Action Stations!
Posted on Dec 18, 2024 by Pro Moviemaker
There’s a lot of specialist equipment for capturing fast-moving subjects, and used gear specialist MPB has loads in store to tempt the creative filmmaker
Advertisement feature
You’ve got the camera, lenses, filters, tripod and maybe some lighting to make decent films for paying clients. But when it comes to capturing motion, there’s nothing quite like owning a camera designed to do the job.
This might be an action camera, which can be easily fixed onto a moving subject for a unique point-of-view angle; or what about a drone, which can be used for much more than just high-up establishing shots? Perhaps a superfast frame rate is what you need, so you can capture incredible action in fine detail then slow it down in post to get incredible-looking images that would usually be too fast for the human eye to see.
If all this highly specialised kit sounds like it would cost the earth for the few occasions you might use it, you’re wrong. By choosing wisely and buying used, it’s far more affordable than you might think to get your hands on gear that can make very real improvements to your work. After all, few viewers would notice the increase in detail from a higher-resolution camera or the shallower depth-of-field of a faster lens. But add some drone footage, POV shots or super-duper slow-motion and you could really step up your work’s production value.
The best place for used gear is specialist MPB: an award-winning equipment retailer staffed by experts. The choice to buy used kit simply makes sense – it can save you a lot of money – and MPB has a stock of every kind of camera you may need, from mainstream to specialist.
The brand’s website lists all the kit
for sale, with actual photos of the items. Since MPB specialists have tested every single item based on a list of 40 criteria to make sure it’s reliable and in working condition, you know it’s going to perform as promised. If you have old kit to sell or part-fund, MPB offers a hassle-free, safe way to do this by trading in any gear you no longer need. It’s quick and secure – and so much easier than selling privately through online auctions, social media or classified ads. So what would make a great buy for you right now?
A new point of view
Action cameras are rugged, waterproof, dust proof and designed in a small form factor that can be mounted onto anything that moves. From the inside and outside of cars or boats to motorcycles, skateboards and even the bodies of athletes, they give a dramatic view of the action. Many have lots of accessories to aid mounting and all have some kind of built-in image stabilisation.
There are lots of super-cheap copies on the market, but it’s best to go for a better-known brand that will offer higher quality and usability. The market leader is GoPro, with cameras that have been around for a long time now and are refreshed pretty much yearly. Lots of previous-generation cameras are for sale used, but if you want the newest then MPB often offers versions at a decent saving.
The latest models are the Hero13 Black flagship model and super-compact Hero, the smallest ever 4K GoPro with a screen. The bigger model can shoot HD-quality 720p video at 400fps, as well as 900p at 360fps and 5.3K at 120fps. You’ve not only got a POV image but a super slow-motion one too, in 10-bit and Rec. 2100 HDR colour.
The older models are also very capable. A Hero12 Black is a great option but these are not as plentiful used since the new model has just come out. However, there are plenty of Hero11 Black and Hero11 Black Minis for sale at MPB for half the price of the new model or less. The image stabilisation is great and they shoot in 5.3K at up to 60fps or 1080p up to 240fps.
Swiftly emerging as a rival to GoPro is DJI, which has changed the form factor of its Osmo Action range over the years. The Action 2 is a small camera unit that attaches magnetically to an external power source that also has a second screen. The newer Osmo Action 4 (and just-released Action 5) are more similar to a GoPro style camera.
The Osmo Action 4 has a large 1/1.3in sensor, fast f/2.8 aperture and can shoot 4K/120fps. The 10-bit D-Log M colour mode also gives a wide dynamic range.
The view from on high
An advantage of shooting with a DJI action camera is that, if you want to buy a drone as well, chances are it will be from the same brand and therefore the colour science will match. Other drone makers are available too, many from high-tech and expensive brands such as Freefly, Autel and Parrot, but DJI is dominant. It offers a huge range of UAVs at a variety of prices and has done so for years.
Although you may think drones are most useful for high-flying general views, they are also handy for low-flying shots, including those tracking moving subjects from behind, in front or even the side. This means it’s best to buy one with high-level obstacle-avoidance technology built in to avoid having it crash into anything.
There are also laws that need to be understood. For example, those wanting to fly any drone over 250g need to pass a theory test which includes learning the law. To avoid this, you can stick with a mini drone weighing 249g or less – but still look at the drone laws on the CAA & FAA website.
For sub-250g drones, DJI’s Mini series has excellent options. The Mini 4 Pro has a 1/1.3in CMOS sensor and dual native ISO with an f/1.7 aperture that records 4K/60p HDR video and 4K at 100fps.
For something over 250g and with a more robust build, a better camera and the capabilities to fly in stronger winds and go faster, take a look at the Mavic or Air series. The Air 2S has a great 4K camera, while the Mavic 3 is more powerful but is a slightly more expensive model.
If you fancy the ultimate in FPV flying, the DJI Avata is by far the best option for novices, as it hovers when the control sticks are released while many FPV drones don’t. Pair it with DJI goggles and you’ll be able to pull off even the most advanced moves with ease – all while saving money when buying used from MPB.
Crank up the speed!
Overcranking is the old-school word for shooting in fast frame rates. If you buy the right camera, the fast frame rate options can be numerous. Apart from dedicated high-speed cameras like the Hawkeye Firefly Action or Phantom High-Speed, which are hard to find, many mirrorless cameras shoot as fast as 240fps as long as you stick to HD. So on a 24p timeline, that’s slow motion at a tenth of the speed, which gives an incredible look – and it’s great for speed ramping too.
Panasonic has always led the way with fast frame rates in its mirrorless cameras, and its DC-GH6 can do 4K/120fps or 1080/240fps. However, it is a Micro Four Thirds camera and those specs are matched by Sony in its full-frame A7S II, A1 or A9 III and the Canon R5 II or R1. The last three of these are very new, so might prove hard to get, but the A7S II and A1 are in plentiful stock used at MPB. Nikon’s speedy Z 9 maxes out at 120fps in 4K and HD.
The magic 4K/120p and 1080/240p ceiling is also within the reach of OM System’s Micro Four Thirds OM-1 Mark II and the Fujifilm X-H2S which uses a Super 35 crop. For something even faster, the Lumix GH7 shoots 300fps in HD.
So there’s plenty of choice for whatever system you choose – and you can save cash if buying used from MPB.
This feature was first published in the November/December 2024 issue of Pro Moviemaker.
