Aerial Photography With Pentax Q and DJI Phantom

steve1307 · 10-31-2013, 03:15 AM

Originally posted by gbeaton

You should get yourself a GoPro for that thing. They are not so expensive and take nice snaps too.

Looks like it is designed to fit a GoPro in the kit you get.

The GoPro is a bit lighter but you are stuck with the ultra wide FOV

( the exif in "Photome" it's listed 2.5mm about equivalent to 16mm on FF - 11MP Hero 3 Silver Version as seen stuck to my head on the left over there)

<======

**iCrop** · 10-31-2013, 05:56 AM

Quote:

gbeaton You should get yourself a GoPro for that thing. They are not so expensive and take nice snaps too.

That's all I need is ANOTHER camera.

**iCrop** · 10-31-2013, 06:00 AM

Quote:

steve1307
Looks like it is designed to fit a GoPro in the kit you get.

The GoPro is a bit lighter but you are stuck with the ultra wide FOV

( the exif in "Photome" it's listed 2.5mm about equivalent to 16mm on FF - 11MP Hero 3 Silver Version as seen stuck to my head on the left over there)

Yes, the Phantom is designed for the GoPro. But does the GoPro shoot in RAW? (Not that I need ANOTHER camera)

k5astro · 10-31-2013, 08:10 PM

Originally posted by iCrop

Yes, the Phantom is designed for the GoPro. But does the GoPro shoot in RAW? (Not that I need ANOTHER camera)

Shoots RAW and ProTune video, and 5-11 MP JPEG photos

**iCrop** · 11-01-2013, 08:49 AM

Originally posted by gbeaton

Shoots RAW and ProTune video, and 5-11 MP JPEG photos

Ah, well, I'll pass on that, but thanks for the reply.

As indicated previously, I already had the Q. The point of the post is to indicate that the Q can be used for aerial photography with the Phantom. I'll post more from the air as I play with it, hopefully I can take it out this weekend.

**iCrop** · 11-05-2013, 06:53 AM

New flight test shots posted, replacing the old ones. New ones shot at 1/800s with Q7 and 02 Zoom at 5mm.

k5astro · 11-05-2013, 07:00 AM

Nice!

**iCrop** · 11-11-2013, 02:10 PM

This is from a test yesterday (Nov. 10, 2013). I wanted to try to get some images of the local mountains. This time the weather cooperated. The web page has a description of the test and location. The images on the website are full res quickly processed from DNG in the Silkypix software that comes with the Q7. Below is a sample image. Enjoy!

Glen_S · 11-12-2013, 10:40 AM

Nice shots! I fly 3 quadcopters (and a plane) for aerial photography & video, 2 have DJI FC's and the other uses a multiwii board. Lot's use gopro's for this and the gp3 actually has nice snaps, but you have that distortion. I was thinking of getting a Q just for this purpose, but in the end decided on a NEX-5N because of it's video capabilities.

Also noticed the WG-2 we bought our daughter has intervolometer capability (as well as 720-60p video) so I hope to sneak it out for a flight soon too.. :-)

mrNewt · 11-12-2013, 10:45 AM

Dear Santa... !?

Nicely done and great idea - thanks for sharing!

**crewl1** · 11-12-2013, 11:28 PM

Hey @icrop where are you located?
The shots above look like Santa Fe dam and El Encanto park in Duarte?
If yes you are very close by, may have pay you a visit when you fly that setup.

**iCrop** · 11-13-2013, 07:19 AM

Originally posted by Glen_S

Nice shots! I fly 3 quadcopters (and a plane) for aerial photography & video, 2 have DJI FC's and the other uses a multiwii board. Lot's use gopro's for this and the gp3 actually has nice snaps, but you have that distortion. I was thinking of getting a Q just for this purpose, but in the end decided on a NEX-5N because of it's video capabilities.

Also noticed the WG-2 we bought our daughter has intervolometer capability (as well as 720-60p video) so I hope to sneak it out for a flight soon too.. :-)

If you're lifting a NEX-5N aloft, you're using a larger airframe than the Phantom.

One thing I like about this setup is it's so small. Granted, a larger sensor would yield better photos, but a man needs to know his limits, and I think this setup is MY limit.

Thanks for looking, Glen, and have fun!

**iCrop** · 11-13-2013, 07:38 AM

Originally posted by mrNewt

Dear Santa... !?

Nicely done and great idea - thanks for sharing!

Christmas is right around the corner, so this sounds like perfect timing. I hope all your wishes come true.

Thanks for looking.

**iCrop** · 11-13-2013, 08:35 AM

Originally posted by crewl1

Hey @icrop where are you located?
The shots above look like Santa Fe dam and El Encanto park in Duarte?
If yes you are very close by, may have pay you a visit when you fly that setup.

Hi Larry. I work in Irwindale. Most of the images were taken around there. Yes, you can see Santa Fe Dam and Encanto Park in some of the images.

I typically try not to draw crowds when I fly it (that way there are fewer witnesses if I make a boneheaded mistake

). And at this point I think I have most of the aircraft/photography parameters dialed in. So, I won't be doing many more flight tests, just using it on trips to take aerial photos.

Given the limited capacity of the battery on the Phantom (less than 3 minutes on this last one, as indicated on my web page) these tests don't last long. So, depending on where you're coming from, it might be along drive for a few minute view of the thing flying.

If I take it out locally again, I'll shoot you a PM, giving as much notice as possible.

**crewl1** · 11-13-2013, 08:47 AM

Sounds good. I am in Baldwin Park most days.

