, and Standard, which is waterproof.

Make sure that you have the Standard backdoor on when you use your GoPro underwater, because much like the name implies, the Skeleton isn’t waterproof.

Here are the maximum depths your GoPro can reach with a couple of other accessories:

• HERO5 Black and HERO5 Session: Both waterproof on their own to depths up to 33 feet (10 m). The optional Dive Housing lets you go deeper.
• Dive Housing: This accessory increases the GoPro’s depth rating to 197 feet (60 m) for HERO5 Black.
• Touch BacPac Backdoor: Although it lets you monitor the scene from the camera back, you can’t use it deeper than 10 feet (3 m).

Checking your camera before getting it wet

Anytime you plan to take your GoPro in or near the water you need to be sure everything is correctly set before you place the camera near water. (See Figure 2-3). So, before taking it for a dip consider the following:

• Have enough room on the microSD card: Remember, if you run out of storage, you can’t change cards in the water.
• Make sure it’s clean: Not only do they say it’s next to godliness, but keeping the glass in front of the lens clean will assure you capture clear and sharp images. The Anti-Fog inserts can help here.

• A test case: This applies to older models that require a waterproof housing. Yeah, it makes the camera waterproof, but isn’t it nice to be reassured? So, without the GoPro inside, close it up and submerge in water, as seen in Figure 2-3. After a brief soak, dry the outside completely before opening and see if it’s wet inside. Also, make sure the camera is fully sealed: Push the housing backdoor all the way in before securing the black latch on the top of the case.

• Rinse off salt water: If you’re going to take it to the beach, on a dive, or any situation involving salt water, it’s always a good idea to rinse the camera and accessories with fresh cool water. The salt can get caught in the case and around the lens, causing rust on the metal parts and a salty coating over the lens.

Remo (waterproof voice-activated remote)

Not only can you command your GoPro HERO5 with your own words, but you can do it from a distance using the optional Remo voice-activated remote. Don’t worry if you’re in or near the water, since the remote is waterproof, just like your GoPro. And if you don’t feel like talking, it acts as a one-button remote.

Here’s the lowdown on what it can do:

• Works from a distance: You can be up to 32-feet (10m) away from the camera and command it to capture the scene.
• Wear it: Much like a brooch, you can talk to Remo from your lapel (or any place else on your clothing) or a wristwatch, and wear Remo with the included clip and wrist housing.
• Easy commands: Understands 13 commands that allow you to shoot video, take still photos, and change settings.
• Enhances camera use: Even when GoPro is close to you, Remo helps enhance the voice control when the conditions are noisy or windy.
• Waterproof: Not only can you use it in the water while swimming, surfing, or doing whatever you like to do in the water, the HERO5 is also waterproof up to 16 feet.
• Multi-lingual: Can understand 10 languages, including English, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, and German.

Mounting your GoPro out of the box

When you take the camera out of the box, you’ll notice that it comes with some hardware:

• The Frame: Also includes Mounting Buckle & Long Thumb Screw.

• Flat adhesive mount: Makes it easy to connect your GoPro to any clean, flat surface. When the camera is attached to the quick-release buckle, it slides right into the mount.

• Curved adhesive mount: Looks a little like the flat mount but is designed for curved surfaces.

Using a tripod (with an adapter)

For a good part of the camera’s 200-year history, the tripod has been the photographer’s best friend when it comes to keeping the camera steady and composing the scene. For almost as long, cameras have had a standard socket for attaching to a tripod. Yep, the three-legged amigo has made all the difference between crisply shot movies and a shaky mess.

One problem with the GoPro is that it doesn’t have a tripod socket on its bottom, so there’s no built-in way to secure the camera to a tripod. No worries. You can still mount it with a special accessory that attaches to your GoPro and provides a standard tripod socket. This accessory also has a quick-release mount that allows you to move the camera conveniently between shots and locations. The GoPro looks comfortable when mounted on a flexible GorillaPod, for example (see Figure 2-4).

Getting Framed

When using an older model GoPro, you can leave the camera in its waterproof housing for most situations, but sometimes you may want to shoot outside of the case. The Frame comes standard with the HERO5 models, as well as being a cool accessory for older models. It allows you to place the camera in a frame, as the name implies. The open design delivers optimal audio capture, providing it’s not an activity that puts the camera too close to the noise. The integrated latch makes removing your GoPro from the Frame quick and easy. You also have open access to the camera’s microSD, Micro HDMI, and USB ports for easy data offload, live-feed video, and charging.

