The camera can be carefully inserted into open doors, windows or other apertures in the model. No part of the model may come into direct contact with the camera lens. Use the "drinking straw method" described on this web site.

The camera can be carefully inserted into open doors, windows or other apertures in the model. No part of the model may come into direct contact with the camera lens. Use the "drinking straw method" described on this web site.

The camera is inserted into a drinking straw. While the camera is being inserted into the model, the lens is retracted into the straw like a turtle pulling its head back into its shell. This allows the camera to be inserted further into the interior of models and protects the camera's lens.

This holder is attached to the model using simple poster putty or tape. It is desirable to take tension off of the camera cable to avoid the weight of the cable pulling the holder and camera off of the model.

 

OPEN WINDOWS/DOORS/APERTURES

Most models are of a scale that the camera can be carefully inserted into open doors, windows or other apertures in the model to view interior areas. Note that the camera MAY NOT be inserted into a model in any manner which would cause any part of the model to come into direct contact with the camera lens. Using the drinking straw method of camera positioning described below is a good way to insure that this does not happen.

HOLES FOR THE CAMERA

The camera may be inserted through holes made in a model's walls or roof specifically to view interior areas. AFTER THE HOLE IS CREATED, THE DRINKING STRAW METHOD OF CAMERA INSERTION AND POSITIONING DESCRIBED BELOW MUST BE USED. The camera may not be forced through these openings nor may it be used to create or enlarge the hole. Usually a hole made with a normal sized pencil or pen that is then reamed out to a slightly larger diameter by vigorously wiggling the pen or pencil will accommodate the camera nicely.

Positioning the camera:

Positioning the camera is important to successful image and/or video capture. There are a variety of methods available:

HANDHELD

Simply handholding the camera is very straightforward and controllable. This method works well for simple exterior shots but is often problematic for photos of model interiors. When using this method, it is also difficult to take a series of photos with the camera in exactly the same position as would be required to see shadow patterns in the same area at different times of the day or year.

DRINKING STRAW INSERTION

The drinking straw method is an improvement over the handheld method in most situations. While its limitations are similar to the handheld method it allows the camera to be inserted further into the interiors of models. The camera is inserted into a drinking straw and the lens protrudes out the far end of the straw. Before and while the camera is being inserted into the model, the lens is retracted into the straw like a turtle pulling its head back into its shell. This protects the lens as the camera and straw are threaded into the desired location on the interior of the model. Once the straw is in position, the camera is gently pushed back out of the straw and rotated to produce the proper image orientation by manipulating the camera cable.

CAMERA HOLDERS

The camera manufacturer has also designed specifically manufactured, clip-like camera holders for the remote head camera. These holders can be attached to the model or model base to hold the camera in a desired position. There are several methods of model attachment available for these holders.

PUTTY CAMERA HOLDER

This holder is attached to the model using simple poster putty or tape. While these bonds are not terribly strong they are usually strong enough to hold the camera in position if the model is handled gently. It is desirable to take tension off of the camera cable to avoid the weight of the cable pulling the holder and camera off of the model. Note that the poster putty may leave a slight oily residue on some model materials and that the application and removal of tape may damage model surfaces and materials. Putty and tape are provided for users of this method. Care must be taken to keep tape and poster putty from coming into contact with the camera lens, equipment and room surfaces (i.e. carpet).

VELCRO CAMERA HOLDER

This holder is configured with the male (hook) portion of the Velcro bonding system. Users may attach pieces of the loop side of the system to key places on their model. Loop side pieces need to be supplied and attached to the model by the user in advance of testing.

CLAMP/ARTICULATED ARM CAMERA HOLDER

This holder is attached to a highly articulated arm system that allows positioning/suspension of the holder/camera in the 3-D space above and/or surrounding the model. The articulated arm is attached to a clamp that must be attached to the heliodon table surface and not to the model or model base. When using the platform heliodon, this means the initial clamping of the model to the table surface must leave room for the attachment of this additional clamp. Alternately, the articulated arm can, in some limited situations, be clamped to the substructure of the table's surface. This system works best for images of the exterior of a model. While the arm is very flexible, care must be taken in positioning to avoid the clamp and arm casting shadows onto the model and into the desired images.