Another player in the quad copter market

[MassArt Images]

Saw this new offering from Adorama Camera.

http://www.adorama.com/AIRBBX10.html

If you know of any reviews for this unit please post a link in this thread. It would be interesting to know its photo quality.

Who is thinking of adding a quadcopter to their photo arsenal? The ones that carry a DSLR are still pretty pricey.

[Ron Flanary]

I opted to pump helium up my ass and stick a cork in it. It works okay, but it's a little tricky trying to achieve a good rate of descent after you get the shot.

[MassArt Images]

Originally Posted by Ron Flanary

I opted to pump helium up my ass and stick a cork in it. It works okay, but it's a little tricky trying to achieve a good rate of descent after you get the shot.

Is the achievable height inversely proportional to your weight and how full of sheite you are...

Ron, I will take it that you are not considering a quadcopter. With the amount of photos you have in your archive, your $$ would be better spent on slide scanners and post-processing equipment.

[magicman_841]

Enjoy them before they are outlawed (yes, it will happen).

[Chris Z]

I was looking at this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnJcZfsVLAQ#t=10

The technology just seems to keep getting better. Works with two operators, one to fly and the other to photograph. Almost a mile range too.

I was at my local hobby shop yesterday and the shelves were loaded with these things. They are selling like hotcakes.

Chris Z

[JimThias]

Originally Posted by MassArt Images

Who is thinking of adding a quadcopter to their photo arsenal? The ones that carry a DSLR are still pretty pricey.

I will hopefully be adding in one in the spring. I already have a GoPro, so it'll be one without the integrated camera.

[bigbassloyd]

I'd buy one to lift my old rebel, but I honestly see these things being outlawed at some point. I live in the mountains, so elevation isn't that hard to find

Loyd L.

[MassArt Images]

Originally Posted by JimThias

I will hopefully be adding in one in the spring. I already have a GoPro, so it'll be one without the integrated camera.

And then immediately following a 25' tripod will be for sale???

[KevinM]

Originally Posted by bigbassloyd

I'd buy one to lift my old rebel, but I honestly see these things being outlawed at some point.

Loyd L.

Perhaps not outlawed, but definitely more heavily regulated than they are now.

At present, it appears that mother FAA is thinking more and more that unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) should be treated in the same manner as manned aircraft, and be required to follow a similar set of rules. Even now, when FAA posts the NOTAMs (that's Notices to Airmen) for the Presidential TFRs (that's Temporary Flight Restrictions), they are specifically stating that activities such as model rocketry and use of UAVs are prohibited during the duration of the TFR. That means that ANYONE operating a UAV within 30 NM of the President is theoretically subject to arrest....if they catch you. I can imagine that most of the folks who own the DJI Phantoms right now have no idea what a TFR is, yet they had better learn pretty quickly.

[NorthWest]

In recent years there have been a few of reported near misses of quad copters with aircraft, including one reported recently. Seeing how jet engines fare with birds, the battery pack could do serious damage...

[KevinM]

Originally Posted by NorthWest

In recent years there have been a few of reported near misses of quad copters with aircraft, including one reported recently. Seeing how jet engines fare with birds, the battery pack could do serious damage...

That's mainly because there are some ignorant folks operating these things who try to see how high they can fly. There are videos on YouTube depicting flights to well over 2,000 feet, and even into the clouds. That's not only illegal, it is careless and dangerous for the very reason you mention. A mid-air with one of these things could kill some people.

If folks follow the current guidance and keep their UAVs below 400 AGL (Above Ground Level), and well away from airports, there shouldn't be a problem. Except on approach and departure, you won't find fixed-wing aircraft below 500 feet, and rarely below 1,000 feet. Helos and lighter-than-air aircraft can and do operate that low, however.

Those of us who operate manned aircraft have to be extremely familiar with a voluminous document called the Federal Air Regulations or FARs....specifically Part 91, which is the Operating Rules. I suspect that at some point, operators of UAVs will be required to have some sort of certification that says they know and understand the applicable parts of the FARs.

[Mgoldman]

Originally Posted by MassArt Images

And then immediately following a 25' tripod will be for sale???

I'd hold on to that tripod just in case you need to get 25' higher then your new drone can get.

/Mitch

[JimThias]

Originally Posted by MassArt Images

And then immediately following a 25' tripod will be for sale???

No, because even at 25 feet, no GoPro or drone cam is going to take the quality of image that my DSLR will...at least for now.

