Best HD Video Camera for Flight Videos

Long ago I had reason to learn some motion picture matte-box tricks which might be adapted to this problem. If you positioned a neutral density gel in front of the camera lens with a cutout in the shape of the panel, brighter light from outside the cockpit would pass through the filter but the dim reflected light from the panel would not thus allowing the correct exposure for each. Gel filters are just thin plastic sheets of high optical quality available in a wide range of colors and neutral density "stops". Of course, matte-box tricks requires the camera to be securely mounted.

Hi Bill, I've done a lot of this over the years with large format still (film) cameras up to 8x10 view cameras. The problem is these little video cameras have tons of inherent depth of focus such that you would see the edges of the ND gel pretty sharp even with the gel almost on the lens. This techniques depends on the gel being out of focus so that it blends in. It would also be difficult to get everything lined up with out a monitor. To solve this, there are a myriad of graduated filters on the market like Cokin, Tiffin etc. (ND on the top blending to clear on the bottom). It would not wrap around the panel like cutting a gel, but would make a more general effect that might work. Here is a plus for the Replay. Replay offers an adapter that facilitates the use of a filter. Might take some custom work to make a small graduated filter thought.

Good thoughts though. I have tons of old ND gels hanging around. I'm going to experiment a little. I might be able to mount a hinged graduated filter over the front of my GoPro mount.

A photographers job is always battling with real world light which can be 20 stops of range, and figuring out how to capture into the cameras 10 stop range. There are lots of solutions. Reflectors, HDR, supplemental lights to fill shadows, polarizing filters, graduated filters, waiting for different daylight, shooting overcast days, changing angle to the sun. Probably forgot a few. ... Aaron

On 1/5/2013 11:38 AM, akiley wrote:
There are lots of solutions. Reflectors, HDR, supplemental lights to
fill shadows, polarizing filters, graduated filters, waiting for
different daylight, shooting overcast days, changing angle to the
sun. Probably forgot a few. ... Aaron

A modified glare shield that doesn't keep the sun off the instruments.
Works for the camera - pilot, maybe not so much.
--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to
email me)

Here is another video I have been working on...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMaTY1JtKEo

Going to post the full flight...

Part 2 is uploading now...

Sean

On Saturday, January 5, 2013 4:43:29 PM UTC-5, Eric Greenwell wrote:
On 1/5/2013 11:38 AM, akiley wrote:

There are lots of solutions. Reflectors, HDR, supplemental lights to

fill shadows, polarizing filters, graduated filters, waiting for

different daylight, shooting overcast days, changing angle to the

sun. Probably forgot a few. ... Aaron



A modified glare shield that doesn't keep the sun off the instruments.

Works for the camera - pilot, maybe not so much.

--

Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to

email me)

Does anyone have an example of a soaring video taken with a polarizing lens on the camera?

It's interesting how we never see most of those canopy reflections with our eyes. The reflections are there, but our brains filter them out and patch in something from the surrounding texture. I'd guess that something could hide behind a reflection and we would never know it.

On Saturday, January 5, 2013 7:35:30 PM UTC-5, son_of_flubber wrote:
Does anyone have an example of a soaring video taken with a polarizing lens on the camera?



It's interesting how we never see most of those canopy reflections with our eyes. The reflections are there, but our brains filter them out and patch in something from the surrounding texture. I'd guess that something could hide behind a reflection and we would never know it.

The problem with a pola filter in a glider are two. First, the pola only works at specific angles, so you might loose a reflection in a fairly small area of the canopy only. On a big flat surface like a glass skyscraper at just the right angle it makes a very profound effect. Not so inside a glider rounded canopy. Second, the plexiglass canopy causes a rainbow effect with a pola filter that is not pleasant. Best way to reduce reflections is to wear a black shirt, hat, and pants if you can handle the fashion statement. :-) ... Aaron

On Saturday, January 5, 2013 4:35:30 PM UTC-8, son_of_flubber wrote:
Does anyone have an example of a soaring video taken with a polarizing lens on the camera?



It's interesting how we never see most of those canopy reflections with our eyes. The reflections are there, but our brains filter them out and patch in something from the surrounding texture. I'd guess that something could hide behind a reflection and we would never know it.

I have the Contour GPS camera fitted with a circular polarizer filter that has an effect on the glare from the interior of the canopy. Although reduced brightness and glare, you can still see the reflections inside. I believe it helps with contrast of the exterior view. I have not done much with this camera yet as the mounting in my Discus has not been totally figured out. I will do more recording this season.

Ya know, it's absolutely wonderful living in the New Mexico mountains only
25 miles from Moriarty.

On the down side is that "high speed" internet means 1 mbps max so I'm lucky
to watch a video at 240p. I've had your video up for about 20 minutes now
and have buffered about 15 seconds of it. They say patience is a virtue...


"Sean F (F2)" wrote in message
...
Here is another video I have been working on...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMaTY1JtKEo

Going to post the full flight...

Part 2 is uploading now...

Sean

On Saturday, January 5, 2013 4:43:29 PM UTC-5, Eric Greenwell wrote:
On 1/5/2013 11:38 AM, akiley wrote:

There are lots of solutions. Reflectors, HDR, supplemental lights to

fill shadows, polarizing filters, graduated filters, waiting for

different daylight, shooting overcast days, changing angle to the

sun. Probably forgot a few. ... Aaron



A modified glare shield that doesn't keep the sun off the instruments.

Works for the camera - pilot, maybe not so much.

--

Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to

email me)

Hello Dan,

On the down side is that "high speed" internet means 1 mbps max so I'm lucky
to watch a video at 240p. I've had your video up for about 20 minutes now
and have buffered about 15 seconds of it. They say patience is a virtue...

download and watch them from hard disk ...

regards
Werner

Of course, thanks, Werner!


"Werner Schmidt" wrote in message
...
Hello Dan,

On the down side is that "high speed" internet means 1 mbps max so I'm
lucky
to watch a video at 240p. I've had your video up for about 20 minutes
now
and have buffered about 15 seconds of it. They say patience is a
virtue...

download and watch them from hard disk ...

regards
Werner

Hey, Sean,

Get rid of that nasty old string that you use to pull down your canopy and
just reach up with your toe and grab one the canopy lock levers. Clean up
that cockpit a bit...


"Sean F (F2)" wrote in message
...
Here is another video I have been working on...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMaTY1JtKEo

Going to post the full flight...

Part 2 is uploading now...

Sean

On Saturday, January 5, 2013 4:43:29 PM UTC-5, Eric Greenwell wrote:
On 1/5/2013 11:38 AM, akiley wrote:

There are lots of solutions. Reflectors, HDR, supplemental lights to

fill shadows, polarizing filters, graduated filters, waiting for

different daylight, shooting overcast days, changing angle to the

sun. Probably forgot a few. ... Aaron



A modified glare shield that doesn't keep the sun off the instruments.

Works for the camera - pilot, maybe not so much.

--

Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to

email me)