What camera for stills?

[MarkWebber]

What cameras are you for-hire guys using? Something providing resolution enough for maybe 10x14's or so. Reasonably good autofeatures (can't seem to reach the heli or I'd just use my 35mm). I'd appreciate your input since many 'unbiased' online reviews don't seem so unbiased.


thanks,
Mark Webber

[Whirly-Girl]

I am using a Canon S2 IS (Image Stabilization) camera. It is a 5.1 megapixel camera with many automatic presets available as well as manual modes if you care to go and set something manually. The only special scene mode that I've tested so far is "snow" and I think it did a great job in not letting the snow blow out the pictures. There are pictures on my website.

Brand new at Walmart you'll see them for $399 + tax. I bought mine on eBay for $360 new, including shipping.

If you like the looks of this camera, wait until the end of this month or next...the S3 is coming out and is 6.x megapixels and has sports mode.

Jeanette

[MarkWebber]

Thanks Jeanette

I am leaning toward 8mp+ as one future customer does like to zoom in alot without too much pixilation. I've seen the pics they get from one current aerial guy. I don't know what he's using but they look more like satellite pics. You can really zoom in on these things. Maybe image inhancement software.

[DebianDog]

Well what you want a DSLR camera (I have a Rebel XT) with something like a 70mm-200mm lens. The problem is it is a pain to set up a servo to rotate the lens. Although I have seen a few do it with a belt. My current plan is to look for the shots take them then bring the helicopter back down and re-adust for the closer in shots.

Also if the shot is right you should not need to crop a great deal.

[MarkWebber]

DD

So you just shoot your pics blind? There aren't any dslr's with live feed are there? Wouldn't that require a dzlr? I haven't really done too much with digitals. I'm still trying to crawl out of the film era. Until wanting to get into AP, all I did with digitals was point and shoot family stuff. However, I know many customers will want better quality. Not that there aren't some point and shoots that wouldn't do a passible job. I just am not sure which. The more reviews I read the more I want to :arggg:

Thanks,
Mark

[Whirly-Girl]

Some of those pictures on my website were also shot by my friend's Canon Rebel digital SLR. Nice camera. I don't know what lense he has on his, but it is a sweet combo. He mounted a sighting camera (small board type) right to the view finder...it is removable. That camera sends the signal through his downlink and allows for perfect shot framing...instead of being off by mounting the sight camera to the side. I like the fact that this setup allows me to see the sighting dots in the camera for centering the pictures on specific objects. I've really enjoyed running his camera gear while he flies and gets his system all tweaked.

[BungeeMike]

I like the minolta diamage, 8mpx, lightweight, easy set up, good zoom capability,
but you cant change lenses unfortunatly but that hasnt been a problem for real estate, video is ok for having fun, $ 500-700 my thoughts
Aloha
Bungee

[MarkWebber]

Bungee

I was just looking into the Diamage yesterday. Weird cuz the reviewer noted that the older 5mp shot better pics. What problems associated with that lens and real estate?

Thanks,
Mark

[DebianDog]

DD

So you just shoot your pics blind? There aren't any dslr's with live feed are there?

Well the Canon shows the shot on the video feed after the shot but for a live feed:
http://www.skyeye.com/V-V-T.html

[Brady Longmore]

Any digital point and shoot camera that is 5 megapixels and up should provide you with the resolution you would like. You don't have to spend and arm and a leg. I am currently looking at a little Canon Sureshot for $250 that is 7.1 Megapixel from Best Buy

[WillJames]

Well the Canon shows the shot on the video feed after the shot but for a live feed:
http://www.skyeye.com/V-V-T.html



Cool apparatus DD. I don't know how you find all this stuff man. :noteworthy

[MarkWebber]

Brady,

I agree and am not trying to spend alot right off the bat. However, my primary customer (as soon as I get going) does demand the highest possible pixilation. One AP guy is supplying them with 13mp shots. I just don't want to go to that length since most of what they get is in the 8-10 range.

