Cheap aerial platform for GoPro

[Ron Hunter]

For GoPro fans, today I stumbled across a group of video enthusiasts who seem to have the GoPro video platform figured out. Their name is Team Blacksheep and they sell a GoPro capable camera for $99. I haven't dug too deep into this but it seems worth a closer look. That sounds better than the $1200 quadcopter plus pan/tilt HD camera I saw on the web yesterday.

Here is a video from the Team Blacksheep channel so you can see the capabilities of those planes:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-IMC2aFZOA&feature=share&list=UUAMZOHjmiInGYjOplGhU38g&index=2[/youtube]

[Ron Hunter]

Uh, well, the $99 was just for the airfoil. All of the stuff you need to make it fly (battery, electronics, motor), add $$. Still a neat idea though.

[Bob]

I think that $99 is for just the wing. The motor, electronics, etc. are extra.

[momoffduty]

I would love to have a quad copter. A vimeo friend has a octacopter with 3 axis gimbal, but he is a pro-wedding videographer. Awesome shots!

I don't think Mr. Cheryl would approve that kind of purchase, just wouldn't fly. Pun intended.

[TreeTopsRanch]

Not to mention the awful accidents at some weddings using those quad copters. A octacopter (8 props?) would be more dangerous. Eight times more apt to hit the bride in the head.

[momoffduty]

Not to mention the awful accidents at some weddings using those quad copters. A octacopter (8 props?) would be more dangerous. Eight times more apt to hit the bride in the head.

Oh, lets hope not! The vimeo videographer uses his for aerials of the area well above any people and not at the wedding.

Here is an accident on UT with a copter. Not sure who is the videographer for this one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocqB6_y71xE

[Dave McElderry]

Oh OUCH! I wonder if he got a discount?

[sidd finch]

From the research I have been doing it looks like the DJI Phantom seems to be one of the more popular quadcopters. It is approx. $500 USD. There is a new Phantom II that has come out but it is over $1000 USD. The original phantom is a great fit with the GoPro 3. To get the great smooth arial shots an additional DJI Brushless 2 axis or 3 axis stabilizer is the way to get those Jell-O free shots. They can be found on eBay for approx. $100 USD.







Sidd

[Ron Hunter]

The newer quadcopter you mentioned includes a pan/tilt capable HD camera that streams its field of view to your smartphone. That allows you to SEE what the camera sees, while you fly it. That is an expensive toy but WOW, how cool would that be??

[Peru]

I have enough trouble getting a good video using a tripod.
If I had to use a remote control on one of those...

[Ron Hunter]

From the research I have been doing it looks like the DJI Phantom seems to be one of the more popular quadcopters.

Sounds like you are about to pull the trigger Sidd. Let us know what you get and please do post up the video!!

[sidd finch]

Sounds like you are about to pull the trigger Sidd.

The only difference between being a kid and a grown-up is that as a kid when you wanted a new toy you had the luxury of an adult telling you NO....

Sidd

BTW in my searching I found out that in the US it is illegal to sell aerial footage you have taken with a drone aircraft. Because using unmanned aerial systems for commercial purposes is illegal. wow that is something good to know. Looks like the company Black Sheep got busted for it a couple of years ago.

[Ron Hunter]

The only difference between being a kid and a grown-up is that as a kid when you wanted a new toy you had the luxury of an adult telling you NO....
.

No kidding, that gets me into trouble more times that I care to admit!

Interesting note about footage from private drones. How do pro videographers (e.g. wedding videographers) get away with it?

[Peru]

How do pro videographers (e.g. wedding videographers) get away with it?

Who is going to complain about it?

[momoffduty]

Didn't that rule/law come into play because of drones over someone's personal property such as celebrities. An invasion of privacy sort of thing.