I finally sat down tonight and gathered some video clips into a semi-coherent format to show those interested what the picture quality of the Contour Roam 2 looks like. Rather than hijack C&O fan’s thread I thought I’d create a new one.
It has been almost two years since I posted anything to Youtube so I’m a little rusty in the editing room.
If I didn’t already have the Contour I would probably take a serious look at the Mobius (I still might get one if I save enough pop bottles to return to the A&P)
Enjoy the picture show. It is in HD but I don’t see too much difference between 720 and 1080. One of my other cameras, the Sony HDR-CX110 does make a difference in HD.
[edit] As the video was being uploaded to Youtube a box appeared asking if I wanted to apply video stabilization to my movie. In a weak moment of indecisiveness, I clicked “yes.” Well, after seeing the finished video it looked like it was shot through a sloshing fish bowl! The ceiling grids were warping and waving like something out of a Salvidor Dali painting! I am presently trying to have the well intended Youtube “stabilization” removed and I’ll just have to remind viewers that they are riding on a train. It is not a defect of the Contour Roam2.
I see a Mobius wide angle item on Amazon that has a 116 degree angle, or is it the same as the other Mobius listing with a different title?? Can you compare the standard Mobius and the Contour Roam 2 to this. I like the angle on Ed’s video but can not compare to the Mobius (and which Mobius angle would be preferred if there are two).
I don’t see any clear information on this. They list a “standard” edition with 86°@1080 and 46°@720 so the aspect ratio must be changing with the scan rate.
I have only used the Roam in 1080. Maybe if I set it to 720 the FOV will shrink. I like the width, though for the curves. I’d like to letterbox (Cinemascope anybody?) to cut out some of the height. Going to a 4:3 ratio would make more of a tunnel-vision effect, I believe.
I’m not personally endorsing the ROAM2 it’s just what was available over a year ago in a small package at a reasonable price. I’m satisfied enough to keep it but I’m also intrigued by the Mobius. That small package would really open up some location possibilities on the layout for shooting fun video!
Thanks, everybody, for complimenting my work. Next vid maybe I’ll get the layout cleaned up a bit [:-^]
I hope you all have a safe, healthy and prosperous New Year [<:o)] Ed
Nice video. What was the camera mounted on/in? I have seen them mounted on flat cars, gondolas and one with the lens mounted in place of the front headlight, power was in a box car behind the loco.
Take a look at the other recent thread by C&O fan about train cams and you will see my setup. I had a modern “well car” on hand and this worked out very well since there was no center sill and the camera could sit nice and low.
