RC Aerial Photography

"RC Aerial Photography Puts YOUR eye in the sky
without ever having to leave the ground!"

Experimenting with aerial photography makes flying RC airplanes even more addicting than it already is, if that’s possible! Whether it's taking bird’s eye photos or first person videos from the cock pit, the sky’s literally the limit with today’s technologies!

Most of us get into RC aerial photography simply because it’s awesome to take pictures from our RC airplanes. However, many have turned this hobby into successful businesses. Not only is it cheaper to take pictures from an RC airplane, often times our RC planes can capture unique perspectives that’s not possible with a full scale plane.

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to dabble with RC aerial photography. All you need is a cheap electric RC airplane and a lightweight camera. And of course, you need a way to activate the camera from the ground.

Aircraft

Just about any RC airplane can be used for RC aerial photography, as long as it can carry the weight of the camera. Small inexpensive cameras are often strapped to the bottom of glow powered planes, and usually return some pretty decent pictures. Most of us prefer not to mount an expensive camera on a glow plane where it may get slimed with gooey oil.

The vibrations and engine noise from internal combustion engines will often times introduce interference with video transmissions from wireless cameras. For these reasons, most RC pilots prefer electric powered airplanes for RC aerial photography.

The GWS Slow Stick is commonly used for RC aerial photography. Any slow flying backyard flyer that is capable of towing the camera will work great.

Aerial Photos

Small digital cameras are available in all prices ranges. Most start out with an inexpensive Aiptek PenCamera or similar. Once “hooked” on RC aerial photography, many upgrade to better quality cameras to capture clearer images.

Triggering the Camera

Unless you have a tiny monkey on board, you’re going to need a way to “trigger” the camera while airborne. The cheapest and easiest way is to mount a mini servo in the plane that will push the “capture” button on the camera. A cleaner and more reliable method is to install an electronic switch between your airplane's receiver and on board camera. This also eliminates the extra weight of a servo.

Non Obtrusive Switches

Unless you're an electronic guru, you may not be comfortable ripping into the guts of your camera to solder a switch. There are a couple types of non-obtrusive switches used with RC aerial photography that you can simply plug in without having to rip your camera apart.

Photography Radio-Infrared Shutter Module (PRISM) for RC Aerial Photography

You've probably noticed that many household digital cameras come with infrared remotes for snapping pictures remotely.

A Photography Radio-Infrared Shutter Module (PRISM)converts a pulse signal from your receiver into an infrared signal that tells the camera to snap the pictures. Follow the above link for a list of cameras compatible with the PRISM interface.

As you can see in the image, the PRISM interface is simply taped to the front of the camera with clear tape. Notice the IR transmitter is lined up with the IR receiver on the camera.

The URBI Camera Control Switch connects to the USB port of your onboard camera. You can program the switch to perform any of the camera's USB controlled functions with your transmitter. This switch is compatible with most Nikon and Canon digital cameras

Solder-in Switches
Aiptek PenCam modifed for RC Aerial Photography

If you are good with electronics and know how to solder, Mr.CamMan's detailed instructions will show you step by step how to build the CamMan-Aiptek RC Digital Camera Controller.

The cost to build the switch is around $10. The Aiptek PenCam can be had for under $30 bucks. When searching for deals on eBay, keep in mind that you want the "SD" version so you can use an SD memory card if you plan to record video as well as photos.

This route gives you a very nice set up without spending a lot of money! The trick is being good at soldering on tiny tabs. If this looks too complicated, RCPLaneCams sells a similar switch already installed into the camera for $75.

Shutter Bug Pro switch for RC Aerial Photography

The following switches can be used with just about any type of camera, provided you know what your doing.

Keep in mind that you will have to take your camera apart to solder these switches into place. It's probably not a good idea to tear apart the family camera unless you're prepared to buy your wife a new one! ;0)

Aerial Video

First Person View(FPV) Piloting has recently emerged as a controversial yet amazing extension of our hobby. You can actually fly your RC plane by means of an onboard cameras. You can even wear video goggles linked to an onboard camera that rotates as you turn your head! It’s controversial because of the safety aspect.

Whether you want to try your hand at First Person View(FPV) Piloting or just want to take some video from your RC plane, the technology required is nearly the same. Obviously it is much more critical that you have the best equipment and technology available for FPV piloting!

Video Downlink

If you want to capture live video from your RC airplane, you will need a video downlink. A video downlink consists of a camera, on board transmitter, and ground receiver. The camera plugs into the on board transmitter, which transits the signal to the ground receiver. Your monitor then plugs into the ground receiver so you can see the video in real time.

The downlink systems listed below are high end systems designed specifically for RC Aerial photography.

Many wireless camera systems are available, such as these 2.4 GHz Wireless Spy Cams, that aren't designed specifically for RC aerial photography. These systems are great for capturing live video from your RC airplane, although it's not recommended to use such a system for FPV piloting.

Capturing Video without Downlink

You can capture video without a downlink if your camera is capable of storing the video to be viewed later. The same Aiptek PenCamera mentioned above for taking photos also provides an inexpensive cheap way to record video from your RC airplane. Again, make sure to get the "SD" version so you can use an SD memory card to record large videos files.

The FlyCam One is another very popular inexpensive camera used to record in flight video. This angle of the lens can be adjusted making it very easy to tweak the camera view. An SD memory card can be used with both the Aitpek Pencam SD and the FlyCam One for storing the in-flight video.

Basically any camera that takes and stores video can be used, as long as your plane can tow the weight. A mini servo or any of the switches mentioned above can be used to trigger the camera to record aerial video.

Some people strap their cell phones to their RC planes to capture video! I've even seen people using Sony MiniDV cameras to capture in flight video. This works awesome if you’re confident in your flying abilities, because I don’t image that camera would survive much of a crash.

Ready to Fly RC Aerial Photography Planes

With he gaining popularity of RC aerial photography, we are beginning to see ready-to-fly RC airplanes equipped with cameras hitting the market. The Vortex listed below is the only one I am aware that comes equipped with a complete video downlink system. Discovery Stores Aerial Photo Jet and Silverit's Spy Camera RC Airplane are both ready-to-fly planes equipped with cameras for snapping aerial photos.

Vortex Extreme 3 Channel RC Airplane With Eyecam

The Vortex Extreme 3 Channel RC Airplane With Eyecam is by far the quickest and easiest way to begin capturing aerial videos. This plane is ready-to-fly with the camera and downlink systems all in place.

This plane is also great for learning to fly RC. So if you're new to the hobby and want to take aerial videos, you can kill two birds with one stone!

The fully articulating camera mount isolates the camera from vibration and allows you to point the camera in any direction. The base receives and converts the signal to an RCA video feed that can be viewed or recorded on the ground.

Estes Arial Photo Airplane

Discovery Store's Aerial Photo Jet is an electric ducted fan powered Styrofoam jetliner!

The onboard camera can take up to 26 pictures at elevations of as high as 1000 ft with a click of a button on the transmitter! This is a very cheap way to tinker with aerial photography.

See video of this plane in action with sample photos.