More RoboCam parts

I read about a risk for interference from the 900MHz video transmitter on the 2.4GHz RC system so I have ordered a low pass filter from RangeVideo. Also, I ordered a few small voltage regulators from Dimensions Engeneering to help power the video transmitter either from the robot's batteries or from a little 7.4V Lipo battery. It could be wise to isolate the video transmitter from the RC system as much as possible.

RoboCam videolink

The 900MHz system arrived yesterday from Kopterworx in Slovenia only 2 days after I ordered. Besides transmitter and receiver, the package includes a little video camera that I did not plan on using. I will take it along though as you never know if you come up with some good ideas. Now I only need to figure out a way to power the transmitter while it is carried on the RoboCam.

Pixel expert LV-W2 video

I was a bit puzzled why the Pixel Expert live view wireless remote cropped the bottom of the live view video feed. Then I got the idea it could be related to the video output settings of the camera and when I changed this from PAL to NTSC, everything was fine. The analog output is still crude and the onboard video of the transmitter has higher resolution. Unfortunately it's angle of view is rather narrow - close the view of a 50mm lens on a 24*36mm DSLR. A bit narrow for navigating a remote controlled vehicle.

Photo robot

The partly DIY 5.8 GHz video transmitting gear I got from the USA broke before I could seriously test it. The transmitter antenne broke off taking along the soldering island. It would probably be possible to fix but the whole design was too fragile. I tried to find another more sturdy transmitter but all the ones I could find used different frequency bands! I have now got a live view wireless remote (LV-W2) made by Pixel Enterprises from Benro Sweden. This is a 2.4 GHz unit with a specified range of about 200m. This could be a little short but probably ok for the range of the RC car I intend to use as the mobile platform. The RC car is also using the 2.4 GHz band so I was a bit worried there would be interference problems. I brief indoor test yesterday was promising however. One advantage of the LV-W2 is that it takes care of both the triggering of the camera, transmits and receives the live view feed and even has an extra little onboard video camera to use when the live view is not feeding. Also, there is the option of saving and reviewing shots on the receiver screen, but I'm not sure how usefull this will be with the crude resolution of the analog video out signal of the Nikon DSLRs. Unfortunately, the HDMI output cannot be fed wirelessly by this little transmitter.

RoboCam

I am currently working on putting together equipment for remote controlled photography. Today I tested a video link that allows me to see the live view display of my Nikon D300 or D700 DSLRs. This is very useful for unmanned but non-autonomous photography. I hooked up the RC system of an old helicopter to be able to turn the video link on remotely and activate the trigger using two PicoSwitches from DimensionEngineering. I am still considering wether to go with a little LCD video screen or video goggles. The last will probably be nice when I attach the whole camera rig to a remote controlled car - in effect creating a RoboCam. The analog composite video output from the cameras have rather low resolution and the frame rate is relatively low so I am speculating wether a little external video camera with a suitable 12mm threaded lens would be a better option. Transmitting the camera display has the advantage that you get the preview the actual shots - but the disadvantage that the camera will use more power with the live view and screen display on!

Inspiration for remote controlled photography

I just saw this video on Florian Schulz photographing polar bears in Svalbard

It seems I could have approached the mating pair we saw in June by Zackenberg! But perhaps it was wise not to put "our" bears at risk. You never know what they will do and if they attack you may have to kill them. No picture is worth sacrificing the safety of the animals you want to document. I am not planning to use remote cameras on polar bears - this time at least! Next year I will try to bring a long range radio controlled crawler with wireless video. Then I can let it approach any passing bears!