Air Camera suggestions!

[WJCJR1]

I need to get a new camera for Air Videos. FlyCam appears ok, but I am not comfortable with the mixed reviews. May be a great product, especially for the price, but I want something different.

With the membership we have around the world I'd like to get some imput, suggestions what you have seen work. I, as well as many others I am sure, don't care to spend $1,000 on a camera. Remember I am strapping this thing to my plane, and remember wh is flying.:clapping:

Good quality, good to large size memory card capability, doesn't need to be feature packed and can handle cold temperatures. That's my thoughts.

I look forward to your suggestions!
Wayne

[ATIS]

Wayne,

I use the Sony Webbie (with the tilt lens). Its $160 and records in 720p... rechargable battery and has a viewing screen. I attached it to the belly of the T-28 with "Reusable Fastener" which is a plastic type heavy duty velcro. I havent lost a camera yet. Thats also the camera I strapped to the bottom of my PT-17 after making a platform that I rubber banded to the bottom of the wing. (I couldnt bring myself to attach the velcro to the nice covering). The tilt lens and the screen mean you can hold it to the plane and see what the lens see's so you can move her if you like or tilt the llens to get more/less ground. Its a nice feature and I havent had an issue with mine. It weighs about 5oz and the PZ T-28 can handle it like a champ. The only PZ warbird that would have an issue is the P-51 as I wouldnt wnat to belly land with her on the bottom and placing the camera on the wing will cause two problems... it will reduce lift on the one side by inducing tons of drag and the second being it will throw off the laterial balance of the plane and she will want to roll hard int eh direction of the camera. Mounting the camera on the CG and acentered on the plane works best for preventing any nasty surprises in the air.

http://www.vimeo.com/6216795

http://www.vimeo.com/6234303

[WJCJR1]

OK Sony Webbie that candidate #1. $160 that isn't bad either if it's a good camera. I will compare/contrast to the others that get listed, thank-you.

Wayne

[Radioflyer]

You can often find the Webbie on sale for $120-$130. Toys R' Us had a great deal a few weeks back. You have to buy Sony's memory flash card to which is about another $25-$30 for 8GB. It's very light and takes great video. Make sure you have room on your computer for the video files::tonguee:

Blessings,

Jay

[ATIS]

three words for those getiting into air videos...or RC videos... External Hard Drive!!

[WJCJR1]

Yes I have begun my research on this one, waiting for more candidates, I did find it for $129. Pretty common price @ $129, Walmart has it here for $139.

Looks decent, video appears to be the good part of this camera. I have seen many duplicated reports of in the HD 1080 mode the audio/video do not match properly. At the 720 setting I see it is much better in this manner.

For my puropse of aerial video the fraction second of audio being out of step ocassionally with the video is probably a mute point.

Radioflyer or ATIS can you confirm this repetitive report/complaint of audio/video incoordiantion?

Wayne

[ATIS]

I only noticed that issue during editing. Once I saved it to format it seemed fine. Make sure you looking at the one with the TILT lens... there are two versions. The other has teh lens on the side and is not really suited for our purposes unless you want to cut into the planes and stand the camera up.

[WJCJR1]

Yes defiinitely the ~270* tilt, I believe that was the tilt angle I saw. Oh ok so the issue was only noticed when like playing back on the camera then or playing from the camera?

Wayne

[ATIS]

I only noticed it after I imported the video into Studio 12 for editing. Once I picked a format and finished it I didnt notice the problem.

[Mike]

Yes I have begun my research on this one, waiting for more candidates, I did find it for $129. Pretty common price @ $129, Walmart has it here for $139.


I also found it at HH Gregg for $129.

[kirch]

That Sony camcorder looks nice. My only real complaint about Sony products like that are that they all use the Sony memory stick. Everyone else uses standard memory devices like SD cards and Sony uses their memory stick. I have lots of SD cards and readers at home. Just like the VHS and Betamax wars, Sony has to do it their own way. Otherwise it is nice.

[Mike]

That Sony camcorder looks nice. My only real complaint about Sony products like that are that they all use the Sony memory stick. Everyone else uses standard memory devices like SD cards and Sony uses their memory stick. I have lots of SD cards and readers at home. Just like the VHS and Betamax wars, Sony has to do it their own way. Otherwise it is nice.

Olympus has their own also, it is called the Xd card.

[ATIS]

All you need is a nice 16 meg card and you are good for a few flights. The simple fact that you can use 'reusable fasteners" to secure the camera to the plane is nice...plus you can see the screen so you can adjust the lens angle to improve your video's appearence. I love the Webbie.

[tkrahlin]

I use the Sony Webbie (with the tilt lens)...

Did you have the zoom cranked up on those videos? They seem to have a very narrow angle of view... like the long focal length of a zoom.

[ATIS]

I did tweak it enough to remove the LG or prop depending on which plane it was on

[tkrahlin]

I did tweak it enough to remove the LG or prop depending on which plane it was on

That’s good to know - I like the HD quality of this camera, but I like a wider view for aerial video.

[ATIS]

It wont get much wider but it makes for great aeril video of your local park or backyard

[Mike]

Wayne,

I attached it to the belly of the T-28 with "Reusable Fastener" which is a plastic type heavy duty velcro. ]

Do you have any pictures on how to secure a camera? Would velcro be fine and/or rubber bands?

[ATIS]

Reusable fastener is a type of velcro...its plastic and is sorta like a Lego..a 1/2" wide 2" long strip can hold 5 lbs..I use two of them side by side on the belly and on the camera...10lbs of holding power keeps her on the belly. I will post picts tonight when I get home. You can get the reusable fasterner at Target and Lowes.

http://www.horizonrcflyers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=27&pictureid=523