varicam with aerials

[Ray Palmer]

We use the Varicam and the HDX900 camera with the Tyler nose mount and this is what we have found to really work.
The helicopter we use is a Bell Jet Ranger with only two blades. This really causes a lot of vibration issues.

1)We use the widest lens possible, around 5-8mm. We have even used prime lenses with the servos that come with the nose mount for iris control. Zoom lenses though wide can be physically longer and more vibration issues.
2)We always use some type of iris control. The Varicam has a remote control that can paint and shade the camera from inside the helicopter. We also try to take a Waveform monitor with us to verify proper iris.
3)The varicam will only provide HD-SDI output and the Tyler mount that we rent only sees SD via composite. We rent an HD-SDI to Composite converter so we can all see the signal.
4)We power the camera from inside the helicopter not by a battery on the camera. This way we can power down the camera by removing the power inside the helicopter.
5)We always run the shutter at 180 degrees and we vary the detail by using the Varicam remote control.
6)We always shoot at 60fps and then convert to either 24 or 30p.
7)We have had success using the Fujinon Wide zoom but the challenge is that the front clear filter is attached to the rubber lens shade. To solve that problem, we took a rubber lens shade and removed the rubber parts and now we can attach a clear filter to the front element. We get a lot of bugs in Arizona.
8)We will sometimes put a simple lav microphone taped inside one of our headset ear muffs, and run it to the camera. This way it records all that we say in the ship. It really helps when you roll tape and “slate” where we are and where we are heading. Aerials tend to all look alike when you land and play back. It is nice to say that we are just crossing I-10 heading South East towards Butler Arizona, etc.

I hope this helps.
BTW, I will not have a computer with me for the next few days, until Friday evening.
Good shooting and let me know how it worked out.
Ray Palmer
Phoenix, Arizona

Ray Palmer, Engineer
Salt River Project
Phoenix, AZ
602-236-8224 office
There are three types of people in this world, those that can count and those that can’t.

[Thom Zimmerman]

I just shot aerials for an art museum here with the Tyler Nose Mount and had no troubles. I shot at 24p,180shutter,for the film feel and stayed on the wide end of my Fujion wide zoom. This worked well as you know the tighter you go the shaker it gets. Also I put my 8.4 HD monitor around my neck for stop and frameing and used the till control on the Tyler lap controller. All went great….If you need more info just email me….Thom