Martin Murphy
Member
I'm wondering if anyone out there has experience using the GH4 on a drone? I'm looking for recommendations for the cheapest drone that can handle the weight of the GH4 with a pancake lens, any leads are greatly appreciated.
GH4 GH4 Drone
- Thread starter Martin Murphy
- Start date
Nate Haustein
Well-known member
Align has a new quadcopter & hexacopter that accept a matching Align GH4 gimbal. The M480 and M690 I belive. Early results look good to me.
stevetownsend
Member
There is great footage out there using a DJI S900 and the Zenmuse GH4-HD gimbal. I have the gimbal on a bespoke uav and it is very impressive.
The gimbal is the most important part and very expensive on its own. Wish I had bought the S900 package, much cheaper.
The gimbal is the most important part and very expensive on its own. Wish I had bought the S900 package, much cheaper.
Martin Murphy
Member
Thanks for these recommendations, very helpful. I'm just starting to get into the Drone/Copter options - it looks like copters are starting around $1200 and gimbals are near $2000. Do you know if there's anything cheaper (for both the copter and gimbal) that would support a GH4?
This is a quick demo of a multi-roter UAV flying a GH3, https://vimeo.com/111284113 Steve the man flying it is also a licensed pilot.
David W. Jones
Veteran
IMHO, that budget is way too low for a working package which supports the GH4.
I have crunched the numbers many times for a proper ready to fly setup, and they hover right around $8K- $9K or better.
Mark Williams
Veteran
That was a very interesting video. Steve seems very talented. But even with his skill level is flying in a residential area with traffic going up and down the street advisable?
Martin Murphy
Member
Thanks for the info David, this helps
Mark Williams
Veteran
This is what I have my sights on http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1087071-REG/walkera_talih500_hexacopter_with_fpv_gimbal.html
It is a RTF package with nothing to add except camera. It is getting pretty good reviews.
It is a RTF package with nothing to add except camera. It is getting pretty good reviews.
Mark, that isn't going to fly a GH4. That's GoPro sized.
As for cost, the S900/Zenmuse GH4 combo is $3800 at B&H. That gets you the hex frame, motors, ESCs, flight controller and gimbal. To get it in the air from there you're looking at a flight control radio ($400-600), a gimbal control radio (another $400-600), battery(ies) at $200-400 each, a charger and power supply that can charge big-ass batteries in a reasonable time ($400-500). Then you'll probably want a case to transport it around ($600) because throwing your $6000 UAS into your trunk isn't super good for it. Oh, the Zenmuse gimbal also requires that you fly the GH4 with a specific lens... the Olympus 12mm f/2.0... so figure in what that costs if you don't already have it.
So, you're looking at around $6500 to get a fly-able S900 rig not counting the camera/lens. Certainly not cheap, but not terribly expensive either.
Now, lets back up a bit and talk about what you asked for... the "cheapest drone that can fly a GH4". I'd recommend looking for something that's reliable more so than cheap. Even if the drone itself only cost you $3000, with GH4 and lens that means you're putting $5000 in the air. You're also flying something that's going to be relatively heavy (S900/GH4 setup is about 12-14 lbs.).
For everyone in the hobby's sake, if you're looking for the cheap route either just get a Phantom and fly a GoPro or hire in your aerials. Cutting corners when you have a potentially deadly flying lawnmower in the air is just going to lead to pain.
In fact, if you have to ask what it'll take to get a GH4 in the air I'd argue you're not even CLOSE to ready to fly a GH4. Start small (Phantom or smaller) and learn how to fly before you blow $10k in a spectacular crash and/or hurt someone.
As for cost, the S900/Zenmuse GH4 combo is $3800 at B&H. That gets you the hex frame, motors, ESCs, flight controller and gimbal. To get it in the air from there you're looking at a flight control radio ($400-600), a gimbal control radio (another $400-600), battery(ies) at $200-400 each, a charger and power supply that can charge big-ass batteries in a reasonable time ($400-500). Then you'll probably want a case to transport it around ($600) because throwing your $6000 UAS into your trunk isn't super good for it. Oh, the Zenmuse gimbal also requires that you fly the GH4 with a specific lens... the Olympus 12mm f/2.0... so figure in what that costs if you don't already have it.
So, you're looking at around $6500 to get a fly-able S900 rig not counting the camera/lens. Certainly not cheap, but not terribly expensive either.
Now, lets back up a bit and talk about what you asked for... the "cheapest drone that can fly a GH4". I'd recommend looking for something that's reliable more so than cheap. Even if the drone itself only cost you $3000, with GH4 and lens that means you're putting $5000 in the air. You're also flying something that's going to be relatively heavy (S900/GH4 setup is about 12-14 lbs.).
For everyone in the hobby's sake, if you're looking for the cheap route either just get a Phantom and fly a GoPro or hire in your aerials. Cutting corners when you have a potentially deadly flying lawnmower in the air is just going to lead to pain.
In fact, if you have to ask what it'll take to get a GH4 in the air I'd argue you're not even CLOSE to ready to fly a GH4. Start small (Phantom or smaller) and learn how to fly before you blow $10k in a spectacular crash and/or hurt someone.
Mark Williams
Veteran
Agreed, I don't know why I thought it could carry a GH4. But it is an interesting craft for carrying a Gopro. I am learning now on a small quadcopter that cannot carry a camera. I am hoping to upgrage to the Walkera Tali H500 in about 6 months.
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Also remember that the FAA has claimed authority to prohibit all commercial operations that use so called sUAVs (drones) to acquire video footage.
You can do this as a hobby with some altitude and proximity based restrictions, but commercial operations are prohibited.
You can do this as a hobby with some altitude and proximity based restrictions, but commercial operations are prohibited.
Avoid Walkera
Avoid Walkera
Unless Walkera has changed DRASTICALLY in the last few years, don't even think about it. I've had a few of their small helis and compared to similar small helis of the same time, they were the worst crap. They all required a ton of modding to just get them to fly. It only gets worse from there. Align and DJI would be a much better bet. Even if they were twice the price they would still be cheaper than the Walkera in the end. Walkera was/likely still is the same quality as mall kiosk flying toys.
Avoid Walkera
Unless Walkera has changed DRASTICALLY in the last few years, don't even think about it. I've had a few of their small helis and compared to similar small helis of the same time, they were the worst crap. They all required a ton of modding to just get them to fly. It only gets worse from there. Align and DJI would be a much better bet. Even if they were twice the price they would still be cheaper than the Walkera in the end. Walkera was/likely still is the same quality as mall kiosk flying toys.