[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
In noticed that IMP Concepts doesn't provide dampeners. Where did you get yours?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/DJI-Zenmuse-Gimbal-H3-3D-Part-ZH3-3D-42-Dam...
Great thanks!
Interesting stuff going in here, think i will sit and watch :-)
OK, I've pretty much answered my own question.
2 x Canon SX 260 = about $300
Convert 1 camera to NDVI from E30 = 210
TOTAL: $510 (approx)
GoPro Hero 4 Silver = about $400
Flat lens and NDVI lens from IR Pro = about $300
TOTAL: $700 (approx)
So, the Canon is the obvious budget choice as well as producing better images.
My only concern now is attaching the Canon Sx 260 underneath the Iris+, and the heavier weight of the Canon.
Thoughts or comments? I would really appreciate some suggestions on attaching the camera. I have had 'strong Velcro' suggested. How much would this extra weight affect flying time?
I didn't. Ended up getting such poor service from IR Pro that I returned everything I ordered from them. They really don't know their products, or check orders before mailing stuff. I was very disappointed. A colleague ordered from them as well, and also received the wrong product...even though the correct product was listed on the sales receipt. -_-
I've bought a Canon S100, and got a custom mount from:
http://www.impconcepts.com/impstore/index.php?route=product%2Fprodu...
Waiting for the wind to die down up here, and then I'll test more.
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