Posts: 78
Joined: 5/7/2007 From: Folkestone, UNITED KINGDOM Status: offline
Hi guys, just thought I might post a couple of Ariel photo’s I have taken recently. I’ve only been flying for a short while so I need to practice hovering some more in order to get some better pic’s.
They were taken with a Fuji Finepix digital camera (8.3 megapixel) that was mounted to a Raptor 50 via a homemade bracket. I also did a flight with the camera in ‘video mode’ (640x480 at 30 frames/sec) which didn’t turn out too bad either.
The camera is fitted inside a light plastic case that I attached a UV glass filter to the front of for the purpose of protecting the camera lens from any fuel spray. This proved to be a wise step as the glass filter does indeed get sprayed with fuel during flight.
I fitted foam ‘floats’ to some slightly longer skids to increase the ground clearance for the camera and then mounted the bracket close to the centre of the heli in order to keep the centre of gravity as balanced as possible. I also placed very soft foam inside the bracket to minimise vibration. I had to cut a slice off from the front/inside edge of the floats to obtain a clear view for the camera.
The camera is fixed at about 20 degrees so it faces down slightly.
The bracket/case weighs 15 oz and the camera another 5.5 oz so it’s not too bad a load for the heli to carry.
Posts: 45
Joined: 11/30/2004 From: Cumberland,
MD, USA Status: offline
Nice photos there's nothing wrong with those
Here ar some i took with a MUCH CHEAPER Camera $90.00 to be exact i tend to do things i shouldnt even when the camera is on and im not straping my expensive one on when this little cheap'O does the job.
Posts: 1047
Joined: 8/27/2002 From: Suwanee,
GA, USA Status: offline
Great Pictures DIJ!!!
If you want to get rid of some of the smoke and make sure it wont show on the pictures you can add a tubing on the muffler and run it all the way back on the boom about 1 1/2 feet,,,you can buy them on any auto Parts store they are used on cars they are heat resistant and they work great for this. I use them on mine too.!!!! here are some of mine,,the first pics I took when I started doing it.
Posts: 78
Joined: 5/7/2007 From: Folkestone, UNITED KINGDOM Status: offline
Thanks for the input… and the photo’s are great. You got some excellent results with a low cost camera there mr.flybye, and I especially like your first picture charrua, good composition/framing
I thought about something along the tubing idea charrua, but dismissed it as I thought it would restrict the exhaust and cause problems. I assume that this isn’t the case? Do you use tubing yourself? What diameter?
So how did you guys attach your cameras? It’s always interesting to see how other people do things.
Posts: 78
Joined: 5/7/2007 From: Folkestone, UNITED KINGDOM Status: offline
That’s a serious piece of kit you have there, you have obviously put a lot of thought and work into the design. I can’t believe how much ground clearance you have….. I have about 10mm under the camera
Any idea how much it weighs? I assume it’s a Raptor 50 and it manages to fly ok?
I like what you’ve done with the tubing and reckon that’s the way I should go. I have my camera in a case so it’s not too bad a problem; I just have to remember to clean the glass filter after every flight
Posts: 45
Joined: 11/30/2004 From: Cumberland,
MD, USA Status: offline
DIJ thanks mine is No fancy set up i simply used a peice of packing foam cut out to the shape of the bottom of the fuse on my 3-D Hobby shops YAK 54 Electric plane then i used the little triPod that came with the camera and used rubber bands to hold it on this little camera has a servo wire comeing out of it and i simply plug it into a extra channel such as my Flaps knob ,When i turn the knob to the right it takes Video and when i turn the knob to the left i can take single shot's or continuious which ever i want i dont have a picture of the set up but i will try to get one and post it .
Posts: 78
Joined: 5/7/2007 From: Folkestone, UNITED KINGDOM Status: offline
Thanks for all the feedback guys. That really is a good set up you have there Charrua, and thanks for the links. What transmitter set up do you use to control it?
Cheers for all the info Mr.flybye, and it would be great to see a picture of your set up
Printable Version
All Forums >> Radios, Batteries, Clubhouse and more >> Aerial Photography and Video >> Raptor 50 Arial photo's 
Raptor 50 Arial photo's - 
Camera $90.00 to be exact i tend to do things i shouldnt even when the camera is on and im not straping my expensive one on when this little cheap'O does the job. 
