In consideration of the safety while shooting, Bi Rod has set the load capacity of the camera as follows.
Recommended cameras to shoot with Bi Rod
"Bi Rod" is a long monopod for high-altitude photography that can be extended up to 7.5 or 11.5 meters. You will need to prepare your own camera to mount it on, but we often receive inquiries about what kind of camera to use.
In this article, we will explain the recommended camera for each application.
The camera must be equipped with Wi-Fi function.
First, as a prerequisite, the camera must be capable of wirelessly connecting to a smartphone or tablet using Wi-Fi (or Bluetooth). Most cameras sold recently are equipped with this feature, but we recommend that you check.
Be aware of load limit.
- Length 11.5m: 300g
- Length 7.5m: 300g ➡ Less than 1,500g ※1 ※2
- Length 4.5m: 500g ➡ Less than 2,000g ※1
※1 Updated after conducting the third-party testing to review the maximum loading limit.
※2 This loading limit is assured if the top segment of the Bi Rod is not extended.
The choices are compact cameras, action cameras, and camcorders.
Considering the above load capacity limitations, we can narrow it down to the following three types of cameras.
- Compact digital cameras
- Action cameras
- Camcorders
※We do not take any responsibility or liability for any damages or problems that may occur when equipment that exceeds the load capacity is loaded.
※For special cameras such as underwater cameras and 360° cameras, see below.
Recommended cameras for Bi Rod
Easy to handle 【Compact digital camera】
Compact cameras has excellent mobility and allow you to take beautiful pictures easily.
They are light and easy to use, making them a good match for Bi Rods. Only a few cameras exceed the load capacity. They have zoom function and some of them are sturdy models that are dust and water resistant. These are suitable for high altitude inspections.
The lightest!【Action camera】
Small action cameras such as Go Pro※ and DJI Osmo Action. These cameras are the lightest compared to other cameras and are probably the easiest to use when shooting at high altitudes using a Bi Rod. They can capture both still images and video with high quality.
For video recording, many models are equipped with a wide-angle lens and image stabilization, which reduces shaking in the air, resulting in getting smooth video. However, they often do not have a zoom function.
Moreover many of the applications are easy to use because they were originally designed to be connected to a smartphone.
Another advantage is that many of the models are highly durable. Action camera is often used when Bi Rod is used as a substitute for drone aerial photography.
※Note: The latest GoPro HERO 8 or 9 models do not support the live preview function on your smartphone during video recording. (As of October 2020) Please use other models if you want to shoot video while checking the video in real time.
Please check the official information of each manufacturer for the latest specifications.
For beautiful images and zoom capability【Video camera (camcorders)】
It is similar to an action cameras, but slightly heavier. They have a zoom function, which is useful when you want to capture a speciic image of a targeted location. Some models also have a wide-angle lens, so you can switch between them depending on the situation.
Choose a camera according to your intended use.
As mentioned above, there are different cameras that can be recommended for different purposes.
Prepare the most suitable camera according to your own usage.
Prepare the most suitable camera according to your own usage.
Bi Rod is also recommended for special cameras.
Here are some cameras that are a bit special and work well with Bi Rod.
360-degree camera
If you use this camera, the photographer on the ground will not be visible when taking omnidirectional photos, which makes the photo or movie spectacular just like a birds-eye view.
With a waterproof housing, you can enjoy 360-degree photos and videos underwater.
DJI Osmo pocket
A camera equipped with a gimbal used in drones.
This solves the weak point of Bi Rod - the blurring of the video when walking. It also works very well with Bi Rod because you can control the up, down, left and right angles from your smartphone. The latest model, DJI Osmo Pocket, is as light as an action camera, so it is easy to use.