RC Helicopters for aerial video?

I've seen a lot of youtube videos of people using radio control helicopters (multicopters, octicopters, etc.) for aerial video work - using everything from GoPro to Canon 5D/7D and larger. Anyone have experience with this? How easy are these multicopters to operate safely (for the camera), and how expensicve are they? Seems like the perfect solution for the Rebel Filmmaker needing cheap aerial shots. I might not trust my 5D on one, but I'd send up a GoPro in a heatbeat.

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Matt Crunk
Fiveacre Films Inc.
Film and HD Video Production & Post Services

I have a blade quad copter. Its too small to carry even a gopro but people have put key chain cameras on it.
How hard is it to fly? I'm having a hard time getting it to hover on the spot as you have to anticipate the amount of lift you dial in. It doesn't have an "auto hover" mode, so it tends to get into oscillating up and down movements, followed by me panicking and letting it do a controlled crash. I've only flown it 3 times though so I expect I could get the hang of it. Its cheap enough you could get one just to play with.
http://youtu.be/YHCFch5OnGg

With a go pro you could very easily hang it from a kite.
http://www.arch.ced.berkeley.edu/kap/kaptoc.html
That would probably be cheaper and easier but of course you would be limited where and how you can shoot, but then a small quadcopter is going to have issues with stability in turbulence outdoors anyway.
Dave

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www.cmzpictures.com/

From the limited research that I've done, it takes a pretty beefy helicopter (quad, octo, what have you) to do this.
A new search brought up the Draganfly Octocopter http://www.draganfly.com/uav-helicopter/draganflyer-x8/index.php
Here's a really basic guide to diy aerial photography http://www.diyphotography.net/introduction-to-radio-controlled-helicopter-aerial-photography
My understanding is that you want a Series 700 heli. This is a sample kit with full electronics http://www.rc-expert.com/trex-700e-3g-super-combo-kx018e01-kx018e01-p-3926.html
To achieve smooth hovers, GPS's/autopilots are commonly used. This one seems to be pretty popular http://store.rcsupersales.net/servlet/-strse-4590/HeliCommand-Rigid-and-PC/Detail
And a motorized camera mount http://photoshipone.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4_7&products_id=135&zenid=sn46m5odf0cit0tsujo01ig116

All told, you're looking at about $2600 for your aerial platform. Estimate $250 in helicopter repairs per crash. Damage to the gimbal or camera would be extra.

If you're not familiar with RC helicopter flight, practice on smaller units until you get a feel for it. Crashes are expensive. Wink

Hey guys, haven't been here in a while, and saw this thread and had to post.

My brother started his own company called Pixair Productions, and their website is http://www.pixairpro.com/ .

Anyway, Brian and his team are very good at what they do, and they have a lot of experience doing it. Their setup costs in the $30k range, and they can fly pretty much anything from DSLRs to the Red Epic.

Anyway, check out their website for their demo reel and to get an idea of what's possible.

Steven