Camera Balls - Payload Balls
For years now, aerial photography is almost synonymous with aerostatics because
to lift cameras or camcorders is very easy thinking to balloons inflated with
gas lighter than air. Among the various shapes of balloons, the ball is still
the most classic, always a valuable tool to work in this field. The consolidated
experience in this field has led TecnoFly 2008 to the study of balloons used
exclusively for lifting external loads, the so-called Camera Balls, also called
Payload Balls, or spherical balloons for lifting.
Why a Camera Ball and not a simple spherical balloon ?
In practice, for example in the field of photography of archaeological sites,
there are two predominant factors: the versatility of the equipment you want to
use and convenience in performing the work. A Camera Ball is a ball strictly
made of polyurethane 100 microns thick (0.1 mm), resistant, elastic, easily
repairable and especially light. Camera Ball is lighter than a normal ball and
boasts the fact that the bottom pole has several anchor points like rings, made
of hard plastic, where you can fix various equipment with aluminum hooks, from
simple fixed rigs, oscillating brackets or sophisticated Three Axis Camera Mount
that TecnoFly 2008 proposes for professional applications where you use DSLR
cameras and camcorders of a certain value.
Is it better to choose a Camera Ball or a Camera Blimp ?
The substantial difference between the two balloons is obviously the shape, but
also the stability, as well as rigid surfaces that are present in the Camera
Blimp. In fact Camera Blimps, concentrating the maximum thrust at about two
thirds of the fuselage (starting from the bow) must necessarily cancel any
moment of rotation with the tail stabilizers, which while being lightweight
remain stiff even during transport. For transportation or storage of a Camera
Blimp you need a cardboard envelope, but not for the Camera Ball, because when
deflated folds into a tiny bag. This factor is predominant for example in case
of the archaeologists that have to move by air transporting luggage by hand. A
medium-sized Camera Ball enters into a backpack in hand, so easy for
transportation in the air without additional costs. Ultimately, Camera Balls
are more practical of Blimps. It should be remembered that a ball tends to
rotate once raised in the air. To cancel the rotational momentum of the globe
is therefore necessary to make use of a second lanyard, an operation which takes
place with two operators. Finally a ball is very easy to inflate, does not need
all the attention that are necessary for a Blimp.
Does it cost more a Camera Ball or a Camera Blimp ?
Camera Balls are cheaper than Camera Blimps with the same volume. For all price
information we suggest to send a request for proposal based on the type of
equipment to be lifted, and we will answer timely providing all the information.
How can I choose a Camera Ball ?
The choice of a professional balloon depends on the load to be lifted. It is
important to weigh first the whole rig you want to send up, an electronic scale
for fishing or kitchen will certainly be suitable for this purpose. Once the
weight is known you have to choose a balloon that has a useful lift at least
twice the load that you weighed. The typical mistake is to think that if a
balloon has a useful lift of 5 kg, for example, you can use the balloon to lift
5 kg of load. Unfortunately it is not so, because in this case the balloon
wouldn't have a gram of net lift. Rely on our experience before buying a camera,
ask to be contacted without a commitment from one of our operators, our
experience will disentangle doubt on the subject, and you will avoid possible
erroneous purchases. Write to info@tecnofly2008.com or
leave a message.