Looking at adding still photography to my Multirotor but dont know what camera to go for. I have seen that some of the canon cameras have the software hack option,but how will this allow me to oparate the shutter ?
I have also seen these http://www.gentles.ltd.uk/gentled/shutter-zoom.htm that look like they work with a camera that has the remote option all ready.
I have also seen a few servo arm manually pressing down on the shutter release guides. (Dont really like the sound of this though)
What I really wanted to find out was how most people are doing this stuff and with what equipment. I would be happy with a compact camera option due to price. At the moment I have a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS3 but cant seem to find a way to use this so will prob end up buy and a new camera or a secondhand one.
Any advise would be very helpful please.
Replies
Darren,
I am thinking most folks use a GoPro or a Canon camera with CHDK firmware, and just set the camera to take X pictures per second, etc (CHDK max rate is 1 picture per second, GoPro is 2 pictures per second.).
Doing that will result in dozens and dozens of digital pics you won't use, but as far as I know, it's the easiest/cheapest way to make the camera takes pics while flying, the other option, like you said, a more expensive camera with an external remote.
I have looked and looked for a non-GoPro camera with built-in intervalometer, but I haven't found one that takes pics at any higher a rate than 1 per MINUTE.
I plan to use the software hack to do a 1 second intervelometer. Not as good as pressing the button manually, but it will capture stills on anything that I hold in my view for a second or more.
RR
I saw a Lumix water proof that have good functions for this activity; timelapse, gps, built in lens, resistence, 12mp.http://www.panasonic.com.ar/productos/audio_video_digital/camaras_d...
A Cannon is the way to go. Of all the cameras I've used I like Cannons the best as far as picture quality.
The CHDK (the hack) is awesome. You transform a cheap camera into a darn fancy one.
You can load scripts onto the SD card. The scripts can do all sorts of things and there's literally hundreds of settings to play with. The scripts are really more like programs, and you can do motion detection and all sorts of crazy things.
The best part is that you can cut up a regular USB cable and use it to easily trigger the camera.
Just make sure you check out the CHDK site to make sure whatever camera you're looking at is fully supported. You probably also want image stabilization.