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GrandRC . CanoMod . Futaba-RC

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Aerial Photography and Video > SPHERICAL PRO1 out today
 
 
papatango
Senior Heliman
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Ouch!......

The last thing I heard my ex say: " It's either me or that damn Helicopter"......
08-28-2008 04:00 AM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
Makiedog
Senior Heliman
Location: Minneapolis

Quote 
The inside of condo's as hot spots or dealerships/Stores/malls. We are shooting the outside of a new Sam's this week then shooting two inside spherical's of the store.

Using a heli to shoot the inside of a condo or store? I'm sorry, I don't get the advantage, given the safety risks, lighting level, parallax problems, etc. A tripod/pole-based pano shoot seems more logical.

Quote 
This mounts to the top of the camera mount and lets you just change the sub trim so you get about any rotation speed you want. Then just walk behind the camera firing when you want to.

You mean there's a device that regulates your pan speed? Why can't one simply reduce the ATV on the radio to slow the speed? Sorry, I'm not getting this. Perhaps a close up photo may explain.

Pat L
08-28-2008 02:28 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
AirFoilAviation
Veteran
Location: Quincy, IL.

Yep we are not on the same page. You could reduce the ATV's and that would work fine. It's the same basically as trimming I have found that using the trim tab about 4 clicks is fast and easy.

You would not be using the helicopter at all indoors just the camera mount. You basically attach the bracket to the top of the mount where the heli would normally set then insert the adjustable pole with the camera attached at the top. You can now shoot indoors using the same mount you use on the heli.

I will try to get a picture posted on the unit.

The other Pm's I'm ask if the mount can rotate faster? Yes it will rotate in 3 seconds if you would like. Once you start shooting these you will find rotating faster than 4 seconds doesn't get you many photo's to work with.
If you have to do this because you can't hover in one place longer than 2 or 3 seconds? Practice hovering.

When the sun drops we have shot some as slow as 10 seconds to lower the shutter speed. You should be able to hover in one place for at least that long with no problems. This isn't a slam just some have the impression you need blistering rotation speeds, which you don't. Four seconds with a camera that shoots 3 pics per second is about perfect.

John

Team AirFoil
08-28-2008 03:59 PM
 
 
rerazor
Elite Veteran
Location: Mich.

Look forward to the pic with mount on a pole.

The main reason for wanting to spin the mount as fast as possible is not if you can hover but because of altitude and drift change during the rotation. The faster the rotation the less chance that will happen and the easier the stitching is.

Shooting panos when its windy makes the need for faster rotation a necessity. When working on the road you don't have the luxury on waiting for the weather to be perfect. Once you start shooting a lot of panos for clients in different conditions this becomes very obvious.
08-28-2008 04:17 PM
 
 
CKY
Veteran
Location: Sunshine Coast, BC, Canada

Sorry John,
not "trolling", just helping to keep this thread alive. And yes, most of my photos are now from masts. I am now test flying my benzine again after a bit of shelf life. Panos from the heli are looking very promising. Still have to contend with certification and all that frivolous stuff to carry it out as a business venture though.

Adapting your mount to a pole/mast will be quite a challange. Starting with a blank piece of paper is probably your best bet though. Even a mast has many issues that need special attention. An adapted heli mount will probably work great for many, but more specialized will appeal to more.

I do this as a hobby, always have, probably always will. Back in '97 I was still using 35mm film cameras strapped to a freezer basket strapped to an Ergo. That was FUN.

I remember seeing one of your first ads in RC Modeler more than a decade ago and saying to myself, 'someone with the initiative to start something really new'. Most everyone here knows how hard it is to run a business. Always thought if I came up with something really unique it could sell, but that would be work.

Masts are now fun, and panos even funner

Anyone doing this commercially has many options, most pricey. You are aiming at the "serious amature" or "budget minded professional" or the hobbiest that does not want to spend eons redesigning the wheel. The hardest part of doing this is assembling all the various bits of equipment over and above the heli mount.

If you stand on the top of a hill, some will take pot shots. Comes with the territory I assume. But it is better NOT to lob grenades back at them. Just lowers you to their(my) level.

