Cameras

35mm film cameras:
We give below main features of 3 cameras meeting needs of the kite aerial photographer.

Yashica T5 Olympus mju-II canon EOS3000
Reference Yashica T4/T5 Olympus mju-II Canon EOS500/3000
Lens 35mm F3.5 35mm F2.8 36-76mm zoom
Shutter release manual manual manual and electric
Dimensions 118 x 65 x 40mm 108 x 59 x 37mm 146 x 92 x 125mm
Weight 235g 175g 590g with zoom


Olympus mju-II is the 35mm compact camera that is today the best choice for the kite aerial photographer due to its low weight and its bright f2.8 lens.
Yashica T4 or T5 is also a good choice, but it is heavier than the mju-II and is no longer distributed.
To get sharper photos than compact cameras can offer, a reflex camera is mandatory. A good choice is CANON EOS 3000 (I don't know the US name), which is a very good value for money: it has an electric shutter release connector, and its weight is low for such a camera. If you change the low quality zoom by a 35 or 50mm lens, you can get top quality.

Choice criteria:
  • 35mm film versus APS for better definition
  • Bright lens for high speed exposure
  • Automatic film advance
  • Low weight
  • No automatic shut off system
  • Electric shutter release capability

    • Digital cameras:
    Digital camera are now used by kite aerial photographers, who get benefit from following features:
  • Opportunity to take lots of pictures without any film and developing expense
  • Opportunity to have results immediately on the field
  • Video output making a video feedback simple to build

    However, conventional film cameras keep the advantage in other points:
  • 35mm film cameras are cheaper than digital ones (but the difference goes down with years)
  • Digital camera resolution is not compatible with large prints

    Olympus Camedia C1 (or c-you) is a digital 1.3Mpixel camera which meets kite aerial photographer requirements: bright lens, video output and no auto shut-off. An other advantage is that Camedia C1 is powered with 2 standard AA batteries. Modification to electrically release Camedia C1 is described below.
    • Camedia C1
    Olympus
    Camedia C1

    Electrical shutter release of mju-II
    Electrical shutter release of a camera brings many advantages: no need of servomotor and mechanical parts, and no risk of unwanted vibration during shutter release. As compact 35mm cameras don't have this capability, the only way is to customize them. We show bellow how to add an electrical shutter release on an Olympus mju-II.
    Such a customization is not without risks of damage for the camera, due to the extremely miniaturized electronic parts in it. Don't start such an operation if you are not familiar with high integrated electronics and don't have the appropriate tool set.
    Important: the customization described here makes the shutter release button out of order.


    mju-II back view
    mju-II back view (opened)


    mju-II schematics
    Electrical schematics
    		 Bill of material:
    - thin soldering iron
    - very thin copper wire (wrapping type)
    - 2 1N4148 diodes and 2 1kohm 1/4W resistors
    - subminiature connector with 2 contacts

    Instructions:
    1. Unscrew the 4 screws under the back door of the camera.
    2. Open the camera.
    3. Make a hole in the left corner and fix the connector. Check that light can't enter the camera through the connector.
    4. Take away the shutter strip to make the printed wires visible (after this step the shutter release button will be no more operational).
    5. Solder 3 wires as shown on the picture.
    6. Wire the 2 diodes and 2 resistors which will be placed in the niche at left corner. Insulate all wires.
    7. Put together the 2 shelves. Be careful to the wires routing inside the camera.
    8. Screw the 2 shelves.
    9. Check the camera: a short circuit between the 2 pins of the connector release the shutter.
    Remark: a customization of the mju-II without loosing the manual release button is possible. To do so, you have first to remove the coating of the printed circuit board tracks with a razor blade, then solder the 3 wires directly on the tracks. This operation is described in Christian Becot's web site (see links page).

    Electrical shutter release of Camedia C1
    To add an electrical shutter release in a Camedia C1 is far more simple than in a mju-II. You only have to remove the 4 screws to see a printed circuit board where the 3 contacts of the shutter release button are very easy to locate. Pictures bellow illustrate how the customization has been made for the digital video cradle. 10kohms resistors have been wired in series to protect internal components against electrostatic shocks. A 5 pins connector is used: 3 connected to the shutter release, 2 connected to the Camedia batteries to power the cradle.

    Camedia C1
    Opened Camedia C1    		 Camedia C1
    shutter release wiring    		 Camedia C1
    connector
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