Originally Posted by Mgoldman

I'd hold on to that tripod just in case you need to get 25' higher thAn your new drone can get.

True. Those fed SOBs are going to eventually screw everyone.

[KevinM]

Originally Posted by JimThias

No, because even at 25 feet, no GoPro or drone cam is going to take the quality of image that my DSLR will...at least for now.

Jim, they've got ya covered!

http://www.dji.com/product/spreading-wings-s1000-plus

I talked to a guy who was flying one of these at an airshow last summer and he assured me this thing would carry even a pro DSLR without any problems. I assured him that my DSLR would only be flying if I were on board as well.

[JimThias]

Originally Posted by KevinM

Jim, they've got ya covered!

http://www.dji.com/product/spreading-wings-s1000-plus

I talked to a guy who was flying one of these at an airshow last summer and he assured me this thing would carry even a pro DSLR without any problems. I assured him that my DSLR would only be flying if I were on board as well.

Oh yeah, I know all about those. However, if I could afford one, I could probably also afford an extra body and lens.

I guess I should have qualified my statement by saying "consumer entry level."

[Dennis A. Livesey]

I think aerial photography is the greatest news in photography in years. Angles not ever possible in history are now in grasp.

You get shots like this. Amazing!

PhotoID: 478720 Photograph © Chris Starnes

PhotoID: 482254 Photograph © Chris Starnes

I would gladly shoot with a GoPro. In bright light the small sensor is not the issue it is in low light so a small copter will give you great images now. Why wait for flying your DSLR?

And really, as an amateur pilot with just a few hours of flight time, are you going to risk your $5000 camera and lens and a $7000 copter?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ctocopter.html

This is much better.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...om_vision.html

[JimThias]

I agree, Dennis. But if I were one of those people who had made the right decisions in life and money wasn't an issue, I'd definitely go the "Spreading Wings" and DSLR route. Hell, I'd probably buy extras for back ups!

[bigbassloyd]

Originally Posted by Dennis A. Livesey

Why wait for flying your DSLR?

Because a person may not be happy with the imagery being captured by those little cameras?

That's my story. There's only one railfan photographer that I have seen to this point that's capturing excellent technical photography with a UAV, and it required a different camera.



Loyd L.

[JimThias]

Originally Posted by bigbassloyd

There's only one railfan photographer that I have seen to this point that's capturing excellent technical photography with a UAV, and it required a different camera.

Grumpy?

.

[bigbassloyd]

Originally Posted by JimThias

Grumpy?

.

I haven't seen his aerial work before. But what little I know about him, I bet he's not playing with a toy copter and a baby camera..



Loyd L.

[JimThias]

I'm pretty sure he has something equivalent to the Spreading Wings drone.

He's been doing a lot of aerial shots lately and using a Nikon D610. I swear he always manages to find trains running in perfect sunlight. Lucky SOB!

http://blog.grumpysworld.com/?paged=2

Edit: I think this is what he has: http://freeflysystems.com/products/cinestar/8/

[JimThias]

Man, he cracks me up...

The Daily Dogshit

I’d heard DS4 void a slow order to the 276 West, so I knew this turd was out here somewhere, but I had no idea what a shitbag consist it would lead. Lose the first three or last three motors and this would have been interesting; as is, it’s just complete shit. I still think the wedgie here at Iowa is pretty nice though.

[Chris Z]

I suppose for a poor man's approach, you can tie your camera to a helium balloon with a string attached. Just make sure your string is long enough and don't let go. Let's see them outlaw that or new regulations. Perhaps, a balloon flying license.

Chris Z

[JRMDC]

Originally Posted by Chris Z

I suppose for a poor man's approach, you can tie your camera to a helium balloon with a string attached. Just make sure your string is long enough and don't let go. Let's see them outlaw that or new regulations. Perhaps, a balloon flying license.

Chris Z

Serious response to a joke point.

The question is whether a helium balloon large enough to lift a camera and gimbal or whatever orientation device is needed is large enough to be affected by CFR 101, the regulations on balloons and the like. It looks like there is a 4 pound minimum to be affected.

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx...#se14.2.101_11

Never joke about "new regulations" without plowing through the thousands and thousands of pages of regulations already on the books!!

[Chris Z]

Looks like the government finds all kinds of ways to take away more and more freedom. Are most politicians lawyers?

But then again new designs can be created to get around regulations.

Maybe we can get around that by creating a radio controlled hot air blimp with jet engine assist when needed. That may also increase flying time by at least 24 hours.

Chris Z