View Full Version : Helicopters? (was Costa Rica Footage...)
Alex Atkinson
09-20-2008, 06:15 PM
Anyone know what helicopters are best for filming out of??
Tom Lowe
09-20-2008, 07:35 PM
http://timstvshowcase.com/airwolf0.jpg
Dylan Macleod, CSC
09-20-2008, 07:36 PM
Generally speaking - more blades are better - more stable...
DAServices
09-20-2008, 11:42 PM
Eurocopter Twin Star or A-Star (low vibration)
Pawel Achtel
09-20-2008, 11:46 PM
http://www.strangemilitary.com/images/content/103969.jpg
Mark Thorpe
09-20-2008, 11:53 PM
Robinson R44 served me and some others well for a recent short gig filming wild game in south Africa. Also used an R22 but VERY cramped. Especially with RED.
Cheers,
Mark.
Pawel Achtel
09-21-2008, 12:35 AM
Robinson R44 served me and some others well for a recent short gig filming wild game in south Africa. Also used an R22 but VERY cramped. Especially with RED.
Cheers,
Mark.
R44 would be the chepeast, he asked for the best.
I would not consider R22 as suitable at all.
It also depends what mount he is going to use. R44 is not regarded as suitable for CineFlex, for example, and you would need JetRanger, LongRanger or Eurocopter as minimum.
But, Black Hawk is certainly the best for the job :)
Mark Thorpe
09-21-2008, 01:58 AM
Best for the pocket or best for the job was not specified.
Black Hawk is just ripping the arse out of things!!
Best,
Mark.
Wayne D
09-21-2008, 03:29 AM
Anyone know what helicopters are best for filming out of??
what are you shooting?
Florian Stadler
09-21-2008, 08:21 AM
I have shot in and out of a black hawk for an army commercial and while it's a mean beast of a helicopter it's certainly not an ideal shooting platform. Way too much noise and vibration. You can deal with it but its not the weapon of choice. I've had great luck with an a-star and jet ranger and a Tyler nose mount.
www.florianstadler.com/army.html
Alex Atkinson
09-21-2008, 10:58 AM
what are you shooting?Going to be shooting Costa Rica aerials. Scenic stuff...thanks for the reply's.
Vigen Vartanov
09-21-2008, 12:30 PM
Russia Mi8 :) is best . Best vibration in the world
Pawel Achtel
09-21-2008, 01:30 PM
Going to be shooting Costa Rica aerials. Scenic stuff...thanks for the reply's.
First decide what camera mount you are going to use and then match a suitable aircaft. Helicopters used for filming are usually fined tuned and balanced. You may be able to get decent shots from fixed mount camera on an ultralight.
Best to get in touch with people that do aerials for living and do it well as helicopter time is expensive (around $2k per hour) and you would want to get the best possible outcome out of this time. Preparation, mount and experience of the pilot are the key.
Lastly, search this forum as there have been a good discusions on this subject before.
Good luck with your shoot.
Libra_Unlimited
10-15-2008, 04:00 AM
Actually the A-star helicopters only feel smooth on the inside. They are actually a fairly rough helicopter, but they reduce the vibration on the inside so it feels smoother than what it is. If you are filming with something mounted on the inside of the helicopter this would be fine. If you are using a mount on the outside, then a Jetranger would be better. The Libra head can be used on the Jetranger or Longranger, and works very well with the Red.