Here are some reasons for using it:

• Not bulky: Because it fits around the camera, it doesn’t add size to the camera like the waterproof housing.
• Better audio capture: Because the microphone is not obscured by the case, you get the clearest sound reproduction.
• No waterproof housing needed: Provides immediate access to camera ports for downloading data and live-feed video.
• Protective glass lens: Prevents the camera lens from getting dirty or scratched.
• Extendable support arm: Lets you easily attach accessories like the LCD Touch BacPac or Battery BacPac.

Choosing your mounts wisely

There’s a mount specific to whatever you’re looking to do with your GoPro, from surfing, skateboarding, playing music, or wearing it like a fashion accessory.

Using suction cups

When you think of mounting your camera with suction cups, secure placement isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. The first thing is “I hope it stays on,” as you worry that the cup will lose suction and the camera will fall off.

Not gonna happen. The industrial-strength suction cup mounts attach the camera to almost any flat, clean surface and even the hood of a moving car, as seen in Figure 2-5. How reliable are they? These mounts have been engineered to withstand a broad range of motion at speeds more than 150 mph. It’s a good idea for your GoPro to be in its waterproof housing to provide extra protection.

Using the Jaws Flex Clamp

“Jaws Flex Clamp” sounds like a sequel to the shark thriller, but this accessory lets you attach your GoPro to anything it can bite … er, clip. The mighty little clamp lets you attach the camera to a variety of objects up to 2 inches thick. You can mount the camera directly on the clamp, or attach it to the optional gooseneck to accommodate a wider range of camera angles.

Pro Seat Rail Mount

Let’s you hang the camera on back of your bicycle seat to capture a rear-facing camera perspective. (See Figure 2-6.)

Musical mounts

Almost since the beginning of photography, musical performances have been captured from the outside, and the resulting footage often has a two-dimensional appearance. Musicians don’t want a clunky camera intruding in their performance space. But the GoPro can go where other cameras can’t, thanks to a few mounts specifically designed for music:

• Microphone-stand mount: This dandy little device transforms a microphone stand into a tripod of sorts. It’s compatible with standard microphone stands when you use the included adapter. It comes with a quick-release base that allows you to move the camera between mounts and locations.
• Instrument mount: If you’re looking to get a little closer to the action, opt for a removable instrument mount, which allows you to attach your GoPro to a guitar, bass, drums, or keyboard. You can even mount it on a turntable, if spinning vinyl is your jam. These temporary mounts have non-damaging adhesive that’s safe for most instrument surfaces. The kit includes three mounts (reusable) and two single-use adhesive strips.
• The Arm: Allows you to mount your GoPro to almost anything, including this guitar, as seen in Figure 2-7. It can be used on guitar headstocks, keyboards, horns, or any other instrument you can clamp it on.

Headband mount

If you want to capture video from the perspective of what you’re seeing and want to look something like a coal miner too, this mount is for you. The fully adjustable strap allows you to attach the camera to your head or a helmet to capture footage from a headlamp-like perspective. Thanks to its design, you can also put it on a baseball cap.

Helmet mounts

Helmet mounts come in several configurations. If you’re going to use this mount while riding a bicycle or motocross bike, always select a helmet that meets the applicable safety standard when you use it with a GoPro helmet mount.

GoPro offers several helmet mounts, including these:

• Helmet mount: Whether you take your GoPro on a motorcycle ride down a country road or zip down a windy trail on your mountain bike, this mount allows you to record the view from atop your head, as shown in Figure 2-9. The camera sits on the helmet like a headlamp, letting you capture forward-facing footage. You can adjust the extendable arm so that the camera faces you for self-portrait videos and photos.

  This mount uses a special adhesive that can be removed only by heat from a hair dryer.

• Vented-helmet mount: Instead of using adhesive to hold the camera in place, this mount uses straps to attach the camera to any vented sports helmet. The adjustable strap makes mounting the camera quick and easy.
• Helmet front and side mount: You can do more than just attach your GoPro to the side of a helmet with this mount. It also works well on vehicles and other moving objects. Three-way adjustability makes aiming the camera easy.
• Night-vision mount: This mount allows you to attach your GoPro to a helmet that includes a mounting plate for Night Vision Goggles.

