Cameras

denverpilot

denverpilot

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DenverPilot
It's all Teller's fault...

I saw his headset mounted Contour HD, and I decided I need to get serious about video...

http://contour.com/products/compare_cameras

They have multiple options now. I don't think I need/want the GPS option. I think the low-end one will do fine for what I'm looking to do.

I already own a GoPro Non-HD ... that'll probably become the "out the side window" shot mount...

The big question I have is... what width of fisheye (since they're all wide-angle) would be needed for the "dash cam" pointed back at the pilot and pax? Can one camera really get that shot by itself, or are two really needed, crossed?

Just geeking out here looking at the toys. Cameras are fun.
 
Bewahaha. Happy to help!

The Contour (mine is actually the "Roam," not the "HD") in 720P widescreen captures a surprisingly large frame width (170 degrees is a lot wider than you think). I mounted it on the back window of my car looking forward, and there wasn't a single inch of the passenger compartment or the windows that was out of frame. The tradeoff is depth of focus; you get little to no concept of distance, and crazy speed distortion at 720P. 5mph in my car around the parking lot looks like a lap around an F1 track.

1080P gives you little to no speed distortion, much better focus at a distance, and a much easier to predict (and center) 125 degree field of view.

I love the Roam. It does everything I had hoped it would do. That said, I kind of wish I had one of the ones with bluetooth, that I might have a wireless viewfinder. That alone is not worth the extra price, however.

The one benefit I could see from the Contour GPS is that you could ditch CloudAhoy and have the GPS data already synched with your video...

I'm out of town until a week from Thursday (at the soonest), but we can go do some compare-and-contrast with my camera when I get home if you're interested.
 
I've got a few ideas for you too.
I have GoPro Hero2. LOVE IT! Mounting it on the right side window of the 172 I rent, I could get the dash, but I usually put it far forward and grab more window view. To supplement that, I use my new Cannon EF300 with a simple suction cup mount with a flexible stem and tripod mount on the end. The camera captures 1080P/30fps which is great for other, non-static position shots. That camera can be had for less than $200.
Regardless, grab the audio patch that is put in line with the phone port of your radio. I am very happy with mine, and was had for less than $50 from sportys.
I am working on gathering enough footage to make an interesting video, a link I will post on the site once complete.
Best!
Brad
 
Audio's covered... I do that with a pro-sumer digital audio recorder from a 20dB padded patch cable, using the AGC function of the recorder, and then re-mix into the video in post-production. (Hey, I'm an audio geek... I like good audio... the one thing that's going to annoy me is I'm going to have to hunt down the alternator whine in the 182. It seems a little worse this year, but I'm also flying with ANR headset for the first time. Makes it doubly-annoying.)

With the above method of capturing the intercom audio as a separate track, the video camera audio from its mic can be mixed in at a lower level to get "cockpit noise" but not so loud it's rattling the speakers of anyone watching the video.
 
I got one of those nflightcam plus GPS cameras. It is basically a repackaged contour HD camera. It works really well, and has an attachment that you plug your headset into, then plugs into the audio adapter in your plane so you get the audio recorded along with the video. A very nice feature is the GPS location which is recorded along with the video. It has a suction cup attachment as well that is very easy to use. A little expensive, but gets you up and running quickly. It comes with all the contour software plus an aviation specific app.
 
You know... I thought Teller's camera looked familiar. I never realized the NFlight was basically a repackaged Contour. Had seen the NFlight but couldn't put my finger on it when I was holding Teller's Contour.
 
denverpilot said:
You know... I thought Teller's camera looked familiar. I never realized the NFlight was basically a repackaged Contour. Had seen the NFlight but couldn't put my finger on it when I was holding Teller's Contour.
Click to expand...
Yep. Only differences, really, are the NFlight adds the GPS, the audio patch cable, and the lens filter for shooting through the prop (which you can buy separately anyways). Oh yeah, and it adds a lot of monies to the cost.