If no-one comments or critiques your work, then where would you be

Chris
08-28-2008 05:31 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
AirFoilAviation
Veteran
Location: Quincy, IL.

Thanks really appreciate that. Yeah I'm a type A personality. We started 12 years ago which is why like the post above yours they have no idea. Been flying these crazy things over 20 years and shooting video or stills over 10.

Then I have people tell me once I get out shooting? We have been under contract with ABC/NBC/CBS at some point in this venture and I have personally flown around gun fire, where they were shooting at the heli in 0 degree weather to 100 plus, in ice storms where I iced the blades, basically in h-ll and back to the nicest places. I've videoed disaster's/fire damage/tornado damage/hurricane damage/floods/suicides yes multiple/and then any type of breaking news you can think of. Worked with about any agency you could name at one time or another and flown in more states then I remember.

After all that I can say the industry we are in has finally found it's nitch in Pano's. We have the heli/mount/camera technology that lets us do what you can't get any other way. Funny thing is they are the easiest work to do and produce the most profit. How odd is that?

I'm definitely having more fun then I ever have shooting these things. We are heading about 12 hours south to New Orleans to shoot any hurricane damage that may happen or a little more west depending on the storms path.

If you fly R/C heli's and are good at it and understand business you could start a company for $10,000.00 with a 2 or 3 hundred dollar payment and be making money in a week.

To me if you are wasting time trying to build a mount you probably never really intended to do this as a business. R&D takes lots of money and time. If you want to buy and modify because you have a better idea, then that makes sense. What some don't get is we have to design something simple/strong/light that can get beat up and keep working. Think if you really are in business and have a crash do you want some $200 gadget holding the camera or a $600 mount that you can stand on but weighs only a little over 5lbs. with camera that could save the camera and cut down on heli damage?

I hope more follow. It's the next generation in what we are doing.
KIS hasbeen and always will be the way to go. Just look at CCPM.

John

Team AirFoil
08-28-2008 07:22 PM
 
 
rerazor
Elite Veteran
Location: Mich.

Quote 
We started 12 years ago which is why like the post above yours they have no idea.

Really, huh. Explain to me where my statements about shooting panos was inaccurate the least bit? I'm really curious to hear your Type A personality response or are you out practicing for the latest hovering tournament?
08-28-2008 07:32 PM
 
 
cainebean
Senior Heliman
Location: USA

Ground Breaking!

Nice L Bracket
08-28-2008 08:45 PM
 
 
papatango
Senior Heliman
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

"We have the heli/mount/camera technology that lets us do what you can't get any other way."



http://servocity.com/html/spg785_pan.html

http://www.rc-soar.com/tech/rccam-iface.htm

http://hardyadvancedcomposites.org/default.aspx

http://www.3dprototype.com/

http://www.nghobbies.com/cart/index.php?main_page=index


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Owned

The last thing I heard my ex say: " It's either me or that damn Helicopter"......
08-28-2008 08:45 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
Griffo
Senior Heliman
Location: Canberra, Australia

John, most people here have a fair idea of quality and engineering skills when they see it. In this particular case there is nothing being offered in your Spherical Pro that cannot be built quickly and easily yourself.

Let me know when you have something to sell that's a little more intelligent than an L bracket.
08-29-2008 12:55 AM
 
 
Northernaerials
New Heliman
Location: Keokuk, Iowa

Just received the mounts yesterday. A+ the 450D fits it perfect.

Mine came in at about 5.5lbs AUW. The GSR doesn't seem to know it's under there. Like the 4 new dampeners. Found a couple mistakes in the book you might look at. Both under setting up rotation speed. The 4.8 and 6 volt are backwards.

We shot this morning, stitching now. Pics are crystal clear!

Thanks

Shawn
08-29-2008 04:04 PM
 
 
oakley
Heliman
Location: USA

How can a person operate the mount and the heli solo with a 9303 2.4 transmitter?
10-09-2008 06:37 PM
 
 
Makiedog
Senior Heliman
Location: Minneapolis

No need for 2nd operator. Hover at the spot you like, click a switch to spin the mount 1 rotation while capturing and you're done. Sounds real simple, but it is actually harder than it sounds. Capturing is only about 10% of the whole process, the rest is post production.

