Anti-vibration system for aereals at DVinfo.net

Mauricio Copetti · May 22nd, 2010, 09:21 PM

Maybe this is not the right place for this question...

I'm using a 7D + ultralight Trike to make aerials. Great and smooth movements with the trike, good pilot, slow speed, but the vibration that comes from engine spoiled all images (specially for the 7D with rolling shutter issues).

I attached the camera on the monopod onto the front bar (vertical one) with some foam then good tape to fix it. Tried with more foam and could notice that it helped a bit, but not efficiently.

Does anybody know a system that I could use no avoid the vibration? some gel? special foam?

Any tip?

thanks

Chuck Spaulding · May 22nd, 2010, 09:59 PM

I have shot out of just about anything that flies with all sort of camera mounts. Here's some aerial footage I shot recently:

Unfortunately I shot this at 720P60 and set the shutter wrong so it doesn't look nearly as good as it should, however, its pretty stable. That's why I'm showing it to you.

Most ultralights are powered by a two stroke engine which produces a high frequency vibration, it's there even if you don't feel it [the camera does] and even if its powered by a four stroke engine, although it probably won't be so bad. Also prop balancing can be a major culprit here.

Don't directly attach the camera mount to anything rigid, in your example the frame (front bar), you need to isolate the camera from the aircraft. Usually the smoothest part of an ultralight is the seat, many have dampeners between the airframe and the seat.

One of the best ways to support the camera and still have the necessary control is by hanging it with a bungee cord, it removes all the high frequency vibration and smoothes out many of the bumps. Also, if the camera is exposed to the slipstream you can't go faster than 25 MPH, which is good because you want to reduce the power to something a little above an idle and certainly less than 50%. You should also test different lenses to see which gives you the best image stabilization under these conditions.

If you can't hang the camera using a bungee then the next best thing would be to use a monopod supported from the your seat. The Manfrotto 562B would be a good choice for this.

I hope this helps.

Mauricio Copetti · May 23rd, 2010, 05:31 PM

Thanks Chuck, really helpful,

I will try build something to hold with the seats.

The pilot suggested me attaching the camera right into the main wing bar, but I didn't like the idea.

Andrew Waite · May 25th, 2010, 05:00 PM

use a gyro...

May 22nd, 2010, 09:21 PM	#1
Mauricio Copetti Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: CAMPO GRANDE, BRASIL Posts: 47	Anti-vibration system for aereals Maybe this is not the right place for this question... I'm using a 7D + ultralight Trike to make aerials. Great and smooth movements with the trike, good pilot, slow speed, but the vibration that comes from engine spoiled all images (specially for the 7D with rolling shutter issues). I attached the camera on the monopod onto the front bar (vertical one) with some foam then good tape to fix it. Tried with more foam and could notice that it helped a bit, but not efficiently. Does anybody know a system that I could use no avoid the vibration? some gel? special foam? Any tip? thanks

May 22nd, 2010, 09:59 PM	#2
Chuck Spaulding Trustee Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Thousand Oaks Posts: 1,104	I have shot out of just about anything that flies with all sort of camera mounts. Here's some aerial footage I shot recently: MALIBU AERIAL 1080 on Vimeo Unfortunately I shot this at 720P60 and set the shutter wrong so it doesn't look nearly as good as it should, however, its pretty stable. That's why I'm showing it to you. Most ultralights are powered by a two stroke engine which produces a high frequency vibration, it's there even if you don't feel it [the camera does] and even if its powered by a four stroke engine, although it probably won't be so bad. Also prop balancing can be a major culprit here. Don't directly attach the camera mount to anything rigid, in your example the frame (front bar), you need to isolate the camera from the aircraft. Usually the smoothest part of an ultralight is the seat, many have dampeners between the airframe and the seat. One of the best ways to support the camera and still have the necessary control is by hanging it with a bungee cord, it removes all the high frequency vibration and smoothes out many of the bumps. Also, if the camera is exposed to the slipstream you can't go faster than 25 MPH, which is good because you want to reduce the power to something a little above an idle and certainly less than 50%. You should also test different lenses to see which gives you the best image stabilization under these conditions. If you can't hang the camera using a bungee then the next best thing would be to use a monopod supported from the your seat. The Manfrotto 562B would be a good choice for this. I hope this helps.

May 25th, 2010, 05:00 PM	#4
Andrew Waite Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 307	use a gyro... __________________ http://www.higherdefinitionmedia.com RED One #6135 "Spartacus"

May 23rd, 2010, 05:31 PM	#3
Mauricio Copetti Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: CAMPO GRANDE, BRASIL Posts: 47	Thanks Chuck, really helpful, I will try build something to hold with the seats. The pilot suggested me attaching the camera right into the main wing bar, but I didn't like the idea.