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Basic mapping with Iris+ Canon S100

Posted by Global_Saffer on February 19, 2015 at 9:12am

[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? 

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Tags: 260, canon, gopro, ir, iris, mapping, ndvi, sx
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Replies

        • Carlos > Global_Saffer April 5, 2015 at 11:54am

          Great thanks!

  • Marc Cretten March 31, 2015 at 3:02am

    Interesting stuff going in here, think i will sit and watch :-)

  • Global_Saffer February 19, 2015 at 9:33am

    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?

    • Nathan > Global_Saffer March 30, 2015 at 6:05am

      How have you made out with the Go Pro and NDVI on the IRIS+? Im looking to do the same thing, and wondering if you have had any success?

      I bought my first Go Pro,  and just waiting for my IRIS drone. Very interested in which you went with for cameras.

      Thanks. 

      • Alexander C. > Nathan March 30, 2015 at 6:16am

        I am meeting on the 10th with Dr. Staid. From what I have been researching he and his wife, also a PhD, are the industry experts in NDVI.   Luck has it that his place of business is just a few miles from my vineyard.  Every expert that i get a chance to speak with tells me that the modified GoPro is not the way to go for truly detailed NDVI because their spectrum is rather wide.   I also found out that TetraCam offers a 3 day course in their cameras, next one being in June.

        • Nathan > Alexander C. March 30, 2015 at 6:33am

          Wow, cant believe I got such fast replies. 

          I read an article talking about NDVI. It talked about the fact that NDVI was originally meant for use from Landsat as the Bands have better normalization due to the satellite being so high and not having interference from cloud cover. 

          Have you thought about trying out a regular Vegetation Index? I am thinking about using just NIR/Green to see if I can get a better Vegetation index. I think this might suffer less from difference in the quality of light, ie cloud over and such. 

          The geologist who taught me RSI and NDVI is still around so Im gonna try and pull his ear for his thoughts. 

          I will post what I find out if you gents are interested.

      • Global_Saffer > Nathan March 30, 2015 at 6:14am

        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.


        Canon S100, S110, S120, SX260, G9X, ELPH 110IS, 130IS, 180, 320HS & 330HS Fixed Mapping 3DP Mount &…
        Canon S100, S110, S120, SX260, G9X, ELPH 110IS, 130IS, 180, 320HS & 330HS Fixed Mapping 3DP Mount & Adapter for 3DR Iris, Solo & X8
        • Nathan > Global_Saffer March 30, 2015 at 6:36am

          Thanks for the reply. 

          I always thought the IR-Pro looked a little dubious, but was worth a try.

          Thanks for the link, will definitely look into that. Is the S100 compatible with the survey portion of APM mission planner?

          • Global_Saffer > Nathan March 30, 2015 at 6:48am

            Ja, and also has a listing under Tower (DP3).

            3DR uses the S100 for their mapping products, so it must be good.

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