Casio Exilim Z850 - Perfect AP Camera: T-REX

[KarbonBird]

Could this be a "perfect" camera for AP.

Some good write up from the full sized AP guys.

Price is good now too as there is a 10 Mpix model out (this one is 8 Mpix).

Anyone using/used it?

[LoopBaCK]

I've wondered the same thing myself. On both models...

[KarbonBird]

Feedback - bought this camera last week and have done some serious testing.

VERY happy with the stills (will post shortly).

Settings: Aperture priority, speed 1000, ISO 100, continuous mode. Some a bit under exposed so still working on settings.

Heli has absolute minimum vibration and has a under slung nose mounted camera....

This is definitely an ideal camera for T-Rex AP ... size and weight match the frame nicely too...

Anyone else using it???

[Renfield]

Samples?

[WillJames]

Can you run an autotrigger like the Gentled Auto?

[catfight]

Could someone explain what the "continuous shutter" and BEST SHOT means?


Shooting mode
• Continuous Shutter (normal and high speed, flash continuous, zoom, multi)
• 34 BEST SHOT modes


Thanks

[Renfield]

continuous shutter, also called burst mode, is what I'm using. It keeps shooting as long as the shutter is pressed, until the card is full.

best shot selector is one I do not use, and haven't tried. It reads like the camera makes a judgement (exposure? focus?) on your behalf, and tosses out images. I don't require in flight editing. :wink:

Cheers,
George

[catfight]

Renfield,

That (continuos shutter) may be what I am looking for- my burst mode only does a max of 5 shots before you have to repress the button. Do you know if you can program the time between shots? I think some of the most interesting shots may be ones you don't intentionally setup. What does the High Quality video look like?

Thanks again :)

[enigma]

My camera doesn't have burst or continuous and I'm running a seperate transmitter (my wife is) for the camera. I needed to test the new set-up today and there was no way to fly and work her tx as well. So this is what I came up with, don't laugh, it worked! OK, laugh, it's stupid as hell! I've got too much time... The erector set trigger activates the stick on the "Black Box", I had to use 3 reductions to slow it down enough for the camera to keep up :D Boy I was happy when my wife got home, but she's convinced that I've finally totally lost it :oops:

[WillJames]

Boy I was happy when my wife got home, but she's convinced that I've finally totally lost it



HAHAHAH Good one. Looks like you turned a toy into something you could use. Good for you!!

[Renfield]

Hey, nice erector set, Enigma! I didn't photograph my original cardboard camera mount, but it would make your setup look like a polished jewel.

I think some of the most interesting shots may be ones you don't intentionally setup. What does the High Quality video look like?


Rusty, I don't have the Optio, just curious about it. Mine is a Panasonic Lumix (FX-9). The way it handles "burst" mode is not programmable. Just high speed (3 frames) Medium speed (5 frames) and continuous 1.8 fps.

You're absolutely right about missing shots. I land the Rex with somewhere between 200-500 images per flight.

This makes for a great selection, and I don't have to rely on a second pair of hands. It frees me to concentrate on flying and composing the shots.

The Lumix does video very well with just a single press of the shutter. High quality mode is excellent, especially with Mega O.I.S. I'm not trying to get video, though. Just the best quality stills I can manage.

We're up here in Anderson. Haven't been down to Beaufort for a few years. Last time we did pictures for a brochure for some developer. Nice area, and killer seafood! Should be some great material for aerials.

Cheers,
George

[WillJames]

Hey, nice erector set, Enigma! I didn't photograph my original cardboard camera mount, but it would make your setup look like a polished jewel.


If you are George thta took aerials with his T-Rex at the SC Sky Knights event this year, your setup looked very nice to me!! Sweet!!

[OT] You coming up to the Mooresville Event this weekend any of you SC guys?

