I have begun my search into which multicopter and camera setup I want to get as my first rig, and I have a couple of questions. I have heard a lot about the GoPro cameras, and I took a look at their website. I had originally dismissed them as maybe not having a very good and stable image, but after looking at the videos on their website - they looked mighty good. I want to invest in a very good camera, as I had intended to use it for other photography uses. Also, I was hoping that the still images from the GoPro would be exceptional. Any comments? Thanks, Ross in the Peach State
GoPro Hero3 Black
- Thread starter rossfox
- Start date
dr427
Trying to figure it out!
I've been researching the same. The gopro has a lot going for it. Especially the 60 and 120 fps. They allow better slow mo. You might also look at the Drift Innovation Ghost. Same price, similar specs, different form factor and a 3 hour battery. Does not require a seperate case for waterproofing.
if I could only find a spec stating the sensor size on the Drift Ghost I would be able to make my final decision. The gopro uses a Sony Exmor 2/3".
Both have higher still mp pictures than a lot of others. The drift has a 2" screen built in as well.
if I could only find a spec stating the sensor size on the Drift Ghost I would be able to make my final decision. The gopro uses a Sony Exmor 2/3".
Both have higher still mp pictures than a lot of others. The drift has a 2" screen built in as well.
SMP
Member
The GP3Black is awesome and we use it a ton. That said, its not generally an image that is commercially viable. The first challenge is that usually that's also your FPV eyes so you'll likely be flying it in 1080/60 and still rips from video footage aren't going to give you what you or your clients want. You can hedge your bets though and use a little board cam (pixim seawolf) and use the GP3 for stills in which case you only have to have TONS of light, kill the fisheye distortion and get good at color grading Protune footage. Its a great POV cam but for marketable AP with a whole lot less effort and a better still image you might want to start considering the Sony Nex series.
Here's my 2 cents-If I was just starting out looking for camera/copter combo, I wouldn't even think of flying my main camera. Please realize with these copters, anything and everything you put on them is subject to swift and violent destruction. For 5 or 6 hundred bucks you can get a used gopro2 and a used T2i or NEX5n, fly the gopro and keep the bigger camera for ground work. The GP2 was probably the most dialed in of the gopro line, the new gp3b is a most finicky lil electronic box. We're going on a 25% fail rate meaning 1 in 4 will brick up at a crucial time, when you're using 12 at a time, that's a pretty sh###y ratio.
As far as copter size, I know common sense should tell you to go with a small practice quad but f that, go with a 650-800 size hex. You'll either grow into it or crash it and if you crash it, chances are you'll have enough pieces to build a quad anyway.
As far as copter size, I know common sense should tell you to go with a small practice quad but f that, go with a 650-800 size hex. You'll either grow into it or crash it and if you crash it, chances are you'll have enough pieces to build a quad anyway.
Thanks for the insight tstrike, SMP, and dr427. I agree with everything said. Tstrike, yes I know about swift and violent destruction. I've been flying rc helis since the early 80's, and I have had my share of machine to ground explosions. So, I am thinking about a GoGro and a NEX. I had looked at getting a NEX a long time ago, as my old Canon EOS film camera is way outdated. QUESTION?? Since I have not kept up much with the latest in video cameras and still cameras for the last few years - would a high end video camera, like you get at best buy, be a worthy consideration??? Say a real nice Sony or Panasonic with high def and stabilization - AS COMPARED WITH A GOPRO??. AND CAN SUCH A CAMERA AS A SONY BE TRIGGERED REMOTELY? My video camera is 13 years old, and I now have grandkids, and I would like to get some good videos of them. Or are those types of cameras just not suited for outdoor videos, such as helmet camera usage, and in this case aerial. NOTHER QUESTION: I want to use FPV to steer around, but I understand that if you use the GoPro as the FPV and also as the video camera - BOTH SUFFER??? So, is there a good FPV camera that is stand alone and gives one a good visual. AND THIRDLY - I assume that the NEX and the GoPro can be triggered to shoot on command somehow from the pilots position. I don't want to be a dummy and ask a lot of questions, as I know many of these questions are probably already addressed in past posts. I feel extremely confident in my ability to handle building the machine and all of technical stuff, and the flying. Been doing model aircraft since I was 9 and I am now 62. Started with plastic control line planes, .049 engine and went on to big control line balsa, and then rc in the early 70's. Got into rc helis in 84, and so back then just building one that would halfway fly was a challenge. No stabilization of any type and even a tail rotor gyro was iffiy. Thanks for any input. This is a well put together site! Cudo's to whoever developed it. Ross
kloner
Aerial DP
as far as stills go, the black isn't so great
The black is an amazing little video camera but it has it's downsides. the biggest advantage it has is it is small, light, does 1080 60p, has great color but it is tough to tame and it doesn't have image stabilizing so it takes a little post stab most of the time....... cameras like sony nex-5, the next step up have better color and has Image Optical Stab so it needs alot less post work if any. the new brushless gimbals will make problem go away.
they do lock up a bit in certain modes and when your doing this for work, there is possibly nothing more frustrating
The black is an amazing little video camera but it has it's downsides. the biggest advantage it has is it is small, light, does 1080 60p, has great color but it is tough to tame and it doesn't have image stabilizing so it takes a little post stab most of the time....... cameras like sony nex-5, the next step up have better color and has Image Optical Stab so it needs alot less post work if any. the new brushless gimbals will make problem go away.
they do lock up a bit in certain modes and when your doing this for work, there is possibly nothing more frustrating
kloner
Aerial DP
what screwed up the ones i've been around is the firmware update. IF you got this cam, don't screw with the firmware. problem is they don't work with the iphone app till there updated.
