Photo UAV

I had an idea that I would like to build a UAV that is made just for taking aerial photos perhaps even just directly below the plane. So I already know the hardware needed for a UAV but I am wondering what kind kinds of cameras people have used that have great clarity and small form factor. Also one piece of hardware that im not real familiar with is a trigger that can be used to "snap" the images whether its one that can be programmed to take pictures at certain "points" or via RC. I would like one that could be programmed somehow because I would like to use it as a way of mapping small areas ie farm field, junk yards, etc. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

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ModeratorPermalink Reply by Gary Mortimer on January 13, 2010 at 12:26pm
I think we are all doing that Wayne, lots of reading for you to do here and you will find all the answers, also look at RCgroups.

G

shall I plug our company, no I won't I promised myself that I would'nt
Permalink Reply by Wayne on January 13, 2010 at 12:30pm
Well I havent found anything yet strictly directed at photos. I mean I do plan to also do one with GPS, XYZ sensors, telemetry, video, etc. but with this one im thinking of I want to use it/design it just for photo taking. I did do some searching around but didnt find anything that was what I was looking for. Well Ill keep a sharp eye out and keep nosing around. :D

ModeratorPermalink Reply by Krzysztof Bosak on January 13, 2010 at 12:30pm
Ready to fly system:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1137076&highlig...
with manual
http://www.aerialrobotics.eu/flexipilot/flexipilot-triggers-en.pdf

can move a servo (mechanical trigger),

or can change TTL voltage levels for some cameras (need modification/soldering,
http://static.rcgroups.com/forums/attachments/1/5/7/3/4/1/a2978320-...)

or you can modify canon with chdk firmware and access to trigger functionality without soldering
http://static.rcgroups.com/forums/attachments/2/5/0/4/9/6/a2976123-...

or you can buy IR shutter using servo signals (like IR prism shutter from hexpertsystems)
Permalink Reply by Michal on January 13, 2010 at 1:52pm
Haha
Gary - as you can see you shouldnt have promised such things.
Permalink Reply by Payo on March 1, 2010 at 3:27pm
You should check out the Canon PowerShot S80 [0], S70, S60, S50 and some of the other cameras in the PowerShot range. It can be controlled via the Canon SDK (Software Development Kit) [1] and the camera's USB port.

[0]: http://www.canon-europe.com/For_Home/Product_Finder/Cameras/Digital...
[1]: http://canonsdkwiki.rocketmonkeys.com/index.php/Camera_Compatibility
Permalink Reply by Wayne on March 1, 2010 at 3:50pm
Well I was looking at the US models of a Powershot but since I currently own a Canon XSi, I would like to get one of their point and shoot cameras that has the IS in it just to have that much more help in clear images. :D Thanks for posting the links. Very helpful.
Permalink Reply by Payo on March 2, 2010 at 2:29am
I think that the optical image stabilization systems on consumer cameras are designed to reduce camera shake from human hands; I suppose they might cope with small bumps and wobbles from the yaw and pitch of UAV flight, but I am not sure if they can do anything about the high frequency vibrations caused by petrol engines. It will be interesting to see the results of your tests.

How are you planning to keep your camera pointing straight down?
Permalink Reply by Morli on March 2, 2010 at 4:25am
IS will help the camera image image onlyin addition to all other damping techniques you need for not only protecting the camera but for any/all electronics inside the airframe too IMHO
Permalink Reply by Wayne on March 2, 2010 at 7:23am
Well this will be going into an electric plane (EZ*) so im sure vibrations will be minimal. As far as how I am going to keep it pointed down, im thinking of putting a hole in the under part of the plane then install the camera inside and have the lens sit inside the hole.

ModeratorPermalink Reply by Krzysztof Bosak on March 2, 2010 at 11:26am
"Well this will be going into an electric plane (EZ*) so im sure vibrations will be minimal. "
small prop --> high rpm --> high vibrations! IMU don't lie about that.
Permalink Reply by Payo on March 2, 2010 at 2:55pm
Chris Anderson has a good blog post from 9.2007 about Turning an EasyStar into a proper camera platform.
Permalink Reply by Wayne on March 2, 2010 at 3:03pm
I did come across that actually. One thing I just thought about out of curiosity is sense I might get a Canon camera and use the CHDK bios and the USB interface to trigger the camera, is it possible to also control the zoom or anything else remotely?

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