Bluefin TV Take To The Air

Bluefin Television have been covering aerial photography for many years, more recently using their own drone equipment but also using third party suppliers depending on client requirements.

We have been filming from fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters for many years, from door-off hand-held work and basic pedestal mounts through to Cineflex HD, Shotover F1 and the latest radio-controlled gimbal-mount systems controlled from inside the aircraft.

However over the last few years, with drone technology improving all the time and decent cameras getting lighter, remote-controlled small unmanned Aircraft (SUA's) filming has really come into its own.

There seem to be two markets developing, the lower budget end where a client might simply want a few aerial shots to give alternative angles and a bit of wow factor, to the higher-end aerial commercial filming using SUA's costing from £3-£7k upwards.

Of course the safety training is paramount and to get CAA Approval to fly for any commercial gain all pilots today must go through rigorous training and flight testing before the CAA will approve them.

If you are only flying a small drone this can seem like overkill but the fact is you have to work to an equivalent level to that of a pilot.

You have to understand the rules of the air and also be very clear about where you can fly your drone. These rules are only going to get tougher.

Today you can buy a decent drone/SUA with integrated 4K camera – the DJI Phantom 4 Pro comes to mind – plus the other add-ons you need for under £2k.

That is probably the entry level type machine for anyone wanting to shoot quality 4K footage for social media use.

If you want to shoot to a higher level you could consider the DJI Inspire 1 with X5r camera which would give quality similar to a Panasonic GH4 camera or the DJI Matrice 600 & Ronin MX which can take a RED Weapon – at this stage in the game it would be hard to improve on the quality this offers.

There are some excellent aerial filming operators out there who have established themselves over the years. If we have high-end client requirements those are the people we use but with drone technology improving all the time and the appetite for aerial shots unabated it makes sense to have options available to suit every budget.

For our purchases, repairs, advice and training we use, Build Your Own Drone, a Hampshire-based company who offer an excellent personal service.

Bluefin Television supply equipped camera-crews to both broadcast & corporate clients and also offer equipment dry-hire and specialist filming services.

www.bluefintv.com

(JP/LM)