RC Mounted Cameras, How to Control Them

[Sepisllib]

I have been looking at the Panasonic FX 580 camera to mount on helicopter to use for photos.

I wish to be able to shoot video's and to record them as well and want to have a live video feed to either a monitor or glasses and record my selection.

At the same time - I desire to be able to just take a few "still" photos for printing later.

In other words I want both (cake and eat it too, eh).

My question is two fold:

Can I actively control this camera to remotely decide "when" I want to begin shooting and recording the active video?

And - is it possible to be recording as I go and "snap" a still photo that would go to the camera's internal memory?

The issue of control come into the mix - just HOW do you go about doing all this remotely (I see nothing in accessories for camera that addresses these issues).

Yes - I am new to this.....

God Bless

Bill

[Sepisllib]

Isn't there anyone here that has the RV hobby and doing some aerial photos and etc?

Around my neck of the woods there are no camera shops available and I challenge anyone to ask these questions of a WalMart or big box store and get an answer.......

Kind of looks like I may have to find my way to a larger Hobby shop or camera shop in the cities. That is a 2 hour drive for me though.

God Bless

Bill

[jlyon69]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sepisllib Isn't there anyone here that has the RV hobby and doing some aerial photos and etc?

Sorry you're not getting any responses Bill. The only thing I may be able to answer is regarding still photos. If you are recording video, once you brought that into video software, you can select certain/any frames to use as stills. I would think trying to snap a still remotely via RF in a moving helicopter would be quite difficult and/or expensive.

I just read your original post again and looked at that FX 580 camera. I see now it's just a camera one would use everyday. I thought you had some special camera that was specifically designed for your application needs.

I am not camera nor RF flying experienced. That said, if I was faced with this, I would look into a video camera only, that transmitted the video via RF. Like you would see in a home security system. I would find a system with a light weight camera that transmits the signal to a laptop (or the receiving device does via USB port). You could then watch the live video and record it. Once recorded, you can select any frame you want for stills.

Ok, that sounds simple. However, the transmitting camera would need to use a low voltage source and be relatively light weight. I have no doubt this equipment is available out there. I just don't know how expensive it may be.

The cheapest way I can think of to do this is, to mount the camera you have chosen. Turn on the camera in video mode and take off. When you land you can watch the video to see what you got. Later load the video into software and select the stills you want. I hope this gives you some ideas that are useful.

John...

[Dadeaux]

Why not record continusly and frame grab from your DVD any stills or short videos that you want. You are then left with a simple option of camera on or camera off.

[John H...]

I, too believe the simplest would be to record continuously. If you have a larger capacity memory card, it shouldn't make any difference.

[Sepisllib]

I was considering a different camera for a while - it is GoPro. I communicated with them about that and they advised it works, however they noted that the pixel quality of the "grabbed" photo is degraded.

Makes me question the others.

Thank you

God Bless

Bill