Go-Pro, other camera on RV-12? Inside, outside?

[mvanwyk]

One slight disadvantage to low wing is that the wings can interfere with photography.
Can anyone share experience in an RV-12 with a camera such as Go-Pro? Did you mount it inside? Outside? Did you get one of those 360-degree view types?
Any recommendations?

[Piper J3]

A couple of examples….

https://youtu.be/5C1rZ2fyTVc?si=MxjuMZzvEK026Mhn

https://youtu.be/ezsgyLHakpQ?si=MT4aEpfysAQyvxxo

[N8DAV8R]

I'm actually hoping to run the 360 for this first time on the RV on an NFLight wing tie down mount this evening. As mentioned, not ideal location on a low wing but it's a start.

Eventually I plan to make a mounting system that will take advantage of the pre-punched hole on the top of the wing just above the tie down. I need to machine a hollow thread adapter that will go in the bottom but allow a spud mount from above with a #8 or #10 screw. Should make for a low profile and easily removable mount setup on the 12.

https://www.nflightcam.com

[mvanwyk]

Originally Posted by Piper J3

A couple of examples….

https://youtu.be/5C1rZ2fyTVc?si=MxjuMZzvEK026Mhn

https://youtu.be/ezsgyLHakpQ?si=MT4aEpfysAQyvxxo

Nice. I would be looking for something that gives an unobstructed view -- forward, left, right, and/or behind.
I'm mostly interested in still frames.
My understanding is that with 360 cameras, a user can pick a frame at any point of the 360 view.

[N8DAV8R]

Originally Posted by mvanwyk

Nice. I would be looking for something that gives an unobstructed view -- forward, left, right, and/or behind.
I'm mostly interested in still frames.
My understanding is that with 360 cameras, a user can pick a frame at any point of the 360 view.

That's correct regarding the 360 cam. No need to frame, just mount the camera and choose your framing later in any direction. You do need a good location for the camera and no matter what the airplane will be in the way in some direction.

The NFLight spud is a nice little mount setup that works anywhere you have a #8 or #10 screw. Make your own decision as to structural appropriateness in certain locations, but a nutplate is easy to put just about anywhere you want. If what you mean by 'unobstructed' is that effect like it's a close chase, you'll need to go a little further and install a stick style mount. One example in the video below, but IMO there are simpler or more elegant ways to go about this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKKkPPcr9T4&t=318s

[mvanwyk]

Originally Posted by N8DAV8R

That's correct regarding the 360 cam. No need to frame, just mount the camera and choose your framing later in any direction. You do need a good location for the camera and no matter what the airplane will be in the way in some direction.

The NFLight spud is a nice little mount setup that works anywhere you have a #8 or #10 screw. Make your own decision as to structural appropriateness in certain locations, but a nutplate is easy to put just about anywhere you want. If what you mean by 'unobstructed' is that effect like it's a close chase, you'll need to go a little further and install a stick style mount. One example in the video below, but IMO there are simpler or more elegant ways to go about this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKKkPPcr9T4&t=318s

Thanks. I'd be looking to mount somewhere underneath the plane -- fuselage or wing. I realize that the plane structure will be visible in some angles -- landing gear, wings, etc.. In some cases, the plane structure could be cropped out of the picture. I am hoping to find somewhere to mount where I can get maximum 360 view; and where I can select good quality left / right / forward / backward stills.
If anyone has had success, I'd like to hear about it. What kind of camera? Where did you mount? Etc.

[HansLab]

Hi,
I have a Sony HDR_AS200V and put several 'attachpoints' to the plane: left wing, right wing, tail underside, tail (with a gadget, to hold it high) and in the cockpit (in stead of the cockpit light).
See for yourself
https://phmon-rv12.blogspot.com/2023...e-beelden.html

Works very well. Now I have several pieces of film that I put together when flying a passenger. I even bought a second camera to be able to make two visions at a flight without having to crawl out of the ship.

[N8DAV8R]

Originally Posted by HansLab

Hi,
I have a Sony HDR_AS200V and put several 'attachpoints' to the plane: left wing, right wing, tail underside, tail (with a gadget, to hold it high) and in the cockpit (in stead of the cockpit light).
See for yourself
https://phmon-rv12.blogspot.com/2023...e-beelden.html

Works very well. Now I have several pieces of film that I put together when flying a passenger. I even bought a second camera to be able to make two visions at a flight without having to crawl out of the ship.

Can you show us more about your tail mount?

[Dvalcik]

I use a GoPro inside the cabin and a insta360 on a selfie stick off of the end of the wing. Clamped to the hand hold. The two off the wing are from the Insta360 3x and the one in the cabin is from the GoPro 9 that picks up audio.

I am finishing up on a selfie stick for the rear tie down - videos coming soon


my youtube channel is @rv12pilot for using different cameras and mounting locations.

[rockwoodrv9]

I have a gopro 360 for outside and a gopro 9 for inside. If you want to hear radio can intercom calls you need a wired connection adapter that is easy to hook up but if I remember about $100. It is worth it to be able to hear comments and radio calls especially for a reasonably new pilot like me.

I mounted the 360 under my wing and it works well for me. I can see the gear and pan around as I want. There is distortion because of the lens but you can get some pretty cool videos. The frame grabs for photos are much better than any other camera I have owned.

I understand the insta360 is a good camera too but I have not used one. Let me know if you need any info on how I made my mounts. Have fun!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKQbVaU6MRo