Pole Mapping Kit Instructions
Pole mapping Kit instructions v 0.0.1
What does this thing do?
The Public Lab Pole Mapping Kit allows you to obtain an image from an aerial perspective of up to 30 feet using a small, point-and-shoot camera. We sell it primarily as an aerial mapping tool, one that provides low-level coverage. Public labbers have used this to map gardens, sensitive wetlands, and many areas where you want more close-ups or detail or where flight is not an option.
Additional uses:
event photography
large group photos
construction sites
landscapes
-Artistic images with unique perspectives
realtor property shots
confounding selfies
-Environmental monitoring
- any other application where getting a camera 30' in the air would be a good thing.
Specs/Description:
Total Pole Length: 11 meters
Weight: 1100 grams
Transport length: 158cm
Functional Camera Height: Dependent on weight of camera. A Mobius (http://publiclab.myshopify.com/products/mobius-actioncam) or similar style of "micro-camera" could be used on the 10 or 11 meter section. For a point and shoot camera of 100 grams or more you will need to be 3 or more sections down. For DSLRs it seems that 6 meters is max (once again weight dependent).
Carrying Capacity: Dependent on height and angle desired. The higher you go and the more extreme of angle the more stress on the pole. Lighter is better in all cases. Choose the highest quality camera that weighs the least.
Safety
- Carbon fiber is fragile! Be careful storing and taking it out and stepping on it.
- Do not use in electrical storms
- Do no use near power lines
- Secure items attached to pole to avoid falling objects.
- Carbon fiber splinters can cut you. If you break a pole, do not touch it with your bare hands. Wear gloves
- Pole has a lot of flex. Avoid sudden stops and starts with the pole, especially with weight of camera attached. Pole could snap, and camera could fall.
- ensure camera and payload is securely fastened to the pole before raising overhead
What's included
- 1 Ron Thomposon Carp Gangster carbon fiber fishing pole. Includes:
- 1 carrying bag
- 8 parts (nested, labelled segments 7a-1a, and unlabelled base segment)
- 1 replacement top kit (2 parts, Sections 1a, 2a)
- 2 end caps
Camera Mounting Hardware:
- 1 mini-ball tripod head
- 1 strip of foam tape
- pole mounting bracket (1 bracket, 1 1/4" thumbscrew screw, 1 1/2" thumbscrew, 1 wingnut)
- 1 8" thick walled pvc pipe
This pole consists of 8 parts, however you will only be using the 7 stoutest for the pole mapping.
Alternative Camera Mounts
A basic internet search which reveal many DIY methods for attaching a camera to a carp pole. Many of these are very inexpensive options that can work quite well. Shake and fitting tests on the planed section of mounting using dummy loads should reveal the soundness of whichever method is chosen.
Help! I can't get the poles out!
Sometimes nestled pole segments can become stuck, especially after transport. If you find the pole segments have become stuck inside one another, take the next smallest pole segement, and insert into the small end of the stuck pole segments, small end first. Push until stuck segment is freed, then pull all segments apart.
Example: 5a is stuck inside 6a. To get it out, take the smaller (non-numbered) end of 4a and push it into the smaller (non-numbered) end of 6a (the stuck pair). Push gently again the stuck segment (5a) to loosen and let it slide out.
Assembling the pole
We chose this pole specifically because it is a stacking design, which ensures the pole will not collapse with the weight of the camera, as it might with a telescoping design. This does involve having to manually assemble the segments.
We recommend fully unpacking and laying out the segments, ideally on a soft flat surface, such as grass or soft dirt. If you can, have a partner work with you to keep any part of the assembled pole from contacting the ground, as the carbon fiber poles are fragile and prone to chipping on hard surfaces.
If working as a pair, have one person take the thickest part of the pole and walk away, while the other person adds each segment in order. Add segments one at a time until you have added the 2A segment. This is the smallest segment you will use.
Then, slide on the grey PVC sleeve, with camera mounting hardware, and press gently down until it seats.
If working alone, you may find it easier to assemble the pole by first staging the segments on the ground. If you are working on a hard surface, you may want to place a towel or other cloth beneath the base of the stoutest pole to protect it as you work.
Breakdown and storage of the pole
A bush, grassy area, pair of saw horses, portable table, truck bed or even two cardboard boxes can be pressed into service as pole disassembly areas.
Helpful tip:
When storing the pole it is wise to ensure sections are clean (especially the joints) and simply load the sections back into the main one. Wipes or napkins should be carried on imaging sessions. That said these poles are fishing items and are likely able to tolerate some degree of grime.
Walking with the pole
High(er) shutter speeds will negate any flex that possibly occurs and image stitching software when given good overlap will easily handle any minor changes of view caused by flex. A flag carrying pouch is highly recommended if mobility is required.
Carefully plan movements and "feel" the pole. Guide the pole but corrections need to be smooth and sudden movements avoided. Dramatic video shots can be gained once one is "one with the pole".
Actually taking photos
Cameras with intervalometer functions or cameras with firmware hacks that allow intervalometer timing are great. Video can be used and put into programs such as Microsoft ICE and be converted into imagery. Self timers when set on continuous shooting mode will usually snap a number of photos (5-10 depending on camera). Other methods outlined for use on BAP or KAP rigs can are workable as well. https://publiclab.org/wiki/camera-trigger
Processing Imagery
Microsoft ICE (http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/um/redmond/projects/ice/) is a free Image composite editor and very useful in PAP.
Using Ground Control Points
See these articles: http://diydrones.com/profiles/blogs/ground-control-points-gcps-for-aerial-photography