Ryan's Trex 800 AP

[floopy1]

Oops, I meant to say it is a great HELI, not help. (Lousy autocorrect.)

Thank you for the help. I was planning to buy a camera gimbal, but I figured, for nearly the price of a 3-axis setup, I could get a CNC machine and make my own, plus be able to make more parts down the road for other projects. I'm still thinking about this idea, but am leaning toward the CNC machine.

Any advice on which way to go would be appreciated.

[Cirkus]

The effort to design and build a 3-axis gimbal of any quality would not be worth it to me. When you add the cost of a CNC router, software, tooling, raw materials, many hours of design time, trial and error, machine setup, and shipping, it makes no financial sense to go that way.

Hit up PhotoshipOne and buy a 3x-Pro instead.

Even if you buy a CNC router and all the other stuff, I'd still buy an already designed and ready to go 3 axis gimbal.

[Cirkus]

I got my NEX-5n. I paired it with a 16mm f2.8 prime and a x0.75 wide angle converter, which gives a nice wide format picture without very much distortion. I'll have some photo examples after this weekend when I go to the air show.

[floopy1]

Originally Posted by Cirkus

The effort to design and build a 3-axis gimbal of any quality would not be worth it to me. When you add the cost of a CNC router, software, tooling, raw materials, many hours of design time, trial and error, machine setup, and shipping, it makes no financial sense to go that way.

Hit up PhotoshipOne and buy a 3x-Pro instead.

Even if you buy a CNC router and all the other stuff, I'd still buy an already designed and ready to go 3 axis gimbal.

After looking into the CNC idea, I agree with you. I downloaded a trial version of Alibre, and although I am sure I can learn how to make some basic 2.5D parts (like battery trays, etc.), an entire gimbal would take me forever. I'm leaning toward doing what you recommended, and purchasing a gimbal from PhotoShipOne.

Thank you for your advice, Cirkus. I'm sure you saved me at least $1000.

[Cirkus]

No problem.

[Cirkus]

Cutting the holes for the switches and voltage display...

[Cirkus]

[Cirkus]

Today I redesigned the shock mouts for the gimbal. I've never really been satisfied with the stock mounts or shocks, so I replaced them with Pro-Line shocks with dual stage springs and 50-wt shock oil. This upgrade made a tremendous difference in the stability of the entire front mount system. With the light weight of the NEX-5n, I will not need to run two shocks on each side, but the system has been designed with that capability.

The mount uses two boom clamps, and provides plenty of mounting points for running multiple shocks.











This is a Pro-Line shock for the rear of the Traxxas Slash R/C truck.

[Cirkus]

The rest of the pictures are self explanatory...

[Cirkus]

Some of those pics are a little messed up, I guess I shouldn't play with the settings when taking pics.

I also have redesigned the lower mounts to accomodate multiple shocks, but need to cut them.

[Cirkus]

I will be using a StratoSnapper ( http://littlesmartthings.com/stratosnapper/ ) to allow me to control video recording and picture taking separately.

[ame]http://vimeo.com/33905096[/ame]

[MaSt0RaS]

Originally Posted by Cirkus

Thanks.

Solidworks for CAD, Meshcam for CAM (hopefully upgrading this to SolidCam), Mach3 to run the Gcode

G10 from McMasterCarr, hardware too if I can't source it locally. Locally, I use Fastenal.

Originally Posted by Cirkus

I will be using a StratoSnapper ( http://littlesmartthings.com/stratosnapper/ ) to allow me to control video recording and picture taking separately.

http://vimeo.com/33905096

Isnt there something from gentled for your cam??

[Cirkus]

Yes, but this one is more robust. You can get firmware updates, as well as switch between taking photos and starting/stopping video in the air.

[tott]

@ Cirkus....

The build looks great and your new springs and adapters should make a huge difference for you.... I just wonder if the springs are too stiff, as to NOT allow it to make fine movements to take the vibes and movement of the heli out....??? Please post some onboard pics and video when you get the chance.....

Thanks for sharing the stratosnapper info.

I have been looking at this to integrate into my Ap platforms as well.

