Noob questions

[Rotorjunkie]

Hey guys. I've really enjoyed reading some of the threads in this forum, and it's peaked my curiousity as I love both photography and helis. :)

However, I'm having a hard time picturing in my head how everything goes together. What are the bare essentials for an aerial photography setup? I understand the need for auto-pilot and camera mounts, but still don't understand whether a specialty camera and software is needed or how you go about framing your pictures and taking shots in the air. Is it all blind luck? Do you have some kind of remote view finders for your cameras? How do you control the camera settings and take pictures remotely?

Thanks in advance for helping out an AP noob. :cheers

[bullaculla]

If you stay fairly low and close you can shoot blind if you allow for some framing corrections, but I use a wireless downlink and a viewfinder camera for my SLR. Downlink also works with video camera out too.
http://photos.imageevent.com/bullaculla1/heli/websize/03.jpg

http://photos.imageevent.com/bullaculla1/heli/websize/05.jpg

http://photos.imageevent.com/bullaculla1/heli/websize/harness.JPG
This is an old pic of my heli, but my downlink monitor is still the same.
http://photos.imageevent.com/bullaculla1/heli/large/01.jpg
Usually, the monitor is only used for the camera operator. Some guys who shoot solo use the LCD cyborg (like Hogster :D) style goggles.

[Rotorjunkie]

Whoa, nice setup! :WOW

So do you run your SLR in auto-focus and use an RF/IR controller for shutter? What about other settings (F-stop, zoom, etc)? Do you just lock those in pre-flight?

The only point-and-shoot cameras I own are the Nikon 5900 and the Nikon S4. Neither of which have an IR reciever or remote control capabilities. But with a remote viewfinder setup like yours I think I could take care of everything else with a servo. :cheers

[Tonystott]

Ghetto alternative....

Lock your point & shoot into manual focus on infinity.
Add an $80 eBay spy cam pointing the same as the camera
Buy a $70 7" LCD from eBay, hook it up to the downlink receiver

Take pics
Simple!

[SeaHawk]

with todays camera's memeroy cards capable of 100+ photos, you can shoot blind effectively. At 100+ feet, you can get alot of shots in and you eventually get a feel for lining up the bird and getting things in relatively good frame. The downside is the time spent going through all the shots. If you are justing into the AP, I would just start with shooting without a downlink. Get one after you start getting the rest figured out.