BeetleCam
The BeetleCam is a remote controlled buggy with a DSLR or mirrorless camera mounted on top which can be used to film and photograph wildlife at very close range.[2]
Created by Will Burrard-Lucas, its first shots were released in 2010 in a series called "The Adventures of BeetleCam."[3] It filmed African wildlife in the Ruaha and Katavi National Parks in Tanzania. One of the cameras was destroyed in an encounter with a lion.[4]
Will Burrard-Lucas and his brother, Matt, returned to Africa in 2011 with two improved BeetleCams, with the aim of focusing on lions.[5] During this project they created a set of pictures of feeding lions and playful cubs. This series was first released in 2012 in an article called "BeetleCam vs the Lions of the Masai Mara".[6] BeetleCam Mark II used a Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III.[7]
In 2012, Burrard-Lucas moved to Zambia and used a new version of the BeetleCam to photograph leopards and other animals, primarily in South Luangwa National Park.
In 2013, Will Burrard-Lucas founded Camtraptions Ltd. and started producing BeetleCams for other wildlife photographers and filmmakers.[8]
References
- Camtraptions Ltd. "BeetleCam Classic".
- Priya Ganapati, Wired (April 19, 2010). "Robotic Buggy Takes Stunning Photos of African Wildlife".
- Will Burrard-Lucas (April 19, 2010). "The Adventures of BeetleCam".
- National Geographic Society (April 27, 2010). "Lion Steals Roving Camera, Takes Photos".
- Paul Marks, New Scientist (9 March 2012). "Safari robot snaps feasting lion up close".
- Will Burrard-Lucas (29 Feb 2012). "BeetleCam vs the Lions of the Masai Mara".
- The Telegraph (1 Mar 2012). "Camouflaged camera films lions close up in Kenya's Masai Mara". The Daily Telegraph. London.
- Steve Fairclough (9 Dec 2016). "Will Burrard-Lucas: How to get close to wildlife".