Thanks,

Mark Webber

[Brady Longmore]

yeah for that kinda MP you are probably talking about a $2000.00 DSLR. But, there are point and shoot cameras that can get up there pretty high in the MPs. Good luck with the search. I found these guys to have some of the best prices I could find on the internet.

www.bestpricecameras.com

[DebianDog]

I picked up an 8MP Rebel XT body for $650 and some good glass for $125. AT AMAZON (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?link_code=ur2&tag=danielslagle-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&path=external-search%3Fsearch-type=ss%26index=photo%26keyword=rebel%20xt)! You could probably find it cheaper.

[TopView]

You should try the Sony DSC-R1, bit heavy but awsome camera, 10.3 mlj pix, great lens.

[Greg McNair]

Sony is about to release their 10 megapixel dSLR at a price point around $900. But for that, you can get a used Canon Rebel, 300, or possibly a 20D if you search hard enough. I run a Lumix LX-1 on a 55' mast and under my heli, and save my 20D for handheld work when shooting out of fullscale aircraft. While I can put the 20 on the mast or under the heli, I prefer not to because it's so dang heavy, and my flight times are shortened considerably. With a dSLR, it's not just the weight of the body, but the lens you choose as well.

And not all megapixels are the same. A higher mp count doesn't guarantee a better photo. The size of the pixel, the quality of the sensor, and the quality of the glass are what determines a good image. For example, my 20D has a CMOS sensor, and the Lumix has a CCD sensor. I won't try to explain it. Instead, take about 10 minutes and read this to have a better understanding. After all, it's your money you're spending on a camera. You might as well understand what you're buying. I'm sure you did your homework on the type of heli you're flying, and the various bits you chose to control it (gyros, servos, etc). So get to know the camera technology too:

http://www.dalsa.com/shared/content/Photonics_Spectra_CCDvsCMOS_Litwiller.pdf

While the Lumix may shoot 8.4mp, the images are very noisy, especially in the blue color range. A 20D 8.2mp image shot in the same ISO is clearly superior. However, for much of the work some of you may plan to do, an image from the LX1 might be all you need.

[terje]

I'm using an EOS 350D, Or Rebel XT to you I think.

[loewermx]

Bump this topic, I am intrested in getting a new camera and I am torn between a few different cameras.

Canon S3 IS
Canon 10D
Sony R1

What would be the best camera for stills? I will be using a R50 stretched swinging 690's

Any other suggestions will be greatly appreciated too.

Thanks
Scott

[MPA]

If you are to going to be selling your services as a professional, you would be wise to turn up to shoots with a Camera that is used by most other working photographers, a decent DSLR, not a point and shoot pocket camera.

Itll save you having to convince punters you can get a pro shot from a cam with a lens the size of a walnut.

Cheers
Dave

[miami6]

canon 5d nikon d2x fuji S3 dlsr work great the question is how much do you want to spend

[loewermx]

How much to spend.... Well, I would like to go a cheap as possible but I also know that I don't need to cut corners if I plan on using it for any kind of paying job. I would guess up to about $800 if needed.

About DSLR's, do any of them have auto focus? I see some guys setting up a servo with a belt to focus. Is it possible to go without that? I will be doing this solo.

[dreslism]

How much to spend.... Well, I would like to go a cheap as possible but I also know that I don't need to cut corners if I plan on using it for any kind of paying job. I would guess up to about $800 if needed.

About DSLR's, do any of them have auto focus? I see some guys setting up a servo with a belt to focus. Is it possible to go without that? I will be doing this solo.

All of todays DSLR's have autofocus. What you saw with the servo and belt was for zooming the lens on the dslr.

[loewermx]

Thanks Scott, I learn something everyday! :lol:

I am really leaning toward the Canon 10D, I am assumming that 6.3mp will be enough.

[Tabbytabb]

Go with the 350D over the 10D, the 10D is old technology. The Rebel XT should be much cleaner at high ISO's then the 10D. The only way I would use a 10D these days for AP was if it was a hell of a deal or I was really worried about my ship crashing

Just my 2 cents

Tabb

[Nitrospazzz]

I am using a Rebel XT (350d) picked it up at bhphotovideo.com really like it so far