Watch out for de-focussing cameras!!

[AnthonyRC]

I had a close call the other day... almost lost the plane.
Was flying at about 4,000 ft with a depron-dragon clone, purely by GPS and video, plane was just a spec in the sky, and approached some clouds. The video 'fogged up' (or so I thought) and I started wishing that I'd fitted wipers to the camera...

Anyway, after bringing it back by GPS, foggy video, and eventually sight, there wasn't any moisture on the lense, strange I thought, it couldn't have burned off that quickly...

What had really happened was that the grub-screw holding the focussing assembly of the BWAV video camera had vibrated loose, and then the focus had drifted off. Doh!.

For those of you with similar cameras it might be worth wrapping a thin layer of scotch tape (or similar) around the camera 'neck' to prevent this from happening!

Has anyone else had experience with this? (or at least the problem that I thought I had). How does one clean the camera lense at altitude?

[typicalaimster]

I noticed my camera is jiggling a little. I haven't tightened it yet but I've tried twisting the lens.. It won't move.

[Arp]

Has anyone else had experience with this?
When I still flew a GSmart Mini 3, I had to stop the objective in optimal position with droplets of glue. Before this measure, it refused to give clear enough photos.

I used wood glue, but thermal glue might be better.

[kd7ost]

I use BWAV and Super circuits camera's with mini lenses. I've never flown any camera without first loosening that screw, then making sure I had a tight focus. When I tighten the locking screw I always get it pretty tight. I'm sure tighter than when it came. I've never had one vibrate loose in many hours of flying and have never thought to lock in the screw. I fly gas and glow. I might try a low strength loctite now based on your experience. You can never be too safe huh? Thanks for passing it along.

Dan

[JettPilot]

If you get into a cloud with lots of moisture and do fog up your lens, or get droplets on it, the moisture will dissapear almost IMMIDATELY after exiting the cloud. You would be amazed how quickly the airflow in a moving airplane will dry every trace of moisture once you exit wet conditions. You will never need a wiper or anything like that unless flying in rain.

I just use tape around my lens rings and focus to keep them from turning. I dont want to put glue on my camera...

[Tristar500]

I secure my lens from moving with a really small dab of Goop glue. It holds it in place for as long as you want but will come loose if you really want it off. I use a lot of the stuff for similar reasons.

Lawrence :cool: