Mount for my AR Drone

Derek Reich · May 1st, 2012, 07:32 AM

Thanks, Chris
I kind of figured that was going to be the case, since these have been around a while and no one has successfully pulled it off yet. Your light stand approach sounds good for a static shot, but I was hoping for a trucking shot. I know the right equipment is out there to do it, but the cost of that stuff plus trying to lug it halfway across Africa for what will really be just one shot is a bit much.

Nigel Barker · May 1st, 2012, 08:59 AM

I've been too busy to play err I mean operate my Drone. A tall lighting stand could be a good alternative. The Manfrotto 269HDBU that we have can be lifted to 7.3m which is just under 24 feet. We also have a cheapish pan & tilt head that uses AA batteries. Hague Modified Remote Pan & Tilt Power Head MPH I have used this combo with a DSLR rather than a GoPro but the principle is the same.

If you really want to get a shot flying over group of people then you could consider stretching a wire over them & running the GoPro in a carriage on that like a miniature version of an aerial runway that we used to rig up when I was in the Scouts Aerial-Runway :: The Zip Wire Ride Specialists

Chris Harding · May 1st, 2012, 06:40 PM

I like that Nigel...!!

At our motor races here they use a "pitcam" and that has a cable slung (and self powered) camera that runs the entire length of the pit lane. I couldn't see any issues with sectionized poles with guy ropes that would pack down into almost nothing and could be assembled on site over a fair distance with the "tightrope wire" between the poles and a simple carriage that runs on the wire with the camera underslung....gosh, at worst a piece of string tied to the carriage would make it slide left and right along the wire and there you have your aerial trucking shot and the gear would fold right down and fit into a small tripod soft case too!!!

Sadly my opinion of the Drone was also that it's a toy to play with and it really is fun (when it works) but keep it for the kids on the weekends and look at something a little more reliable

Chris

Nigel Barker · May 2nd, 2012, 01:44 AM

Running a camera on a cable is only going to work where you have time to set up so can be ruled out for weddings. As Chris says they do use this same principle commercially at sporting events. Skycam is the trademarked brand name Skycam - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I would rather a GoPro dropping on my head than one of these No one hurt after camera falls at Insight Bowl - Houston Chronicle

May 1st, 2012, 07:32 AM	#16
Derek Reich Major Player Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Washoe Valley, NV Posts: 304	Re: Mount for my AR Drone Thanks, Chris I kind of figured that was going to be the case, since these have been around a while and no one has successfully pulled it off yet. Your light stand approach sounds good for a static shot, but I was hoping for a trucking shot. I know the right equipment is out there to do it, but the cost of that stuff plus trying to lug it halfway across Africa for what will really be just one shot is a bit much. __________________ www.zooprax.com

May 1st, 2012, 08:59 AM	#17
Nigel Barker Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Norwich, Norfolk, UK Posts: 3,531	Re: Mount for my AR Drone I've been too busy to play err I mean operate my Drone. A tall lighting stand could be a good alternative. The Manfrotto 269HDBU that we have can be lifted to 7.3m which is just under 24 feet. We also have a cheapish pan & tilt head that uses AA batteries. Hague Modified Remote Pan & Tilt Power Head MPH I have used this combo with a DSLR rather than a GoPro but the principle is the same. If you really want to get a shot flying over group of people then you could consider stretching a wire over them & running the GoPro in a carriage on that like a miniature version of an aerial runway that we used to rig up when I was in the Scouts Aerial-Runway :: The Zip Wire Ride Specialists

May 1st, 2012, 06:40 PM	#18
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Re: Mount for my AR Drone I like that Nigel...!! At our motor races here they use a "pitcam" and that has a cable slung (and self powered) camera that runs the entire length of the pit lane. I couldn't see any issues with sectionized poles with guy ropes that would pack down into almost nothing and could be assembled on site over a fair distance with the "tightrope wire" between the poles and a simple carriage that runs on the wire with the camera underslung....gosh, at worst a piece of string tied to the carriage would make it slide left and right along the wire and there you have your aerial trucking shot and the gear would fold right down and fit into a small tripod soft case too!!! Sadly my opinion of the Drone was also that it's a toy to play with and it really is fun (when it works) but keep it for the kids on the weekends and look at something a little more reliable Chris

May 2nd, 2012, 01:44 AM	#19
Nigel Barker Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Norwich, Norfolk, UK Posts: 3,531	Re: Mount for my AR Drone Running a camera on a cable is only going to work where you have time to set up so can be ruled out for weddings. As Chris says they do use this same principle commercially at sporting events. Skycam is the trademarked brand name Skycam - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia I would rather a GoPro dropping on my head than one of these No one hurt after camera falls at Insight Bowl - Houston Chronicle