Beginner Camera choice - need help !

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Stoo1701

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Hi Guys, recently got into business as an aerial/drone photographer, have landed a Civil Engineering contract that needs a bit of ground photography on site.

I was contemplating a DSLR, I got my daughter a 750d at Xmas and it seems pretty amazing.. But I have a few questions.

The shots I need to take are not compositional masterpieces, more site features.. Bridges being built, hills being carved etc. Part of my plan is to use a large'ish 12-14m Carbon monopole (easy-carry with footplate, about £350) to get the camera up for some semi-aerial work.

Will a DSLR be unwieldy at to top of such a pole?

Would I be better of with a smaller mirrorless camera ? (Bearing in mind I may use it as camera 2 on other shoots like weddings etc (prob won't be primary photographer at a wedding)

I'm happy to learn what I must and pay my dues in terms of learning how to compose/take decent pictures, but I also need to just snap pictures without worrying too much about aperture/iso and whatnot.

With a budget of around £5-600.. What would be the best option? (I payed about £480 for the 750D)

For the most part, I need something I can carry & take the best shots (in terms of detail/resolution) I can I varying light conditions/weather. Decent video would be useful also as I can extract images from footage to good effect.

Any/all opinions welcome and appreciated.
 
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A Fuji X-T10 & 27mm should do the trick, and using the iPad/smartphone ap you can actually see what you're shooting.....
 
As above for that money nothing better or nicer to use than the XT-10

Don't overlook the 16-50 kit lens though it's very capable
 
I think with what you want to do, putting a camera on a pole, a lighter camera with wifi shooting capability is a must. A DSLR like the Canon 750D will be heavy particularly once you've added a reasonable lens on it.
You could also look at smaller cameras like the Canon EOS M10 and the Fuji XE2S to make it lighter.

But, if you're a drone person, why are you not using a drone hovering to take these sorts of shots?
12-14 metres (or did you mean feet) is really high and manhandling a pole that long will be tricky enough without having to put a camera on top.
You'll probably need an assistant to hold the pole steady while you use a smartphone/ipad to focus and fire the shot.
Besides, how will you transport a pole that long?

The drone camera people I know use lighter small cameras like the Panasonic GH4 and Sony A7. So those are also worth considering.
 
Thanks guys, have looked into a GH4 as its a standard in the larger drones due to its excellent 4K.

I could get the drone up to 12m but any flight takes meticulous planning/risk assessment etc, If I don't need to be properly up, a pole is a great alternative, esp in less than clement weather. Mast is also preferred option around the public for events etc..

Are we all unanimous on Fuji Xt10? Would the 16-50 kit lens be adequate for getting good shadow detail under bridges for eg?

Thank you for your advice so far, so much better than trying to assimilate the entire camera market and work down !!
 
I use the 16-50 almost all the time and find it more than acceptable - I'm sure if you paid more and accepted the weight penalties you could get better though !

These were taken on a 16-50 mk ii - I could have pulled a lot more out of the shadows but wanted to add to the framing







Hope that helps !
 
To balance things out Fuji are not known for the quality of their video - apart from the XT-2 !
 
Certainly does, and I have just found out my pro photographer pal has a Fuji for sale.. Fingers x'd look like just the ticko [emoji106] cheers Justa1972 and others [emoji106]
 
Hmmmm friend is asking too much for my pocket, but he does have a killer lens with it, but inhale no real use for that.. So onwards..

I have noticed a Sony nex-5r on eBay, £300 with a 18-55 OSS lens that apparently cost £250 alone.. Bearing in mind that my s***s will be more site-documenting than artful.. Would you consider it decent enough for the money?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131890473766

Or do you really think paying twice as much would reap dividends in my scope of work?
 
I know what you are suggesting HoppyUk but with all due respect it isn't rocket surgery pal, it's just a very long selfie stick lol, well, a 12m Carbon telescopic monopole with a footplate. Connect camera to app, mount camera in pole, raise pole & take shots.. (Not necessarily at 12m. ) As a drone pilot I will have an assistant with me either way [emoji106]
 
Stoo1701 said:
I know what you are suggesting HoppyUk but with all due respect it isn't rocket surgery pal, it's just a very long selfie stick lol, well, a 12m Carbon telescopic monopole with a footplate. Connect camera to app, mount camera in pole, raise pole & take shots.. (Not necessarily at 12m. ) As a drone pilot I will have an assistant with me either way [emoji106]
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Not rocket science, but the basic common sense required is not coming over in your posts. This is not as easy as you seem to think, and potentially very dangerous near people. Practise somewhere safe, and suggest using a dummy camera to avoid costly mistakes.
 
Stoo1701 said:
The shots I need to take are not compositional masterpieces, more site features.. Bridges being built, hills being carved etc
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Granted, you don't need a superdooper body for that
but, since you will not control the light in any case, the
D750 will permit better images through it DR, lower light
flexibility and others. I would recommend it for sure!
 
Thanks Hoppy, the practise advice certainly is common sense, but I came here to discuss camera choice.. Not to prove my credentials or seek approval for my H&S practices. I have no plans to obtain a dummy camera, but a weight was part of the plan of getting a feel for the pole. Your considerations are appreciated, but I would also appreciate my post being kept on topic. Thanks ! :)
 
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