GoPro Hero3 Unofficial 3D Tests

You know as a kid when a new toy came out, you kept bugging your parents to get you one?
Well, I did that too!But, when I couldn’t stand the wait, I would improvise. Think outside the toy box and figure out how I could create what I so desperately was waiting for.

Things really haven’t changed much for me. When GoPro debuted the Hero3 with all of it’s amazing possibilities, I was left waiting for,” a little more”. In this case the little more was the ability to put two Hero3’s  together to make 3D.
After all, the Hero3 is a significant leap in capability for the GoPro line. This camera with it’s fantastic range of abilities even includes a tantalizing preview of the future with 4k. Albeit, 4k at only 15fps. It offers a glimpse of where GoPro is heading.
But that said, what is here and now is pretty special.

KEY CAMERA SPECS

• 1080p60 / 720p120 / 1440p48 /4kp15 / 2.7kp30 / WVGA-240fps

• 12MP / 30 fps Burst

• Wi-Fi Built-In

• Wi-Fi Remote Included

• GoPro App Compatible

• Pro Low-Light Performance

Well, back to “outside the toy box”. With the ability to craft my imagination out of more than popsicle sticks and canibalized toys, I enlisted my buddy Ken Burgess to create a whole line of 3D rigs for the GoPro Hero3. This will include what will undoubtedly be the smallest beam splitter on the planet!
With Ken is working hard on the project, I am out shooting some test footage.
Below you can witness the fruits of my labors. While not perfect, the videos illustrate the raw potential the these amazing little cameras hold.
I initially used the improvised 3D rig on a story about my son’s month long journey as a Novice Buddhist Monk called 30 Steps.
I was blown away by the latitude that the ProTune gives you in low light situations.

Next, while on holiday in Singapore with my family I subjected the 3DGuy Hero3 3D rig to various tests at various frame rates and resolutions. I will let you be the judge. Please remember these are not perfect. They are a work in progress that should be judged accordingly.

While some were glorious failures and some unexpected successes, one thing is sure. When GoPro comes out with the 3D Kit for the Hero3, 3DGuy will be ready with some well tested alternative solutions. This camera has quite an amazing future in store for it.

Let’s not forget that GoPro has already seen a successful mod with the Novo camera. They certainly don’t seem to mind us taking advances into our own hands.