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Trying to build a better mount for a camera I don't own

Interesting project

Have been noodling over the same for a few months and hadn't found this website previously.
Lots of options there and if you don't need tilt, it looks like a servo block mounted inside the wing would provide a very solid mount.

Will be interested in hearing what they have to say about the second system you mention.
 
I think it's a great idea. I think it's sad that I can make more interesting aerial videos with my quadcopter than with my airplanes, precisely because of this problem. The quadcopter not only does pan and tilt, but its camera is mounted in a gyroscopic gimbal, so the images are rock solid.

Sample: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKcN5-zppxA
 
I've mounted a GoPro on the bottom of the wing for air-to-ground videos. I had a hard time getting it mounted rigidly enough to eliminate the "jello" effect caused by airframe vibration. I'm using a lens with a narrower field of view which probably makes the problem worse.

The PlaneAround tie-down mount is great, but unfortunately the GoPro plastic case is too flexible (at least for my application). I solved the problem by getting a machined aluminum frame from a dealer on Ebay, and attaching it using some aluminum bar and existing tank and inspection plate screws. No more jello. If you devise a pan and tilt mount make sure it is as rigid as possible.

Also, the smart-phone WiFi controller app has been unreliable at best in the air (works great on the ground). I suspect this is due to electromagnetic interference from the ignition.
 
If the use of the camera is only temporary why not mount it in the leading edge where the landing light is if you have one.
 
Alan Carroll said:
I've mounted a GoPro on the bottom of the wing for air-to-ground videos. I had a hard time getting it mounted rigidly enough to eliminate the "jello" effect caused by airframe vibration. I'm using a lens with a narrower field of view which probably makes the problem worse.

The PlaneAround tie-down mount is great, but unfortunately the GoPro plastic case is too flexible (at least for my application). I solved the problem by getting a machined aluminum frame from a dealer on Ebay, and attaching it using some aluminum bar and existing tank and inspection plate screws. No more jello. If you devise a pan and tilt mount make sure it is as rigid as possible.

Also, the smart-phone WiFi controller app has been unreliable at best in the air (works great on the ground). I suspect this is due to electromagnetic interference from the ignition.
Click to expand...
Good to know about the plastic case. I'm wondering if this would help: http://www.servocity.com/html/gopro_mount__585516_.html#.U_nO3569KSM

The weakness of the app might be a showstopper, at least if the camera is mounted out of the line of sight. It seems important that you have a fairly decent idea what you have it pointed at.
 
Keep going, BUT

I am NOT trying to stifle innovation here, and I think that would be a great product, but processing power and innovation have caught up to make PTZ cameras obsolete within a few years.

There are multiple (see links at bottom) 360 video recorders on the cusp that record ALL 360 degrees simultaneously. They stitch on the fly (like a panorama shot on your phone) thus require no wobbly mount nor servos. Pretty cool stuff on the horizon.

http://www.airpano.com/360Degree-VideoTour.php?3D=Video-Great-Barrier-Reef-2
This one is a bit buggy in the controls if attempting to stream HD, I suggest the lower def to get a feel for the possibilities.

http://video.360heros.com
Here is another, to give you an idea of what the final product looks like.

http://www.gizmag.com/centr-360-video-camera/31886/

http://freedom360.us

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/giroptic/the-worlds-first-full-hd-360-camera

http://techcrunch.com/2013/11/05/bublcam/

http://www.360fly.com
 
Solid Mounts for GoPro

I've used the standard GoPro mount simply screwed to one of the wing tip nut plates - either top or bottom and also Sean's (Plane Around) mounts and I've never had a problem with stability. The former requires use of the "snubber" (little white thing that secures the snap in fingers) to eliminate the shakes. Sean's are rock solid as is.

Jello effect is best eliminated using a neutral density filter. This also eliminates the "scimitar" effect with the prop which becomes a transparent disk as you would see from the cockpit.

I haven't had any problems with the wireless control on the IPhone. Usually though, I have the camera mounted on top of the wing. Could that be the reason for some of Alan's issues?

All of the above is great for a fixed position. What I'm interested in is similar to Dave's original post. A way to pan the camera in flight. Tilt would be great, but I'd like to get the panning right first.

I like the Servo Block found on the website Dave suggested. I'd like to try that with a GoPro standard mount fixed to the output end. All this mounted inside an access cover. Could use any of a number of RC xmitters and receivers I have laying around to control it or pull some wires and use one of Servo City's controllers.

Got any ideas? Please chime in.
 
I have

It produces very good video, it eliminates the jelly roll effect and makes almost all video very stable.

It is also very big and very heavy. I have it mounted to the left wing and it slows me down 2-3 MPH and makes that wing heavy pretty much all the time regardless of fuel load.

Another disadvantage is that there is no fine adjustment for either windage or elevation. The adjustments are rather coarse and result in too much one way or the either. After much futzin (technical term) I got it aimed about right where I want it.

Mounted to outboard tank mount screws.

Mount%203.jpg


I have been able to aim it a little better since this was taken.

Mount%202.jpg


Sample video can be seen here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtQ-hDBGb74&list=UU8DzqKZaTi2JLrVsCtPhp6Q
 
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