Remote camera options

JonathanRyan

JonathanRyan

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Jonathan
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I've got "one of those" jobs coming up. Client wants pics from an indoor/outdoor event. No problems. But because it's the UK in spring, he'll be erecting a transparent canopy above the outside bit. He also really fancies some aerial shots (there's a handy roof) but I know from experience that "transparent" canopies aren't anything like transparent. I thought it would be cool to attach a camera to the underside of the canopy and fire it remotely. This gives me a number of issues:

1. Camera will have to be rigged several hours and possibly 1 - 2 days before the event. It needs to run off batteries so will have to sit in standby for max a day or 2 and somehow be woken remotely.

2. It has to be triggered remotely NOT by cable (too many people around).

3. It's only going to be web quality but even with the canopy it's likely to be moderately dark.

4. It's not a mega bucks job so I can't really spend more than £100 - £200 on kit to make this work.

5. I'd really like to be able to receive some pics in semi real time so I can see if they are successful.

I have a whole bunch of Nikons, a Smart phone, pocket wizards and some very elderly GoPros. What's my best bet to make this work for the budget?

Oh and no, I can't use a drone ;)
 
Actually, when I say "web quality" I mean HD quality. Stills will get mixed with some video. Nothing fancy but should look nice at HD.
 
The newer Go-Pros have a time lapse function and a remote control and a stills mode but they have a fairly wide angle lens and the battery won't last very long unless you have a separate big battery.

I would think a Nikon and Pocket wizards would be the best bet.
 
andrewc said:
I would think a Nikon and Pocket wizards would be the best bet.
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Yeah my main nervousness is that I could shoot all night and not know something had broken. Would love to receive a shot or 2 on a phone/tablet.
 
Again newer Go-Pros have a wi-fi option and can grab images from an iPhone app. If you got one of those 20,000mAh battery power banks that may be sufficient to power it that long in standby with wifi on - but you'll probably have to mod the go pro case to allow the power cable to pass through - rendering it less waterproof (i.e. budget for a new case as well)
 
my dad ordered a radio or wireless remote ( not ir one) and that works fine, apart from it makes our doorbell ring :| and theres no video feature button

there are skeleton gopro cases which are more open
 
andrewc said:
If you got one of those 20,000mAh battery power banks that may be sufficient to power it that long in standby with wifi on - but you'll probably have to mod the go pro case to allow the power cable to pass through - rendering it less waterproof (i.e. budget for a new case as well)
Click to expand...


That won't work, when you plug the cable in the camera goes into charge mode and disables all camera and wireless functions.
 
God gave us work experience students for a reason.
Budget for a cage and some watery gruel.
 
andrewc said:
I ran a camera of an external power bank last year without issue but I didn't use wireless or remote functions. Was shooting video for 6 hours
Click to expand...


A Gopro?
 
Hmmm, just tried it on a Hero 4 and I get the USB signal on the screen? Will try my 3 black later
 
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