2nd Camera

paul.lagan

Wannabie Member
Hey guys, I know this has been asked before but things have moved on since then.

I currently have a DJI Action 5 and I move this around the bike but this requires stopping etc. to get different angles. I am now thinking maybe I should get a second camera just for the handlebars to give me 2 angles and also I want to mount on other parts of the bike.

I am thinking of just getting a cheap as possible actin camera as all I need it to do is 4k.

I like DJI so I am thinking I could get the Action 1 for under £100 or do you think I should just get an action 4 as this will future-proof but to spend £200 just for a handlebar camera. Action 5 will do all the audio etx.

What do you guys use, do you have a main camera and then a cheap 2nd camera?
 
It is nice to play with different angles, but the truth I have found is that it makes zero difference to the amount of views you get over time unless you are doing something cool that no one else is doing (like when the 360 cameras became a thing, I think I was the first UK motovlogger to use them).
I have had 5 cameras running on a ride before and all it got me was a hot PC while editing and barely a comment on the multiple angles.
So I'd say if money is a constraint, don't bother until you want to upgrade your current helmet camera to something new, and then use the DJI as a 2ndry.
If you just want a second camera because you want a second camera, then get the best that you can afford and possibly stay with the same brand so at least some of the settings will match your main camera.
Personally, if I were buying a second camera and had the latest main camera already, then I'd look at a 360 camera if money wasn't an issue... they are more work to edit, and the quality is lower than a fixed lens action camera, but they are very versatile and you can get multiple angles form the same bit of footage just by editing it again facing a different direction.
 
Thanks mate, yeah I was looking at the 360 cameras but time is already limited to I thought another DJI would speed up my workflow. interesting what you say about angles. I agree, I like watching different angles but it doesn't stand out to me unless they are doing something special (different)
 
Action 4 would give you more consistent colors and image quality, between the shots, but as Hippo said, 360 is more versatile. You can use it for panning shots for the scenic area side views, and such.
What is the effect you are hoping to achieve with the second camera? What is it, that you can't show with the first one?
 
Without knowing a purpose ahead of time, a 2nd [or 3rd, 4th, 5th] camera will just be more work, IMO.

I regularly use 2 GoPros [Hero 12 and 10 as main and 2nd angle, from the handlebars], but I also have an 8, a 9, and a Max [360], which serve specific purposes if I'm out looking to get a specific shot.

Like other said - go with the same camera, or at least the same manufacturer. You really want the same resolution, framerate, and color profile, so the footage from each camera is at least close to the others.

The other big thing I like to have 2 cameras for is to jump cut between them. I can remove flubbed lines, blank space, etc, and switch to the other camera - which IMO is a smoother viewing experience.

-John
 
Yeah main reason to go for second camera is to jump between the 2 just to make the video a little more engaging. I want to stick to DJI for the reasons mentioned but wondering if I should just get a cheap DJI Action 1 as this camera will only be for around the bike or am I better getting a 4 as it is closer to the 5 I already have in terms of quality. I don't want to get another 5 purely due to cost and there are a lot of 4's on ebay etc.
 
Yeah main reason to go for second camera is to jump between the 2 just to make the video a little more engaging. I want to stick to DJI for the reasons mentioned but wondering if I should just get a cheap DJI Action 1 as this camera will only be for around the bike or am I better getting a 4 as it is closer to the 5 I already have in terms of quality. I don't want to get another 5 purely due to cost and there are a lot of 4's on ebay etc.

I'm not an expert on DJI Action cameras, but get the 4. The extra features and improved stabilization and stuff that I can only guess weren't around in the 1-3, will be a boon as a 2nd camera.

-John
 
So you guys that rock 2 cameras and use nd filters, would you use an nd filter on the camera on the handlebar if you were suing one on your helmet cam? Also guessing you would use same settings etc. to make footage consistent
 
So you guys that rock 2 cameras and use nd filters, would you use an nd filter on the camera on the handlebar if you were suing one on your helmet cam? Also guessing you would use same settings etc. to make footage consistent
To get consistent video footage, colors and image quality use the same brand, filters and settings on your second camera.
 
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Sorry I am late to the show. What did I miss?

Just kidding.

Here are my thoughts on your question(s) @paul.lagan

First, go ahead and add the second camera if you want. Go as cheap as you want as long as you either use stabilizing in post (standby for what to expect) or the camera has stablizing built in. However, to quote one of my earlier commentors - "If I wanted to watch a spacemonkey face fuck me then I would go to the zoo"

That commentor has a good point. It is good to be sure that the camera facing you is capturing things behind you. I recently caught a lady almost rear ending my bike. I had that happen once back in 2019.

As far as ND filters or color matching. Do not sweat it. The viewer already knows it is a different camera and you are a one man operation unless mice can hold cameras and be strapped to motorcycles. Having a little different color of sky or whatever just is part of "oh yeah, that IS a different camera".

As far as 4k - I seldom go 4K because of large file on the card and more power consumption. You can get away with 2.7k or even 1080 P since you are looking some at yourself. No one needs to see every detail of our faces. I do recommend maybe a higher frame rate just in case you need to slow the footage down for slo-mo. I saw a few riders catch some great stuff going on behind them or even when they crash because they frame rate was 60 or more, but again higher frame rate is more power consumption.

Finally 360 is great for swiveling around views without physically swinging a camera all over the place. However, it is more work to edit and once 360 is made to 2D then the resolution drops a little. My GoPro 360 max in 2D is not as good as my Hero 8 or 11 Blacks. It is close to my Hero 5 Session and better than my Hero 4 Blacks.

PS, stablizing in post can be more effective than built in because you can control how much is cropped off the image when stabilized. However, the trade off is just a little more work.
 
Thanks all for the comments. So I decided and purchased an Action 4 off fleebay, I figured it will be close to the 5 that I have on my helmet. I also ordered another set of ND filter to match so both can have the same filters etc.

The idea is just to give another angle when recording but also I currently use my phone as my off-bike camera but I want swap that for the 2nd DJI camera. I want to do some drive by shots which means leaving my phone on a tripod on the side of the road and that just doesn't seem responsible :), guess it is less of an issue losing a £200 camera than a £800 phone.

Last question, the camera facing back at you, do you think ultrawide is needed or just normal. What I am hoping is leaving the FOV narrower so I don't have to change it for off bike shots etc.

Still new to editing so even just an extra camera stresses me out lol but hoping as they are the same etc. it should be easier to manage
 
Congrats on the 2nd camera!

I'm with you - I don't like changing the settings on my on-bike cameras: I always forget to put them back for motovlogging.

That said, I prefer a wider FOV for the handlebar camera, so it shows more around me. Once you get the new camera, give it a couple of tests and see what you prefer.

My new go-to for off-bike stuff is actually a DJI Pocket 3. It's got a lot of image and audio quality packed into a small form factor, and fits in a saddlebag.

-John
 
I really considered the pocket 3 but not sure about strapping it to the handlebars. I guess I want a do it all 2nd camera with my Helmet camera being only for that.

I think my future purchase will be a pocket over a more traditional camera
 
I really considered the pocket 3 but not sure about strapping it to the handlebars. I guess I want a do it all 2nd camera with my Helmet camera being only for that.

I think my future purchase will be a pocket over a more traditional camera

LOL, no, I wasn't suggesting using the Pocket 3 as a 2nd on-bike camera! I actually saw a YouTube video last week of a guy who tested it as his helmet cam... uh, no thanks. But for walking around, filming off-bike? The Pocket 3 is ACES!

-John
 

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