Focus issues with Side-Shot GoPro Hero 7 Scope Cam

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m021478

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Nov 6, 2019
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New York, United States
Is this really the kind of video quality I can expect from the $1200 plus Side-Shot GoPro Hero 7 Scope Cam??

https://youtu.be/uM8jWPxnxe0

I scoped in my target about 50 yards away using my brand new Element-Optics Nexus, and I tried adjusting the focus ring on the Side-Show for like a half hour or more and this was as clear as I was able to get it. Not too fond of the reticle being chopped off on the top and bottom, and the fat that there is 3x more black on the right edge of the frame as there is on the left. Also kinda bummed that there isn't any manual or instructions of any sort that shipped with the product, other than the standard GoPro Hero 7 manual which obviously doesn't tell me how to optimize the scope cam.

Am I doing something wrong, or is this as good as it gets? 
 
Yeah... I used the tips in that video to get it as clear and in focus as can be seen in my video above. I guess it just doesn't feel as focused as it looks in videos like this:



https://youtu.be/hfwlkMEC7oM?t=91



... But I'll keep trying and see if the results improve.
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Imo the video from your clip is way better in quality in this one. This one looks blurry to me. They are doing 240fps slowmo and it's only in 1080. What are your settings on yours? Are you recording in 1080 or 4k? If you havent try 4k. You should try and see if you get the quality you want.
 
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I've found some of the same. Haven't tried 4k might give it a try. It seems to me that if you are focused on the cross hairs the image is out of focus. It also seems the when the parallax is used to focus the image what is right to the eye (thru the ocular) is not best for the camera

If anyone can walk us thru this it would be great. I got a tactacam today and right off the bat the video's were crystal clear no focus no fooling around. BUT it would be nice to maximize the go pro as well.
 
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Hi There!

Scope quality has been what I've been after a lot! I haven't tried the 1200 setup for the GoPro yet but I ordered a lens from EagleVision and just did a video with it, after that I removed the lens and I'm not using the GoPro anymore for it.

At the beginning I was using too the SideShot but I was getting images that were a bit pale, not enough light, then everything changed when I start using the Eagle Vision system with 75% of the light going to the camera. This is not for everyone, my friend Keith from 68W said he can't see a poop LOL, true! When you look as a shooter it's darker, you only have 25% of the light, but when you look at the video, it's something else.

I just posted a video on the hunting channel, with a compilation of my best footage, check it out. There is one clip, at the beginning of the video where the eye of the iguana flies out, that was done with the side-shot, the rest I think most of them with the eagle vision.

So for me the camera alone won't give you best image, is what do you do to maximize the light to the lens, and is a combination of scope cam system, scope and camera lens (not camera)

Hope that helps
 
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Ohh if the edge of the reticle is not sharp is because the camera is not perpendicular, just a tiny variation and the edges goes like that!
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Thanks for your input and experience. I have struggle from the beginning getting my Side-Shot to work well from one scoped rifle to the next. There seems to be alignment issues, focus issues, brightness and so on. I know some of this has to do with the quality, lens coatings, construction specifications like exit eye pupil at different magnifications. I have bought different scopes at different price ranges looking for one that will align well and give me a bright picture with my Side Shot and Go Pro 5 with Peau Production 8.25mm f/3.0 lens. At times I think maybe the mirror in my Side Shot is off. It would be nice if there was a list of particular makes of rifle scope models and magnifications ranges that work well with the Side Shot. I almost was ready to purchase the Tactacam 5 FTS to find something better but I see mixed reviews on them too. Bill
 
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I discovered something while using the tactacam device. They suggested backing the ocular adjustment out a 1/8 to 1/4 turn. I'm going to try that with the go pro. I think but don't know this as a fact that you have to walk the fine line between the cross hairs being perfectly in focus and the image down range.

Have others found this to be so.
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Another interesting point you make here. I know my vision is not the best and I have to back off the the ocular adjustment quit a bit to get a clear reticle. Then again most of my problems with the Side Shot and the Go Pro seems to have to do with alignment and video brightness. Bill
 
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OK, well I tried that with the side shoot go pro and didn't see much if any change. I'm at this point thinking that I'm being entirely too critical (its either that or I have to admit I'm just not as capable as others). My video's are good. In fact they probably are as good as most that I see but they are not perfect. It may be that when you look thru numerous (how many would it be? ) pieces of glass you inevitably are going to have some degradation of the image quality. That and the fact that I am using mid range prices scopes. Nikon X Black (discontinued about $600)

Bob O's video's are wonderfully clear. I know he's using a nightforce scope (or has used them). I can't duplicate what he's doing with any of my video equipment.

I just can't justify a couple thousand dollars to gain a ten percent improvement. My video's are better then those shown demonstrating the new element scope. BUT he's obviously got that scope turned up to really high power magnification. I'm shooting at 16 power. That has to make a difference too.

I've notice as well that when you change magnification your focus / parallax changes . At least it does with my scopes . Wonder if it does not to the high priced stuff. Anyone know? 

Certainly we all know if you get it right don't mess with it.
 
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Bill the tactacam 5 is simple to use. Image quality very good. It's probably the keeper of the devices I have. I have such a lousy internet connection I can't down load to the web. Makes my life more difficult because it slows me down and drives me nuts. Can't do anything about it; I can't watch Netflix even. If I could I'd down load some stuff.

I've spent two or three days working with this and I've figured out some of it. My conclusion is none of these devices is perfect. Each has at least one advantage the other don't.

The tactacam is probably what most of use would be happiest with.

The go pro is good for people who are techno and computer savvy 

The side shot using the I phone or similar can get you great video's because the camera's are really very good. But they are some what more cumbersome to use.

At this point I think you have to pick one and then really learn to use it.
 
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Havalanche would you give a little more description of what you are doing. See this is part of my problem UNDERSTANDING instructions. Are you saying you are focusing BEFORE you put the camera onto the scope? I would think not but?? I see or think I see what you are saying if you are using a larger screen it's easier to see changes in the focus. (which I think is the big part of the go pro it's really small ) 

Im not even certain I know how to connect the go pro to the phone. I know you can't live screen (or I can't)

Hand holding 👴
 
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bubblerboy64 I use the go pro app .

Once your in, you go to control your go pro in the app and you will be able to focus your lens. I try to find some thing with writing to get me as sharp as possible .

Then I put it in the side shot case and focus my scope. I tried doing it like Hajimoto but it did not work for me he has a different lens.

And yea thier is no help on this side shot setup
 
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