Help, Multicopter KIT for Stabilized Video
 

Hello

I want to put together a Kit that is capable of shooting very good stabilized video for commercial purposes (I'm aware I'll have to practice a lot before getting good results). I'm knowledgeable about video/photo camera equipment, but I have zero experience with RC Helis or an other RC vehicle, so I was wondering if anybody around here could help me with some guidance on which equipment to choose.

I'm leaning more towards Multicopter because I've read the are easier to fly. Here's this guy flying a 5Dmark II on a Multicopter [link]http://vimeo.com/14125627[/link]

I'm after this level of stabilization [link]http://vimeo.com/31744447[/link], without post stabilizing or slowing down the video to hide any bumps in the camera movement.

The camera I'll be flying will be a Panasonc GH2, which weighs about 20oz with the lens.

First straight question I'll ask is which camera mount do you recommend?, do you think this one will do the job right?
[link]http://www.aericam.com/?page_id=81&category=1&product_id=1[/link]

Thanks for your time!

RE: Help, Multicopter KIT for Stabilized Video
 

Nobody?

RE: Help, Multicopter KIT for Stabilized Video
 

Don't hold your breath on this forum lol! I asked and it fell on deaf ears. It's like posting on the rocketry forum here, no activity. I went here and they set me up:

http://www.aplanding.com/forums/

Good Friendly bunch. Currently I'm running a Scarab YSiiX with WooKong control and a NEX5n, moving up to a Cine8 for my larger cameras. Good luck.

RE: Help, Multicopter KIT for Stabilized Video
 

Thanks Shaun, yeah I only heard a couple of crickets after my question. In fact I've started to check some threads at rcgroups.com, lots of activity there. I'll also check the one you mention. What is the payload of your heli? Do you have some sample footage?

RE: Help, Multicopter KIT for Stabilized Video
 

Max lift capacity is 1.8kg.

http://www.multiwiicopter.com/produc...opter-multiwii

Pretty economical way to get started, I've spent twice the money on just the video downlink! Check MK for larger airframes and accessories like video, telemetry and such:

http://shop.quadrocopter.us/

As for footage, I'm just finishing the Scarab build now. Waiting for the video gear from Quadrocopter, should be here Monday. I'll post something next week if all goes well.



Cheers

RE: Help, Multicopter KIT for Stabilized Video
 

Shaun

Would you mind posting a quick list of the components of your kit? I just want to get an idea on what I need to put together so I can start to look for them. Right now I don't know if the Scarab will be enough or if at the end I'll need an airframe from Quadrocopter. What I want to avoid is to start small and then find out as I get experience that I have to get better quality or bigger size components in order to get the smooth footage I need, thus spending more money.

I just started to practice with a tiny Blade Scout CX heli, I know it isn't close to big helis but I think it will give me some skill as little as they could be.

When they specify the payload that means the camera only or it is the camera plus the camera mount?

Thanks for sharing!

RE: Help, Multicopter KIT for Stabilized Video
 

Here's a list so far:

Scarab Carbon (payload would include mount)
S-Bus Futaba receiver
yellow Jacket 5.8 Pro Diversity receiver
Mondo Stinger 5.8 AVD Transmitter
Hobby King OSD
DJI WooKong M flight system
Bridge carbon camera mount
Thundertiger G6 4s 3000
custom board to convert HDMI to analog for the Stinger Transmitter. The Sony only outputs to HDMI.
Meder 4mm micro reed switches soldered under the top cover of the Sony to trigger the body. No physical contact, just a small electromagnet. My idea, see how that works out lol.
That's about it. As for size, I had planned on a small multicopter and a large unit from the start. A lot of situations it makes more sense to use the smaller copter. When you need to shoot with something like a Red, then pull out the big rig. Plus you always have a smaller investment risk if you just wont to throw it around!

RE: Help, Multicopter KIT for Stabilized Video
 

It is a god idea to build a small rig first and then a bigger one for bigger cameras later on. I have a couple of questions if you don't mind:

- S-Bus Futaba receiver. Is this the thing that will receive the orders from the Radio and send them to the Copter servos? Do you have a link for this one? I see there are many kinds.

- Yellow Jacket 5.8 Pro Diversity receiver. Is it this one? [link]http://shop.quadrocopter.us/YellowJacket-58-Pro-Diversity-Receiver_p_48.html[/link]http://shop.quadrocopter.us/YellowJacket-58-Pro-Diversity-Receiver_p_48.html

- Mondo Stinger 5.8 AVD Transmitter. This is the thing that will send the wireless video to the Yellow Jacket receiver right?

- Hobby King OSD. Is this to monitor the battery levels?

- DJI WooKong M flight system. I saw on a video that this thing is for auto pilot and landing if the copter looses contact with the radio, is that right?

- Bridge carbon camera mount. Is it this one? [link]http://shop.quadrocopter.us/MK-HiSight-II-SE-NickRoll_p_39.html[/link]http://shop.quadrocopter.us/MK-HiSight-II-SE-NickRoll_p_39.html

- Thundertiger G6 4s 3000. Is this the thing to convert the hdmi signal for the Mondo Stinger?


Which camera are you using? I want to compare its weight vs. my GH2

RE: Help, Multicopter KIT for Stabilized Video
 

The S-Bus Receiver I'm using is the 3 channel version. It can handle as many channels are you have on your transmitter which I have 14. This particular receiver has a s-bus port and 3 physical port for three channels. The s-bus cable connects to the WooKong controller, without s-bus you'd have 8 separate cables. Makes for a clearer install. From the WooKong unit, all you speed control and camera mount servos plug in. You can down load the WooKong manual to check out the setup in detail. Don't go to the WooKong M mini site though, DL from DJI's main web site. You found the Yellow Jacket and Stinger TxRx setup, it's a bit overkill lol. The Hobby King displays V, power consumed, heading, distance to home, altitude, airspeed....and a bunch of other stuff I don't need. I just need voltage and current consumed. As for the camera mount: http://shop.quadrocopter.us/MK-HiSig...dge_p_107.html The one you're looking at is too small for the mid sized cameras. The Thundertiger G6 are sixth generation LiPo batteries for the multicopter. As for a camera I'm using a Sony NEX5n. I can't believe I bought a Sony lol! But it's light and the IQ is good.

