What camera for pictures from a glider cockpit?

chris wrote:

snip

You probably already know this but: if you go the RC way, be kind to the
RC pilots and either stick to 27 mHz or avoid the aircraft-only
frequencies. Boats and cars don't get written off by a bit of
interference like aircraft do.

There usually are no RC equipment near where I fly, and if there were I
would have a problem too if they were on my frequency. I however am
only transmitting for about 1/2 second for each photo so it it not a
continuous broadcast.

Shortening the antennas, on the receiver and transmitter on the
sailplane units would also reduce interference risks for all users.



It would also be interesting to know of the IR control systems used for
indoor models work for this application or if they get swamped by
sunlight reflected off the wings and fuselage.


Tried that - some pictures work - but the sunlight is definitely a
problem for many [but not all] angles. I got some good shots using a
Canon Powershot G5 and it's IR remote, but a lot of shots failed
because of the sun. I had built a glareshield that helped, but in the
end that was too frustrating to everything lined up for an air to air
shot and have no photo.

Sorry to hear that!

--
Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

Eric Greenwell
Washington State
USA

Martin Gregorie wrote:
None of them have remote
releases, unfortunately, but I think this can accomplished with some
tinkering, using a low cost radio control system for model cars/aiplanes.

You probably already know this but: if you go the RC way, be kind to the
RC pilots and either stick to 27 mHz or avoid the aircraft-only
frequencies. Boats and cars don't get written off by a bit of
interference like aircraft do.

Good thoughts - I was thinking of the cheapest car type with the
shortest usable antenna on the transmitter, since only 30 feet of range
is required.


It would also be interesting to know of the IR control systems used for
indoor models work for this application or if they get swamped by
sunlight reflected off the wings and fuselage.

I'm not aware of this type, but I suspect swamping wouldn't be a
problem. IR units typically use modulation to avoid ambient light level
problems. Do you have a URL or two I could look at?

--
Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

Eric Greenwell
Washington State
USA

Eric Greenwell wrote:
Martin Gregorie wrote:
It would also be interesting to know of the IR control systems used
for indoor models work for this application or if they get swamped by
sunlight reflected off the wings and fuselage.

I'm not aware of this type, but I suspect swamping wouldn't be a
problem. IR units typically use modulation to avoid ambient light level
problems. Do you have a URL or two I could look at?

Sorry, no tried and tested URLs. I'm a Free Flight model flier not an RC
pilot but I read the mags and use the servos as output from Free Flight
models automatic systems. Asking your local RC club if any of them use
IR systems and talking to them if they do would probably be more useful
than reading web adverts. This way you'll find out what works and what
doesn't and crucially, what's available and well regarded in your area.

Having said that, I did a quick Google for "indoor IR control models".

http://n-lemma.com/indoorrc/

was the first hit. Cool pics, and there are links to equipment lists at
the bottom of the page. Who knows, you might even get into this stuff as
a winter activity. The links on this site may help too:

http://members.aol.com/Lecisifly/ztron.html

You need a receiver that can drive a standard servo. This will be easier
to rig to trip the camera release: the very light weight stuff uses
specialized, very small low powered control actuators and servos. Not
what you want. By "standard" servos I mean an off the shelf model shop
item with a three wire connection: they all accept the same signals and
voltage and, apart from the connectors used by different receivers, are
interchangeable. These range from small (20mm x 15mm x 7mm, 7g) upwards
and generate more oomph as they get bigger. The very small and cute
start to get expensive, but the "mini" and "standard" sizes are fairly
cheap: in the $20-$30 range per servo.

Take care to design your triggering mechanics so you can't stall a servo
or drive it into a limit stop: they don't like that at all.

--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. |
org | Zappa fan & glider pilot

For a video camera option instead of a still camera I saw this and
thought it might be good for head mounting, as well as easy to mount
externally on wingtip, or tail.

Tony Hawk First Video Camera
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...&Sku=P303-1000

it has an SD card, and I think 32mb=~30 minutes.
so a 1GB card would probably be a long video. if it works that way.

Chris