Which copter is recommended for 5D Mark3 ?

[Todd Terry]

I won’t make a specific recommendation, but just note that the Phantom is a very lightweight quad copter, good for something more like a GoPro.

To fly something as heavy as your 5D you’ll need a copter that’s more in 10x the price range of the Phantom. I’ve only known a couple of people brave enough to fly a 5D… and those were with the really big (and expensive) octocopters… those in the $5,000-$20,000 range.

I’d think a safer route would be to get something like a BlackMagic Pocket Camera and dedicated it for aerial use. It’s much lighter (and cheaper) than a 5D, so could fly on a much smaller (and cheaper) bird than the 5D would require. It’d still need a lot more than the Phantom, though.

T2

__________________________________
Todd Terry
Creative Director
Fantastic Plastic Entertainment, Inc.
fantasticplastic.com

[Soumendra Jena]

Yes you are correct!

Phantom 2 cannot handle DSLR of course.
Phantom has a more professional system called DS1000, which handles 5D Mark3 best, and it costs 6500$.

Can the Phantom 2 handle BlackMagic Cinema Pocket Camera ?

[Mark Suszko]

Quadcopters, octocopters and hexacopters are NOT silent devices: they sound like lawn mowers or leaf blowers in flight, which could disrupt the wedding if they come anywhere close. They also don’t have great endurance in the air, unless you are talking about really expensive systems. Stuff like the Phantom may only stay airborne for around fifteen minutes or so.

[Bill Bruner]

Hi Soumendra – at a minimum, you would need a $4000+ DJI S1000 and a $2999 Zenmuse Z15 gimbal to fly your 5D Mark III.

For a lighter camera, such as the GH3 or the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera, you can get away with a ~$3000 DJI S800 plus a slightly less expensive Z15 gimbal for a lighter camera (such as this one for the Panasonic GH3).

Here’s the GH3 over San Francisco on a DJI S800 (please watch at 1080p):

https://youtu.be/dQOpYu8k6Q8

Here’s the BMPCC over Tirolia (also on the S800):

https://vimeo.com/77405660

Hope this is helpful!

Bill
Hybrid Camera Revolution

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[Soumendra Jena]

Got it! Checking.

On the 2nd video it says,
Pilot: Florian Leitner
Gimbal operator: Eder Robert

Why there are 2 operators ?

Only one can operate both at once, right ?

[Mark Suszko]

One operator only operates and aims the camera. The other one concentrates on just piloting. That’s for enhanced safety.

[Soumendra Jena]

Im confused.

Sorry, I have never used a DJI or any kind of copter.

So, do we always need 2 users for this ?

[Mark Suszko]

It would be wise. Or, you could have a lawyer on speed-dial.

[Soumendra Jena]

Sorry, why ?

How are the two roles different ?

Is it both not done from one single remote ?

[Mark Suszko]

Flying a quad copter around people, outdoors, is not as easy as you may think, and safety should be a primary concern. Therefore, the pilot’s main responsibility is just controlling the copter, with an independent controller, and the camera operator’s only job is getting the shot framed correctly. The remote for the camera is a separate unit, so that the camera can be aimed independently of whatever position the quadcopter has to take in the air, due to wind, sun, orientation,etc.

Less sophisticated quadcopters can have a fixed camera in them, so aiming the copter also aims the camera, but for dramatic photography, this arrangement is somewhat limiting.

Before you go very far, I suggest you get one of the smaller, quasi-toy-like quads, like the Parrot AI, and get a feel for how these operate in a low-stakes manner.