[catfight]

George,

Thanks for the information. FX9 seems like a really nice camera also(too many choices!). Does the FX9 have remote control and if so what type (IR or RF). So you do not have to use servo trigger? Do you just press the button and it stays continuous or do you have to tape it down? Would really like to stay away from the weight of a servo. I also noticed the new 8.5 MP at about $550 - may be good :)

Maybe you should come to Beaufort and visit- I am sure it has changed a lot. Hunting Island Beach sure has!

Thanks again

[Renfield]

Does the FX9 have remote control and if so what type (IR or RF). So you do not have to use servo trigger? Do you just press the button and it stays continuous or do you have to tape it down?

No servo trigger or remote control. Also, no custom mount. My Rex is fat enough. You could tape it down. I'm using velcro straps from Lowe's. I've designed a swivel trigger mechanism that holds pressure in flight.

George

[catfight]

enigma,

Boy, erector sets have changed since I pllayed with them :D Nice creative work!

WillJames,

What is that event? Where might I find info? Thanks

[enigma]

he-he-he, I don't handle boredom too well! :wink:

[catfight]

Renfiled,

Do you have a photo of your rig you might would share? Thanks

[Renfield]

Renfiled,

Do you have a photo of your rig you might would share? Thanks

Promise not to laugh? Here ya go.

I went with the skid mount, like the old M.A.S.H. copters from the Korean War.

Works like a charm.
:wink:

[WillJames]

[OT Sorry] The Mooresville Event is this weekend near Charlotte NC Link to event thread http://www.helifreak.com/viewtopic.php?t=11214

Hope to see all you SC guys there!! Lets have a little AP meet and Greet!!

[catfight]

Renfeld,

And to think- I only considered forward looking mounts :D Great job. I guess 90 degrees is fine to shoot from! How does this rig balance like that? Great simple answer by the way!

[Renfield]

Renfeld,

And to think- I only considered forward looking mounts :D Great job. I guess 90 degrees is fine to shoot from! How does this rig balance like that? Great simple answer by the way!

I was inspired by the medical heli's from the 50's. Plus, this jewel of a camera fits perfectly between the struts.

The 5.5 ounce payload is almost unnoticeable in flight, but a decent hover requires some trim compensation. I save the settings separately on my TX so I don't have to retrim when flying without the cam.

It's my only Trex, so it sees a good mix of AP and general aviaton. No 3D yet.

Only bummer about the FX-9 is that the sale is over. WallyWorldOnline had 'em for $246. Haven't seen them that low since.

So what's your setup look like, Rusty? Now that we've totally run amoke with this thread. Oops! Uh, Optio wasn't it? Is that what you have? Any samples?

George

[catfight]

Renfeld,

I have trex XL (Superframe and JFG 450TH, Maverikk CF baldes) with askman landing gear mount (with oil shocks) and currently using Kodak V550 camera (movie mode only- no continuous shutter). Just now ordered Pentax Optio A10 and 2 GB HS SD card and will get next week! Will have to try your "sidesaddle" mounting and see how it works out. I have done a mod to a DIY spycam where it takes video out of V550 camera ( and does not use ccd sensor)and links to ground rx for framing, etc.

[Renfield]

Very cool! I've got to get some paying jobs so I can upgrade. My motor & stuff is all stock (430/35/11t).

Heard good things about the Optio. Not so much for the Casio, which is why the title of this thread caught my eye. Last review I saw was Macworld, I think. They had reservations about image quality.

I was hoping for samples from the Casio, to see why it's considered by some the "perfect AP cam for Trex." :dontknow

From what I've seen, I'm still looking to the Lumix LX2 as my next AP camera.

Cheers,
George

[KarbonBird]

Sorry - I'm overseas at the moment and don't have access to my pics. Will post when I get home in a few weeks time. There are two firmware updates for this camera which address some of the issues - but the big diffence are the MANUAL settings which allow you control over the shutter speed etc (I shoot on 1600 - ISO 50)

[KarbonBird]

T-Tex Ap rig. Straight off the camera - no editing done!