This hobby doesn't come cheap!!

[Gunter]

Maybe I'm saying what everyone else is thinking, but this hobby of ours is pricey!!

I have just done a little tally of what it's going to cost to build my octo. This doesn't include a camera, camera trigger gubbins, video transmitter etc, just the basics to fly a half decent octo...scary:


Motors £160.00
ESCs £160.00
Sundries £80.00
Ali tubes £30.00
waterjet work (plates) £150.00
DJI Wookong £950.00
props xoar £45.00
transmitter £240.00
cam mount £200.00
Boom Mounts £80.00
Dome £50.00

£2,145.00 or $3400 in USD

and that is based on me buying £20/ea motors and £20/ea esc's (soon to be upgraded!)

I best get some decent videos and earn some money before the missus finds out!!

 

[Borneoben]

LOL!

I hear ya

I got out of RC Helicopters due to many reasons but one was the expense.

I started out thinking that these multirotor doodads would be cheaper than the RC Heli's

I guess it is cheaper when your talking about a multiwii based home built quad or tri.

The problem is that once you have built one or two of the basic ones you just want more!

I am also in the process of designing and costing up an APV rig and its starting to get serious!

We are definetly back on track for the same costs as a good 600size Heli setup (without any APV gear of course)

I guess teh one thing that makes us justify it to ourselves is the hope that we will make some money from selling the footage or photos!!

Keep us posted on your progress I for one am interested in what you build, I am probably going the Hexa Route

Cheers

Ben

 

[Droider]

Its an addiction!

I will have to get LOADS of work to repay my investment.. 2k is nowt! wait till something goes wrong!

 

[hugh4g]

Hi Fellows, I've been lurking trying to make up my mind where to start. I'm a full time photographer and after the banks went wobbly three years ago all my architectural work disappeared overnight. However architectural photography is being to stir again and without having flown anything more than a little heli, I'm beginning to have enquiries for aerial work. One from a new build marketing company, one from a photovoltaic company and another from an artist with an international commission in a years time.

I don't have the time for the construction of a multi, so am considering a x-aircraft 650 to start or wait for something that Flying WIngs are hoping to have out in a month or so. I will need to 'prove' the potential to several existing clients. (any thoughts welcomed,)

I specialise in immersive panoramas, so that will be on my list too.

So, the long and short is that I am sure there is work out there, and paying work too. From what I've seen, there are plenty of really excellent fliers (demonstrating the excellence of their skill) who don't get up early enough to catch 'God's Light' at around dawn.

As Droider says, just wait till something goes wrong... (must get my H3D sorted... it went on the blink on Thursday)

Best to all

Hugh

 

[Gunter]

The only problem with doing architectural or real estate photography in the UK is the weather...ideally it needs to be a calm sunny day in the summer which don't come around that often. Winter is even worse, where there are occasions when we don't see a decent sunny day for a week or two!

Gunter.

 

[hugh4g]

Too True Gunter,

I started a project on a 35 story block of flats last october, didn't finish it until May this year!... One time I travelled to the site in Ilford, bright sunny day and at the top it was shrouded with mist and that was after climbing 25 stories with a camera bag tripod and panorama head! Blue Sky essential

Best

Hugh

 

[Droider]

Hugh4g

Up in the morning is correct just got this

24hr Yatch race southport.. I was expecting more spinnakers but I agree.. weather watch and go for it

Gunter.. Some of the best light is in the winter months.. I know it takes planning but its worth it..

Hugh4g you seen my thread about the UK meet? May be useful for you

Dave

 

[Gunter]

Hugh4g

Up in the morning is correct just got this

24hr Yatch race southport.. I was expecting more spinnakers but I agree.. weather watch and go for it

Gunter.. Some of the best light is in the winter months.. I know it takes planning but its worth it..

Hugh4g you seen my thread about the UK meet? May be useful for you

Dave

Nice pic there Dave. Early mornings are deffo the time to take pictures, nice and calm and normally less people about to worry about!

 

[midnight999]

Hi Gunter, what camera mount have you settled on for £200, I'm thinking of the mk hisight 3 for a nex5, any alternatives???

 

[Gunter]

Hi Gunter, what camera mount have you settled on for £200, I'm thinking of the mk hisight 3 for a nex5, any alternatives???

Hi Midnight,

I haven't decided exactly yet, that was a bit of a budget price based on funds available! But yes, I was thinking of the MK mount. I still have to decide on the camera I want to lift, I am very tempted by the NEX5 but I want to make sure I can find a remote trigger etc that will work with it.

 

[midnight999]

I think droider uses a nex 5, he can probably advise us as I don't know too much about the nex 5 either, I've shortlisted down to that or the lumix lx5, a long way from the 5d I had initially envisaged, but the reality of building it all and battling on with the ardupilot board has meant setting my sights quite a bit lower, lol