Photographers Set Up Remote Cameras for a Falcon 9 Rocket Launch

Описание: Spliced some raw behind-the-scenes footage from our SpaceX CRS-5 launch: Here's how photographers set up remote cameras prior to a Falcon 9 liftoff. SpaceX returns to flight Dec 19th
2:54 man for scale
3:20 liftoff

Here's how I got the shot:
At the time of the trip I had a Canon 7D and a Sony a7S (BTS footage filmed with the a7S). Most photographers are shooting stills using a sound activated trigger but I really wanted to try for a video. Despite tons of research I could not find a way to start and stop video via any trigger on either camera other than a physical IR button press remote. Here's where Macgyver comes in....

I wanted the a7S to film the launch from the observation point so that left the 7D a wide angle lens and some timelapse motion control gear from Dynamic Perception. Since the launch had an instantaneous window (meaning if there was a countdown delay of any kind the launch would have to be scrubbed for the day, and the cameras collected and reset) I knew exactly how much time until liftoff while setting up the night before. I used an MX3 controller with timer to fire a shutter trigger nine and change hours later to "wake" the camera from a low power sleep less than a minute before launch. Then the MX3 triggered a physical motor (with an extending plastic fork arm) to turn part of a revolution. This fork arm pressed the 'video start' button on a knockoff Canon IR remote that was taped and aimed at the camera's IR eye. I must have tested and reset it 10 times during setup.... the moment when collecting the cameras and seeing that it all worked! Mega life experience high......