|
|
Posted by Steve King on 10/18/06 16:34
"Bill Farnsworth" <bill.farnsworth@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:vjkZg.3399$5h6.2286@trndny04...
>
> "Powell" <nospam@noquacking.com> wrote
>> I'm interested shooting a video segment from a J3 Cub. I
>> need a vertical shot and one looking forward and down
>> over a designated course. In order to have a stable
>> platform I'm considering fabricating a box slung below
>> the aircraft.
>>
>> Question: Is this doable? Can the vibration be dampened
>> enough for a stable shot, particularly the vertical shot at
>> near maximum zoom. Is there software available which
>> can help stabilize vibration induced picture jitter?
>>
>> Is there a better approach to this problem or an equipment
>> source or DYI plans for this specialized application?
>> Budgeting less than $300 for equipment or materials used
>> in fabricating camera mounting.
>>
>
> First off. Are you talking about the full size aircraft? Or, a large scale
> model?
> I would imagine that you're gonna have to file a FAA form 337 and have
> your mount approved. (But you probably already know that)
>
> Without knowing what camera and lens you are planning on using it is hard
> to tell how bad the vibration will be.
> But generally speaking, even flying a bit above stall speed (you gotta
> love the cub) there is not going to be a whole lot joy found at the long
> end of the lens. Even a consumer camera with Steady shot is going to fail
> miserably. Granted, the high freq. vibrations will be eliminated, but
> oscillations of more than four or five inches off the lens center axis in
> any direction is going to look like............... crap.
> Yeah, there is some software that can take out some bounce. But at the
> long end of the lens it is asking way too much.
> However, if you are willing to have the footage slowed down and digitally
> stabilized, then you might get some stable footage.
> Or, if you are using a profession grade camera, you can rent a Canon lens
> stabilizer and get great results. Or, a Schwemm Gyrozoom.
>
> Better approach?
> Bolt the camera directly to an external hard point and run a video feed
> and LANC control back into the cockpit. And don't shoot full zoom.
>
> Bill F.
> www.billfarnsworthvideo.com
> former rep for Tyler Camera Systems ('81~'85)
The Piper J3 Cub is certified to operate with the side doors open. It would
be relatively easy to attach a lipstick camera to the surface of the lower
door (it is hinged to fold down). Gaffer tape would work fine. The J3
cannot exceed about 95 mph unless its going straight down (with the wings
off::-)) You could take care of both shots with this method of mounting.
You might even be able to attach a mount for a smaller DV cam to the door.
Vibration? Who knows till you try. This mounting will make no difference
whatsoever in the way the J3 flys. It would also be easy for the rear seat
occupant to hand-hold a shot through the open door. Fastenening a camera to
the starboard wing strut would be possible even allowing the passenger to
reach out to make adjustments, but a form 337 and an approval would be
required. However, a quick look at a J3 will show that it is not an
aerodynamically slick plane. It will fly just fine with all manner of
things hung from it. Getting the approval for a camera mount should not be
a problem.
I have a few hours in a so-called Super Cub, which has a 150 HP engine
instead of the stock 65 HP. It was fitted out as a crop sprayer with a tank
and 20 feet or so of tubing hanging below the wings. When the tank was
empty that plane would just about jump off the ground.
Working with Piper Aircraft about 20 years ago we installed a small camera
on the tail of a Cherokee Lance. Piper engineers bolted it to the skid
below the rudder looking straight back. (I'm relatively sure no approvals
were involved because it was a spur of the moment idea during a two-week
shoot of new models.) We got some spectacular shots of the 'hero' airplanes
flying formation about 50 feet behind the camera plane. Routinely, we shot
using a steady cam with the base bolted to the seat tracks and the camera
pushed into the slip-stream out the "stretcher" doors on the port side of
the plane. The Lance was certified to fly with those doors removed.
Of course, John is right that a Tyler mount will allow unbelievable shots,
and is the way to go if the budget is there.
Steve King
Licensed Pilot, Commercial, Multi-engine, Land, with Instrument Rating
(CMEL-I)
Navigation:
[Reply to this message]
|