Chest harnesses, or the Chesty!

Sometimes when you’re in the middle of the action, it’s nice to hold the GoPro near and dear to your heart, literally. The Chesty lets you wear the camera on your chest. Basically, it looks like suspenders with a camera in the middle.

This harness comes in two sizes:

• Chesty M-XXL: This harness makes it easy to capture immersive video and photos, as shown in Figure 2-10. One benefit of using this type of mount is that you can include more of your body in the frame. It’s perfect for immersing yourself in your favorite activities, such as mountain biking, motocross, skiing, or paddle sports. You’ll capture more of your arms, knees, and maybe face (when you lean in). It’s fully adjustable to fit a wide range of adult sizes.
• Chesty XS-S: This smaller version of the Chesty is perfect for smaller humans. It lets them have fun with the GoPro when they’re playing on slides and swings, or skateboarding or bicycling.

Fetch (dog harness)

For too many years, our fine-feathered friends have gotten credit for the shot that looks down on the situation. Well, move over bird’s-eye view and make way for the dog’s life view. Think of the Fetch as the canine version of the Chesty, allowing you to record the world as seen from the back of your dog. You can use it on any dog between 20 and 120 pounds. Just make sure the dog is never left alone, and not just because she will claim credit for the footage.

The Strap

The Strap lets you wear the camera on more than your wrist to capture hands-free footage from your arm or wrist. It allows you to capture 360° for unique POV footage or some of the coolest selfies. Ideal for numerous activities and fully adjustable to fit whatever limb works for you, the Strap is one of our most versatile mounts for your GoPro. (See Figure 2-11)

It’s all about Karma

GoPro has simplified the idea of flying your HERO from above. More than a drone, this vessel centers around the Karma Stabilizer, which is a stabilization device that attaches to the drone itself, as well as allowing you to hold it by hand, much like a steady cam does in movie production. That means you can capture incredibly steady footage from the air or when held in your hand, despite how much motion is going on around the camera. The Karma works with current GoPro models, including the HERO4 and HERO5 models.

Here’s what comes in the box:

• Karma Drone: Sleeker than other drones on the market, this one is made specifically for GoPro.
• Karma Controller: More than a remote, this video-game style device allows you to control and view the flight of your drone. Want more? The GoPro Passenger App lets you share flight monitoring with friends while you’re flying.
• Karma Grip: Helps you get smooth video whether it’s on the drone or you take it off and hold it by hand and use it as stabilization system on the ground.
• Karma Stabilizer and Harness: The harness holds your GoPro and the stabilizer attaches to the Karma to keep it steady to produce smooth shake-free video.
• Battery and Charger: All-in-one charger provides up to 20 minutes of flight on a one-hour charge.
• Propellers: Sometimes they’re the first victims in an altercation. No worries, six replacements come in the box. And they’re color-coded for easy installation.
• Mounting Ring: Use it to attach Karma Grip to GoPro mounts.
• Case: A durable weather-resistant case that’s perfect for carrying your Karma and all the necessary accessories. You can also fit the Karma drone in Seeker, the GoPro backpack.

Keeping your GoPro charged

Your GoPro HERO camera offers amazing results while it’s powered up, but unfortunately, the power doesn’t last forever. Battery life is less than two hours, which can pose a problem when you’re out in the field. That’s why it’s a good idea to have an extra battery or a portable charger with you.

Here are a few other accessories that can keep your GoPro powered longer:

• Dual-battery charger: This device lets you charge two batteries at the same time and is USB-compatible. LED indicator lights display the charging status of both batteries.
• Super charger (Wall charger): The wall charger lets you connect your camera via USB directly to an AC outlet for fast charging. You can record while charging, essentially plugging the camera into a continuous power source.
• Portable Power Pack:
• Battery BacPac: For situations that require longer continuous service from the camera, you should consider using the Battery BacPac. This helpful accessory attaches to the back of the camera to extend battery life. Charge it through your computer or a wall charger. The LCD window displays battery level and charging status.
• Auto charger: This device allows you to charge up to two cameras in your car.