Playing with the Phantom

Thought I would post this first attempt at some GoPro footage from a Phantom quadcopter/ drone, or whatever you call 'em. Mike did the hard work in driving the copter, I was just the bunny paddling around in circles.

Disclaimer: It's pretty rough, I am a total newbie at editing and it is not intended to be Von Piros quality quad copter filming - so be kind. Also, even though it doesn't look it, it was quite windy (15 - 18 knots onshore) and Mike's copter isn't waterproof, so we had to be careful. We did manage to lodge the thing in a tree on the cliffs you see in the footage on it's first flight, when it got hit by a gust and the updraft, but we were able to retrieve it without damage or a dunking.

Anyway, it gives some idea of the potential for new angles and perspectives for filming water sports.

Interesting. I didn't see the crash, but I got to say you're game flying it over water if it's not waterproof.
How do you frame the shots? Is it just blind luck or do you use gopro wifi and something like the iphone app?
What's the flight time battery life like?

Very nice.. Thanks Ross and Mike.. Don't duck next time Ross.. It was about to get interesting..

Hey foamballer, you don't want to see the out-takes too? I was trying to be merciful and keep the clip short. Even for obsessed fanatics like many lurkers on here I'm sure this clip is of marginal interest. Also, it seems to have lost a fair bit of quality in the upload to Vimeo process - pretty grainy compared to the original. After I have posted 4 million videos like DJ, maybe I'll get a little better at it.

On framing shots - you can use the GoPro app on your iPad or iPhone to see what you will get (not that we did this here, though - that smacks too much of actually planning something!), but Mike says you can't have the GoPro on bluetooth while flying, as it interferes with his copter controls. So here, he was just doing his best to line up the viewpoint. Batteries last about 10 - 15 mins, I think.

And yes, whilst it is a risk flying over water, one redeeming feature is that the thing has GPS and it sets a "home" point where the take-off commences. If you lose control (unless you get stuck in a tree) or the battery is about to die it automatically returns and lands on "home" base. So it's a considered risk, I would say.

Hopefully Mike will try it in the surf, as that is where you can already see impressive footage coming from these things. Also, there are quite a few places down this way where I think you could get awesome footage with these things. And yes, Mick, perhaps the summer surf comp is a possibility....or the upcoming Inverloch weekend. Might even get better footage flying it around at the traditional Sat evening barbie, as well!

And DJ - yes, it is interesting at face level. It's funny, when you are out on the water and its buzzing around, it's a bit like a big insect and you expect it to move out of your way, . Anyway, he has prop guards on his little copter.

Good one DJ.

Reminds me of Inverloch (maybe not )...we should get Mike to one of the next SUP Vic events.

Love it - top work Ross and Mike.....

I saw a guy with one of these at Half Moon Bay (the Melbourne one) the other day.
He had some sort of virtual reality helmet and was flying it based on what the camera was displaying.
Looked like a pretty exe bit of kit!

Is the chopter a Phantom or Phantom 2 ?