Vidios

[tom brightbill]

Maybe this belongs in "Debates"---, but to do the pilot and plane justice, please, whoever is doing the filming back away far enough from the circle so that the plane pans from one side of the frame to the other with a minimum of camera movement.  Close ups of the plane can be done prior to the flight.  Otherwise it is very hard to follow and often out of focus. Just a request because I study as many of the videos as possible.  Thanks

[proparc]

No it doesn't belong in 'Debates'. They need to improve LOL. That is a great request Tom. I study these flights also. Even better news is that, I have a new camera and I am looking to get a video dedicated tripod to take high quality footage of flights here in Texas. Only problem is that, you really need at least a 200mm to take care of business properly. Actually a 70-200mm is ideal for stunt footage with accessories,(ND filters,Polarizers etc).

Problem is, a Nikon 70-200mm ain't cheap.  

[Tim Wescott]

Picky, picky.

I've desired this, too, in the past -- when the camera operator stands back far enough that you can capture the whole flight in the frame, the plane will be lost in any significant background clutter.  There are a (very) few videos out there with a sufficiently sparse background and a camera operator who's far enough away so that you can really see the flight.

Get onto YouTube and search on "Igor Burger" and you'll find one or two of them.  Then do it again for "Chip Hyde" and you'll get one more.

[Gerald Arana]

Sorry guys, but I have to agree with Tom. Watching a video that goes back and forth makes me dizzy and seeing the back ground do the same is very annoying!

Solution: I don't watch it!

Just saying..............

Jerry

[Tim Wescott]

I think that a perfect venue for filming a model airplane flight would be in the middle of grain country, on a field with no trees to break up the background, possibly on the top of a small rise.  Then use a combination of distance and lens so that the entire flight can be filmed without touching the camera.  Start things up, fly, and please share the video!

[Paul Taylor]

Well most of the people behind the camera are pilots. 
Sometimes you can't be picky and just thankful someone took the time to share. 

[Tim Wescott]

Sometimes you can't be picky and just thankful someone took the time to share. 

Yes!  Getting the "perfect video" that I describe would be a lot of work, or would need a pretty heavy application of serendipity.

[proparc]

Yes!  Getting the "perfect video" that I describe would be a lot of work, or would need a pretty heavy application of serendipity.

The videos don't have to be perfect but, they can be improved. I realized it could be an "impromptu thing" with an I phone, but a lot of camcorders have zoom lenses and with the right support, the videos could and should be better.

I realized not a lot of guys are going to rock and roll with a heavy duty DSLR and special equipment like I plan to do but, I personally think these flights are important, especially for newbies to see just what the deal is.

[mike londke]

Well most of the people behind the camera are pilots. 
Sometimes you can't be picky and just thankful someone took the time to share. 

Amen Paul. There aren't many willing to take the time to shoot, edit and post videos. Some is better than none.

[Mike Scholtes]

That "grain country" thing pretty much describes our contest site at Davis CA except more like "cow pie county." Dead flat and few trees and plenty of room to get way back and set up a tripod. We have a few fair to middling flyers here in NorCal so we might be able to get some watchable video this season. Some of our guys are pretty good with cameras and computer stuff so it could actually happen.

[john e. holliday]

I say we are lucky to get what videos we do get.   Yes to do it properly you need a camera in a stationary position far enough fro the circle you can get the whole sphere of the flying.   If you don't have enough people to help it becomes a chore.   I think Sparky did some videos several years ago to evaluate his own flying.  But a video that far back is not what the judges will be seeing.  They are much closer to the circle.   Video is good but a good coach/judge is better.