GoPro Hero 4 Black 4K Videos

[Mark Rosenzweig]

Fall colors in 4K (Protune color, wide):

GoPro Hero 4 4K Test Video: Some Fall Colors on Vimeo

Cloud time-lapse in 4K, cropped from 4:3 12MP stills (Protune color, wide, fixed WB):

GoPro Hero 4 Black: Test 4K Cloud Time Lapse on Vimeo

[Matt Sharp]

Can you enable download of the original files on vimeo?

[Mark Rosenzweig]

Originally Posted by Matt Sharp

Can you enable download of the original files on vimeo?

Yes, and all my 4K posted videos can be downloaded (the 4K version), if you register with Vimeo (free).

[Mark Rosenzweig]

Go Pro Hero 4 Black 4K Test Video: On Campus on Vimeo

Protune color, wide.

[Jody Arnott]

Wow, it's very sharp. I'm impressed. Thanks for the samples.

[Mark Rosenzweig]

GoPro Hero 4 Black Test Video: 4K and 4K SuperView Compared in the Garden on Vimeo

[Bryce Comer]

Thanks for sharing all these clips Mark,
Are you liking the camera so far? The images seem very nice. Looking at your last series of clips comparing the different viewing angles, i notice there seems to me some vignetting on the top corners in the superwide mode. Also looks to be more CA on high contrast edges at the edges of the frame. What view would you think you are more likely to use?
Thanks,
Bryce

[Kyle Root]

Thank you for sharing these!

Looks like a worthy upgrade to my Hero2.

[Mark Rosenzweig]

Originally Posted by Bryce Comer

Thanks for sharing all these clips Mark,
Are you liking the camera so far? The images seem very nice. Looking at your last series of clips comparing the different viewing angles, i notice there seems to me some vignetting on the top corners in the superwide mode. Also looks to be more CA on high contrast edges at the edges of the frame. What view would you think you are more likely to use?
Thanks,
Bryce

I am pleasantly surprised by the quality (in 4K), and am learning the camera's quirks. I do see the slight vignetting in the Superview (I see it upper too). I do not think there is more CA - there is some CA in some shots, but I do not think that is a property of how much of the sensor is being read. On the other hand, it seems to me there is more detail in the Superview - the additional info is used well, evidently.

The upshot to me is that one can use either view and get good quality, in 4K, so the choice will depend on the type of shot.

[Noa Put]

If anyone says that 4K does not have advantages, even when viewed in 1080p, they are obvious blind :) I also find the detail remarkable for such a tiny box, how long can you record before the battery dies?
I never had a gopro but might get the black version now, I don't do any extreme sports, unless you would call walking down and up the stairs to my office several times a day some form of exercise, I do think I will find some use for this thing during the weddings I shoot. Most interested in it's widest angle setting and that seems pretty detailed.

[Mark Rosenzweig]

Originally Posted by Noa Put

If anyone says that 4K does not have advantages, even when viewed in 1080p, they are obvious blind :) I also find the detail remarkable for such a tiny box, how long can you record before the battery dies?
I never had a gopro but might get the black version now, I don't do any extreme sports, unless you would call walking down and up the stairs to my office several times a day some form of exercise, I do think I will find some use for this thing during the weddings I shoot. Most interested in it's widest angle setting and that seems pretty detailed.

I agree, Noa, that 4K video quality is obvious no matter how viewed. I have been trying to get that across to the GoPro community, who cannot understand the advantages of 4K (they think they need 4K viewers) and have actually not seen many examples of 4K video at all. "HD is fine," they say. I point out that they are not actually getting HD.

The specs say that you can continuously shoot 4K for 1 hour 5 minutes; 50 minutes with the LCD back. I have not tested this, as my shooting so far consists of short clips, with lcd back on, and lots of fiddling to try out things.

One nice thing about the removable lcd back is that you can frame the shot and set the parameters of the shot with it on, and then just take it off for the actual shooting, saving battery life (it just snaps in and out, no screws to turn). With the GoPro "frame" rather than the waterproof case (useful only for those who dive, surf, swim, and sail), you have access to all the ports, and can attach a stereo mic, a monitor (HDMI) and even headphones (to the lcd back only). There is also an ND filter you can press on.

[Noa Put]

Is there a lcd that snaps on? I read the black version was without lcd and that the lcd screen was only with the silver version, is that lcd screen a paid option? Recording time is more then fine, thx for that info.

[Mark Rosenzweig]

Originally Posted by Noa Put

Is there a lcd that snaps on? I read the black version was without lcd and that the lcd screen was only with the silver version, is that lcd screen a paid option? Recording time is more then fine, thx for that info.

Yes, it's tiny - adds little to size or weight, and costs US$79. I like the modular approach better.

One other point - there is Protune 'flat' mode, which enables color grading to one's liking (even a setting with no WB set by the camera). This better enables GoPro video clips to mix in with video from other cameras (like the AX100), which have a different color look. Apparently, many filmmakers and professional documentarians are mixing in GoPro shots. GoPro, the company, is simultaneously trying to appeal to surfer dudes and video and film pros. And lets not talk about drone flyers...

[Lynne Whelden]

Did you use some program to remove the "fisheye" look (I only noticed bent lines once)?

Also, what was causing the momentary "hiss" in the audio for a lot (but not all) the shots?

[Mark Rosenzweig]

Originally Posted by Lynne Whelden

Did you use some program to remove the "fisheye" look (I only noticed bent lines once)?

Also, what was causing the momentary "hiss" in the audio for a lot (but not all) the shots?

No processing - those are what the clips look like right out of the camera, wide and superview. The Hero 4 in 4K seems to have much less fisheye. You do not see the horizon bend when it moves from center, etc.

I will have to check about the hiss, I was not checking the audio carefully with headphones. Except in a few clips I turned the amplitude down to lower the wind noise (so it sounds like hiss).