How good are those remote control helicopter cams?

[harmonica44]

Well maybe it's not worth buying cause I'll just probably end up crashing it and possibly getting into legal trouble for it too. The only thing is, I feel in the future I could use more aerial shots. I mean look at the opening shot of The Dark Knight or other movies where the camera pans up and over the scene, such as when a character walks through a crowd or something. Those shots probably wouldn't look as cool if shot from ground view.

[Lucky Hardwood]

You could always rent a boom lift (also known as a condor) from a local equipment rental company. It may not be as mobile as a helicopter, but it's a whole lot better than standing on a ladder.

[David.rhsc]

Originally Posted by harmonica44

Well maybe it's not worth buying cause I'll just probably end up crashing it and possibly getting into legal trouble for it too. The only thing is, I feel in the future I could use more aerial shots. I mean look at the opening shot of The Dark Knight or other movies where the camera pans up and over the scene, such as when a character walks through a crowd or something. Those shots probably wouldn't look as cool if shot from ground view.

Well, if "worth it" hinges on being able to just take it out of the box from time to time and knock out perfect photography, then no it isn't worth it and don't even bother with an RC heli. Having such expectations pretty much guarantees disappointment and lost investment in the form of crashed helis.

Take some of the other tried and true routes to get the camera above the action. Or look around for RC clubs in your area and find an experienced heli pilot to partner with. Let them fly the thing, and you .. oh I don't know .. maybe Direct, you know, like a Director.

OTOH: If you really want to learn RC (beyond its application to film making) there are tons of online resources and cheap practice micro-helis on Amazon. Really only get into it for the sake of the RC heli because it would be a while to develop some piloting skill and actually be able to make it fly level, where you want, and smoothly.

[harmonica44]

How fast can these choppers go? There are certain shots I have in mind for chases shot from above but they would have to go pretty fast. Some sites have different things to say.

[WalterB]

Find an operator to fly the chopper.
Otherwise you have to add another thing to the list where you have to spend lots of time to master it.

I must admit: I also feel tempted now and then. I'd love to have my own 'air-camera' and play around in the port of Rotterdam (the largest port in the Western world) or fly around the downtown skyline.

So master the basic skills you really need first and look and google around to find people/companies that can help you when you need them.

Or specialise in aireal cinematography after you mastered the basics.
It's a niche market and maybe there is no market at all where you live, but it can be fun :p

[harmonica44]

Well I should find someone to master it, or someone who knows how. I have to do a lot of acting and finding crew for future projects is easier than finding good actors. So, yes I will find someone.

[BackGardenProductions]

Something i have seen is that many people are getting very good high quality footage by getting a parrot ar drone then doing an rc hack (it is a package and easy to do) because you get much better control on the ar drone and because the max range is around 3km! Then they attach a go pro hd camera on top becasue it is so light and then click record and off you go! Trust me these hacks (upgrades) are quite easy and require little technical skill! You find many websites which have many different hacks on them so if you search parrot ar drone hacks in google then you will find many results!
Hope That Helps
BackGardenProductions

[Banned: Andrew McCarrick]

It's my understanding that for "professional use", they're currently banned in the US under FAA regulation. Hobby use is okay, but you cannot put a camera on them.

[Harry]

I used a helicopter for the opening shots of this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6G3Ao...feature=relmfu

I personally didn't like them that much, but see what you think.

[_Rok_]

I know a guy who put over 20k in to an Octo-copter. It was built using software and kit parts available online. But machining, electronics & programming skills are a must. It's was very impressive. Remote head, gyro-stablized, and broadcasting an HD signal to a pair of LCD glasses (Whats the proper word for these?).

He flew his 5D on a very windy day, and the thing would hover in place all on its own. The most impressive parts was when he turned off his remote, and the Octo-copter returned to us all on it's own, descended to about 10', hovered for a minute, and landed.

The last I head, they were off to LA marketing a much larger version that could carry cine cameras.

[knuckles]

We're actually using an Octorotor with a 5D mk3 mounted to it to get several shots for our upcoming feature. If you find someone who truly knows about flying one of these rigs (with a sweet gyroscope on them to hold the camera steady), and also understands cinematography/photography, you can do some incredible things with these setups.

[Banned: Andrew McCarrick]

http://mi6films.com/2011/photography...till-2013/684/