Reducing exposure or Iso in Gopro?

VMP wrote on 7/16/2015, 10:22 PM

The Issue I have with my Gopro (during aerial shots) is that it over exposes shots.
Especially when the sun is bright, all light objects loose detail, for example the light part of this image: www.v-mp.com/Files/sonyforum/Gopro-exposure.jpg

I have the Gopro 3 White edition, by default it doesn't have the Protune capability.
So all the exposure settings are automatic and not changable (as far as I know)

What I would like is to lower the exposure, or limit the iso setting.

By scrolling through forums I came across a site where they have custom codes by which the default settings of the gopro can be modified: http://chernowii.com/gopro.html
But I am not sure how to do this. I am unable to contact the site owner.

I did do a physical light reduction test on the Gopro by placing a lens of my polaroid sunglasses in front of the camera. For two seconds it seem to work, but after that the iso pulls up the exposure to compensate.

Is there any other way one can change the settings digitally in the Gopro 3 White edition?
Or can the exposure only be reduced physically? Like by buying one of those expensive ND filters?

Thanks in advance,
VMP

Comments

Rich Parry wrote on 7/17/2015, 2:08 AM

I have the GoPro Hero 3 Black, but I still think the "Exposure Compensation" will do what you want. I have mine set at -0.7.

BTW, I did buy the expensive ND/CP filter for my aerial phantom video. I purchased it to help blur the phantom blades, which is does pretty well.

Rich

VMP wrote on 7/17/2015, 5:41 AM

Thanks for your reply Rich Perry,

Is that a setting in the Gopro itself? I don't think my Hero 3 White Edition has it.

This is the manual: http://cbcdn1.gp-static.com/uploads/product_manual/file/62/UM_H3White_ENG_REVB_WEB.pdf

How do you get to the setting in your H3 black?

VMP

Rich Parry wrote on 7/18/2015, 2:12 AM

I looked more closely at your post and see you have the GoPro Hero 3, while I have the Hero 3+, it may be that exposure compensation was something added in the + version and you don't have that feature, I don't know.

Anyway, I put in my public dropbox a screen capture from my cell phone that I use configure the settings. The exposure compensation is at the bottom. I hope this helps and hope you have that feature. I'll keep the image in the dropbox for a few days.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/105958460/GoPro%20Exposure%20Compensation.png

Rich

VMP wrote on 7/18/2015, 6:11 AM

Rich Perry,

I have downloaded the image, thanks.

Do you change the exposure setting with the Phone Wifi App? Or Can this be done with the GoPro Studio PC program?
I am looking at the GoPro Studio PC program now but it doesen't seem to have any shooting modification settings.

I am going tot get the Phone app and go through that.

VMP

VMP wrote on 7/18/2015, 10:44 AM

Rich Perry,

http://www.v-mp.com/Files/sonyforum/Gopro.png

It seems my Gopro doesn't have that function, that's a pitty.

But thanks for your input.

I am saving up for the Hero 4 Black, that one will have the protune too.

Best,
VMP

Rich Parry wrote on 7/18/2015, 2:56 PM

Now that you mention it, I recall that Exposure Compensation, Protune, and a few other features were the items added to the 3+. May I suggest that even if you had the 3+, buying an ND filter isn't a bad idea. I just got one a few weeks ago, it does seem to help with Phantom GoPro video.

May I suggest you be careful, don't assume the GoPro Hero 4 is a replacement for the Phantom gimbal. There is a H3-3D and an H4-3D Zenmuse gimbal for a reason. One is for the H4 and one for the H3. If you read the forums, folks have put the H4 on a H3 gimbal, but from what I read there may be issues. My point is do some research before getting the H4 if you goal is putting on a Phantom 2 H3 gimbal.

Good luck,
Rich

musicvid10 wrote on 7/18/2015, 4:42 PM

You should also buy a polarizer.
Besides cutting light by 1+ stops, it will really darken overbright skies if rotated properly.

