Mounting a Canon DSLR Instead of a GoPro in C172?

[flyerfocus]

I'm interested in mounting a camera from the interior ceiling of a Cessna 172 and recording video while flying. I was looking at getting a GoPro but it occurred to me I already have a Canon 5D MK IV DSLR which is capable of shooting 4K video. Has anyone managed to mount a Canon DSLR to a GoPro mount in a C172 who can tell what kind of adapter mount I might need to get this going? I'd rather save the $400 for a new GoPro if I can.

 

[Sinistar]

I tried mounting a Sony A7sII with a adapter and a Canon EF 50f.14 lens. I used the same suction cup that I use for the go pro. I have a 1" ram ball to standard 1/4x20 tripod thread adapter. The A7sII is pretty dense but is definitely smaller than the 5DMKIV. This was to film some night flight since the A7sII is stellar for night video. But I always felt it was "just about to pop off". Now with the Skylane prop balanced I think it would be a bit better but for a heavy DSLR and any type of heavy lens I think you would want dual suction cup.

I tried the same setup from the little plastic go pro location up above in the center ceiling (same as 172) and way, way to dainty. I would think you would want to remove at least (2) of the overhead light trim screws, find longer ones and then place a bar across it and then to camera threads. Plus that is a big camera and it will be very close to your head in the 172/182 setup.

I hope @Martin Pauly chimes in. I think he is shooting a larger DSLR or larger video camera from a setup where it is mounted on the floor and in back which might work better for you.

Not to keen on Matt G's YouTube channel anymore but he was flying with a fairly heavy dedicated cinema camera (cube shaped) I think suction cup mounted on his Bo windows.

For overhead I am thinking a Sony RX100 would be a lot better. I just might buy one to try it out. I use my friends and its such a cool camera. Plus some have a built in ND filters for day time prop blur fun.

 

[Martin Pauly]

I hope @Martin Pauly chimes in. I think he is shooting a larger DSLR or larger video camera from a setup where it is mounted on the floor and in back which might work better for you.

I don't think I'll be much help. I've used a mirrorless camera (Sony A7iii) once on a night flight where low low light performance and a longer lense were critical. It was a very calm night, and I got pretty nice shots by resting the camera on the glareshield and just pointing it outside. Not something I'd want to do on a routine basis. I'll include that video below if you want to see the results - just realize there are various GoPro shots in there as well, but I think it'll be pretty obvious which clips were recorded with the Sony.

The other thing I do more often is put a camcorder on a tripod behind the copilot seat. The camcorder is an older Canon model - nothing fancy, but the ability to control exposure really helps when recording electronic instruments/displays.

Vibration is very much an issue. I have not found a good way to mount a heavier camera for recording regular flights. I'd love to try that and would be thrilled to hear some ideas.

Oh, the other time I used a Sony (an A7siii, actually) was for the IFD tutorial series I did last year. But for those the aircraft was on the ground without the engine running, so that's not really answering the question. But the picture was excellent - 10 bit color depth offers a tremendous amount of flexibility for postproduction and for making these displays look pretty.

- Martin

 

[Skip Miller]

Canon 5Ds are heavy sumbitches. Make sure your mount can handle the weight.

-Skip

 

[Sinistar]

Your night video looked similar to my "much lesser" dabbling. The Sony cameras (sensors) really kick arse. But you have to admit, the gopro scenes spliced in aren't wildly different...close enough that go pro has also come a long way.

For stable night video I think the only somewhat viable option is a gimbal. They make some darned good ones that can fly a A7 series body and large lens. But I yhink you'd need another person on board to hold and operate and this just lots of smaller clips.

I think there are some small gimbals that detach from their main handles and if it was somehow mounted to the aircraft, might work.

But gimbal shots don't pitch roll and yaw with the plane so shots can look fun but also a lot of scenes look wrong.

 

[Martin Pauly]

I have a gimbal for the Sony (from Ronin). It’s excellent on the ground, but I can’t fly and hold/operate the gimbal at the same time.

Many of my recent recordings had 8 cameras running - between price, utility, the space they take up and the ease of operation, it’s hard to beat the GoPro for that kind of mission.

- Martin

 

[Silvaire]

You'd probably be better off with a cameraman in the back seat.

 

[Cap'n Jack]

How about mounting it on a tripod in the usual way, put the tripod in the back seats and secure it somehow- maybe to the seatbelts?

 

[Jackk]

How about mounting it on a tripod in the usual way, put the tripod in the back seats and secure it somehow- maybe to the seatbelts?

I was just about to post this.

Hanging, unless you’re going to fabricate something, that a good bit of weight, think it would be a risk to the and your head and make for shaky video.

A secured tripod would be how I would do it.