So if I have you a budget of 100k could you builld one that works? Because my friends had been a competitive rc pilot for years and is a multimillionaire...

He built one to survey their property and land holdings..
Cost is an afterthought to him and I know he buys whatever he can get his hands on... the best gyros and electronics..and he can fly an rc 3d so he knows how to handle these machines...

I tried to get a pic of his rig but he took it down from fb..

You limit yourself to what you know...but don't limit others who may know more than you in this area. I'm not an expert but with a high shutter speed you don't need as much stabilization and no they don't use zoom.. with a high quality lens it is not as necessary...

But I don't need to prove anything to you... the technology exists it just matters if you can afford it

Of course.

You just said you are not saying it can't be done... are you now saying it can't be done?

It's not mine and I didn't fly it...so I can't go out and argue with you on it...

So you are saying it can't be done then right?


This pic is the frame of the copter while it was being built. I know he had a pic of the dslr mounted just need to find it..

Fair enough. I'm just pointing out that there is a big difference between a copter that flies and looks stable and takes great pictures of a property from above (which is what you posted) and a copter that has a good enough camera and is well stabilized and can get enough detail through someone's window.



I am saying that right now it is very difficult, the weight is a big challenge with a larger camera and gimbal system and that will impact flight times to a great degree. Even just a glass SLR lens is a huge weight - so the idea of a "good" SLR lens is out. And aiming the camera at something that is closer to horizontal (again not a wide angle go pro lens) is also challenging.

Like I said with camera like the Sony NEX series that have a decent lens and more resolution, they are the size that most people are using (at the high end) for hobbyist stuff. Can it carry a small DSLR, maybe --- but the flight times are very very short.

When you carry a larger camera, you don't just need a bigger gimbal, you need more powerful gimbal motors. Which weigh more, and use more current, which require bigger batteries, that weigh more.....

I'm right now in the middle of a search for a good gimbal for a smaller camera. DSLR gimbals are really at the high end and are very heavy. Right now RC planes are a better solution for DSLRs because they can carry more weight, but they can't hover.

Here is a big 3 axis DSLR gimbal. I guess they couldn't find a copter to demo it on so they used a bicycle:
http://www.diydrones.com/profiles/blog/ ... %3A1282793

Hexacopters are right on the ragged edge of carrying a DSLR, an X8 will carry one, but 8 motors = less runtime.

Here is a hexa with a DSLR:
http://api.ning.com/files/*dc7TarpNZjqh ... 201111.png

Same battery as my quadcopter (4S 500mAH), probably double the payload (go pro no gimbal vs DSLR w/ gimbal and motors), 50% more flight motors/current, and if my quad will only stay up for 12 minutes, very unlikely this would even last 6 minutes, maybe 8.

And they will certainly improve, 15 years ago this kind of performance wouldn't have been possible without LiPos and brushless motors, imagine in 10 years time. There's a guy has built a drone that can fly through the trees, bouncing off trees is not a problem for it, so that would solve the issues of getting close enough to get a good picture into the house.

But again, the helicopters right now can do all of this a lot better. They might not be able to fly between two houses, but the image quality from the new HD FLIR system is incredible. If we've got concerns about the police, it should be about their conduct and following their SOP, there should be audits and checks and balances. Drones don't change anything. They're just another tool like the helicopter.

signed

JAFO

I just found these youtube videos.. this is not my friend just a guy on the net...

just want to point out that a DSLR can be flown and apparently this guy on the 1st youtube video indicates he can get 10mins with a good battery and more if he went it a more expensive battery..

and in the right hands a guy can get this thing to be stable enough.. it doesn't need to be rock steady, a fast lens and shutter speed can compensate for blur..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59_16YKGbm4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BbhNgTix9o

so I guess it can be done.... the image on the 2nd video is actually very good. well maneuverable enough to see inside windows IMHO


and here's one carrying beer.. 3 mins flight time but it's amazing...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation ... 56wwlp4p7s

this place claims 15mins flight time with payload -- but that may be just a claim...
http://onlyflyingmachines.com/product/h ... escription

I'll take a look at the videos when I get to work. I just picked up a digital photography magazine that has a section on drone cameras and talks about the challenges with DSLRs both with weight (they recommend an X8 minimum) and controlling them (shutter actuation, zoom, aiming etc). And it recommends the Sony NEX cameras and one other. :)

I don't disagree with using the lightest camera available.. it's just common sense...

even my friend has been using primarily go pros and smaller HD cameras now..

the point is you were suggesting earlier that it was just not easily doable and was too difficult.. apparently it is being done.. 10 mins seems to be the typical flight time from what I've been seeing the in the forums (I'm sure you're in those) but the technology (battery and motor) is there to do it...

it is fairly expensive.. but a drone that can be stable enough to maneuver in your backyard and look inside a window is available... that 2nd video shows that.. the guy is very good at controlling it and it was very stable..

The 2nd video is pretty good, but it is still very wide camera angle. If you're outside a house looking in, through a window, you're either going to need to zoom in on the image later or have a longer lens, which will increase camera shake. I'm imagining that the goal is to try and see someone sitting on a couch or bed or something, not standing right by the window. I know when I am in my backyard looking down into the house, because of reflections and differences in lighting it is very difficult to see far into rooms. I might do some tests on the weekend to illustrate. Also it is more stable because he is flying it inside. You'd be amazed how much the copters move around with even the slightest breeze.

The copter in the 2nd video is about the same size as the one I'm working on now, though I'm going for a lighter camera. The comments by the first video are wrong, going to larger batteries the flight duration increase is nowhere near as good as that because of the weight (I have two 4S 5000mAh batteries, I very rarely use both because the incremental run time is minimal.) There is a good calculator out on the net for payload battery motors vs runtime.

I'm also working on trying "lower cost" thermal cameras...

Which brings up an interesting point. We shouldn't be fearing the police with drones, we should be concerned about our neighbors with drones....

that's actually the more scary part... particularly as those people will post on youtube whatever they want..

as to the technical aspects of what you said, I'm not an expert so I'm not going to argue with you.. just simply saying I've seen it done, and videos show it can be done...

and I don't think you need a zoom all the time since you can blow up the photo post editing...

just like you can shoot 600yards with a well calibrated 4x reticle/scope you don't need a night force 42x to hit 600 yards although it helps..

my buddy did not use zoom i think it was a prime lens with a fast shutter speed..

your criteria seems to be taking a photo/video of somebody that is cinema grade, my criteria is I can see what you are doing with enough detail.. shaky or not, you can tell what a person is doing and identify them well enough..

I like how he changes his point once he is proven wrong with evidence. We are still waiting for him to answer Joshs question on another thread although I don't think he ever will.

There is so much wrong with this statement, I don't know where to start.

I think you would be faster and easier to start with what he says right.

Knock off the shitty little jabs, please. This isn't a pissing contest.

Drones are now everywhere. It is much better to build your own from scratch because you will allow yourself more capabilities. Most store bought drones don't allow enough space for the cool toys and they offer way less features.
You can pick up a 9 channel receiver for under 100 bucks and you will be much more happier in the end.