OT-- Aircraft video cameras

[seastar]

I want to buy an aircraft video camera to record, playback and stream on the internet flights in my CC.
Anyone have experience with video cameras and can recommend a unit?
Bill

[randylervold]

Gary Lickle seems to be up on what's available, he'll likely see this at some point. You might also do a search on "video", I believe there's been a fair amount of discussion already.

[turbopilot]

Gary Lickle seems to be up on what's available, he'll likely see this at some point. You might also do a search on "video", I believe there's been a fair amount of discussion already.

Randy, I see an opportunity for a little "option revenue enhancement" for CC. Would like to see a built in video camera with power and audio to the intercom. I would place camera outboard on the wing to avoid prop artifact. Might consider building into landing light housing. I have found having the video camera exposed directly to airstream to be problematic with bug hits and sea spray covering the lens. So having a protective clear cover for the camera would be a plus.

This gear is very common in the auto racing. Light weight and great resolution.

[Ben Redman]

Drift HD Camera.

[clipwingcub]

Drift HD Camera.

I'll second Drift. They have a new even smaller model now, but the bargain is the HD170 for only $159 at Amazon, B&H, and others.


Tony

[seastar]

OK, so I did not take your advice and went for the expensive camera - an Nflightcam plus.
Mostly because they claim to reduce the prop artifact with a special lens cover.


This is the first video camera I have used in an airplane.
Here is the first test of the camera,
http://contour.com/stories/carbon-cub-takeoff-ump
It's very long and boring but what do you think of the quality????
Bill

[patrickromano]

Hi guys I have used drift, go pro, contour, and a sony nex 5. I use the filter on the go pro and it works well (not perfect, but better). I use a Tiffen neutral density filter. My buddy Bob also hooked up a video monitor to the gopro (not an option with contour) to his so when we are filming stuff he can really see what is going on (we are in the process of building a camera tree for the strut of his plane for filming). The drift seemed to have potential, but it broke and I didn't get too much of a chance to use it. Here is a video in low light with the lightest filter (think the darker the slower the frame rate). It wasn't saved in HD, but you get the idea with the prop artifact.

http://www.youtube.com/user/lameuser.../8/nbCMolOP_Aw

here is one in even lower light with the same filter

http://www.youtube.com/user/lameuser.../9/wBETLXozPGw

Here is one without the filter

http://www.youtube.com/user/lameuser...33/RgNCWXD7LIE

and here is the contour/enflight without a filter

http://www.youtube.com/user/lameuser...35/meCD4HyJ93s

When I used the contour on the windshield instead of inside the cockpit it had the worst prop artifact, by bringing it in the metering slowed the exposure down and somewhat took care of the problem. Since you really can't put a neutral density filter on it, this seems to work out good.

I have looked at some of the more expensive options, like multiple cameras all wired in, but the hassle and expense seemed high for non HD cameras. I believe they now have more options but haven't checked in a while. Also I have a few planes so this option for me personally didn't make too much sense.

I hope this is useful for someone.

pr

[jasimmons]

Good discussion here...

http://www.supercub.org/forum/showth...ts-perspective

Drift HD seems to be the leader at the moment, but the technology and feature sets are changing rapidly. GoPro has a new model, HD Hero 2, that combined with this...

http://gopro.com/hd-hero-accessories...-remote-combo/

should be very nice.

Andrew

[Pete D]

You can still see the prop but its better than most of the videos I've seen shooting through the prop. That location of the camera would be pretty good for shooting aproaches in/out of backcountry strips.

Pete D.

[seastar]

I called the company and asked about the artifact.
I was told that the results were highly dependent on light level and sun angle.
We will see. I expected better results and not just hype.
Bill