Smart Shot Octo

[Ed Beck]

Here's a question for the cinematographers in the group. Is an octocopter with the lifting ability for a real camera and built-in smart shots something that you'd be interested in?

What I don't know is if such a device would be of huge interest to cinematographers or if they'd say - nah, I don't need smart shots, I'd rather fly manually.

In the poll please assume there are ways to control the camera's aperture, shutter speed, fps, etc. once it's airborne

 

[Ed Beck]

So I'm voting that I'd love it but would have difficulty justifying the expense. I know that I'd put effort into building my business to the point where I could not only justify it, but my clients were asking for it.

 

[pyrate]

My option is not on there.
Building my own. just waiting on PH2 to release at the end of the month
Have my frame built and it flies with a pixhawk 1 right now. Should be

 

[PdxSteve]

Hard for me to answer that without some sort of price to gauge

 

[pyrate]

I am honestly watching the H
if they can sort out some of the video issue I may get one.
Honestly though, if the PH2 and Arducopter reach smart shot capability then DIY options are almost endless

 

[Ed Beck]

Hard for me to answer that without some sort of price to gauge

Octo would be around $10,000. Camera around $5,000.

 

[Tamj]

Octo would be around $10,000. Camera around $5,000.

Seems like the poll was already designed with "If you have to ask, you can't afford it" in mind.

I'd definitely love to fly a camera that I can truly fully control while airborne. The Solo is workable but there are just things that I miss from my DSLR such as shutter speed and ISO control.

Now, is said company that will be creating this product be willing to replace the camera on board if anything goes wrong?

 

[Ed Beck]

I miss from my DSLR such as shutter speed and ISO control.

You can control ISO down to a point, it varies with the mode you're in. To control shutter we know that the aperture on the GoPro is fixed at f/2.8. So take a light reading then add a ND filter to get the shutter down to where you want it. Not a great solution, but it's what we got.

 

[cameraguy]

I said other as I wanted the camera defined as professional better explained.

Some cinematographers would only consider a Red or an Arri, while I'd consider a Gh4 or Sony 7 in that category.

All in all, the bird is an insignificant part of the equation. The guys in the DIY forums can build the bird easily and inexpensively. The gimble, now that's more work and expensive, but if your goal is a Red, add $40K, and if it's an Arri, try double