Aerial photographs in survey

[Howard Frederick]

Hi all -

Am working up the results of an SRF survey in Kafue National Park right now, and going through the hundreds of digital photographs we took along the way. Wanted to share my experiences and get feedback on what others are doing ...

Camera positions:

• We're using cameras from inside the plane, in the rear-seat observer's position; pictures are taken through the perspex window for any group > 20 animals.
  
• Recently in a WCS survey we tried mounting the cameras on the windows (using suction mounts) and it worked pretty well, though the heavier professional cameras are probably at the limit of what the suction mount can effectively stabilise. 
• Anyone have experience with cameras mounted on the windows / struts?

Cameras:

• We've tried Nikon D40 / D70 / D200 / D2X and all have about the same quality of picture (the perspex is the limiting factor) - that quality being "barely adequate" much of the time, I must admit. 
• D40's are cheap and light and the batteries last a long time - my preferred choice (as would be the lighter Canons); has anyone tried using a 'point and shoot' semi-pro or have any other recommendations?
  
• Focus is set on manual and electrical tape fixes the focus at infinity.
  
• Lenses: zooms are too bulky (end up with scratches on window too!) - 24-28mm fixed seem to be about right (small, correct angle of view).
• What are others using?

By far the biggest issue is observer training in use of the cameras. Bringing the camera up to the eye and getting a set of decently framed, overlapping pictures is difficult for many observers (this is where the Conservation Air system is much better). We waste 1-2 hours of flight time training observers in camera use; with the cost of flying a light aircraft, buying window mounts & cable releases probably pay for themselves in a single survey season!

Comments / advice?

Regards -

Howard Frederick

[Miguel Almeida Bruno]

Hi Frederick,

 

I had some experience with cameras in aircraft when I made a survey in Angola in Kuando Kubango province.

We mount the cameras on structure aluminium box on the out side of the windows. We use cables for take the pictures.

My camera are D30 Canon in that box structure and works well.

 

All your equipment looks great for that job, but some times I use in my aerial transepts 17-40mm Canon and no problem. It works!

 

What kind of software for GIS works do you use?

I use OziExplorer and I’m very happy.

Have you some maps for share or change?

 

All the best,

 

Miguel Bruno

 

---

[Howard Frederick]

Hi Miguel -

Do you have a photo of the aluminium box you're using on the windows? I'd like to see how it looks attached to the window, and some details of how it's constructed.

We were thinking of strut-mounted cameras but were concerned about access to the cameras (taking pictures and not being able to see if they're working or not) and

I use ArcGIS 9.x for most of my mapping work, but a lot of the geoprocessing I actually do in Microsoft Excel. I am hoping to be able to use QGIS and OpenOffice in the future though. (Can't seem to format maps as nicely in QGIS yet).

Maps ... I've uploaded one example (elephant density in Luangwa) to the "Files" section of this Group site (http://groups.google.com/group/african-wildlife-survey/files) later this evening. What are you interested in - density maps, flight lines, ?

Cheers - Howard Frederick

2008/12/22 Miguel Almeida Bruno <adventu...@gmail.com>

[Simbamangu]

(actually the file upload isn't working from my terribly slow
connection; will do this by tomorrow morning)

[Miguel Almeida Bruno]

Frederick,

 

I have to check in my Office where I have thousands of photos…I’m going to check for you. But I’m not shore if I have that photo.

Maybe an accidental photo!!?? Be hind me next to the plain or something like that.

If I can not find it I send you a design by e-mail. That’s Ok for you? Use your imagination… find someone to make pieces for vehicles and design you’re won box. Its easy.

 

Ok. ArcGIS or QGis are too must complicated. Doesn’t?

OziExplorer it’s too simple and you have all necessary tools for that work. But I never work with that software’s, just with Ozi.

 

About the maps I need some topographic maps 100k or 200k from Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia for calibrate to Ozi.

 

Give-me your e-mail address and I send you an example.

 

Tks,

[Miguel Almeida Bruno]

Eheheheheh, África!!!
Where are you? In Zambia?

You have to buy a Satellite Antenna

http://www.thrane.com/Land%20Mobile/Products/EXPLORER%20500.aspx

If dont ...you die!!

M i g u e l B r u n o

-----Mensagem original-----
De: african-wil...@googlegroups.com
[mailto:african-wil...@googlegroups.com] Em nome de Simbamangu
Enviada: segunda-feira, 22 de Dezembro de 2008 15:51
Para: African Wildlife Survey

Assunto: [AfrWildSurvey] Re: Aerial photographs in survey

[Grant Hopcraft]

Hi Howard,

Just a quick comment ... we tried some up-market point-and-shoot cameras a few years ago with the Serengeti censuses.  To make a long story short they were a waste of time and money.  We had auto-focusing problems with the plexy-glass windows when they were on auto settings, and on manual settings we had problems with shutter-speeds and light settings.  And at the end of the day the pictures were all pretty crappy resolution.  We had much better success last year when we borrowed your cameras.

Salaams
grant

Grant Hopcraft

Frankfurt Zoological Society

PO Box 14935

Arusha, Tanzania

email: <granth...@fzs.org>

Tel: + 255 (0) 28 262 1506

Fax: +255 (0) 28 262 1537

www.serengetidata.org