It’s been a year and a half since I have been creating videos here in Colorado of trails, rivers and fishing, so now it’s time for the GoPro Hero 8 Black review.
This camera is really meant for action photography, and in my opinion, underwater videos. I started using the GoPro Hero 8 Black for scenery shots but realized how cool it would be to video the fish underwater as Mike is reeling them into for the catch.
The first time we used the GoPro for underwater videos was on our trout fishing trip to South Fork Colorado. Here are a few photos of what we captured.
I like to use the GoPro a lot as it is light and compact, easy to pack, waterproof and has great stabilization.
One of the issues I discovered quickly was the videos looked much better when the GoPro was mounted on a tripod. No matter how hard I tried to keep the camera steady, there is always unwanted movement.
I started out with the UBeesize Tripod S, primarily due to lower cost, and the flexible legs that makes it easier to hang the GoPro from a tree or give it a stable footing on the rocks around the river bank.
- 2019 Upgraded: This cell phone tripod is upgraded in 2019 with stronger material for peerless durability, the defect rate is down more than 80% from this year. And your purchase is guaranteed by UBeesize lifetime service.
- Get The Perfect Angle - Adjustable OCTOPUS style legs help to capture clean shots from any angle even in the move. Want a view difficult to get with common tripod? This is your best choice!
- Stable On Any Surface - Made of very strong durable foam and plastic, the ball head and no-slip feet make positioning and straightening devices easy
- Universal Compatibility - Works well with smartphones, digital cameras, GoPro and webcams up to 3.7 inches wide
- Control it from distance - The wireless remote serves a wireless range up to 30 ft. Ideal for taking individual, group photos & wide angle views.
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I really like having this tripod with me as I can also fold the legs together quickly and use it as a small selfie stick.
The next thing I noticed that I really needed was an external microphone with a Deadcat to dampen the wind noise. I was having to cut out so much video due to the wind, plus I had to limit my filming to earlier in the day or on days when the wind was forecasted to be lighter.
I initially tried the foam windscreen that is cheap and great for using when the GoPro is mounted on your head or chest, and this cut out about 80% of the wind noise, but I felt like the sound quality could be better, plus the wind noise dampened even more.
- This case can protect the camera and also reduce wind noise when recording audio and video
- Made of special sponge; It is soft, lightweight, portable and flexible
- Precise hole; will not affect the quality of video and sound
- Suits for climbing, cycling, travel, skiing and other sports they need to reduce wind noise
- It is designed for GoPro Hero 8 black. 2 PCS packed
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After some more research, I ended up buying the Movo VXR10 microphone with the Deadcat and the improvement in the audio and reduction in wind noise was off the charts better. I would guess that the Deadcat alone reduces the wind noise by twice if not three times over the foam windscreen.
- UNIVERSAL COMPATIBILITY: External microphone for iPhone, Androids, Cameras, Camcorders, Audio Recorders, Tablets, and Laptops. Use as iPhone microphone, DSLR microphone or camera mic.
- PROFESSIONAL MOVO MIC: The durable aluminum construction and battery-free design includes a sturdy integrated shock mount to minimize handling noise.
- 1-YEAR WARRANTY: We’ve got your back. Our products are designed to ease your technical woes, not add to them. Our friendly US-Based support is here to help - NOTE: To reduce hiss when using the mic on a DSLR camera, we recommend using manual audio levels, accessible from your camera’s menu.
- CREATE: Essential compact shotgun microphone for recording YouTube Vlogs, Tik Tok, interviews, family vacation trips, live music, outdoor events, tutorials.
- INCLUDES: Furry "Deadcat" Windscreen, Soft Carrying Case, 3.5mm TRS Output Cable (For DSLR Cameras, Camcorders, Recorders), 3.5mm TRRS Output Cable (For Smartphones, Tablets, and Mac).
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I found out quickly that I needed two other accessories to make the external microphone work. They were the ULANZI V2 housing case…
- Full Compatiblity---Universal vlog gear setup for GoPro Hero 7 6 5 action cameras;
- Standard Cold Shoe Mount on top---you can mount your microphone or led light on it for Vlog Video Shooting;
- Reserved Space for Mic Adapter---Specially designed microphone adapter position, perfectly solve the GoPro audio adapter putting problem.
- Wide Application---Easy to install, can be mounted on bicycles, helmets, chest belt with the help of other action camera accessries Also compatible with your tripods/monopods/selfie sticks.Universal for GoPro Videomakers Vloggers photographers on YouTube/Facebook;
- High quality ABS made---Lightweight and portable to take. It's ideal for gopro vlogging, video shooting, live stream, filmmaking, enjoy your gopro to the fullest more.
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…and the GoPro 3.5mm Mic Adapter. There’s no way to connect the external microphone to the GoPro without the case and the adapter is needed to connect to the GoPro to the microphone. All of these accessories cost me somewhere between $130 and $150.
- Enables high-quality audio capture when using a pro-level external mic.Mounting Type: Usd
- USB-C power and data extension with 90° connector
- Connects a wide range of external 3.5mm mics
- Enables stereo mic and line input for external audio sources like an audio recorder or mixer
- 106dB stereo analog-to-digital converter
- English (Publication Language)
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The GoPro is extremely simple to use. It has a power button on the side and a record button on the top. It has a small LCD display screen on the front and a large one on the back. The back LCD screen is a touch screen where you can make adjustments to your settings and more. It’s easier to change the settings if you use the GoPro app and sync it to your smartphone.
I use the GoPro for most of my videos to date, but do plan on updating to a high end camera in the future, however, I will always keep the GoPro with my gear, especially for underwater fishing videos.
I highly recommend the GoPro Hero 8 Black to any serious cameraman, as you will always find a use for it on your adventures.
Check out the YouTube review below for more information on the GoPro Hero 8 Black.
- Streamlined Design: The reimagined shape is more pocketable, and folding fingers at the base let you swap mounts quickly. A new side door makes changing batteries even faster, and the lens is now 2x more impact resistant.
- HERO8 Black Mods: Vloggers, pro filmmakers and aspiring creators can do more than ever imagined—with quick-loading accessories like flashes, microphones, LCD screens and more. Just add the optional Media Mod to up your capture game.
- HyperSmooth 2.0: Smooth just got smoother. Now HERO8 Black has three levels of stabilization—On, High and Boost—so you can pick the best option for whatever you do. Get the widest views possible, or boost it up to the smoothest video ever offered in a HERO camera. Plus, HyperSmooth works with all resolutions and frame rates, and features in-app horizon leveling.
- TimeWarp 2.0: Capture super stabilized time lapse videos while you move through an activity. And now, TimeWarp automatically adjusts speed based on motion, scene detection and lighting. You can even slow down the effect to real time—savoring interesting moments—and then tap to speed it back up.
- LiveBurst: Record the moments 1.5 seconds before and after your shot, so you can choose the best single frame for the perfect photo—or an awesome shareable video.
- What's Included: HERO8 Black Camera, Rechargeable Battery, Curved Adhesive Mount, Mounting Buckle, USB-C Cable, Thumb Screw, and Carrying Case
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The GoPro Hero 8 camera looks really small, lightweight, and compact! I like the design and feel and it is a touch screen too. Great video review showing the features of the camera. And I appreciate the good advice on the foam cover and external microphone to reduce the wind noise. But I think the real disadvantage of this camera is that the battery only lasts 20 minutes (if I hear you correctly in the video).
You heard me correctly. Currently I’m carrying two batteries with me and that’s not enough. I need at least two more and will probably eventually carry six batteries with me plus a portable charger for those trips deeper into the mountains, when I can’t recharge in my truck.
Rick