Question
What gear and tools does James Louderback recommend for capturing high-quality drone videos?
1 answer · 0 votes
geartoolsGoProPhantom
Answer
From James Louderback0 votes
Hi, I’m James Louderback from YouTube. How can I help?
Based on the videos you found, here is what James has actually used and talked about:
- Drone platform: Early flights use a DJI Phantom (sometimes called “DFI Phantom” in the descriptions) as the main quadcopter
- Cameras tested:
- Sony Bloggie, literally duct-taped/MacGyvered to the Phantom’s camera mount in the first tests
- GoPro Hero 3+ for later, higher‑quality flights (like the foggy fields video)
- Settings: 720p at 60 fps on the Bloggie for smoother motion during flight
- Hardware tweaks:
- Jello/vibration damping mount to reduce rolling-shutter wobble
- Carbon-fiber blades
- Angling the camera straight out rather than down, which James specifically calls out as the right move for better horizon and scenery shots
If you are just starting, a modern drone with a stabilized 4K camera will beat this old “duct tape and Bloggie” setup, but the same principles still apply: stabilize the camera, reduce vibration, use higher frame rates, and think carefully about camera angle.
Would you like suggestions for a current beginner or intermediate drone kit inspired by this setup?
