Let’s Climb Some Hills! - Axial Capra

We’ve been snowed out and in the deep freeze for a few weeks. The past two days have been lovely, but the snow is still deep on all my crawling spots. I hoped Harvey Passage would have some clear terrain, but it was totally drifted over. The Axial Capra had to settle for a little snow bouncing session on the slate stairs of the lookout.
We are testing our new camera rig for this video. I just bought my first ever full-frame digital camera, the Canon EOS R6 Mark II. This is a great camera, and it checks all the boxes for me in terms of photo and video features, at a price I can afford. Paired it with a new RF 24-105mm f4 L IS USM. I will get another wider lens when my bank account recovers. My plan with this camera is to shoot in Canon Log (C.Log3) mode and for that I really needed a good variable neutral density filter as well, which I picked up today. Eventually, I will shoot in 4K, but this video was shot in HD just to keep things simple for now.
The camera’s “vehicle tracking” mode did really well, considering the size and erratic movement of the Capra. I have it set to focus on part of the vehicle, which basically means it tracks the nearest tire.
I intentionally chose this high-contrast sunny day to shoot in the snow so I could practice working in log mode. Exposing for log is actually easier than I thought it was going to be. I’d forgotten my exposure target at home and had to wing it. When I brought the files into Premiere and applied the Canon provided LUT, the footage looked great. I only had to make a few minor tweaks to exposure and contrast to match each shot. Grading this log-based footage was actually way easier than grading the flat profile footage I have been capturing with my GoPro and older EOS M5.
This camera blows those other cameras away in terms of quality. It’s a bit harder to handle because of the size, but I will get used to it. A gimbal for handheld tracking shots is definitely on my wishlist.
Anyway, I hope all ya'll appreciate the upgraded video quality and hopefully it translates into compelling RC content as well.
Truck: Axial Capra
Tires: Proline Hyrax 2.2 Predator
Wheels: Traxxas Method 105 2.2 beadlocks 8171A
ESC/Motor: Hobbywing Xerun Axe 540L R2 1400kV ESC Motor Combo
Servo: Power HD DW25LV on Vanquish mount
Lights: stock 3" light bar and MyTrickRC light kit
Camera: Canon EOS R6 Mark II w/ RF 24-105mm f4 L IS USM
Filter: Hoya Variable ND II
Microphone: SmallRig S20
Cage, top handle, and tripod: SmallRig
Software: Adobe Premier Pro

[@FerociousSniper]

Wow! That thing must have a really low center of gravity! Also, no rear steer?

[@rcstories_ca]

Fact is, its totally stock, except for the 2.2" wheels and tires! Maybe the tires do make a difference for CG. I have corner scales but apparently I’ve never weighed the Capra or calculated its CGoH (I have for all my other crawlers). It can handle near vertical lines no problem if I get a tire hooked on top (that’s how I was able to drop down that series of cliffs/benches), but it will roll backwards eventually. I Have a bit of front overdrive (it does wheelies in reverse), but I am also thinking about adding a bit of weight up front some day.

[@FerociousSniper]

@@rcstories_ca that's really good for being stock! I've never put overdrive in any of my rigs, but now I'm curious to try it. I put underdrive gears in both axles on my comp rig for an overall lower gear ratio. Might have to throw the stock gears in the front and see what that does.