G7 G9 or a Powershot A model for aerial photos??

[flipflops]

Canon is really exploding this year with cameras. I am starting an aerial mast photography business like eleviews.com if you are curious and wonder what would be best for something like this. The catch might be I MUST have the ability to use zoom browser and have USB remote access for obvious reasons but canons site only shows CANON SOFTWARE SUPPLIED and doesnt' say if the G7 for example would even work with this.
Anyhow which one is best canon gurus image stab is a huge plus for me and the ability to add lens easily for wide angle, fish eye etc .
Here they are G7, wait for G9, S3IS, S5IS,
A650IS A710IS, A720IS, SX1000IS
which is the bang for the buck I guess is what I'm asking.

[whuband]

I used a Hasselblad to take aerial photographs for builders and developers when I was in college. This was a 2.25 inch square film camera and the photos were stunning (not the photographer, the camera did the work). If I were hiring someone to photograph my business or property, I would think you should offer SLR quality, if not better. Make your presentation the very best you can afford and it will help sell itself. There are many fine used cameras and lenses on the market that might work with the software you specified. I hope this different perspective helps.

[lefturn99]

I think the G9 is going to be the ticket because of the RAW capability. Look at Breeze Systems remote control software.

As for mounts, Askman camera mounts would be a good place to start. Also look at Brooxes kite mounts (you have to turn them over to use on a pole).

Obviously, a DSLR would be ideal. But at the end of a 40' pole, every ounce is critical. Also, without some Rube Goldberg contraption, you can't adjust the zoom from the ground like you can with a P&S.

Here are a few pix of my setup.
http://www.pbase.com/lefturn99/pole_aerial_photography

[Andy_T]

'Bang for the buck' might maybe not be as important as reliability and image quality.

I suppose that the mast will be much more expensive than the camera, regardless of what you take.

So ... G7 / G9 sounds like the way to go, unless the new 40D is also capable of transmitting the image and allowing remote capture. It's the first Canon DSLR that features live preview and AF.

Best regards,
Andy

[lefturn99]

I suppose that the mast will be much more expensive than the camera, regardless of what you take.


Not necessarily. On the low end are the Hastings Hotstick or Wonderpole at $250 to $450.

The next step up is the Bird Shots at http://www.bird-shots.com/

If I were going to do this as a business, this is the one I would get, either trailer or truck mounted.

Then it gets expensive with air powered masts, etc.

It's like anything else. You get what you pay for.

[Mike V]

40D plus
17-55 f2.8IS plus
WFT-E3/E3A wireless transmitter

[Andy_T]

Nice.

Better get a very sturdy pole.
You don't want that kind of equipment to come hurling down...

Personally, I think that the smaller sensor of compact cameras is not that much of a disadvantage for aerial photography (lots of DOF needed) unless you need to make very large prints.

Best regards,
Andy

[lefturn99]

The 40D / wireless controller has a lot going for it. But it has a few problems, too.

One problem is weight. It's amazing how much force a few pounds 40' away can generate. If you go with a very expensive air or cable operated mast, it should handle the weight.

The other problem is that you can't reach up and zoom in and out. That's where the P&S has the advantage in that you can zoom remotely. I have seen pictures of R/C controlled servos with toothed belt drives that can turn the zom ring but that adds another layer of complexity.