Seeing as there has been a lot of discussion about the CGO3+, I thought it might help to post a positive thread about how to get the most out of it. *PLEASE* contribute if you have had good experiences, or pleasing results. If all you're going to do is complain, please keep it to the other threads.
I sat down and compared the CGO3+ with a GoPro Session. I'm no expert, but here's what I've learned:
On both systems, Auto White balance changes the color temperature if the scene changes during a video (even in raw). It's really best not to use it. Comparatively, the GoPro has a bluer tint on auto, with the CGO3+ being a little more natural (but looking less 'crisp').
Of all the preset modes, the most accurate on a normal slightly overcast day is Sunset/Sunrise, with a bluey tint. Sunny and cloudy are possibly the worst choices as they have a strong red tint.
For exposure, the auto exposure isn't bad, but if most of your scene is landscape, it will tend to blow out the sky or any white objects (cars etc.). Dialling down 1 stop definitely helps here. Manual exposure gives more control, but personally I find the touch screen hard to use whilst I'm flying - here's hoping Yuneec do something with the spare controls.
In general, the RAW profile gives you the best post-processing options. It produces more muted video *and* switches still images from JPG to raw DNG. Unfortunately DNGs don't have GPS info in their metadata, but JPGs do (again, something Yuneec would do well to fix). Otherwise, for best 'out of camera' shots, the 'Natural' profile is probably best.
Unlike the GoPro 'ProTune' setting, RAW doesn't sharpen the video (much/at all?). It leaves fewer artifacts, but makes the stream look muddier in comparison. This can all be adjusted in post processing.
If you're using RAW, you'll therefore need to put more contrast into the video (it's a log curve, so you want a curve going the other way), increase saturation and sharpen to get something that has punch and depth. Unlike the Session, the CGO3+ lens is 'straight' (no fisheye) so you don't need to correct for that, which means you get the most out of the pixels you have.
Finally, this is just a personal preference, but the fluid movement you get from 60fps makes it much more satisfying than 4K at 30fps. YouTube and others support higher frame rates and the limited audience for 4K means you'll have more impact with 60fps than 4K for now.
I sat down and compared the CGO3+ with a GoPro Session. I'm no expert, but here's what I've learned:
On both systems, Auto White balance changes the color temperature if the scene changes during a video (even in raw). It's really best not to use it. Comparatively, the GoPro has a bluer tint on auto, with the CGO3+ being a little more natural (but looking less 'crisp').
Of all the preset modes, the most accurate on a normal slightly overcast day is Sunset/Sunrise, with a bluey tint. Sunny and cloudy are possibly the worst choices as they have a strong red tint.
For exposure, the auto exposure isn't bad, but if most of your scene is landscape, it will tend to blow out the sky or any white objects (cars etc.). Dialling down 1 stop definitely helps here. Manual exposure gives more control, but personally I find the touch screen hard to use whilst I'm flying - here's hoping Yuneec do something with the spare controls.
In general, the RAW profile gives you the best post-processing options. It produces more muted video *and* switches still images from JPG to raw DNG. Unfortunately DNGs don't have GPS info in their metadata, but JPGs do (again, something Yuneec would do well to fix). Otherwise, for best 'out of camera' shots, the 'Natural' profile is probably best.
Unlike the GoPro 'ProTune' setting, RAW doesn't sharpen the video (much/at all?). It leaves fewer artifacts, but makes the stream look muddier in comparison. This can all be adjusted in post processing.
If you're using RAW, you'll therefore need to put more contrast into the video (it's a log curve, so you want a curve going the other way), increase saturation and sharpen to get something that has punch and depth. Unlike the Session, the CGO3+ lens is 'straight' (no fisheye) so you don't need to correct for that, which means you get the most out of the pixels you have.
Finally, this is just a personal preference, but the fluid movement you get from 60fps makes it much more satisfying than 4K at 30fps. YouTube and others support higher frame rates and the limited audience for 4K means you'll have more impact with 60fps than 4K for now.
