rappar Loc: Kingston Ontario

In the next few months, I will head out in a converted Promaster to explore large areas of North America. Friends and family want me to keep in touch using images and some video. I will take a GoPro, DJI drone and a Sony RX10iv. While I have a MacBook, I have seen some very impressive work done on an iPad Pro for video using a program called LumaFusion.

Do any members have any experience with this program and could comment. The iPad would be a smaller solution and might be worth considering.

If I do use the MacBook, is Final Cut the way to go or is there something better.
Thanks.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

If you are using a Mac, iMovie is a pretty good editor. I've only dabbled with it so far. It's free and fairly capable.
--Bob

usken65

Keep in mind the iPad Pro is a large investment. Are you sure you need it?

JohnBoy5562 Loc: Alabama

I have a iPad Air 2 with 128 GB and I use LumaFusion all the time. I’ve used a GoPro camera iPhone video and movie files from my Nikon D7100 and haven’t had any kind of problem with LumaFusion. If you already have a iPad I would recommend it 100%.

jrm21

FCP is a great piece of software. It also has a bit of learning curve. However, if you have a MacBook you already have iMovie. I don't know your level of comfort or expertise with editing software, but for what you plan to do, iMovie will likely handle it very well. If you ever want to move up to FCPx, you can transfer your iMovie project.

(edited to add: DaVinci Resolve is another editor. Free and gets rave reviews. It does, however, have a very steep learning curve).

iPad vs MacBook: I have only edited video on a desktop machine, not on an iPad. I'm sure the iPad could handle what you want to do. However, the process may be more involved than you expect. You still have to transfer the raw footage from your three different cameras into the iPad. The upcoming iOS 13 should handle that better, but for now it can be a cumbersome task. A laptop is much better suited to that task.

For an extended trip with plenty of footage you will also need storage space. Again, the laptop wins here. Grab an external drive(s) and you can save everything.

I would also find a way to try out an iPad and test it out. I love my iPad, but certain tasks can be difficult with the "touch" interface. It's certainly a matter of personal preference, but I find the iPad is not well suited to certain tasks. For example, I occassionaly use Garageband for music projects on the go. It works great, but when it comes to editing (which has similarites to editing video) it can be frustrating. A computer with a mouse/trackpad and menus is much easier.

YMMV.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

I use both iMovie and Final Cut Pro X. iMovie is plenty for many smaller projects, and it runs on iPads, too. FCP handles more simultaneous cameras, more sound tracks, more effects... and unlike most other video editors, it is *highly* optimized for Mac hardware. I like FCP because I’m a control freak. I like iMovie because it just keeps me on track to simplicity. DaVinci Resolve is best for color grading.

Adobe Premiere Pro is slooow on Macs — get a Windows box if you want that.

I have never heard of LumaFusion. Looks like it just released as version 2 at NAB this past Spring, so I’d be careful. iMovie and FCP and Resolve have been around much longer.

notheroltech Loc: Des Moines, IA

I have begun to add LumaFusion in an iPad to my toolkit and have found it to be quite powerful. The question, however, is what is your end goal product-wise. I have and use FinalCut and know a source to learn the basics (Izzy Hyman has released a basic course for free) BUT the curve is fairly deep as it really is a pro level editor. iMovie might fit or might be a bit too limiting. LumaFusion will easily outperform iMovie and will run amazingly well on iPad or iPhone. Again, the question is what is your final product and which system is going to fulfill your needs? By the way, I found editing on my iPad remarkably fluid and engaging after a short while. Your experience may well be different than mine.

The link is to a 17min video editing 4K video on an iPad Pro using LumaFusion. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZpsliNmJLo
This may or may not help.
I wish you well in your project.

aellman Loc: Boston MA

Final Cut Pro is one of the top two applications used by editing professionals. If your editing will not require hundreds of bells and whistles, Final Cut is total overkill with a steep leaning curve. There are many simpler editing programs that may do everything you need. Adobe Premiere Elements is one possibility, and there are many free or cheap ones. Check download.com and filehippo.com. >Alan