I looked at the NFlight. Then I saw the price, choked on my sandwich, and bought the Roam. :)

I do something similar to what you do for the audio, Nate (minus all the big words). I just shove the mic from my cell phone headphones under the ear cup, record everything on my cell phone's audio recorder, then mix it in later. That way I get the engine noise nats audio off the camera, and everything else comes in clearly through the phone.
 
I'm also interested in getting one of these Contour or GoPros for recording of flights. Can someone tell/link me to what I would need to include the ATC in the recording? How about the filter to remove that rolling shutter effect on the propellers like the other poster mentioned?
 
What I use for audio recording:
13596829_265x265_pad.jpg

Bought here, with the mic stuck under my Zulu headset recorded onto:
34026334-2-440-OVR-1.gif


And the anti-blur lens (actually just an ND filter to slow the shutter):
aviatorlens_repaired-1.jpg
 
Teller1900 said:
What I use for audio recording:
13596829_265x265_pad.jpg

Bought here, with the mic stuck under my Zulu headset recorded onto:
34026334-2-440-OVR-1.gif


And the anti-blur lens (actually just an ND filter to slow the shutter):
aviatorlens_repaired-1.jpg
Click to expand...

I have an android, but I think I tried recording something and it failed / stopped. I would buy your mic if I knew it would work. What app do you use to record?
 
Explain the anti blur lens.... does that keep the prop from running horizontally across screen??
 
Mike5250 said:
Explain the anti blur lens.... does that keep the prop from running horizontally across screen??
Click to expand...

These cameras don't have adjustable apertures. The neutral density filter lets less light through, so the shutter must be slowed to achieve proper exposure. As Teller mentioned, the slower shutter speed causes the prop to appear blurred instead of funky artifacts due to aliasing. Here is an example of the effects of ND filters on a GoPro. Skip to about 3:12.
 
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kimberlyanne546 said:
I have an android, but I think I tried recording something and it failed / stopped. I would buy your mic if I knew it would work. What app do you use to record?
Click to expand...

Just the stock Android "Voice Recorder," it's called. You have to be careful, with the voice recorder running (at least on my phone) the screen only dims, but doesn't shut off. VERY easy to accidentally bump it and stop the recording. Also be careful about hitting the little button on the mic if you're using something like mine, that could stop the recording, too.
 
Mike5250 said:
Explain the anti blur lens.... does that keep the prop from running horizontally across screen??
Click to expand...

1200AGL said:
These cameras don't have adjustable apertures. The neutral density filter lets less light through, so the shutter must be slowed to achieve proper exposure. As Teller mentioned, the slower shutter speed causes the prop to appear blurred instead of funky artifacts due to aliasing. Here is an example of the effects of ND filters on a GoPro. Skip to about 3:12.
Click to expand...
:yeahthat:
If you don't want to pay for a $90 lens cover, or whatever those cost, just stick a pair of sunglasses in front of the lens. Should get you well on your way.
 
I so wish I had helmet cam for the crashes. I could have sold that. If anyone needs a plane crashed for the camera, I'm available.
 
gkainz said:
Your plane, 'k? :D
Click to expand...

Hand me money and tell me what kind of plane, where and when you want the crash to happen and the exact orientation for the cameras. If you need multiple takes, let me know in advance so I can get the paint work to match. I also want to be Taft Hartleyed SAG-AFTRA.
 
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Henning said:
Hand me money and tell me what kind of plane, where and when you want the crash to happen and the exact orientation for the cameras. If you need multiple takes, let me know in advance so I can get the paint work to match. I also want to be Taft Hartleyed SAG-AFTRA.
Click to expand...
I'm not an expert, but isn't that holding out? FAA, FAA!!!



:)
 
Teller1900 said:
I'm not an expert, but isn't that holding out? FAA, FAA!!!



:)
Click to expand...

Yes, however the operation I am holding out for is not prohibited a commercial pilot. if I was charging to crash a passenger, I would have to have a 135 certificate.;)
 
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