RE: Help, Multicopter KIT for Stabilized Video
 

Do you have the links to get the Thundertiger G6, S-Bus receiver and the Yellow Jacket 5.8? I haven't found a lower specced "Yellow Jacket 5.8 Diversity Receiver"

You are right, the camera mount I had was for go pro sized cameras.

Talking about mounts, how are you going to avoid the helicopters vibrations from getting on the camera? I saw the demo video from this mount and it is shaky [link=http://shop.quadrocopter.us/MD-2-Camera-Mount-for-SLRs_p_110.html.]shop.quadrocopter.us/MD-2-Camera-Mount-for-SLRs_p_110.html.[/link]

I like how this gimbal between the mount and the helicopter eliminates the roll movement [link=http:///www.quadrocopter.us/2011/11/08/cinestar-gimble/]/www.quadrocopter.us/2011/11/08/cinestar-gimble/[/link] but I don't know if windy days will make it swing too much.

Which Radio will you be using to control the heli?

The NEX5n is a great camera little camera, here's an interesting ISO comparison [link=http://www.eoshd.com/content/3802/which-is-best-for-low-light-sony-nex-5n-or-nex-7-and-a77]http://www.eoshd.com/content/3802/which-is-best-for-low-light-sony-nex-5n-or-nex-7-and-a77[/link]

RE: Help, Multicopter KIT for Stabilized Video
 

The batteries were from amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...00_i00_details

As for a lower specked Yellow Jacket receiver, I'm pretty sure there isn't one. You can find other diversity receivers for less money like the one from Hobbyking. As for the mount, it's really up to you to make what you need. The big high end mounts won't work on a smaller rig. But with some extra carbon fibre and creative ideas for vibration isolation, it's possible to get rid of the vibrations. With counter rotating props that are well balanced, it shouldn't be much of a problem though. For control I'm using a Futaba 14mz, but I've got a 18 on order. Won't be available until January I though.

RE: Help, Multicopter KIT for Stabilized Video
 

So the batteries are Thunder Power and not Thunder Tiger as you put it on the list. That futaba radio is a lot of money! do you use ALL of its features when flying a multicopter? are there any other Futaba radios less expensive that will do the trick?

Looking forward to see some footage with your new video gear from Quadrocopter!

RE: Help, Multicopter KIT for Stabilized Video
 

You can get by with with a cheap 6 channel radio, you don't need more for a multicopter. I fly jets and giant scale which can eat up channels in a hurry. The jet in my avitar uses all 14 and I still need servo splitter/syncro units to make it all work. If I wasn't dedicated to Futaba I'd seriously look at Spectrum as the price is way cheaper especially considering some of their new radio include telemetry.

RE: Help, Multicopter KIT for Stabilized Video
 

Do you know if I could fly a [link=http://shop.quadrocopter.us/CineStar-6-Kit_p_405.html]Cinestar 6[/link] with this one? [link=http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=SPM2710]www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=SPM2710[/link] If so, do you think I'll ever need a [link=http://shop.quadrocopter.us/DX8-System-with-AR8000-TM1000-No-SX-MD2-SPM8800_p_150.html]DX8[/link] in the future? I may want to fly a single rotor heli like a T-rex 700 later on when I get more experienced.

RE: Help, Multicopter KIT for Stabilized Video
 

7 channels would be just fine. Given it will be about $10K for the Cinestar by the time you get it in the air, upgrading radios later will seem minor lol! You'll have 4 channels for the multi, pitch, roll, yaw and throttle. Which leaves you with 2 more channels for your camera mount and one for shutter actuation. An 8th channel would allow you to use a 3 axis camera mount though. On second thought, better go with the 8.

RE: Help, Multicopter KIT for Stabilized Video
 

Thanks for the advice Shaun. Did you get a chance to try out your video gear from quadrocopter?

RE: Help, Multicopter KIT for Stabilized Video
 

Just putting it all together, received the order yesterday. Oh, forget needing 8 channels for a 3 axis mount. A little too much sleep deprivation lol. The roll axis doesn't require a channel as it would be controlled by the gyro function from the controller.

RE: Help, Multicopter KIT for Stabilized Video
 

Oh I see, so a 7 channel radio will be more than enough. Did you finished the board to convert HD to analog?

RE: Help, Multicopter KIT for Stabilized Video
 

I did. It's big, heavy and ugly lol!

RE: Help, Multicopter KIT for Stabilized Video
 

Does it do the job?

RE: Help, Multicopter KIT for Stabilized Video
 

I works quite well, but I'm open to suggestions for something smaller and lighter. So far I've had no luck, looks like the only solution for HDMI. It would be fine on something like a Cinestar 8.

RE: Help, Multicopter KIT for Stabilized Video
 

You can have a look at our new Flexacopte, it hase some uniek futures for stable video recording.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1519474

RE: Help, Multicopter KIT for Stabilized Video
 

Thanks, I will definitely take a look at your system.

RE: Help, Multicopter KIT for Stabilized Video
 

Very interesting system, I'll wait for your price list on my e-mail. Which camera mount do you recommend for it?

RE: Help, Multicopter KIT for Stabilized Video
 

The legs lengt is designed for the AV130 with the Panasonic GH2, we think the best combination money can buy for a multirotor.