Fun films with cheap camera`s...

`Fun Films with cheap cameras`

The moto on My Youtube channel.  When i started the blog and made some Pugsley films here on the coast i used a £72 Canon SD PowerShot A470, i went through 2 of these in 3 years...

Along with these i used a Tachyon XC sports SD (standard definition) camera, attached to the helmet with 3M snap Velcro, the combo of both cameras was ideal, both quick to upload-edit, and then publish on line.
I still have the Tachyon SD camera, though not used it for ages...

HD;
Then everything went High Definition pretty much and so  i went away from the budget camera idea and shelled out £300 for a Go Pro Hero 2 sports camera with the extras like chest cam mount,  larger Gorilla Pod, and home made mounts like a mono pod, a front wheel view/fork mount and a universal bolt on mount to try and bring to life bike films from on board and some new angles to keep things interesting....

While that has been good fun, i still like to mix the Go Pro footage with film or pictures from my new HD Canon PowerShot A3200 IS compact camera.
Eletronic prices come down once things have been out for a while, and for around £70 you can get this HD camera for the price of my old SD Canon.
I still like to use only the compact camera with  its gorilla pod and film point to point films.The compact does not have an anti statter sports mode, also the lens would get hit with sand if chest mounted so it is just uses hand held and on the gorilla pod.
The compacts are  good for capturing views further away than the fish eye Go Pro lens and the compact can also film from behind a light in the dark...

And that is the downside to the Go Pro, it cannot film while riding the bike in the dark. A pity as night riding is so much fun.
High Definition also needs a movie editing software on Windows Vista that my old PC is to read and then edit the HD files of both cameras. Why most people regularly editing films use Apple. It is all money though to upgrade.

So we need a Go Pro or similar camera that will film in the dark please!.  Or even better would be a waterproof compact that is shock resistant and also has the same no shake `sports` mode of the Go Pro, then i could take pics, and film what ever weather and in any light, all with one camera. make it so will fist the Go pro chest strap-keep the price under £300 and were there!,

Until that is available at least  i can do point to point shots with the compact camera.
It is not brilliant but if in trees you kinda get the idea of being in your own wee world with just what is in your lights visible. regular trails take on a whole new view in the dark, it adds another dimension to your riding variety...

I shot some film on Monday and Tuesday after work once dark after sunset at 3.35pm with the compact
Song is `Wait for the Blackout` by The Damned
click on the cog icon to view in HD

Nearly mid winter, Lights update, and pics from a fun Midweek Nightride...

Nearly mid winter, and i ride to work in the dark...7.45am...

And the days are mostly overcast if mild weather as it has been since the weekend...

Lights are on all day in the workshop...

Sun sets as we head in to finish...

And buy the time i cycle home it is as good as dark with sunset at 3.36pm today...

I am still night riding a couple of times a week as usual but have not blogged any rides this winter as, well i just never seem to get any decent pictures!. With the Xmas lights in the local villages i thought it would be possible to get some pics worth posting.

Lights Update;
I charged up the 872  Magicshine Lights which are now into their 3rd winter and still working fine. No probs with the lights, Battery life, or chargers after 3 years and a lot of use...

Along with the two 1600 lumen's Magic shine 872`s i am still using a cheap Chinese torch as a helmet lamp that has proved ideal.
It is an Ultra Fire P10-R5 which is 350 lumen's (claimed) and was only £13 from deal extreme in Hong Kong.
I did wait for 3 weeks for the delivery but it has been faultless over 3 years also.

 It is mounted to a USE Exposure helmet mount that at £35 cost more than the torch!.

It takes one battery which i have had no problems with them,  or the charger,  the tape around the battery is to stop it rattling inside the torch...
NOTE; 1980`s BUZBY Telephone coin box!, had it since a kid!...

I use both Magic shines on the lowest setting, thus i have hours of light with a good enough spread, 2 lights in case one has an issue, and the helmet torch is only used on tight trails in woods or when stopped etc...
This set up has been ideal...

Another new light;
And now i also have a real neat  LED Lensor SE03 LED High Performance head torch to test and review-sent by  The on line outdoor shop; www.completeoutdoors.co.uk

This is a neat piece of kit!, it is 90 Lumen's with a lower 14 lumen's setting and also a flash setting.
It takes 3 AAA batteries, it can also be switched to red, also with a flash setting, and has a lock so it is not accidentally switched on in a pocket or bag. It has an adjustable rotating head which is handy for tinkering with a bike in the dark, as i have already discovered.
Easily powerful enough to cycle on the road with 40 meter visibility it is a great back up light to get home, or as intended for outdoors on foot or while cycling and stopped on the trail on a night ride.
It is in my pocket all the time now or in my commute bag or trail bag...

Will post some reviews of the head torch over the winter and see how it it preforms and lasts...


Heart of Darkness;
Tried to get some pics while out last night.  6 miles on the road to Aberlady, then into the night...

ARISE!!! lol

Aberlady....

Coffin Lane...

Then out across the Reserve...

And up onto Gullane Hill, then the fun descent into Gullane Village...

Then along the Baked Bean trail and into the woods...

He`s back!!!

The `Wood Troll`  has returned for winter!!!...

Beware the Moon...

Listening to music on the ipod on this evenings ride, maybe good to not hear any strange noises when alone down in the woods, and letting your imagination run away with you!. Though it keeps the tempo and  pace up while blasting around the sandy trails here for half an hour!...

Into Archifield Estate...

Night ride selfie! -)

Then onto the Single track and then the JMW into Yellowcraig Woods...

All a bit Blair Witchy in the dark...

Stopped in the woods for a nibble, switch off the music and soak up the silent surroundings...

Time to call it a night and back up the JMW to Dirleton Village...

A cheeky pint on a school night would be nice!, but no money on me anyway!...

So blast home on the road...

Home and only 9pm. Bike washed-dog poo on the tyres as always when at Yellowcraig, then onto its beach towel to dry in the kitchen, and sample some "Schiehallion"  Scottish brewed Lager. Got a case from friend Davie for lending out my Purple Pugsley last Saturday for GFBD.  very kind of him...

Add some munchies, Garlic Philadelphia soft cheese on Nairns Oat cakes, and a perfect evenings cycle...

Mid week night rides are usually like this twice a week now until the early dark evenings draw out...

It`s a hard life but someone has to do it...   -)