Looks like my memory banks are still working.

A review of the site indicates we need a 15ft. Blimp $625.  We already have the cameras; so may be we could figure out how to adapt the kite system (gimbal/support) for carrying the camera to the payload.  Anybody think it caan be rigged?

It would be cheaper than the $5,000 to $6,000 for the complete 15ft system by the blimp company.

What atre your thoughts Racephoto?  You seem to have a good working knowledge along these lines.  If we could do this we would dhave a breakthrougjh.

Good point Perry; looks like we would have to consider buying a used Moving Van!  That is a deal breaker.

for weight and quality I'd check out the Canon t3i type cameras (or t2i) or perhaps the Olympus em-5

The new Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 might be good for this.  It's a small lightweight point and shoot but has a bigger sensor and improved image quality on similar sized cameras.  It also has very high quality video.

That Sony looks almost perfect for the job. It could of course be a bit cheaper... I'm too lazy to search for this: is there a possibility to use a remote release of some kind on the Sony?

Magic Lantern is now available for 5D Mark II and a slew of other Canon DSLRs in a single download. You can get it at www.magiclantern.fm. If you do any video using your camera, or even just for time lapses, it's is HIGHLY recommended! Built-in intervalometer w/ bulb-ramping makes it a great time lapse tool.

thanks for the info.  I'll have to check it out again.  Being able to use an invertvalometer on the kite without actually having an intervalometer would be really ideal.

Quote from: leaf on August 01, 2012, 12:38

Quote from: elvinstar on August 01, 2012, 07:24

Magic Lantern is now available for 5D Mark II and a slew of other Canon DSLRs in a single download. You can get it at www.magiclantern.fm. If you do any video using your camera, or even just for time lapses, it's is HIGHLY recommended! Built-in intervalometer w/ bulb-ramping makes it a great time lapse tool.

thanks for the info.  I'll have to check it out again.  Being able to use an invertvalometer on the kite without actually having an intervalometer would be really ideal.

I hate to be asking, but Why? I have a few of the remotes already for time lapse and they weigh 3oz, so what's the issue?

Funny because one of the sites I was looking at today for poles has a wired remote for shooting from the end of the stick. I made a wireless, so that would mean, no spool of wire and all that added weight. Same for a kite or drone (oops, watch out, just threw in a new curve ball!) but wireless remote that's good for clicking the shutter, and no wires, no timed shutter release, yes it adds weight.

Drones? Can one lift a camera with good resolution. I want a DSLR drone now. LOL  

With kites, every gram counts.  They don't have much lift to start with so saving the weight of the intervalometer would be welcomed even if small.  The biggest reason for me though is just the pain of attaching the cords and intervalometer to the rig.  There isn't really a good place for it.  I have it attached to the bottom with velcro but there is still cords going here and there and sometimes it falls off and often has dead batteries.  Essentially it would just be a welcomed thing to get rid of.  

Yes, if you want to spend the money there are plenty of drones to carry a heavy SLR.  People use them with the RED camera and of course the 5D with L glass or other similar cameras.

Quote from: leaf on August 02, 2012, 14:36

With kites, every gram counts.  They don't have much lift to start with so saving the weight of the intervalometer would be welcomed even if small.  The biggest reason for me though is just the pain of attaching the cords and intervalometer to the rig.  There isn't really a good place for it.  I have it attached to the bottom with velcro but there is still cords going here and there and sometimes it falls off and often has dead batteries.  Essentially it would just be a welcomed thing to get rid of.  

Yes, if you want to spend the money there are plenty of drones to carry a heavy SLR.  People use them with the RED camera and of course the 5D with L glass or other similar cameras.

Just can't wait to go searching for drones powerful enough to lift a DSLR with something better than a kit lens. I have a T2i now (so light!) And it came with the "cute" kit lens. I think my 40-D without a lens weighs more. Kind of cool. 18MP and it does 1080p HD video. But before confusing things, I want to do stills from elevation with it... not video. Just bought it for the video and I'm having fun with it as an all around grab cam.

a few good search terms are octocopter, multicopter, mikrokopter, CineStar, Droidworx

I hate to be asking, but Why? I have a few of the remotes already for time lapse and they weigh 3oz, so what's the issue?

There are many other features included in Magic Lantern in addition to the intervalometer, but I would think that bulb-ramping would be of tremendous value when shooting very early/late in the day.

Bulb ramping is most useful when you have your camera on a motorized slider or something else where you can't get to it to change settings. Some of the most beautiful time lapses I've ever seen were bulb ramps on a motorized slider around sunset/sunrise.