From: majewski@spsd630a.erim.org (Ron Majewski) Subject: Re: Aerial photography with kites Message-ID: Organization: Environmental Research Institute of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan Date: 4 Jan 93 13:09:05 A friend of mine and I have been taking aerial photographs with kites for a few years now. The camera is a canon snappy - 35mm film, 35mm fixed focus lens, auto advance We use an RC servo as an actuator for the shutter release (this is mechanical on the snappy). It works very well, but adds weight. The camera, servo, RC receiver, and batteries are all attached to a small sheet of aluminum and weigh a total of 19 oz. The assembly is hung from the bridal-kite line junction. To snap off a picture, one only has to push one of the RC control levers. We watch the camera assembly and take photos during "calm" periods. Camera direction is set by hand while the payload is on the ground. As far as lifting kites go, we've used quite a few. Our first kite was a 3ft parafoil. That kite seemed to be altitude limited with the payload -- maybe around 300ft. The second try was a 4ft double french military. This worked about the same as the parafoil. The most recent kite we've used is a 6ft cody. The cody needs moderate winds, but easily lifts the payload to 500+ ft; it is also very stable. We've gotten great photos of the Ann Arbor area. We've had a number of crashes, but the aluminum plate seems to protect the equipment. We're toying with the idea of putting together a CCD camera and a real-time video downlink. We're also looking into changing the camera aim direction from the ground. It's been a lot of fun and a real learning experience. -- Ron Majewski (majewski@erim.org) The Environmental Research Institute of Michigan = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = From: WVOSS@novell.com (Wes Voss) Subject: Re: Aerial photography with kites Message-ID: Organization: Novell, Inc. Date: Mon, 4 Jan 93 16:28:35 EST >We've gotten great photos of the Ann Arbor area. We've had a number >of crashes, but the aluminum plate seems to protect the equipment. > >We're toying with the idea of putting together a CCD camera and a >real-time video downlink. We're also looking into changing the >camera aim direction from the ground. > >It's been a lot of fun and a real learning experience. Sounds very interesting. Is there any chance you would be willing to scan some of them in and uudecode them, then post them here? I would be interested in seeing how they turn out... Thanks! Wes -------------------------------------------------- Wes Voss Internet: wvoss@novell.com Standard Disclaimer: Yeah, these are my opinions, and no one elses... You know the rest... -------------------------------------------------- = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =