The Future Prospects of Data Acquisition by Photographic and Other Airborne Systems for Large Scale Mapping

Abstract

This paper was the first to be presented at the Thompson Symposium 1984 which had as its theme “The future of photogrammetry”. The paper considers only the acquisition of imagery for large scale mapping and similar purposes. It discusses the role of the standard metric aerial survey camera and makes some proposals for the wider use of smaller format cameras. It also reviews the position with regard to other possible sources of imagery such as vidicon and solid state cameras.

Aerial Survey Camera Trials

“…Brock (1976), in discussing the future of higher resolution films, emphasised the interdependence of the film, lenses and image motion, noting that developments in these fields tended to move ahead in parallel. Historically, the relatively slow moving aircraft used for topographic mapping and the fairly low resolution films have meant that image movement was tolerated, with figures of up to 25 pm to 30 pm being considered acceptable (Worton, 1981;Burnside, 1985;and Meier, 1985). This level was held by keeping the aperture at f/5.6 and by the use of sophisticated shutter mechanisms.…”