Creating Video Projects

The Cal Poly Humboldt Library has equipment for you to check out, free of charge. You can borrow anything for three days and can grab multiple items, including DSLR cameras, camcorders, GoPro cameras, tripods, digital audio recorders, microphones and more. You can ask for any of these items at the Checkout desk on the first floor.

If you have any questions about equipment, or other aspects of a digital project, we'd are happy to help! Contact us (the Makerspace) at makerspace@humboldt.edu.

Audio equipment is listed on our Creating Audio page. Don't forget that the audio in your video project is as important as the video itself. Depending on your project, you may want to capture your audio to a separate device in order to get the best quality. Many of the cameras have built-in mics that are fine, but some are lacking.

The Canon Vixia HF R300, R700 and R800 cameras are great for capturing high-quality footage for your video project, including interviews, presentations, events and more. The cameras include all you need to record basic video (includes built-in mic) but you may want to also borrow a tripod, lavalier mic or other accessories.

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The Nikon D5600 is an updated version of our great D3200 DSLR camera. The D5600 is bit better suited to shooting video, with a flip-out display. This DSLR provides plenty of automatic point-and-shoot functions but also allows you to control things like ISO, focus, shutter speed, and more to take those technical shots. The D5600 also has some built-in special effects, including selective color and fisheye.

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Why you might want to borrow the D5600

This DSLR camera is great for photos and video.

• The 18-140 mm lens has a wider range than our D3200 and T6i cameras. It also provides quality zoom (compared to cameras with digital zoom).
• With the manual controls you can control most aspects of your shot, including depth of field which allows you to get portraits and talking head shots with blurred backgrounds.
• This camera, along with the other DSLRs in our collection and the GoPro Hero6, will produce the highest resolution images we have available- up to 1920 x 1080 (Full HD). The D5600 also shoots up to 60 frames per second at 1920 x 1080, but this will reach the file size limit within 10 minutes.
• The Rode VideoMic external mic will work wonderfully with our DSLRs to give you enhanced audio (available for checkout separately).
• Special effects! The D5600 has several built-in special effects, including night vision, fisheye, color sketch, miniature effect, selective color (creates black and white image with only one color highlighted), and more.

Why you might want to borrow a different camera

• If you are shooting a continuous video over 30 minutes (no stopping) -- this camera will automatically stop recording at 29:59. Depending on the video settings, this may be a shorter time: there is a maximum file size of 4GB, which may only be 10 minutes at max settings. If the camera temperature gets too high (>73.5F), it will also automatically shut down.
• If you want to shoot slow motion shots -- while it will shoot up to 60 fps at standard HD, the GoPro Hero6 will shoot up to 240 fps.
• If you are shooting in the rain -- this camera is in no way waterproof and must be kept dry at all times.

The Canon T6i is a great camera that provides plenty of automatic point-and-shoot functions but also allows you to control things like ISO, focus, shutter speed, and more to take those technical shots.

The T6i is also WiFi enabled to allow you to transfer photos and video to mobile devices and social media. This DSLR is also optimized to shoot full HD (1080p) video. The adjustable vari-angle touchscreen makes taking shots at awkward angles a snap.

Can I check one out now?

Why you might want to borrow the T6i

This DSLR camera is great for photos and video.

• The 18-55 mm lens provides quality zoom (compared to cameras with digital zoom).
• With the manual controls you can control most aspects of your shot, including depth of field which allows you to get portraits and talking head shots with blurred backgrounds.
• This camera, along with the Nikon D3200 and the GoPro Hero6, will produce the highest resolution images we have available- up to 1920 x 1080 (Full HD).
• The Rode VideoMic external mic will work wonderfully with the T6i and Nikon D3200 to give you enhanced audio (available separately).

Why you might want to borrow a different camera

• If you are shooting a continuous video over 30 minutes -- this camera will automatically stop recording at 29:59.
• If you want to shoot slow motion shots -- while it will shoot up to 60 fps at standard HD, the GoPro Hero6 will shoot up to 240 fps.
• If you are shooting in the rain -- this camera is in no way waterproof and must be kept dry.

The Nikon D3200 is a great camera that provides plenty of automatic point-and-shoot functions but also allows you to control things like ISO, focus, shutter speed, and more to take those technical shots.

Can I check one out now?

Why you might want to borrow the D3200

This DSLR camera is great for photos and video.

• The 18-55 mm lens provides quality zoom (compared to cameras with digital zoom).
• With the manual controls you can control most aspects of your shot, including depth of field which allows you to get portraits and talking head shots with blurred backgrounds.
• This camera, along with the Canon T6i and the GoPro Hero6, will produce the highest resolution images we have available- up to 1920 x 1080 (Full HD).
• The Rode VideoMic external mic will work wonderfully with the D3200 and Canon T6i to give you enhanced audio (available separately).

Why you might want to borrow a different camera

• If you are shooting a continuous video over 30 minutes -- this camera will automatically stop recording at 29:59.
• If you want to shoot slow motion shots -- while it will shoot up to 60 fps at standard HD, the GoPro Hero6 will shoot up to 240 fps.
• If you are shooting in the rain -- this camera is in no way waterproof and must be kept dry.

The Library has two (2) GoPro Hero 9 Black cameras available to check out for your next video project. These tiny cameras are great for almost any video or photo project. They are waterproof (to 33ft with the door latched), have built in mics, and can be controlled via the free Android and iOS apps. You can also control the camera using the LCD touch screen. The front-facing screen also allows you to monitor what is being captured if you are recording yourself.

Try out the Quik App to make edits, add transitions, music and more — all from your phone or tablet. Stream live directly from the camera using it as a webcam to use with Zoom and other desktop applications or directly live stream to Facebook, YouTube, and more (see details and instructions below).

You can also edit your videos with a variety of other applications free to you as a member of Cal Poly Humboldt. Visit our Creating Video Software guide for recommendations and details.

Can I check one out now?

The Library has four (4) GoPro Hero 6 Black cameras available to check out for your next video project. These tiny cameras are great for almost any video or photo project. They are waterproof (to 33 ft with the door closed), have built in mics, and can be controlled via the free mobile GoPro app (via Bluetooth and Wireless connections- instructions). You can also control the camera using the LCD touch screen. 

Try out the Quik App to make edits, add transitions, music and more — all from your phone or tablet. Stream live directly from the camera using it as a webcam to use with Zoom and other desktop applications or directly live stream to Facebook, YouTube, and more (see details and instructions below).

You can also edit your videos with a variety of other applications free to you as a member of Cal Poly Humboldt. Visit our Creating Video Software guide for recommendations and details.

Can I check one out now?

The GoPro Max 360 is a dual lens 360-degree camera that captures 5.6k resolution video and photos. With the GoPro Max, you can also switch between the front and back lenses when filming or shooting for unique perspectives. The camera also has built-in stabilization and stitching to make 360-degree projects simple. The audio quality of the GoPro Max is fantastic, with six microphones embedded within the camera.

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The Insta360 One X is a dual-lens 360-degree (spherical) video camera that captures video for everything around you. You can also easily grab still images from the video using the app, which is also used to control the camera (via Bluetooth and Wireless connections- instructions). 

Download your videos using the included USB cable or use the app to save to your phone or tablet. The Insta360 One X also supports live streaming and many features that make this more than just a 360-degree camera.

Use the invisible selfie stick (included) to shoot footage that appears to be floating in mid-air. Upload photos directly to Google Street View with the app. 

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The Logitech c920 HD Pro Webcam is great for web conferencing, live streaming, and recording interviews and events. The high quality of the 1080p HD camera is matched by the stereo mics with built-in noise reduction.

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