11-05-2013, 06:53 AM	#21
iCrop Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tucson Photos: Gallery Posts: 292 Original Poster	New flight test shots posted, replacing the old ones. New ones shot at 1/800s with Q7 and 02 Zoom at 5mm. Attached Images

11-13-2013, 08:35 AM	#29
iCrop Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tucson Photos: Gallery Posts: 292 Original Poster	Originally posted by crewl1 Hey @icrop where are you located? The shots above look like Santa Fe dam and El Encanto park in Duarte? If yes you are very close by, may have pay you a visit when you fly that setup. Hi Larry. I work in Irwindale. Most of the images were taken around there. Yes, you can see Santa Fe Dam and Encanto Park in some of the images. I typically try not to draw crowds when I fly it (that way there are fewer witnesses if I make a boneheaded mistake). And at this point I think I have most of the aircraft/photography parameters dialed in. So, I won't be doing many more flight tests, just using it on trips to take aerial photos. Given the limited capacity of the battery on the Phantom (less than 3 minutes on this last one, as indicated on my web page) these tests don't last long. So, depending on where you're coming from, it might be along drive for a few minute view of the thing flying. If I take it out locally again, I'll shoot you a PM, giving as much notice as possible.

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10-31-2013, 03:15 AM	#16
steve1307 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Sydney Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,130	Originally posted by gbeaton You should get yourself a GoPro for that thing. They are not so expensive and take nice snaps too. Looks like it is designed to fit a GoPro in the kit you get. The GoPro is a bit lighter but you are stuck with the ultra wide FOV ( the exif in "Photome" it's listed 2.5mm about equivalent to 16mm on FF - 11MP Hero 3 Silver Version as seen stuck to my head on the left over there) <======

10-31-2013, 05:56 AM	#17
iCrop Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tucson Photos: Gallery Posts: 292 Original Poster	Quote: gbeaton You should get yourself a GoPro for that thing. They are not so expensive and take nice snaps too. That's all I need is ANOTHER camera.

10-31-2013, 06:00 AM	#18
iCrop Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tucson Photos: Gallery Posts: 292 Original Poster	Quote: steve1307 Looks like it is designed to fit a GoPro in the kit you get. The GoPro is a bit lighter but you are stuck with the ultra wide FOV ( the exif in "Photome" it's listed 2.5mm about equivalent to 16mm on FF - 11MP Hero 3 Silver Version as seen stuck to my head on the left over there) Yes, the Phantom is designed for the GoPro. But does the GoPro shoot in RAW? (Not that I need ANOTHER camera)

10-31-2013, 08:10 PM	#19
k5astro Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 387	Originally posted by iCrop Yes, the Phantom is designed for the GoPro. But does the GoPro shoot in RAW? (Not that I need ANOTHER camera) Shoots RAW and ProTune video, and 5-11 MP JPEG photos

11-01-2013, 08:49 AM	#20
iCrop Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tucson Photos: Gallery Posts: 292 Original Poster	Originally posted by gbeaton Shoots RAW and ProTune video, and 5-11 MP JPEG photos Ah, well, I'll pass on that, but thanks for the reply. As indicated previously, I already had the Q. The point of the post is to indicate that the Q can be used for aerial photography with the Phantom. I'll post more from the air as I play with it, hopefully I can take it out this weekend.

11-05-2013, 07:00 AM	#22
k5astro Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 387	Nice!

11-12-2013, 10:40 AM	#24
Glen_S Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 105	Nice shots! I fly 3 quadcopters (and a plane) for aerial photography & video, 2 have DJI FC's and the other uses a multiwii board. Lot's use gopro's for this and the gp3 actually has nice snaps, but you have that distortion. I was thinking of getting a Q just for this purpose, but in the end decided on a NEX-5N because of it's video capabilities. Also noticed the WG-2 we bought our daughter has intervolometer capability (as well as 720-60p video) so I hope to sneak it out for a flight soon too.. :-)

11-12-2013, 10:45 AM	#25
mrNewt Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: ON, RH Posts: 2,181	Dear Santa... !? Nicely done and great idea - thanks for sharing!

11-12-2013, 11:28 PM	#26
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	Hey @icrop where are you located? The shots above look like Santa Fe dam and El Encanto park in Duarte? If yes you are very close by, may have pay you a visit when you fly that setup.

11-13-2013, 07:19 AM	#27
iCrop Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tucson Photos: Gallery Posts: 292 Original Poster	Originally posted by Glen_S Nice shots! I fly 3 quadcopters (and a plane) for aerial photography & video, 2 have DJI FC's and the other uses a multiwii board. Lot's use gopro's for this and the gp3 actually has nice snaps, but you have that distortion. I was thinking of getting a Q just for this purpose, but in the end decided on a NEX-5N because of it's video capabilities. Also noticed the WG-2 we bought our daughter has intervolometer capability (as well as 720-60p video) so I hope to sneak it out for a flight soon too.. :-) If you're lifting a NEX-5N aloft, you're using a larger airframe than the Phantom. One thing I like about this setup is it's so small. Granted, a larger sensor would yield better photos, but a man needs to know his limits, and I think this setup is MY limit. Thanks for looking, Glen, and have fun!

11-13-2013, 07:38 AM	#28
iCrop Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tucson Photos: Gallery Posts: 292 Original Poster	Originally posted by mrNewt Dear Santa... !? Nicely done and great idea - thanks for sharing! Christmas is right around the corner, so this sounds like perfect timing. I hope all your wishes come true. Thanks for looking.

11-13-2013, 08:47 AM	#30
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	Sounds good. I am in Baldwin Park most days.