All posts by 3DM

Cameras, Drones

Great suggestions for those thinking of doing drone photography

The link below goes to a great article.

But I add tip #0 – make sure you are in an area where you can legally fly a quadcopter. Many enthusiasts live within 5 miles of airports and cannot legally fly unless they drive considerable distances. They may also find that there are restrictions at their destinations – no flying in National Parks or National Monuments and many state parks also prohibit drone flying.

Do read the linked article – a lot of good ideas, especially for photographers.

Source: Tips for Doing Drone Photography and How it Improve All Your Images

I learned to fly a quadcopter in stages. I started with a tiny toy that I could fly indoors.

I then made a detour into building my own quadcopter, which is fun, but I recommend buying a higher toy such as the MJX Bugs 3 and/or Bugs 5w and become proficient in flying before you build your own and definitely before choosing a $1,000 camera drone.

You will crash. A lot at first. Far better to crash your $80 Bugs 3 and learn how to replace broken props, burned out ESCs and motors on that than to crash your expensive camera drone.

I once read that it takes about a dozen flights before feeling confident in your flying schools. I think that’s about right. But … feeling confident can lead to getting cocky and doing more than you should, like flying faster, higher or further away, or flying in tight spaces such as between trees – and crashing.

Regarding building your own – mine actually flew – until I crashed it because I had neither the experience yet and I was simultaneously configuring and setting up my home made quad. Too many variables, all at once!

And since you are going to crash, practice safety. I joined a local model aircraft flying club and all of my flights have been on the model airfield. We have the space for safe flying – and safe crashing. We also have water and fire extinguishers on site and buckets of sand to put out Lithium battery fires.

FYI I post a lot of items related to drones and quadcopters on my Coldstreams blog. Check it out!

3D, 3D Tech

Lenovo Mirage Camera With Daydream VR180 Review 

This is a very nice set up – its a Daydream VR viewer but it can also be used to shoot VR 3D.

The “nauseous” problem this reviewer experienced is because he had no understanding 3D shooting.

“Tempted by the small size of the Mirage, I had often treated it like a point-and-shoot camera, and recorded quick and short clips everywhere, sometimes even while walking around. Wearing a headset, most of these clips were dizzying and uncomfortable. What’s more, the 3D effect was often barely noticeable, especially when filming anything further away.”

Well duh!

He liked the 3D stills but found that his 3D video was sickening. That’s because he shot numerous short clips and did not understand the concept of a 3D viewing box or the viewing plane. Consequently, he is almost certainly pushing the viewing plane forward and backward very rapidly, causing eye strain and ill feelings. That’s his problem, not the device’s problem.

In fact, I am thinking of buying one of these soon.

Source: Lenovo Mirage Camera With Daydream VR180 Review – Variety

Drones, UAVs

New UK drone restrictions start today #Drones #Quadcopters

  • Camera drones must stay at least 150 feet away from people
  • All drones weighing more than 250g must be registered with the government
  • All drone pilots must pass a drone safety test before allowed to fly
  • Drone pilots must use “safety apps” to plan their flights

“Recreational drone users must:

  • Always keep the drone within sight
  • Keep 500 ft away from crowds and/or built up areas, if your drone is equipped with a camera
  • Stay 150 ft away from people and buildings, if your drone is equipped with a camera
  • Avoid flying over or 150 ft near to open areas with more than 1,000 people present
  • Adhere to local council’s rules about drone flights in the area

The regulations set to become law

  • Drones must fly below an altitude of 400ft
  • Drones must not fly within 1 km of any airport’s boundaries
  • Drones weighing over 250g will need to be formally registered with the CAA
  • Drone pilots must be able to present their registration documents if requested to do so by the police.
  • Drone pilots will be required to take a drone safety test before they’re allowed to fly
  • Drone users will be told to use apps to plan their flights, to make sure that they are not entering unsafe or no-fly zones”

Source DailyPost

Elsewhere, I see people now posting videos on Youtube with modified control systems that use 4G LTE modems to extend the range of their model aircraft. And flying them up to 25 miles. All of which is clearly and obviously illegal.

Such actions, which are now occurring in the U.S. are literally begging the FAA to establish strict regulations over use of model aircraft and the eventual licensing of all model aircraft pilots. It will take just one incident – and instantly the FAA will ground all model aircraft nationwide until strict new regulations are developed and in force.

This is literally what these reckless model pilots are asking for.

(Note – I am an RC model aircraft enthusiast, belong to the AMA and my local model aircraft club. I am pointing out the obvious way that many new enthusiasts are wrecking the hobby in their disdain for common sense rules we have now.)