Justine Curgenven Posted September 12, 2010 Share Posted September 12, 2010 hi, I'm an adventure filmmaker who mainly films seakayaking. I would like to try mounting a camera on a model aircraft to get some exciting shots of kayaking. I have some small cameras but I don't have a model aircraft or any experience of flying one. I'd be very grateful for any advice on what aircraft to get and any tips on mounting a camera. I imagine a model helicopter would be great for being able to get into whatever position I want to film but I also imagine that putting a camera on a helicopter would mess up the balance point? Ideally i'd be flying the aircraft over water and it could be windy so it would need to be strong enough to cope with this. However, I'm also keen to keep the costs down. I'm based in North Wales near Bangor if anyone nearby has a plane/ helicopter and would be willing to let me try mounting different cameras on it? I'd be happy to give you a copy of the footage. Examples of my footage can be seen on my website, www.cackletv.com thanks a lot Justine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Newberry - Nuviation Ltd. Posted September 12, 2010 Share Posted September 12, 2010 Hi Justine, Just seen your videos on your website - very impressive! My first thoughts are that you may struggle to find a model aeroplane that would take the sort of punishment that you want to dish out and still give you the video quality you need. I'm not saying it can't be done, but that is quite a specialist job. Have you tried contacting Air Canaerfon? I used to fly light aeroplanes for them and we did a few aerial photography jobs, but using full size aeroplanes and obviously at considerably more cost than using models. I have done some aerial photography with models, but nothing of the kind of calibre you're looking for - more like home movies of my house and village. Good luck, Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator Posted September 12, 2010 Share Posted September 12, 2010 Hi Justine, your project sound very exciting. Just for information it is possible to attach video cameras to model aeroplanes and helicopters and many people have done so with considerable sucess. Such "on board" cameras do not need to be very expensive - but are usually specialist miniature cameras. Without considerable expense it is unlikely that a model could lift a professional standard video camera of the type I suspect you use. It can be done - but as I say its expensive because it would require a very large model. Do you have any experience in flying model aircraft? I am afraid it is not as easy as it seems! Typically it takes someone reasonably well co-ordinated and working hard 3-6 months to learn to basically fly - and then another year or more before they are really competant. In fact most of us would say we are still learning! Your best bet might be to contact one of the local clubs and see if anyone flying there has interest in collaborating with you - their model, they fly, your camera. You can find contact details for clubs in your area on the BMFA website here Follow the index link marked "clubs". The Delyn club is not far from you and is a very active club so they might have someone interested. BEB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justine Curgenven Posted September 13, 2010 Author Share Posted September 13, 2010 Thanks a lot for the advice. I have no experience of flying model aircraft and I wouldn't want to use a full size and expensive camera ! I have some miniature cameras that I'd like to try, and maybe an approx 1.5 kilo camera. I will contact the clubs near to me and would love to find some / some people who are interested in collaborating. The Anglesey clubs might be more convenient because I often kayak on Anglesey. A few months ago I saw people flying model aircraft on the heathland behind my house at Mynydd Llandegai, near Snowdonia. I have looked out for them ever since to approach and talk to, but typically haven't seen anyone there since. I will contact the clubs but if anyone reading this lives nearby and would be interested in collaborating then please get in touch, Thanks Justine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken anderson. Posted September 13, 2010 Share Posted September 13, 2010 hello from me justine---we have a lad on this here forum who's second home is flying model's from the 'orme'...he go's by the name of tim mackey........why not send him a PM via the forum here....worth a try..... ken anderson...ne..1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wor'Keith Posted September 13, 2010 Share Posted September 13, 2010 Why not try a . . . . `Kite’? . . . . . Wor'Keith. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Mackey Posted September 13, 2010 Share Posted September 13, 2010 Justine - surely you have heard of THIS COMPANYThey are based just a few miles from you on Anglesey, and there are others around the area too.The owner of another similar company ( its a one man band ) gave us an excellent talk and demo at a recent club night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger in Dubai Posted September 14, 2010 Share Posted September 14, 2010 A fellow flyer attached one of the Go Pro Hero cameras to his Spacewalker last weekend and took truly excellent footage. He asked me to fly the plane and do some low level flying and aerobatics and the results are absolutely amazing, thanks Richard. The camera can film in quite a few resolutions including HD. I have been onto the website www.gopro.com and the range of things they do with this little camera is great. Have a look, I am impressed. Also note that I have no connection to the company whatsoever, just an impressed flyer looking to add another dimension to our great hobby. I am off to Hong Kong on leave at the end of the month and just have to find a retail outlet selling them. He bought his from USA for $299 including the waterproof case, hopefully a bit cheaper in Hong Kong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justine Curgenven Posted September 15, 2010 Author Share Posted September 15, 2010 Thanks for the advice everyone. I have got a Gopro camera and this is one of the cameras I'd like to try using. I have heard of Eye in the Sky and spoke to the owner quite a few years ago, but that is a sophisticated and expensive way of doing things! I'd rather look for a cheaper and less high tech way! I've got the contact details of local clubs on Anglesey and I'm going to contact them. Thanks again, Justine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Green Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 Hi Justine, I fly at RAF Valley and I can give you details of a helicopter flyer who might be able to help. I'll pm you his contact details if your interested. Can't promice you anything, but he's very good on the sticks. JG Edited By John Green on 30/10/2012 10:56:06 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernie Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 Hi justine, Very exciting, I really think you should team up with an EXPERIENCED model flyer. It'll take you too long to become competent yourself, but, be warned, It's addictive ernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindsay Todd Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 Interesting, done a little bit of inflight video work, just started playing about with a Gopro and I do a bit of kayak fishing? some vids can be found on you tube using linsair as a search. I got some quite interesting results with an easy glider with the Gopro but only used it once so far. Linds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justine Curgenven Posted October 30, 2012 Author Share Posted October 30, 2012 hi John, Yes please do send me the details of the helicopter flyer. Is that a full size helicopter or a model helicopter! Thanks a lot, Justine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefan Hafner Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 This might be of some interest to you, they use the GoPros i believe to great effect, you can have a look at the sort of kit that they sell and it'll give you some idewa of costs etc too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben B Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 Keeping costs down and getting shots from 1.5kg camera appears contradictory. I know people have used a hexacopter with a Canon 6D in movie mode which gave really nice quality movies. Gopro's are nice but the FOV is a bit strange. Even nicer with a red epic! flying a octocopter to that level requires years of practice (or a casual attitude towards your dSLR!). Edited By Ben B on 30/10/2012 13:50:46 Edited By Ben B on 30/10/2012 13:51:59 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Green Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 PM Sent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Chambers Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 http://www.fpvhub.com/ This is where you should be looking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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