Having the ability to switch while still in the air from video to pictures is AWESOME.

Having the ability to update it yourself is worth its weight in gold...

I just wonder if there is still the ability to do a "half press" for pictures.....to focus, or is it all or nothing with the shutter... ??? Do you know this answer ?

Thanks again,
JASON

[Cirkus]

Originally Posted by tott

@ Cirkus....

The build looks great and your new springs and adapters should make a huge difference for you.... I just wonder if the springs are too stiff, as to NOT allow it to make fine movements to take the vibes and movement of the heli out....??? Please post some onboard pics and video when you get the chance.....

Thanks for sharing the stratosnapper info.

I have been looking at this to integrate into my Ap platforms as well.

Having the ability to switch while still in the air from video to pictures is AWESOME.

Having the ability to update it yourself is worth its weight in gold...

I just wonder if there is still the ability to do a "half press" for pictures.....to focus, or is it all or nothing with the shutter... ??? Do you know this answer ?

Thanks again,
JASON

Good question Jason, I'll have to research that. I wasn't too concerned as I am in manual at infinity.

[tott]

@ Cirkus....

Good question Jason, I'll have to research that. I wasn't too concerned as I am in manual at infinity.

Thanks for your reply. Please let me know what you find out...

I am thinking about using this as a solution for taking large group portraits. This will be mounted on a pole mount and the PS1 3X PRO V2 gimbal. Having the ability to set / check focus in this situation is paramount.

Having the ability to take some video during the setup of the large group shots will allow me to include this in the final production videos, as well as to use for training purposes for my assistances.......Then switch to pictures without having to lower the pole mount....Time is money so......That is priceless.


I sent an email directly to Stratosnapper designer.

I inquired if we can set both servo channels in such as way as described below:

I was thinking that perhaps I can use the one servo channel to operate a two position switch to allow for "OFF" in the lowest position. Up "starts video"....
Then using the second servo channel to operate a three position switch to allow for "OFF" in lowest position, "half press - focus" on the center position, and "full press - shutter release" on the top position.

I will let you know what I receive as a reply from them......

Thanks again Cirkus......and good luck this weekend on the newest maiden.....

JASON

[Cirkus]

I'm thinking a half press may be possible. By viewing the video above, it shows in the interface adjusting the endpoints of the channel. I would think that by adjusting the switch position endpoints you should be able the trigger a 'normal off', 'half press', and 'full press'. This is another advantage of a device with firmware updates, it can always be added later. The board is based on Aurdrino, so the code can be written.

[tott]

.....

OK...I heard back from the designer of the Stratosnapper....

Below are excerpts from 2 emails I received from them....

The "half press" feature is camera dependent. Most cameras will focus and then shoot, when getting an IR remote command. My 5Dmkii will focus if in "AF" mode, but if in manual mode it will just fire regardless of focus. I haven't come across a camera where it is not user selectable somehow.

It is posible to have two commands on one channel. for example up: video, neutral: nothing, down: shutter. Many cameras use the same IR command for video start and stop. Therefore you will have to repeat the same action on the servo channel to start and stop the video. But if I understand you correct: Yes, you could have shutter on one channel, and video on the other.

First: all the cameras you mention are supported, both video on/off and shutter. The canons have to be in live-view mode to control video and shutter at the same time.

One the Canons you can select if focus should be required to activate a shot. That's done in camera setup. So when the StratoSnapper fires a trigger command, the camera will focus and then shoot. A dedicated "half press" is not supported in IR remote mode. But it's not really necessary either, since no shot will be taken unless focus is achieved. Canon has not, to my knowledge integrated an IR remote command for focus-only. I have newer seen a canon remote with that option either.

In the software you can pretty much setup the triggering anyway you like. Video on one channel, shutter on another. Or have them both on one. Play with it :-)

.......just wanted to share......

Jason

[Cirkus]

Thanks for the legwork Jason. Sounds like it will easily do what I want. It will be fun to experiment with anyway.

[MaSt0RaS]

With my gentled i can go from video to photos and the oposite. http://www.gentles.ltd.uk/gentled/liveview.htm


As for the shocks share your opinion..! too tight or not??!