Basic mapping with Iris+ Canon S100

[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?

Nice discussion

I use a S100 for aerial mapping of my fields - at the moment just RGB for overview.

Setup:

3dr Y6 modified, (3506 650 KV Motors, 13/15" Props, 16 AH 4s LIPO) 25-30 min flighttime, AUW 3,2 kg
simple servo gimbal with Canon S100
USB trigger cable
chdk with kap script
Mission planner
Ptgui pro for stitching
qgis for georeferencing

A few experiences to share:

Camera top forward for landscape pitures -> less stripes, saves flighttime
Gimbal for nadir pictures -> much better stitching
Without gimbal - mount camera with 15 deg pitch to have nadir pictures when flying forward
130 m is a good height for pictures
sidelap/overlap has to be >70%
max 1 picture/ 4 s -> 8 m/s speed
wind is a problem, I put wp_nav_speed on a tuning knob and reduce speed when flying against the wind

The chdk- script takes care of the camera settings, I´m very happy with the results of the S100.

I use a sensor on a tractor for NDVI-Mapping, it would be great to hear about your experience with the modified camera.

Replies

Ian Soler September 3, 2016 at 5:41am

We do now.
Guy Whittal April 12, 2015 at 10:49pm

Canon is best for Ariel Photography.
Hubertus Paetow April 7, 2015 at 12:08pm
Nice discussion

I use a S100 for aerial mapping of my fields - at the moment just RGB for overview.

Setup:
- 3dr Y6 modified, (3506 650 KV Motors, 13/15" Props, 16 AH 4s LIPO) 25-30 min flighttime, AUW 3,2 kg
- simple servo gimbal with Canon S100
- USB trigger cable
- chdk with kap script
- Mission planner
- Ptgui pro for stitching
- qgis for georeferencing
A few experiences to share:
1. Camera top forward for landscape pitures -> less stripes, saves flighttime
2. Gimbal for nadir pictures -> much better stitching
3. Without gimbal - mount camera with 15 deg pitch to have nadir pictures when flying forward
4. 130 m is a good height for pictures
5. sidelap/overlap has to be >70%
6. max 1 picture/ 4 s -> 8 m/s speed
7. wind is a problem, I put wp_nav_speed on a tuning knob and reduce speed when flying against the wind
The chdk- script takes care of the camera settings, I´m very happy with the results of the S100.

I use a sensor on a tractor for NDVI-Mapping, it would be great to hear about your experience with the modified camera.
- Heikko > Hubertus Paetow April 7, 2015 at 1:09pm
  
  That sounds really cool, do you have pics about your Y6 with gimbal?
  - Hubertus Paetow > Heikko April 7, 2015 at 1:43pm
    
    It is a modified 3dr Y6 with longer arms and a quadframe landing gear.
    - Joseph > Hubertus Paetow December 26, 2015 at 8:53am
      
      Hubertus, which servo gimbal are you using? I need to find a better solution for my Y6 and S100.
      
      Are you still using the Y6 configuration pictured above?
      - Hubertus Paetow > Joseph December 26, 2015 at 11:57pm
        
        Joseph
        
        Gimbal is this one. I still use the Y6 with the S100.
    - Global_Saffer > Hubertus Paetow April 7, 2015 at 1:49pm
      
      That's fantastic man, thanks for sharing!
      - Nathan > Global_Saffer April 12, 2015 at 9:55am
        
        You get your IRIS and S100 out for a spin yet?
        
        Ive been flying my IRIS all weekend. Just waiting for my camera mount to mount my SX260.
        
        Justin > Nathan April 25, 2015 at 2:11pm
        
        Nathan - What camera mount did you get? My S100 is on the way, so I'm not quite sure how i'm going to rig it up yet. Thanks!

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Basic mapping with Iris+ Canon S100

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