[UPDATE: Original title has been changed, as the thread has evolved. Typos also removed]
OK, so I am ready to purchase the IRIS+ and start doing some small scale mapping. Thank-you to everyone who suggested some DIY kits, but I'm not there yet.
People have given me some GREAT advice about camera, and that the GoPro is not the best for mapping. I have looked, with earnest, at the Canon Sx260.
BUT
As cost is a limiting factor for me (and I don't need industry quality just yet) I am still considering a GoPro as my camera (sans gimbal). Yes, it is more expensive initially but I can buy kits to change the lens to a 'flat lens' (check out the IR Pro website), as well as get a IR/NDVI kit for the GoPro. These can be swapped pretty easily.
What puts me off from buying a Canon Sx260 (for example) is that it is more complicated to convert to NDVI (and I don't think I could do it myself), and I would not be able to change on the fly between 'regular' and NDVI. Getting a pre-modified Sx260 is pretty pricey too. I've seen some prices on the E38 website for $599, for a converted Sx260. A 2nd hand Sx260 is about $150 an ebay. E30 Charges $210 to make to conversion on a Sx260.
The new GoPro Hero 4 Silver (recommended by IR Pro) is around $400, with additional lenses going for about $150 each (IR Pro website). I feel like I could possibly make the modifications myself (IR Pro charges about $150 for them to do the mod, I think).
The Canon Sx 260 is also a fair bit heavier than the GoPro, but has a GPS.
Does anyone have any thoughts/comments on this?
Replies
This might help:
http://cameradecision.com/compare/Canon-PowerShot-S100-vs-Canon-Pow...
I think overall they are very similar. They both do 2 fps continuous shooting. Personally I'm going with the s100. I like it's wider ISO range, larger sensor and the fact that it's over 30g lighter.
That's quite a comparison! I think the larger sensor size clinches it...although the faster shutter speeds would be good too.
How do you trigger the Nikon? I'm looking at switching cameras.
Here
Microsoft ICE does a pretty good job or regular orthomosaic.
https://www.maxmax.com/canon_sx260.htm
Another good option
I have done this conversion of SX260 using maxmax.com service but I'm rather dissapointed with poor quality they did. One of the buttons came broken/unclicable and the image quality just got downgraded when compared to the same RGB camera without conversion. Next time I will not use this service, thanx.
If not maxmax who would you trust? Event38?
I've had several MaxMax-converted cameras. Never had a problem, so I'm surprised to hear about Michal's issue, but they are pricey.
Event38 has a filter that is not quite equivalent to the MaxMax filters, but still useful.
A potential new option, with a filter that is very similar to the MaxMax filter, is AgEagle, but they are still gearing up towards in-house camera conversions, and the camera selection may be limited to what they use in their airplanes. It may be worth contacting them though.
Talk to the guys at Event38. They have been pretty helpful.
http://www.event38.com/
I'm still considering software, but looking to settle on ESRI ArcGIS and Agisoft Photoscan Professional
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