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Dual camera KAP rig

by cfastie on February 22, 2012 - 12:23
vermont, new england, picavet, near-infrared-camera, kite-mapping,

Here is a prototype rig that performed well on its maiden flight. The design might be appropriate for matched visible/IR cameras for vertical photography, like the Canon A495s from the Balloon Mapping Kickstarter project. For such a use, it would require the addition of an intervalometer to trigger both cameras simultaneously. I am not yet sure how to add that function.

I aligned 15 photos from the test flight in MapKnitter, just because it's fun to use MapKnitter. http://mapknitter.org/tms/lone-rock-pond/openlayers.html

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Comments

mathew's picture
Submitted by mathew on February 22, 2012 - 15:46.

I love it, Chris!

in regards to the sway-- I see what you're seeing-- it looks like the center of gravity is off.

Two matched cameras would definitely balance better, and I bet if one camera was flipped 180, so the two were mounted tripod mount to tripod mount, the weight might be more symmetrical.

cfastie's picture
Submitted by cfastie on February 23, 2012 - 18:35.

Matthew, mounting cameras base to base is a good idea (but then
the USB ports are on opposites sides). Eventually
the payload will include a few AAA batteries and some USB cables. Maybe they
can be placed to balance the load. But I agree that matched cameras will
solve most of the problem.

warren's picture
Submitted by warren on February 23, 2012 - 19:48.

Hey all - I'm working on a dual-camera setup here (i think it may be yours, chris, since you're a backer at that level!):

http://publiclaboratory.org/wiki/t-bracket-dual-camera-rig

We've had several variations but wanted to test out a solid one for the kickstarter kits. Feedback/input welcome!

T-bracket dual camera rig

cfastie's picture
Submitted by cfastie on February 24, 2012 - 00:38.

Warren -- Most clever and elegant! Spread the cameras a bit more and you will have room to use Brooxes camera keepers (red thumb screws). Those are way handy and only $2 apiece. For example, did you try it with the existing unused hole at the opposite end of the T? It should balance without tilting. But then it would require a bigger cover if you wanted to protect the whole thing.

I am looking forward to your synchrony solution.

warren's picture
Submitted by warren on February 24, 2012 - 00:46.

Yeah i may try both ends of the T -- i was just trying to keep the lenses close together to reduce parallax.

Wow! I'd never seen those camera keepers, but they look amazing! I'll have to try them out. Maybe we can buy from Brooks in bulk for the Kickstarter:

cfastie's picture
Submitted by cfastie on February 24, 2012 - 11:53.

You might need a tee made from thinner stock to use Brooxes camera keepers.
Or you can order some longer ones. Brooks' are 1" diam. knurl and 1/4" long
threaded screw. This place has them with 3/8" long screw:
http://mdmetric.com/shearloc/onequarter.htm
For 1/4" length, you will not save much money or time compared to Brooks.

warren's picture
Submitted by warren on February 27, 2012 - 14:09.

I posted a note on auto-triggering with a circuit Mathew found, will be posting more as well:

http://publiclaboratory.org/notes/warren/2-27-2012/555-trigger-synchroni...

warren's picture
Submitted by warren on March 1, 2012 - 14:51.

Hi Chris - I was wondering if you'd mind putting a "main image" on this post (it's in the sidebar when you edit it) so that a nice thumbnail shows up on the videos page:

http://publiclaboratory.org/videos

I like the one with the lego men :-) but any thumbnail will do.

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