I started an article on shooting cockpit video with GoPros, but it also applies to any micro HD action camera.

http://www.backcountrypilot.org/photo-and-video/how-to-shoot-video

Definitely a work in progress, it could be expanded to techniques for exterior mounting as well. I find cockpit video much more interesting to watch, so I've started with that.

Has anybody used the Reel Cameras? I can get one a lot cheaper than a GoPro. Which one is better for use with the airplane? Anybody have pros or cons on either camera let me know. Thanks

http://reelcameras.com/

For flying I think the wide angle action cameras like the GoPro loose proper perspective. They make everything look like it's too far away. You land a 300' strip and it looks like you're landing on a 5000' strip.

Zane, I would like that back sometime...
Mr. Ed - on some models of the action cameras (like on my drift camera) you can switch out the standard lens for one with a more normal field of view. Some of the newer models of cameras offer different angles of view depending on the resolution you shoot at as well.

I have a Drift. I didn't know the lens could be changed out. Is that an option on the older ones like mine, the HD 170?

Mr. Ed wrote:For flying I think the wide angle action cameras like the GoPro loose proper perspective. They make everything look like it's too far away. You land a 300' strip and it looks like you're landing on a 5000' strip.

I think the distortion is the price you pay for the extra field of view. It does makes things look long and unnaturally fast but it really provides good situational awareness for reliving the flight.

Z
you should keep going with the Hero and talk Allan into doing the same with the Drift

Get rid of GoPro fish eye.

http://www.aplanding.com/forums/showthr ... #post37849

I have a replacement lens for my drift hd170 ( the old orange one). It's a little hairy replacing it, but doable with the instructions. It narrows the field of view from 170 degrees to 120. It's tricky to get the focus right after the replacement. Also, the particular lens I got was almost too long to fit back in the unit right. I'll look up where I got it on Monday. I have the original in the camera now.

Allen, are you using this camera for the in-plane shots on the TV show?

pif_sonic wrote:Has anybody used the Reel Cameras? I can get one a lot cheaper than a GoPro. Which one is better for use with the airplane? Anybody have pros or cons on either camera let me know. Thanks

http://reelcameras.com/

Some good product feature ideas there, but from the videos they posted to Youtube, the image quality doesn't compare to GoPro. Might be the compression level of their movie files they uploaded to Youtube, who knows. Their 1080p is chunky. If you know these people personally, mention to them that they need to upload higher quality videos if possible in order to not be eliminated based on that.

But we digress... the article is about techniques for mounting and shooting, regardless of camera model. A model comparison article would be a really handy thing to have if anyone wants to tackle that.

Still getting used to this site. Tried posting but not seeing it so I'll try again.

Thanks for the article. The FAA is starting to scrutinize the external mounts so I'm moving mine inside for a bit. I do like the cockpit shots too but didn't like the prop distortion so your advice on the filter is good, I've already purchased one.
Here's my attempt at one. Yours is much better. You can really see the "jello" effect of vibration in mine.
This is Garden Valley, Id and West Cascade.

[youtube]http://youtu.be/2IIUn6TPceo[/youtube]

To embed the video, click the "youtube" button above the reply text box and put the underlined portion of the url in between the brackets.

http:/ /www .youtube.com/watch?v=2IIUn6TPceo

Idahomike wrote: The FAA is starting to scrutinize the external mounts so I'm moving mine inside for a bit.

Yeah I know someone who got ramp checked in Nampa and had to remove his external mount, being that it was a certified aircraft. Luckily it sounds like they where nice about and just asked him to take it off, maybe he'll chime in here if there is more to the story.

Being a certified experimental I guess I don't have to worry about my outside mounts.

Idahomike wrote: You can really see the "jello" effect of vibration in mine.

Assuming yours is a GoPro, NFlightcam makes a filter to reduce the prop distortion...



http://www.sportys.com/PilotShop/product/17969

I've only used it in the cockpit so far, but here is an example of it in use...

Looks like Garmin is getting in the game as well:



http://www.sportys.com/PilotShop/product/19478

Thanks Av8r. A little different than other forums... I'll give it another try with a winter flying vid.

Choss,
Great....no prop distortion. Thx for the lead on the filter.

Idahomike wrote:Thx for the lead on the filter.

Curious, did the ones I mentioned in the article not look as appealing?

I made the mistake of googling circular polarizing filters and got distracted with the material. Ended up buying one from a link in the literature. Should have just bought the one you suggested and saved myself about 2 hours of my life.

Gotta say, some of these pics that get posted here are incredible. kudos.

Idahomike wrote:I made the mistake of googling circular polarizing filters and got distracted with the material. Ended up buying one from a link in the literature. Should have just bought the one you suggested and saved myself about 2 hours of my life.

Gotta say, some of these pics that get posted here are incredible. kudos.

I was just curious. I've added my personal experience with products in the article, but also curated some of what I read here. I added the Nflightcam to the filters in the article as well.

The Blurfix that I use gives you options, but it does make for a bigger unit, as you can see. The other options might be lower profile and less easy to damage.