I'm slowly beginning to use MSFS more. I've been in flight simulation for 35ish years (!) and have been solidly using P3D for the last few. I wasn't impressed with the early iterations of MSFS (I was actually part of the alpha and beta teams - which put me off!), but I am becoming more and more converted.

One of the things that were hampering me was the different (and apparently less "good") camera system, so over the weekend I put a bit of effort into learning how to use it properly (or at least how it works), and suddenly realised that I could re-create "tower view" and fixed external cameras (something I was really missing), by using the drone camera and fixing its location and then locking it to follow the aircraft.

So, I visited the lovely Headcorn airfield, (thanks to some gorgeous scenery from Burning Blue Design), and took the Flyingiron Spitfire out for a display practice. (video starts just before power checks, and the takeoff roll starts at 3m10s).  The video is "shot" from four static ground cameras, one on the balcony of the Aero Legends building, one somewhere down on on an imaginary crowd line, one from a field opposite the airfield, and one from the fence on the A247 at the end of the runway! (plus some use of onboard and tail mounted cameras).

 

Yes, there are still multiple issues and problems with the system in the sim - and there's no way of saving a location (like a tower view) as you could in P3D or Chaseplane, etc... and the fact that there seems to be a very limited range of view of the camera (about a mile?) before the aircraft disappears. I also experienced some ghosting when playing back the flight in SkyDolly to record it (but this is my first ever FS video so maybe this is normal?)

Anyway, I started out just experimenting with no aims of making a video, (let alone sharing it!), and I'm sure I'm late to the party and everyone else knows how to do this stuff, but I've not seen many videos from fixed/tower cameras (if any) so in case this is useful to inspire anyone then here it is!! No idea if I'll do any more, but I quite enjoyed the creativity, and MSFS does look lovely so who knows!

oh, and don't look too hard at the clouds - this was shot in a number of takes and I couldn't find a way, (without having clear skies which don't look so nice), to keep the clouds consistent - but to my eyes (and ears) the atmosphere created is enough to allow your imagination to join the dots! (and yes - I'm flying the "Kent Spitfire", G-PMNF, and the same airframe also exists as a static aircraft in the scenery oops!!) (it also has a red spinner for some reason?)

Edited April 20, 20224 yr by CharlieBravoUK

3 hours ago, CharlieBravoUK said:

I'm slowly beginning to use MSFS more. I've been in flight simulation for 35ish years (!) and have been solidly using P3D for the last few. I wasn't impressed with the early iterations of MSFS (I was actually part of the alpha and beta teams - which put me off!), but I am becoming more and more converted.

One of the things that were hampering me was the different (and apparently less "good") camera system, so over the weekend I put a bit of effort into learning how to use it properly (or at least how it works), and suddenly realised that I could re-create "tower view" and fixed external cameras (something I was really missing), by using the drone camera and fixing its location and then locking it to follow the aircraft.

So, I visited the lovely Headcorn airfield, (thanks to some gorgeous scenery from Burning Blue Design), and took the Flyingiron Spitfire out for a display practice. (video starts just before power checks, and the takeoff roll starts at 3m10s).  The video is "shot" from four static ground cameras, one on the balcony of the Aero Legends building, one somewhere down on on an imaginary crowd line, one from a field opposite the airfield, and one from the fence on the A247 at the end of the runway! (plus some use of onboard and tail mounted cameras).

 

Yes, there are still multiple issues and problems with the system in the sim - and there's no way of saving a location (like a tower view) as you could in P3D or Chaseplane, etc... and the fact that there seems to be a very limited range of view of the camera (about a mile?) before the aircraft disappears. I also experienced some ghosting when playing back the flight in SkyDolly to record it (but this is my first ever FS video so maybe this is normal?)

Anyway, I started out just experimenting with no aims of making a video, (let alone sharing it!), and I'm sure I'm late to the party and everyone else knows how to do this stuff, but I've not seen many videos from fixed/tower cameras (if any) so in case this is useful to inspire anyone then here it is!! No idea if I'll do any more, but I quite enjoyed the creativity, and MSFS does look lovely so who knows!

oh, and don't look too hard at the clouds - this was shot in a number of takes and I couldn't find a way, (without having clear skies which don't look so nice), to keep the clouds consistent - but to my eyes (and ears) the atmosphere created is enough to allow your imagination to join the dots! (and yes - I'm flying the "Kent Spitfire", G-PMNF, and the same airframe also exists as a static aircraft in the scenery oops!!) (it also has a red spinner for some reason?)

Nice video and what an awesome Bird !!

Maybe you could do a quick tutorial video on how you achieved some of these views, I'll be honest I haven't got to grips with the camera system in MSFS 2020 either 

I agree with @RJC68  -- I still haven't fully grasped the camera system, particularly the use of the drone camera.  Are you assigning keyboard shortcuts to specific drone camera views?

I'm having trouble controlling the drone 😞

 

 

Very cool video! Despite you just learning the camera system, you have done a marvelous job here and I enjoyed it! Super cool!