What HD camera would you buy / rent at DVinfo.net

Mitchell Somers · November 1st, 2006, 07:23 PM

to shoot Arial footage??? Helicopter???

Douglas Spotted Eagle · November 1st, 2006, 07:27 PM

If you're looking for helicopter-shot footage, unless you've got an EXCELLENT pilot in a 4 or 5 blade, forget trying to hand hold with any quality of output.
Generally these days, you're using a gimbal system out of the bottom of the chopper monitored/controlled from inside the aircraft. Sony F700/900/950 are the common cams for this sort of work, be prepared to spend a lot of cash.

Dan Robinson · November 1st, 2006, 08:31 PM

I'd think a smaller camera like the A1 would work best. Unless you can shoot out of the side of an open door, the space inside a helicopter or small plane is very cramped, which makes shoulder-mounted or even FX1/VX2100 sized cameras difficult to use, let alone keep steady.

Douglas is right though - without an external gyro stabilizer it is nearly impossible to get good, steady footage from the air. There is a lot of vibration on the frame of the aircraft that makes supporting the camera on anything inside a bad option. You have to make your arms and upper body act like a stabilizer, not resting them against anything in the aircraft, so as to cushion the camera from the aircraft's movements as much as possible - but this is usually a futile effort. I have yet to get any usable footage from the air, and a gyro-stabilized camera's price eliminates it for me.

Douglas Spotted Eagle · November 1st, 2006, 08:45 PM

I've tried the A1, Z1, and V1 from 206's (LongRanger), 600n and on both aircraft, I struggled, but got reasonable footage with a Bogen FigRig with bungie, and it works, sorta. I've gotten decent handheld with mid zoom when strapped in good with a great pilot. But the gyro/gimbal systems are simply the bomb. At 3K an hour plus cam....not cheap, either.

Dan Robinson · November 1st, 2006, 08:55 PM

One idea we've talked about is that hot air ballons would be great for these types of shots. We've often talked about getting in on balloon festivals to get the aerials we want of city skylines, etc. You could use any cam you wanted there.

Of course there are obvious issues like you only have one chance per ride to get the shot, you have to wait for the balloon launch dates, will there even be a balloon launch at the location, etc. But it would definately be a cheaper alternative to a gyro.

Alan Gibbins · November 1st, 2006, 09:28 PM

I had the opportunity to shoot wildlife and scenic footage from a hot air balloon this summer in Kenya.

If it's an option in terms of location, it's a very viable alternative to fixed and rotor wing. I shot using an A1 freehand and on a spiderbace with very favourable results. The effects of wind and convection off the Serengeti were dampened by the balloon to the point of being non-existent.

November 1st, 2006, 07:23 PM	#1
Mitchell Somers New Boot Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 8	What HD camera would you buy / rent to shoot Arial footage??? Helicopter??? __________________ Mitch Somers Multi Media Consultants

November 1st, 2006, 07:27 PM	#2
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	If you're looking for helicopter-shot footage, unless you've got an EXCELLENT pilot in a 4 or 5 blade, forget trying to hand hold with any quality of output. Generally these days, you're using a gimbal system out of the bottom of the chopper monitored/controlled from inside the aircraft. Sony F700/900/950 are the common cams for this sort of work, be prepared to spend a lot of cash. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

November 1st, 2006, 08:45 PM	#4
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	I've tried the A1, Z1, and V1 from 206's (LongRanger), 600n and on both aircraft, I struggled, but got reasonable footage with a Bogen FigRig with bungie, and it works, sorta. I've gotten decent handheld with mid zoom when strapped in good with a great pilot. But the gyro/gimbal systems are simply the bomb. At 3K an hour plus cam....not cheap, either. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

November 1st, 2006, 08:31 PM	#3
Dan Robinson Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Charleston, West Virginia Posts: 131	I'd think a smaller camera like the A1 would work best. Unless you can shoot out of the side of an open door, the space inside a helicopter or small plane is very cramped, which makes shoulder-mounted or even FX1/VX2100 sized cameras difficult to use, let alone keep steady. Douglas is right though - without an external gyro stabilizer it is nearly impossible to get good, steady footage from the air. There is a lot of vibration on the frame of the aircraft that makes supporting the camera on anything inside a bad option. You have to make your arms and upper body act like a stabilizer, not resting them against anything in the aircraft, so as to cushion the camera from the aircraft's movements as much as possible - but this is usually a futile effort. I have yet to get any usable footage from the air, and a gyro-stabilized camera's price eliminates it for me.

November 1st, 2006, 08:55 PM	#5
Dan Robinson Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Charleston, West Virginia Posts: 131	One idea we've talked about is that hot air ballons would be great for these types of shots. We've often talked about getting in on balloon festivals to get the aerials we want of city skylines, etc. You could use any cam you wanted there. Of course there are obvious issues like you only have one chance per ride to get the shot, you have to wait for the balloon launch dates, will there even be a balloon launch at the location, etc. But it would definately be a cheaper alternative to a gyro.

November 1st, 2006, 09:28 PM	#6
Alan Gibbins New Boot Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 12	I had the opportunity to shoot wildlife and scenic footage from a hot air balloon this summer in Kenya. If it's an option in terms of location, it's a very viable alternative to fixed and rotor wing. I shot using an A1 freehand and on a spiderbace with very favourable results. The effects of wind and convection off the Serengeti were dampened by the balloon to the point of being non-existent.