Tourdesign
Posts: 52
Location: United Kingdom
Registered: 24 Aug 2011
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Helicopter rig, anyone done it?
Posted: 7 Nov 2011 at 10:51 GMT
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I'm thinking of chartering a chopper over the next 6 months and I want to create a one shot rig, maybe 3/4 450d's with sigma 8mm lenses set up for one shot operation. I think agnos do a bracket for this, has anyone got any experience with it?
Also, I would have the rig set up below the chopper, or out the side, but how do I deal with the massive gap where the actual chopper is? I've thought of just masking in another sky or cloning the gap, am I missing something?!
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Tourdesign
Posts: 52
Location: United Kingdom
Registered: 24 Aug 2011
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Re: Helicopter rig, anyone done it?
Posted: 7 Nov 2011 at 10:57 GMT
updated: 7 Nov 2011 at 11:00 GMT
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I also now can't find the Agnos item that allows you to hook up several cameras (it was a sort of plate with 3/4 bent sections to attach the camera), did I imagine seeing this?!
EDIT: Found it - www.agnos.com/prodotti.htm?v_lingua=ENG&v_iss_web...
So i'm guessing a full frame camera would be needed as you can only set up 3 cameras?
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gus
Posts: 574
Location: United Kingdom
Registered: 19 Jun 2007
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etegration
Posts: 242
Location: Singapore
Registered: 28 Jan 2007
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hindenhaag
Posts: 729
Location: Netherlands
Registered: 7 Mar 2010
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vn2009
Posts: 263
Location: duluth mn, United States
Registered: 24 Sep 2009
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Re: Helicopter rig, anyone done it?
Posted: 7 Nov 2011 at 19:16 GMT
updated: 7 Nov 2011 at 19:17 GMT
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"Does it have to be done in "one shot"?
Have a look at www.panoguide.com/forums/qna/7377/
May be cheaper than 3 FF cameras and a agnos rig.
Gus"
i have contacted these guys 2 times in the past year to get one of those and they do not sell them anymore and would not make another one. too bad as it is a one of a kind product.
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Tourdesign
Posts: 52
Location: United Kingdom
Registered: 24 Aug 2011
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Re: Helicopter rig, anyone done it?
Posted: 8 Nov 2011 at 15:46 GMT
updated: 8 Nov 2011 at 15:47 GMT
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It's actually a full size chopper i'm wanting to do it from, not a UAV or small scale RC copter.
It doesn't have to be one shot, i'm just looking for advice from someone who may have done it before as it is something i've never looked into.
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gus
Posts: 574
Location: United Kingdom
Registered: 19 Jun 2007
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Re: Helicopter rig, anyone done it?
Posted: 8 Nov 2011 at 16:34 GMT
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I think if the helicopter is hovering in the same place, you'll get away with an inverted pole, and simply rotated by hand. If you need 6 then perhaps rotate by hand so as to get 8 or 10 shots to ensure you have overlap.
Needless to say you'll need a very robust pole/pano head setup, and tethered! 
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Tourdesign
Posts: 52
Location: United Kingdom
Registered: 24 Aug 2011
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Re: Helicopter rig, anyone done it?
Posted: 8 Nov 2011 at 17:12 GMT
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Hi Gus,
Thats what I was thinking, I suppose a masking effort to remove the helipcoper and replace with sky is needed.
I already have an R1 so I think i'll look at getting a strong carbon fibre pole.
Don't even know where to start teathering that kind of setup, a lot of string maybe?? 
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stalwart
Posts: 283
Location: Barton under Needwood, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
Registered: 20 Dec 2007
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Re: Helicopter rig, anyone done it?
Posted: 9 Nov 2011 at 12:55 GMT
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The Civil Aviation Authority can give you advice as to what you can use below or out of the door of a chopper without interfering with the flight integrity and dynamics of the chopper. Not all charter companies have insurance for externally mounting equipment, and it is also down to pilot discretion as to what you want to use his machine for!
It is also very expensive. From my enquiries here in the UK, the minimum height a chopper can fly over a built-up area is 1,000 feet, and that has to be a twin-engined chopper, not a more basic single engined machine like a Robinson. The total cost to charter a twin-engined for a 2 hour flight was about £4,000....
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Morten Boe
Posts: 257
Location: Perth, Australia
Registered: 8 Aug 2005
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Re: Helicopter rig, anyone done it?
Posted: 9 Nov 2011 at 14:52 GMT
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G'day Tourdesign (I wish we could use a name),
I have only had a few chances to do this but it is an awesome experience.
trueview.com.au/guildford/
The first issue you will have is whether or not you can use an open door with harness. This is how I have shot the sample above. I would make every effort to brief the pilot as to exactly what you need/want to happen. Show him/her what the end result is expected to be. I did a dry run on the ground showing the pilot exactly what I planned to do. As I understand it, to hover in one spot at altitude is difficult (wind, rotation etc.). Also, a smaller helicopter (as I understand it) cannot maintain altitude (and hover) with even a light load.
The pilot I used was very helpful and actually went out of his way to practice controlled fast rotations. For us, this was the most productive method. Apparently, it is a fairly risky manoeuvre. There is a point where the all-important tail rotors pass through the chopper’s own slipstream and can put you momentarily out of control. Having fun yet? OK, I think the fast rotation is only required if you are pretty low to the ground. Higher up will have far less impact.
My camera setup included a Nikon D700 with shaved Nikon 10.5 Fisheye (used in Full frame mode). This is the widest option I have in my kit. On the ground I can get a full sphere with four shots around. I attached a Pano head in the zenith (up) position to a monopod and used a hard wired shutter trigger. Leaning out of the chopper with the monopod held out horizontally I asked the pilot to make a full rotation in around 5 seconds. I set the camera at continuous low speed shooting. This gave me around 15-20 shots (plenty). As soon as I knew the rotation was complete I shot the nadir by hanging the monopod directly below the chopper.
A necessary safety step was to use heavy duty tape around all joins and wiring. I used a boogie board wrist strap to secure the monopod and all equipment to my arm. Of course I was harnessed in and attached via a metal lanyard with emergency safety release.
I know that you were looking at one shot options. However, if that becomes difficult, I hope some of this information is helpful.
Morten
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