Hi, I'd be interested (and grateful) to hear about which camera anyone may have used to video the journey around their layout from a driver's perspective. I'm supposing this will be mounted in an open wagon. Maybe someone has a camera wagon to sell. Anyway look forward to hearing from you. Thanks.
I'm not sure I can make a recommendation, but things to consider are how much you want to spend, what video quality you expect and how unobtrusive it should be (or not).
I've not taken video of my railway but I have recorded video from cameras mounted on radio control model aircraft.
Loading gauge is probably going to be a crunch factor and, starting at the cheap end, I have one of these or one very like it.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/374550126764?chn=ps&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&amdata=enc%3A1WVKei7JnQBWYZDHRR_jlMA12&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=374550126764&targetid=1816459698365&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=1007293&poi=&campaignid=19097601017&mkgroupid=152525099668&rlsatarget=pla-1816459698365&abcId=9303862&merchantid=561567501&gclid=Cj0KCQjw3JanBhCPARIsAJpXTx4cDTqtjmXfn1wjqyUoblyw9d050tCIjDSp7rp0HzUyrTznOA3u1_saAvgVEALw_wcB (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/374550126764?chn=ps&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&amdata=enc%3A1WVKei7JnQBWYZDHRR_jlMA12&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=374550126764&targetid=1816459698365&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=1007293&poi=&campaignid=19097601017&mkgroupid=152525099668&rlsatarget=pla-1816459698365&abcId=9303862&merchantid=561567501&gclid=Cj0KCQjw3JanBhCPARIsAJpXTx4cDTqtjmXfn1wjqyUoblyw9d050tCIjDSp7rp0HzUyrTznOA3u1_saAvgVEALw_wcB)
(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/PoUAAOSwNSRkBgdv/s-l1600.jpg)
Similar in size, but going upmarket a bit:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/RunCam-Camera-Action-Supported-Recording/dp/B07SMNRLBG/ref=asc_df_B07SMNRLBG/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=548872483593&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1525227154093098466&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007293&hvtargid=pla-1288008984887&psc=1 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/RunCam-Camera-Action-Supported-Recording/dp/B07SMNRLBG/ref=asc_df_B07SMNRLBG/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=548872483593&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1525227154093098466&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007293&hvtargid=pla-1288008984887&psc=1)
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51tsOyltgRL._AC_SX679_.jpg)
I have an earlier and larger camera from the same manufacturer and it gives good results, but perhaps not as good as a GoPro which I understand it something of a gold standard. A useful feature of my Runcam is being able to link it to my phone and see what the camera is seeing. (This is not quite the same as 'first person view' video from drones.)
A friend has video from his LGB garden railway taken with a camera similar to the first one. I'll see if I can find it.
Edit: another thing more expensive cameras will have (such as the second one) is image stabilization. I'm not sure how much it will smooth out the 'roller coaster' effect going around curves, but it should certainly reduce the camera shake.
Here's a video recorded by my friend using an inexpensive camera similar to the first one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a48GmFhXR5M (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a48GmFhXR5M)
I used a SQ-11
https://youtu.be/X6NB3GrDgho (https://youtu.be/X6NB3GrDgho)
I think I got my SQ-11 through Very who seemed to be the only source at the time. I was a bit concerned it might be a scam, but it did arrive and it did work, though the video quality was not as good a Hugh's.
Something else to watch - don't go with the cheapest micro SD card as it may not have the speed to record the video. Also be wary about video resolution claims for cheap cameras - the sellers can be a bit optimistic regarding what they call "HD". If it is a named brand there is a good chance someone on YouTube will have posted a comparison as lots of people are on the lookout for cheap cameras for radio controlled models.
If the video comes out a bit shaky, it's always possible to apply image stabilisation in video editing software. I use kdenlive (free open source) which has worked well on de-shaking hand-held footage, which is much the same problem.
Ian
My comments are on my web site
http://hnorwood.co.uk/files/amblog18.htm#pt1 (http://hnorwood.co.uk/files/amblog18.htm#pt1)
I added a lens to try to bring close up things into focus - with partial success.
Always drive at the slowest speed you can - you'd be surprised how raoidly you seem to be travelling when you play back. This means you need a very good slow-runner loco (I use s B0-B0 chassis with a 5-pole motor)
There may well be better models of these cameras available now - but they are cheap (or they were). Please keep us informed of how you get on - it will be very informative.
P.S. I found the instructions difficult to understand, but I found a useful video on YT and made some notes from that, that helped...
Great, thanks very much, everybody, for taking the time to reply, there's some useful information there and food for thought.
Late on parade with this but I'd also say I had difficulty understanding the instructions, to the point that I gave up and the camera has never been used.
(https://i.imgur.com/SZHvn9I.jpg)
I bought it to film my On30 layout but it would, just, fit within the HOe/OO9 loading gauge. I'd suggest a long wheelbase two axle chassis (as found under German wagons)... If I could get the thing to work.
Bob, if it is similar to the SQ11, I can send you my own aide-memoire that I always refer to?
Thanks Hugh but I've given up on the idea of filming a driver's point of view.