RTI and Photogrammetry Shopping List

[nico]

Hello I'm working on a grant budget and I thought I'd share our equipment shopping list to invite comment and in case it's useful to others.

 

Canon 6D body $1,500 (fullframe, GPS + Wifi lightweight DSLR) https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/892349-REG/Canon_8035b002_EOS_6D_Digital_Camera.html

Camera Extra battery and charger $115  https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/590433-REG/Canon_3348B001_LC_E6_Battery_Charger.html

SfM PHOTOGRAMMETRY

CHI scale bars $500 10 different coded bars of various sizes http://culturalheritageimaging.org/What_We_Offer/Gear/Scale_Bars/index.html

Ring flash $38 No shadows flash https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1123550-REG/aputure_ahl_hc100_amaran_halo_led.html

Wonderpole (150cm to 6.4m) $170 For landscapes and rockart https://www.wonderpole.com/camera-pole/

Shimpo (BW22L) turntable for  objects  $62 Model depends on size. Med height neck good for below subject view. http://shimpoceramics.com/bandingwheels.html

Background neutral cloths (black,gray,white)      

Small soccer cones as targets for study area $12 multicolor low markers https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B002I4U58I/ref=sr_1_6_olp?ie=UTF8&qid=1476643251&sr=8-6&keywords=soccer+cones&condition=new

Fisheye lens $300 maybe 14 or 18mm for tight photogrammetry            

RTI

CHI Starter Sphere set for RTI $385   http://culturalheritageimaging.org/What_We_Offer/Downloads/rti_kits.html

Speedlite 600EXII RT $500 Remote integrated https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/847537-REG/Canon_5296B002_Speedlite_600EX.html

Speedlite Transmitter $300 (is there a cheaper way?) https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/847531-REG/Canon_5743B002_ST_E3_RT_Speedlite_Transmitter.html

QP color card QP101 3 pack $18 gray and color https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/286667-REG/QP_Card_GQP101_Qp_Calibration_Card_101.html

Xrite ColorChecker calibration $84 high end color card https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/651253-REG/X_Rite_MSCCPP_ColorChecker_Passport.html#!

Tripod with reversable mast $220 aluminum https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/655225-REG/Induro_472_413_Alloy_8M_AT413_Tripod.html

50mm lens for 6D (72mm) $350 https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/12140-USA/Canon_2515A003_50mm_f_1_4_USM_Autofocus.html

TOTAL: $4554

Comments welcome! Note that we already have a Photoscan Pro license and we have an investment in Canon lenses already (a 24mm fixed and a zoom). The Canon 6D is particularly attractive because it is light weight full-frame so easier to maneuver on a pole. Will likely need fisheye because full-frame is more zoomed in.

We're also budgeting for more GPU ram in our computers (NVIDIA Geoforce from 2gb to 4gb)

[cdschroer]

Thanks for sharing Nico - I hope it sparks some discussion, and as you say, it's always good to have a list to start from.

 

One quick note is that it's the cropped sensor cameras (such as the Canon Rebels) that are "more zoomed in" and it is harder to go wide with those cameras.  the 6D is a full frame sensor camera, so a 24mm lens acts like a true 24 mm lens.  We find that the fixed 24mm lens works well for photogrammetry and is our primary "workhorse" lens.  I'll note that Canon makes a less expensive  (EF-S mount) one that only works on the APS-C (cropped) sensor cameras.  with the 6D you need the EF version.  (Which will also work on the cropped sensor cameras).  There is one for ~$550, and a much more expensive "L" lens.  the $550 is great for photogrammetry.

 

There are other flash options and flash triggering options depending on your budget.  The 600EXII gets good reviews (we have older flash units)  If you get something less expensive without the built in radio trigger, then you have to trigger it with Pocket wizards (on the high end) or there are less expensive alternatives such as the PaulC Buff Cybersync trigger sets.  I haven't used them, so can't speak to the reliability, but we have other gear from them that we are happy with.  http://paulcbuff.com/cybersync.php

 

I don't see a ball head on your list.  You definitely need that for mounting the camera.  Lots of options there at different prices.  You will also want a monopod for photogrammetry - and sometimes RTI, for moving a light around in certain scenarios. I see the wonderpole - but that may be unwieldy for photogrammetry captures where you just need to move the camera around in smaller areas.  One option is the Mefoto tripod which comes with a ballhead, and also can be converted to a monopod. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=mefoto+tripod&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&typedValue=&Top+Nav-Search=

We have only used one of their monopods, and we are happy with it.  There are heavier duty tripods, but this series is worth a look because you get a lot for that pricepoint.

 

Also don't forget SD cards,a remote trigger (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/164276-REG/Canon_2476A001_Remote_Switch_RS_80N3.html ) and an SD card reader. Plus portable USB 3 drives for backups on the road.  We like this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Seagate-Portable-External-Storage-STDR4000100/dp/B00ZTRXFBA?th=1  But there are lots of other options.

 

Lots of options, and lots of different things you can make  to work depending on your subjects, goals and budget.

 

I'd be happy to hear the experience of others on the forums.

 

Carla

[abby]

Hi, 

I recently had to pack up our RTI supplies for someone to borrow, and found that our speedlight, transmitter, and the RTI highlight capture starter kit fit together inside a PS4 carrying case (the borrower had their own camera and tripod). Since I was making a list of contents for the case, I remembered this post and thought I would share some of the equipment that we have and the price at the time I bought them from B&H (about a year ago): 

Godox TT685N Thinklite TTL Flash for Nikon Cameras, $110 

Godox X1T-N TTL Wireless Flash Trigger Transmitter for Nikon, $46

Panasonic Eneloop Rechargeable AA Ni-MH Batteries with Charger (for the speedlight), $17.99

3 Legged Thing Punks Anarchy Patti Tripod with AirHed Mini Ball Head, $119.99 

We already had a Nikon camera and lens that were bought long ago, so I don't know the cost to buy an entire RTI setup. I also use SmartShooter 4 for tethering and live view. Hope this is helpful for someone out there!