So I decided to look into a cheap solution for getting elevated property shots.

The 2 options as I see it are:

Modified painter's/window washing pole to attach a P&S
Pros: Lightweight, easy to manipulate and transport, cheap, easy
Cons: Limited height, quality subject to P&S, Not able to see what you're shooting

Custom built tripod-like apparatus
Pros: Can build it to extend much higher, can build it to fit a DSLR or P&S
Cons: Unwieldy, Complex to create, need to purchase an LCD screen if I want preview the shot, possibly expensive


The obvious choice says just chop a bolt onto a painter's pole and screw on the P&S, but the side of me that desires having the best of something and doing things the "right way" is recruiting the engineering side of me on this one...

Let us know how this works out, I'm curious. I would think you could get an extension pole from Home Depot for cheap and rig up a thread to fit the camera pretty easily. How do you plan on firing the shutter, using a 10 second delay and whipping the camera up into the air?

How high do you need to go BTW?
I have a similar project I need to get around to (for sailing and skiing shots with the FE)... But I'm thinking a hoe or snow rake will be more than long enough for me. I'm looking for <10'.

I'd think if you want to go real cheap, a few long handled garden tools bolted together (that can be undone for transport, use wingnuts) at each joint would work, then some sort of base so you just put the camera on it, press the shutter (with 10 second delay) then pivot it in place. It'd wobble a bit, but with a decent shutter speed (1/125th+) it would probably be OK...

If you're looking for a remote instead of using the timer, buy the cheapest you can and extend it with stereo (headphone) extension cables... way cheaper than wireless or a canon extension. The cheap wireless transmitter could be an option too.

here's my DIY remote extension (I already had the remote):
http://www.newschoolofphotography.co...ead.php?t=2814

Originally Posted by user errors

need to purchase an LCD screen if I want preview the shot, possibly expensive

Run it tethered to a laptop via loooooooooooong USB extension.

Look here, this guys built his own and shoots tethered to a laptop.
http://www.lightcafe.net/forums/view...graphy+#p65034

Ben, no idea how high I necessarily need to go, but I'd like to be capable of going really high if I do find I have to.

Thanks for the suggestions for the remotes, I like the idea of being able to preview using my laptop so I'll probably look into that.

try this instead:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...d.php?t=515137

There's no way I keep one of those airborne longer than 30 seconds

Originally Posted by emorphien

try this instead:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...d.php?t=515137

DUDE! that's rad!

That is awesome.

I thought it was going to be the people that use kites for aerial photography.

shoot from a tall ladder....

http://www.usa.canon.com/app/html/NF...?id=commercial
Watch the first video - the new XSi commercial...
Then watch second "making of" video, where ironically they shot the above commercial with all 1DMIIIs

Both videos rock though.

jebus - enough pics!!? I want a few of those cameras Lol
isnt it false advertising if you represent that x camera took the images when Y camera actully did?

I thought that was interesting too. I'm sure somewhere they have a disclaimer that the shots were not taken with the 450D.

I'm actually suprised that they only took 70,000 pictures. With 10 photogs thats only ~7k/photog.

I absolutely LOVE the shutter noise soundtrack!

interesting it's will all 1DmIIIs for sure, but yeah, not surprised.

I love that commercial though. I'd love to do some sort of a movie that way, but have zero time for something like that.

That's a cool commercial

I also like the old HP ones where people were 'framing' themselves/pulling photos out of the air.