Methods of anti-vibration / stabilization

[Eric Olsen]

I’d like to know what methods of anti-vibration and stabilization you are using. I’ve noticed foam being used from pictures, does this do the trick? Does this work with video and photo? Anyone have any innovative ideas they care to share?

[laserman]

I’d like to know what methods of anti-vibration and stabilization you are using. I’ve noticed foam being used from pictures, does this do the trick? Does this work with video and photo? Anyone have any innovative ideas they care to share?

foam works and another that works is to use a counter weighted rod that holds the came and you do a resonace mount i have seen it but i don't know exactly how it works but i have seen the cam at the end of the rod and then a counterweight the helps dampen the vibrations

[500Driver]

Also popular to use oil/spring-over shocks like those found on RC Buggies.

I've also seen 'helical cable mounts' and their derivatives.

Also any number of elastomeric type mounts.

All depends on your needs.

Don't forget about gyro stabilization too...

[Eric Olsen]

Gyro? Wow. How far do pilots go to get a good shot?

[sawham]

One of the best is Zeal tape for anti vibration. Its sticky and very soft.

[Yukonho]

Although it has been a while since I flew my logo10 with the camera attached, I had great success with a rigid, front mounted gimbal.
This, of course, only applies to electrics.
I guess it depends on what type of gear you are putting up in the air. With 8 and 10 Mega-pixel compacts running in the mid hundreds, I am no longer worried about vibrations damaging the camera. Pictures and video have been blur free.
I did also experiment a bit with using a rate gyro on each of the axes to soften heli movement in video.
If you are putting more expensive cameras or lenses into the air, vibe dampening would be a stronger consideration.
colin

[500Driver]

Eric,

With the size of electric helis the amount of gear we're starting to carry is pretty impressive.

The KS2 camera gyro is very popular.

And like Yukonho mentioned...even using gyros like the GY-401 (in rate mode) is becoming common.

You still have to start with a very smooth machine to begin with though.

[Eric Olsen]

Thanks Laserman, 500Driver, Sawham, and Yukonho. This is all great info. When you say start with a very smooth machine, what models do you recommend? Are there machines built just for this type of work?

[Macsgrafs]

Try a Maxi Joker 2, it's purpose designed for camera work. That's my next heli, but for now I use a Trex 600 for stills & video, though I do have a vibration issue that needs sorting :(

Ross

[Yukonho]

The Maxi Joker is a very large machine. It is most often used by people who do this professionally, and loft big and expensive equipment.
The heli you choose is highly dependent on what your equipment and purpose, ie. hobby vs. commercial.
colin

[500Driver]

The MJII is great and what we use...but...there are guys out there who operate turbines and T-Rex 450SE's.

Do you already own a heli? Why not start with that one?

A T-Rex 450 will carry a small point and shoot quite easily and you can do quite a few jobs with nothing more. Realtor's don't require particularly high resolution photos because 9 times out of 10 those pictures just end up shrunk down to 72dpi and printed in a 2x2 square in a magazine or flyer.

Here's a pic of my 450V2 with mount and camera on board...cam is just a regular Sony 8mp. Mount has tilt and shutter control...pan is done with the heli. The mount is dampened with oil shocks and some foam, it is also 'self leveling'. Usually I don't even bother with the video downlink...digital 'film' is cheap...shoot tons of pictures and just 'eyeball' it from the ground...a little practice and you'd be surprised how good you can do. Like I said...great set-up for shooting residentials all day long.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f84/dsieburg/IMG_2237-1.jpg

The Maxi Joker II on the other hand is an entirely different animal...

[CSpaced]

The 450 looks good, what camera mount is that? Is it custom or did you purchase it from somewhere?

[DKTek]

Are there machines built just for this type of work?

The Vario XLC if you don't mind a turbine. Mate that with a Copterworks gimbal and you have the Rolls Royce of AP birds IMO. But, it's a large set up and probably not the best thing for doing real estate shots in a populated neighborhood. The little Rex is a great start for that.

http://vario-helicopter.biz/images/produkte2/2680-2.jpg
http://copterworks.com/images/16-big.jpg

[500Driver]

sigh...someday...

she is a beauty DKTek...just awesome.

[500Driver]

my 450 mount is a bit of a Frankenstein...I spent my budget on the Joker so mounts tend to be more 'custom' :)

Askman makes nice little 450 sized mounts though

[500Driver]

I realize this is a heli forum...but don't forget there are other platforms...masts, airplanes, and even kites. One of my favorite things to do is fly my kite:

Here's the mount for that -

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f84/dsieburg/KiteMount.jpg

Check out the 'stabilization system'...it's called a Picavet.

[Eric Olsen]

Do you already own a heli? Why not start with that one?

Hey 500Driver
Right now I'm flying the CX2 and Blade 400. The 400 doesn't belong to me so I can't use it for this. Whatever heli I get next I will for sure be camera ready. Even if it's super low quality. Don't you all think the world looks better from the air?
I LOVE your kite camera setup. I put a camera on a kite when I was a kid. I should look for the pix I took and post em.

[500Driver]

Haha...well...yeah...the CX2 is not so good for AP work :) Kind of a limited payload :) We have a couple at the studio and fly them around all the time though...so they definitely have a purpose in AP :)

[DKTek]

Hey, I have a couple CX's and some XRB's. They are a lot of fun and I fly the XRB FPV in the house. That's not AP though even though the XRB carries a video camera. LOL

[DKTek]

Hey 500, are you using traction kites?

[ddruck]

I have a very tiny video camera that I took up even with CP Pro, I want to use it with trex but what is your heli setup for photography, There are mount discussions but what do you have to make 450 more sedate and stable platform. Blades gears, anything special?
Dan

[Envision]

A good gyro and AP2000i or Helicommand which has both.

Troy