Camera Setup

Video: Camera Settings

We recommend using a single for video, and allowing the system to extract 'Stills' from that camera.

Ideally, you should also have a second video camera which you can use as backup for freefall.
(You won't import this footage unless there is a problem with your main camera)

We also support using a separate camera (either DSLR or GoPro) to take stills if you prefer.

Camera Choice

We support most cameras.

We can access the accelerometer on.

  • GoPro (9 or later)
  • DJI (Action 4+)
  • Insta (Ace, X-series)

The accelerometer access significantly improves the automatic editing accuracy, but FreeFallFilms can function with other cameras if needed

The Session 5 is NOT supported. Unfortunately, it uses an unconventional encoding format which causes problems.

Configuration

Orientation

Please lock the orientation on your camera (Landscape up or down)

Please name your SD card. This makes it easier to see which card is importing to the edit app.

Framerate

Recommended: 60fps (or higher)
Minimum: 50fps

Our final videos are sent at 30fps, so we need a higher framerate to provide good slowmo shots.

If you see 50fps rather than 60fps, this means your GoPro is set to European Anti Flicker settings.

You can change this in Preferences / General / Anti Flicker / 60Hz.
As long as you're not filming under fluorescent lighting, it doesn't matter if you use USA settings in Europe.

Resolution

Recommended: 2.7k (or higher)
Minimum: 1080p

Video is uploaded at 720p or 1080p (Depending on dropzone choice)
Photos are generated at up to 2.7k, so a 2.7k resolution will give better Photos.

Higher resolutions are fine - they just take a little longer to import from SD card, and backups will take more space.

Newer GoPros don't have an option for 2.7k @60fps. So, your options are either 4k @60fps or 2.7k @200fps.
The file sizes for both are similar.
2.7k sources will render slightly faster (perhaps saving 10-20 seconds on a render)
In the longer term, 4k will open up more options around customer upgrades (as we start offering 4k support)

Aspect Ratio

  • Handcam

You're probably filming in ultra-wide, in which case, you need to be in 16:9.

In ultrawide, the GoPro actually uses the full frame sensor - but stretches it to a 16:9 aspect ration. This gives the 'goldfish bowl' distortion, but some extra vertical field of view.

  • External Videographer

Film in 4:3 or 7:8

This gives us extra pixels at the top and bottom of the frame for your photos and Insta edit. Read More

Stills Camera Setup

Resolution:: 2.7k (or higher)
We deliver customer stills at up to 2.7k

Orientation

Either
- Ensure that your camera is mounted upright
(typically for a DSLR)
Or
- Ensure that the orientation of your camera is locked
(typically a GoPro or similar in stills mode)

If you're using a DSLR and taking portrait shots, you won't want to lock your orientation.
This is fine - however cameras often report incorrect orientation on exit, so we ignore the orientation during freefall and assume the camera is mounted upright

If you are using a GoPro (or similar) in stills mode, then you may have it mounted upside down.
As long as the orientation is locked, then it will not change during freefall, and we can 'trust' the orientation provided by the camera.

Hypoxic Recommendations

Trunk at Hypoxic is a legend for freefall camera expertise. Here are his articles for GoPro settings...