It is super important to keep any other file types off the memory like don't swap cards from one cam to another and to format straight from teh hero, not on a pc while it's hooked up syncing, don't just delete the files, format from hero setup
It is super important to keep any other file types off the memory like don't swap cards from one cam to another and to format straight from teh hero, not on a pc while it's hooked up syncing, don't just delete the files, format from hero setup
Fiveflat
Banned
I would agree with this statement to an extent. I'm having some good luck with stills, granted they aren't something I could sell commercially but that's not my goal. Here's a raw gopro image and a quick run through photoshop in the other...
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gtranquilla
RadioActive
The HERO GOPRO3 Black is probably the best fit-for-purpose video camera you could choose for a smaller MR frame size, e.g., F550..... even so, some modifications would be wise to increase the lifting capacity of the MR such as larger motors/props especially if using 2 axis gimbal versus fixed mount. While photoshop and others can optimize the video image sharpness, exposure, contrast etc. the freely provided Hero GoPro editing software Protune feature does the same thing.
There are other small video cameras trying to fit into this category such as the small Sony but the GoPro3 Black @ 60fps and 1920 x 1080 is well ahead from my perspective.
If you have not used an MR for aerial photo/video work this camera is the right place to start!
It is unfortunate however that it does not have OIS - Optical Image Stabilization but that would ad weight, size and cost to the camera.
OIS resolved image stabilization at the source, one complete frame at a time.... not portions of each image frame as in post image stabilization processing.
Hence the somewhat persistent challenge of overcoming the jiggly/wavey images commonly referred to as the jello effect.
In any case it would not be fair to call this an entry level camera for MR video work as it is significantly better than entry level.
There are other small video cameras trying to fit into this category such as the small Sony but the GoPro3 Black @ 60fps and 1920 x 1080 is well ahead from my perspective.
If you have not used an MR for aerial photo/video work this camera is the right place to start!
It is unfortunate however that it does not have OIS - Optical Image Stabilization but that would ad weight, size and cost to the camera.
OIS resolved image stabilization at the source, one complete frame at a time.... not portions of each image frame as in post image stabilization processing.
Hence the somewhat persistent challenge of overcoming the jiggly/wavey images commonly referred to as the jello effect.
In any case it would not be fair to call this an entry level camera for MR video work as it is significantly better than entry level.
I would agree with this statement to an extent. I'm having some good luck with stills, granted they aren't something I could sell commercially but that's not my goal. Here's a raw gopro image and a quick run through photoshop in the other...
PeteDee
Mr take no prisoners!
Agree with all that and I am currently researching what motors to use to upgrade my DJI 450 and 550 motors from the Turnigy 2830/1000kv motors I am using, so many to choose from and when you are looking for ten motors it ends up being quite a cost.
Pete
gtranquilla
RadioActive
Seems you just joined this forum in March 2013...... you are likely aware but in case not...... using eCalc for multirotors will help a lot to make the right motor, battery and prop purchases the first time...... I made the mistake of guessing initially such that I now have about four undersized batteries that are not worth the time to use. eCalc requires due diligence etc. especially the first few times as it is somewhat counter-intuitive with limited help options......
SMP
Member
While we love the camera and use it a ton... The last several flights have resulted in random in-flight recording lockups (stops recording without warning). Luckily it keeps transmitting video so we can keep flying but pulling it in right now to reformat card and reload firmware....grr............ :livid:
kloner
Aerial DP
try a different mode. mine that does this will still do 1080 60p, but that's about it. everything else stops after a couple minutes.
But something happened the other day, it suddenly stopped being a jerk and worked all kinds of modes. You can test it on the ground, start it and it beeps when it kicks off.
But something happened the other day, it suddenly stopped being a jerk and worked all kinds of modes. You can test it on the ground, start it and it beeps when it kicks off.
Thanks everyone for the information. While I feel confident I will be able to build a MR, learn to fly it, and then maintain it, the part I am totally green at is the cameras, gimbals, FPV, ground to machine links - thats all a new game to me. I've built and flown rc choppers since the early 80's - 3D and all of that. I have decided on a 550 with Nazi GPS, some type of gimbal, most likely a GoPro Hero 3, and maybe add a NEX 5 or 6 at some time. I am going to take a trip down to Atlanta Hobby and check all of it out. I know my first MR will be to learn on, and thats fine. However, I do want to be able to make some good video and stills. I can maybe use it to make a video showing the possibilities of MR Aerial Photography, and then show that to potential customers. I do however have concerns about the legality of all of this, at this time. Certainly I understand that I can't take the MR out, and just fly it anywhere - I only fly my helis and airplanes at the flying club field. But, if I found someone that owned a commercial building on a parking lot in my town, and that someone was the owner or manager, and they wanted me to fly up above the building and get a sky shot of the building and surrounding area. Would I get in trouble by doing this. Sometimes my reading here tells me that I would be OK, and then I read something thats says just the opposite. Any comments from any of you experienced flyers - kloner?? rf