This is what bothers me about vendors who are paddling pano mounts: Novices are enticed into buying pano mounts, without the faintest idea what is really involved in the proper setup, nor the complexity of post production. Seems to me responsible vendors should provide the information and helpful links on their sites.

Pat L
10-09-2008 07:08 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
oakley
Heliman
Location: USA

I am not converned with the flying part,thats easy,I need to know about the radio issue.
How do you control the mount seperate from the heli?.....................2 receivers?I am using 2.4 with model match.
10-09-2008 07:16 PM
 
 
CKY
Veteran
Location: Sunshine Coast, BC, Canada

I totally agree.

I like the idea of being able to see what I am actually buying and how it works, plus what else is required to have a pleasant experience.

Many think that will open the door for piracy. Could be, but I still like to hold it in my hand if possible, but buying totally blind forced me to build my own. Have seen too many products sold that really need a rework to work. I have yet to own anything that cannot be improved.

That alone makes it impossible for me to sell anything, never good enough for me means its not good enough for you.

Anyways, a web site with updated FAQ's on AP and mast photography and so on would really draw traffic to the site and possibly more sales???

If you are selling a product you now have a responsibility to share other pertinent information ???
10-09-2008 07:36 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
AirFoilAviation
Veteran
Location: Quincy, IL.

First John you just use two 2.4 receivers and bind them to the same transmitter. This will let both run off of one transmitter on 2.4 or 72mhz. You can talk to Horizon if you want.

Hope this help you John

Quote 
Capturing is only about 10% of the whole process, the rest is post production.

That is actually only true if in fact the system is not setup correctly.

This is how simple it really is. Keep in mind since you are getting into aerial photography I guess I take it for granted you can use PS or something similar. This I mean for still photo's but does apply to this if you want it to.

We rotate in 3.8 seconds shooting 3.5 pics per second. If you take the first 7 pictures that gives you a 20% over lap in which PTGUI 8.02 will stitch your pano and optimize as good if you have hovered say with in 5ft or so in the same place. Now touch up the pano if you need or like in PS and then convert to a QTVR all in about 15 minutes.

The real trick is the right speed for the camera. To much over lap or to little and you will spend hours fixing problems. No I don't post everything but do get around 50 calls a day and do post my cell to help anyone that needs it.


Makiedog I see you on the other site pumping a new system. Just an FYI R&D is expensive. The forward and rearward swing we tested 7 years ago and crashed about 3 heli before we understood what was happening. It all looks good on the bench but in the air throwing the C.G. way off it gets ugly. I would R&D by flying and testing for 100's of hours before I threw it out there.

John

Team AirFoil
10-09-2008 07:43 PM
 
 
oakley
Heliman
Location: USA

I have tried binding 2 RX's to one TX and it doesnt work.I have the 9303 with model match.I will have to ask Horizon but I dont think it can be done with a model match transmitter.
10-09-2008 07:46 PM
 
 
AirFoilAviation
Veteran
Location: Quincy, IL.

I just talked to product support and was told they do it all the time. I just tried it with a new 9303 on 2.4 and used two AR 7000's with no problems?

Not sure.

John

Team AirFoil
10-09-2008 07:53 PM
 
 
rerazor
Elite Veteran
Location: Mich.

Quote 
Makiedog I see you on the other site pumping a new system. Just an FYI R&D is expensive. The forward and rearward swing we tested 7 years ago and crashed about 3 heli before we understood what was happening. It all looks good on the bench but in the air throwing the C.G. way off it gets ugly. I would R&D by flying and testing for 100's of hours before I threw it out there.

You must be referring to this mount:

http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=97090&page=8

I'll have to check but I'm sure it can be "locked" if your R&D testing is true. I don't use self-leveling on my modified AF mounts for panos either but I think if the dampening was correct it might work well. Interesting to say the least.
10-09-2008 07:59 PM
 
 
oakley
Heliman
Location: USA

Yep,just tried it again.It does work after all.Thanks!!
10-09-2008 08:00 PM
 
 
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