Contour Cameras and Kiteboarding

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1735 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

wondering if there are any kiteboarders out there that use the Contour line of cameras.
I have been working with Contour and developed the latest version of the kite line mount designed for specific use with the Contour cameras.
Contour is a Seattle company that sets themselves apart from other action sports cameras with features like built in GPS and bluetooth technology.
I recently met with Contour and they are excited with the development that I have been doing with their cameras.
Here is a shot of the Contour kite line mount which incorporates the waterhousing as an integral part of the line mount system.
more info on Contour cameras can be found at http://www.contour.com

Because it can be set for standard field of view, it can be mounted on your fifth element bar and still film you with a non wide angle perspective.

The following (vimeo link to) video using the new Contour Kite Line Mount on a Best kite. Keep in mind the front lines reside about 6 feet up from the sheeter straps. video filmed in 1280 x 960 aspect ratio.
I had it on youtube, but youtube banned it so here is a link to my vimeo page.

http://www.vimeo.com/18809375

This video was shot with camera higher up on fifth element bar.

Link

Kitesail · Since 23 Jun 2006 108 Posts The Gorge Stoked

Hey Stringy -
Great to see your using the Contour! Got one myself with different mounts. That mount looks good, anyway to zoom in with editing?

Just returned from Idaho. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hwPoed7xvg

John

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1735 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

nice john!
love the video!
I assume you had the contour on your helmet.
I did more testing today with the contour kiteline mount and will go through it soon and post it up.
The real nice thing that I really like about the contour is that you can rotate the lens on the fly to the preferred angle. This is a very nice feature when filming from the kitelines.

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1735 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

today on lake washington.

Link

forrest · Mon Jan 17, 11 1:17 am

Nice videos! Looks like ya'll are scoring!

Kitesail · Since 23 Jun 2006 108 Posts The Gorge Stoked

Sweet!

That's nice and close up. Love the crash at the end,ha lead on..

John

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1735 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

pushing it wakestyle on the lake.
this is a good test for the kiteline mount seeing how well it handles underwater filming...

Link

K2 · Since 30 Apr 2009 274 Posts Hood River, OR Obsessed

[quote="stringy"]
The real nice thing that I really like about the contour is that you can rotate the lens on the fly to the preferred angle. This is a very nice feature when filming from the kitelines.[/quote="stringy"]

Hey does this mean that you can move the angle whilst flying your kite on the water?? How come these videos look better than most GoPro videos I see and these have not really been edited much you said. These videos are pretty rad man! I was going to buy a GoPro this summer but maybe I will save up for one of these instead. I would be curious to know more about the Contour Camera! I also liked the crash at the end of the video where you lost your hat haha! Must have given you a brain freeze from the looks of it.

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1735 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

the Contour camera lens must be set before inserting the camera into the waterhousing.
Super easy to do though by just physically rotating the front lens and the lasers can help for minute adjustments.
I am trying to edit the videos with minor editing but no stabilization at all. I rarely use stabilizing software so that I can show the viewer how the mount works.
The Contour camera is very steady due to the center of gravity is more centered along the kite lines.
This helps quite a bit.

These videos are mainly research and development to understand how the mount works whether up close or on specific kite bars. I found yesterday that the mount was snagging on my rear lines. this was not a problem I experienced when developing the GoPro kitehero mount.
As with all of my mounts produced, I'm going to refine this camera mount so that it is a good safe product to use.

forrest · Mon Jan 17, 11 1:35 pm

Jon is getting good! I better sack up and learn that front to blind soon!

ericvs · Since 05 Jul 2008 133 Posts Stoked

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1735 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

Contour HD camera perspective from kite strut on 20 m lines.

Link

bobandlaurel · Since 03 Feb 2011 8 Posts Kook

I just got the HD1080 Contour and have several questions as Ive never shot or uploaded a video.
Stringy are all those vids shot in the 1280x960 res? Low, med, or high quality? 30 or 60 fps? Will Vimeo/youtube accept 60fps vids?
I was a bit disappointed that the HD1080 doesn't have a photo feature like the gopro-only the high-dollar GPS model allows for photos.

bob

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

1920x1080 and 1280x720 are the standard resolutions. Frame rate wise, 30 is what you want, unless you plan to shoot at 60 and conform to 30, 24, etc. in post. This does require that you "edit" or at least process the footage, but gives you nice 50/40% slow-motion.

DROCK999 · Since 31 May 2007 852 Posts Left Coast Opinionated

Doesn't the contour require you to buy waterproof housing for it separately?

bobandlaurel · Since 03 Feb 2011 8 Posts Kook

Yeah you have to buy the waterproof case seperate. They're 30 bucks on Amazon. The camera alone is water resistant enough for snow sports and I've read where folks have used em on dirtbikes in the pouring rain and mud with no issues.
Thanks for the info kataku. I'm hoping to get out tomorrow and try it. I set up my res switch for 1920x1080 and 1280x720@30fps both at the "medium" picture quality setting.

bob

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1735 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

I use various settings in these videos. most of them are shot 16:9, either 1920x1080 or1280x720. I tend to use the basic settings on these cameras to give the user and idea of what it looks like. not a lot of post processing on any of the videos. Obviously my videos are edited so when I export a movie file for online upload, I tend to export 1280x720, sometimes even smaller.
For videos where I want to get the widest and tallest shot available, I'll change the camera setting to 4:3 which is 1280x960. so when I want to shoot extremely up close, I shoot 4:3. I always set it at high setting. never tried anything lower than that.
I'm still trying to get used to the way Contour cameras work, while still using the GoPro cameras. Once the bluetooth interface is working this will be an appealing feature that consumers will want. I know they still have a way to go with their products but I hope to be part of that success. Contour cameras are a little unique but I see them becoming more popular in the upcoming year. kitehero should be selling line mounts exclusive to the Contour cameras within the next couple of weeks.
Also keep in mind that this camera company is in seattle, so this might be a plus for some.