Camera first light

[tbzep]

This was the first flight of my little Aiptek Pen Cam. I think someone on this board pointed us to the Aiptek site where these little refurb units were being sold for about $10 plus shipping. It flew on a D12-5 powered Stormcaster which I modified because I don't like the fin location. I moved them back so that they touch the rear of the rocket like an Alpha. I recovered it in two separate halves and got the booster section hung in a tree. I've since built an 18mm twin motor booster for lower flights with common B6-4 motors because nobody around here carries C11's. This flight was earlier in the summer and I've just now gotten around to reporting it.

It's a little 1.3mp camera with video mode. These are screen caps from video mode.


http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y283/tbzep/Rockets/Pen%20Cam/Image1.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y283/tbzep/Rockets/Pen%20Cam/Image2.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y283/tbzep/Rockets/Pen%20Cam/Image3.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y283/tbzep/Rockets/Pen%20Cam/Image4.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y283/tbzep/Rockets/Pen%20Cam/Image5.jpg

[tbzep]

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y283/tbzep/Rockets/Pen%20Cam/Image6.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y283/tbzep/Rockets/Pen%20Cam/Image7.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y283/tbzep/Rockets/Pen%20Cam/Image8.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y283/tbzep/Rockets/Pen%20Cam/Image9.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y283/tbzep/Rockets/Pen%20Cam/Image10.jpg

[tbzep]

Here's the unfinished rocket lifting off. I always finish my rockets before flying. Maybe that's why the booster is still in a tree. :rolleyes:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y283/tbzep/Rockets/Pen%20Cam/DSC_0196.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y283/tbzep/Rockets/Pen%20Cam/DSC_0197.jpg

[CPMcGraw]

Sigh...

Now I've really got to look for one of those cameras and build something for it.

Like I don't have enough projects to keep me busy for the next few years... :o

Great shots from that Aiptek. Did you do anything special for mounting in the Stormcaster? Padding, or solid bracing? A little of both?

[rocketguy101]

Those are really nice, clear shots! Amazing for a $10 camera! Nice work. Maybe asking too much, but does the video have audio too?

[A Fish Named Wallyum]

Are any of the shots your property?
Did I ever mention that I got a picture of a curb once? :rolleyes:

[Rocket Doctor]

Great shots ....

Where did you send for the camera?

[tbzep]

I'll try to answer all the questions....

The first shot is my property....rocket is probably about 40-50 ft. altitude at that point. The liftoff shots are from my property also.

I cut a hole in the BT-60 that was big enough to put the whole lens through. I used a little strip of cardboard and some self sticking weather strip behind the camera to hold it...really simple and cheap, just like the camera. I turn the thing on, set it for video, and slip it into the payload section. Seconds before launch, I hit the switch to start filming and slip the friction fitted nosecone on. At that point, my kids hit the launch button. I thought about making access holes for the controls, but it isn't worth fooling with.

There's no audio with the camera. What do you expect for $10? :D

I got the camera directly from Aiptek. It's a refurb. Shipping was about as much as the cost of the camera.

I wanted to launch it again today, but my 12v digital launcher died on me after about the third launch and my other systems won't do clusters.