VMP wrote on 7/18/2015, 5:03 PM

Thanks Rich and musicvid,

That's indeed a good point about the gimbal.
I have the DYS 3D gimbal luckily it also fits the H4.

VMP

richard-amirault wrote on 7/18/2015, 5:39 PM

Besides cutting light by 1+ stops, it will really darken overbright skies if rotated properly.

Yes, but ....

Using a ND (or polarizer) filter will not change exposure in an auto-exposure camera. It will reduce the amount of light entering the lens, but the camera will compensate ... sometimes by making the lens stop wider, sometimes by making the exposure longer, sometimes both.

The polarizer effect on the sky is dependent on the rotation of the filter *and* the part of the sky the camera is aimed.

VMP wrote on 7/18/2015, 6:24 PM

brighterside,

Indeed thats what I meant by saying "I did do a physical light reduction test on the Gopro by placing a lens of my polaroid sunglasses in front of the camera. For two seconds it seem to work, but after that the iso pulls up the exposure to compensate."

VMP

Rich Parry wrote on 7/19/2015, 1:37 AM

I think everyone is missing the point (or is it just me). The main reason for using the ND filter is not to reduce the light, although the filter does that, it is used to slow the shutter speed.

When the GoPro has less light, it compensates by lengthening the shutter speed. This brings it closer to the 180 degree video rule (e.g., shutter speed of 1/60 second for 30fps video). Of course you really don't know what the shutter speed is, but you know it is longer with the ND filter and that is the reason to add the filter.

With a longer shutter speed, the UAV prop blades in the frame almost disappear because they are blurred which is another reason I purchased the ND filter.

My ND filter is a combination ND/CP. I personally think the CP filter is a disadvantage because the filter is affected by the direction of the sun (light) which is constantly changing in a UAV but that is another thread.

My 2 cents,
Rich

farss wrote on 7/19/2015, 5:57 AM

Maybe just buy one of the Chinese look a likes?
Half the price and most do have exposure compensation.

Bob.

VMP wrote on 7/19/2015, 8:30 AM

Indeed Rich Perry slower shutter speed has its advantage, like motion blurring etc,

I saw this video a while ago: 'DIY GoPro Hero ND filter - Anti Jello / Artifact Fix'

But I can't seem to find a ND foil like the one shown in the video here in EU. The ready made ones here in Europe are 80$ + I find that quite expensive.

The thing is that Gopro functions great when it's a bit cloudy, so it would have to be possible to get non-overexposed shots with a physical filter.
I think the issue is, that at bright sunlight the contrast is too large between the bright and dark parts in the scene.
Gopro doesn't correct the exposure according to the brightest part of the screen, so the bright parts still get overexposed. But with enough filters it should be possible.

Bob, can you name a few models that do have the manual exposure compensation?

I see some of them here: https://www.techinasia.com/best-gopro-alternatives/

Also it needs to have the same dimension as the Gopro otherwise it won't fit in the gimbal.

VMP

relaxvideo wrote on 7/19/2015, 11:27 AM

Digital steady shot remove jello? That's a big news for me..

VMP wrote on 7/19/2015, 2:01 PM

Apple Jax,

The Sony Action Cam sounds great (as Sony fan) but how can one put that on a gimbal designed for the GoPro? Is there some kind of an adapter for it?

VMP

farss wrote on 7/19/2015, 3:28 PM

[I]" Bob, can you name a few models that do have the manual exposure compensation?"[/I]

Pretty well all of them do as most are built using the same sensor and processors.

The SJCAM seems about the best and they have several offerings that are the same size as the GoPro.

Bob.

Rich Parry wrote on 7/20/2015, 1:02 AM

It sounds like you know what the solution is, but you don't want to pay a lot of money, which I understand. This is what I use, good luck to you.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=snake+river+prototyping+nd+cp&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=