GoPro Hero 2

Since I started cycling, I have been looking for a video camera to record some of the trails I ride.  I tried mounting a regular video camera - its to heavy and the mount would move.  Tried using my Canon Point&Shoot camera.  I was met with limited success.

Most successful have been the "lipstick" cameras.  I have had 2 - a "Tony Hawk" camera and one from Oregon Scientific.  Had the best luck with the Tony Hawk camera.  The video file size was good for posting on my web site.  My problems was getting the camera aimed, the battery life, and memory card limitations.

I started to concentrating on my still shots.  My Canon PowerShot S95 will record both JPG and RAW.  It also does bracketed exposures (I am a believer in HDR Photography).

Over the last could years, more and more of my singletrack cycling friends have purchased GoPro Hero POV (Point of view) cameras.  This Spring, a friend of mine was looking to sell a GoPro Hero2 that he had as a demo camera.  We agreed on purchase of the camera and included mounts.

I have added the back screen and a handlebar mount.  Topped off my purchase with a hard case by UKPro for the camera.  GoPro cameras and mounts are available as several "big box" and local stores.  I purchase my UKPro case from Breeze Cycle in Omaha.  The photo above is on my GoPro in the UKPro hard case.

A couple days later, we got some decent riding weather.  After a false start (did not bring all of the required bracket parts), I attached the camera to the bike and headed out for Lake Manawa.  A couple times, I had to stop and tighten the various connections of the mount.

Downloaded the video from the camera when I got back to the house.  Doing something wrong because I recorded 8 segments of under 2GB each.  Also there were regular "jumps" in the video. Oh, the photo here, shows the GoPro mounted on my hybrid, post ride.

With some research, I found out that i needed to convert the file in GoPro CineForm Studio.  This created a stable AVI video, though still had to piece together the sections.  Tried to do that in my Pinnacle Studio 11.  The software did not seem to like the process.  Went to Best Buy where I saw Studio is up to version 16 and (the version they had on the shelf) was much more expensive than Adobe Premier Elements.  Bought that bundled with Photoshop Elements version 11.

The lower photo is of the camera mounted on my hybrid bike.  Ended up with a flash video and AVI movie. 

HDR Expose 2

My search continues to find a suitable replacement for HDR Photo Pro.  I have likes the results of the software, (see http://tomwinfieldphoto.blogspot.com/2012/09/rio-grande-road-to-taos.html) but there have been crashing problems and lack of updates.  Recently I updated a trial copy I have of HDR Expose 2 by Unified Color. 

First, must comment about the update.  Just a month or two ago since I downloaded and installed the software.  There was an update which I installed, and it gave me an additional 7 days of trial time.  Since I process much of my photos from camera RAW, updates can be important (new cameras need new RAW processing).

The big problem I had with HDR Expose 2 was getting a good image alignment.  Most of my HDR photos are created from 3 exposures (+2.0, 0.0, -2.0 EV) and HAND HELD.  I do not take a tripod on my bicycle to shoot trail photos.  Many of my shots are also taken while stopping along the road.

HDR Expose has 3 different alignment schemes.  I tried all three with varying results.  All were unacceptable.  At this time, I stopped the test as the software does not fit my needs. Did not try to enhance the color.  Here's the best alignment I was able to get with the hand held photo.

HDR Expose 2 sells for $149.00.

Bower Lens Adapter

When I upgraded to digital in 2004, I was upgrading from the Canon FD/AE bodies and lenses.  Not happy that my old lenses would not fit on the new EOS Rebel.  After all, I have a couple of very good lenses.  Mostly, I wanted to use my Vivitar Series 1 70-210 zoom w/ macro.

Visited at the Rockbrook Camera tent sale, and asked about the adapters.  They do not carry then.  Knew that there is no auto focus and me not have light metering. I decided it was worth the under $40 to check one out.

Ordered the Bower adapter from B&H Photo.  The adapter arrived yesterday.  Looking forward to testing it.  For what I can see, I will have light metering.

Tamron 60mm Macro Lens

Friday I purchased a macro lens.  Got a good deal (I think) from Rockbrook Camera (discounted price and hefty rebate).  Have been looking at Macro lenses for shooting flowers.  New lens is Tamron 60mm f/2 Macro 1:1.  Photo taken hand-held.  I can see that using my tripod will help for macro shots.

Looking forward to getting out to shoot some flowers to check out the lens more.  Note: The color is not vivid as the tree is covered with road dust.

Canon EOS Rebel T1i  f/5.6 at 1/500 sec   ISO 100  60.0 mm  Processed from RAW with Photoshop Elements 9.