Taking Aerial Pictures With D3200 (Drone). Trigger Options, Live video Feed?

I have had a love of RC toys since I was 5, and have pretty much never not had some RC toys. A year or 2 ago, I started getting interested in basic photography. I have a D3200, and have recently built a Multicopter (Usually called a "Drone" in the media) that is capable of carrying my D3200. The Multicopter is fitted with a GoPro Black on a 3 axis motorized stabilizing gimble for most use. But if I want to do higher quality stills, I would like to be able to carry my D3200, and be able to trigger the shutter, and see live feed from the camera. My Multicopter has a live video transmitter on it already, it can take the GoPro live out, and transmit it to a screen or video goggles. Anyone have any ideas? I can rig a mechanical servo, or activate an electronic switch for the shutter if needed. Here is my rig:

I have no idea but I'm very interested and would like to see the end result

hi and welcome!

with regards to trigger, what range do you need? I have a pair of Yongnuo wireless flash triggers whch can also double up and be used to activate the shutter release remotely. the range on these things can exceed 50m or more whch should be enough. The model number is RF 603. Unfortunately I cant help you out with live feed, but there are a couple of nikonites here also with drones that may be able to help.

That's a beast, no matter what else you call it. Looks like it could carry a small car.

You may have already considered and worked out the details, but I'm wondering how well the D3200 or any DSLR will perform. The GoPro's smaller sensor and short f/2.8 lens gives it a greater depth of field and no need to focus while allowing a faster shutter.

Will be interesting to follow the development and see how you make it all work.

First thing I'd do is find out if the thing can even get a D3200 with a lens off the ground.

Second, can the gimble handle the weight of said camera & lens?

Personally, I think you're going to need a lot bigger rig in order to heft that kind of payload into the air for any reasonable length of time. Something with much more battery power, and at least 8 blades.

We need to get @fotojack to answer this one. He and a friend fly with a bigger DSLR than this. If I remember correctly they fly with a D800. Since I mentioned him he should see this. He would the the expert to tell you what you need.

Englischdude said:

hi and welcome!

with regards to trigger, what range do you need? I have a pair of Yongnuo wireless flash triggers whch can also double up and be used to activate the shutter release remotely. the range on these things can exceed 50m or more whch should be enough. The model number is RF 603. Unfortunately I cant help you out with live feed, but there are a couple of nikonites here also with drones that may be able to help.

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I took a second look at my camera, and realized it has an A/V out port, so I am hoping it has constant feed when on regardless of if video or pics are currently being taken. And as for the remote trigger, I should have been more clear, I can remotely activate a servo, or make an electrical connection from up to 10,000' with my system, so it's not so much the wireless aspect, it is what to use as I would like the camera to auto focus, and just pushing the button with a servo will not allow me to get the auto focus. Are there any external plug in wired remotes that with a single push of the button will allow the camera to auto focus and shoot? Then I could just rig a servo to press that button maybe?

NFA Fabrication said:

I took a second look at my camera, and realized it has an A/V out port, so I am hoping it has constant feed when on regardless of if video or pics are currently being taken. And as for the remote trigger, I should have been more clear, I can remotely activate a servo, or make an electrical connection from up to 10,000' with my system, so it's not so much the wireless aspect, it is what to use as I would like the camera to auto focus, and just pushing the button with a servo will not allow me to get the auto focus. Are there any external plug in wired remotes that with a single push of the button will allow the camera to auto focus and shoot? Then I could just rig a servo to press that button maybe?

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The standard wired remote should work. Amazon.com : Nikon MC-DC2 Wired Remote Shutter Release Cord + Nikon Clean Kit for D90, D3100, D3200, D5000, D5100 D7000 Digital SLR Cameras : Camera & Photo

Just remove the switch and wired it directly into your system. Would focus and shoot then.

Right after my last post, I vaguely remembered buying some Chinese cheepo corded remote. I looked through my camera bag, and sure enough, I actually had it! So I opened it up, and it could not have been more simple inside. So I cut off the cord, and rigged up a servo to touch some contacts to simulate what the handheld switch was doing. It works perfect! I will see if the video signal is constantly output from the camera next, if so, I should be all dialed in.

480sparky said:

First thing I'd do is find out if the thing can even get a D3200 with a lens off the ground.

Second, can the gimble handle the weight of said camera & lens?

Personally, I think you're going to need a lot bigger rig in order to heft that kind of payload into the air for any reasonable length of time. Something with much more battery power, and at least 8 blades.

Click to expand...

The gimble will not handle the D3200. The camera would be in a fixed position. I am going to set up a dummy load equal to the weight, and test it out, but this thing takes off so fast as it is set up now, I would be very surprised if it had any issues lifting the camera. I have seen many people double up the battery I am using on this size hexacopter to extend run time, and the batteries are heavy. With just the one battery and no GoPro/gimble, I see it being easily doable. There is exactly 10oz. weight difference between a battery and the camera. I get about a 15min run time right now, so even if I only got 5-10, I'd be OK.

And just a reference pic to show how big the hexacopter actually is:



And here is a video that was shot today with this thing. You can get an idea of the power from a few full throttle climbs in the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7RAm7nc22I

Foto 42 | My Website

Foto 35 | My Website

This is what you need to operate your camera remotely and have live video feed back to a monitor. CamRanger CamRanger Wireless Transmitter for Select Canon 1001

It takes one to operate the octocopter and one to operate the camera. Camera operator has the monitor in order to see what he's shooting.

Your set-up looks pretty awesome! I already have the video transmitting gear on board, was more looking for how the video could be taken from the camera live. When I was thinking about this, I did not have the camera near by, and was unsure if it had a video output that I could use or not. I just tried it, and sure enough, it works perfectly:

Do you mind posting your complete setup? I have a D3200 as well and am interested in using it for aerial photography. Just wondering if you got this working and what you are able to control/trigger. Thanks!

bujaman said:

Do you mind posting your complete setup? I have a D3200 as well and am interested in using it for aerial photography. Just wondering if you got this working and what you are able to control/trigger. Thanks!

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I replied to your IM. Functionally, the whole set-up works now. I just need to find the time to remove the gopro and camera gimble, and affix a dummy load matching the weight of the D3200, to make sure I am comfortable with it's ability to carry the camera.