Drone Photography: Greetings all, I recently attended an event where I met a photographer using a drone (Phantom 3) for video, and stills. After asking a few questions, and viewing the...

jsimp3 Loc: Tennessee

Greetings all,

I recently attended an event where I met a photographer using a drone (Phantom 3) for video, and stills. After asking a few questions, and viewing the results I became intrigued with the possibilities of incorporating the drone photography into nature and cityscape shoots. I went online to educate myself. At this point I am still thinking like a photographer which means at this point I was equally concerned about image quality. After searching I narrowed it down to two quads... the Phantom 4 (12mp), and the DJI Inspire 1 (16mp). The price difference is considerable... looking for council before committing.

I would also be a newbie to drone piloting. I am concerned about the learning curve to get up and going. In my photography mindset I am thinking DSLR upgrade... I have the feeling that this would be different. Appreciate any council.

Side note, I am currently shooting with full-frame Nikon bodies...

Thanks

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

I'm not sure what the difference is between drones and quadcopters, but I have a couple of inexpensive quads.
When learning to fly them I found that when you panic, and you will, you have a tendency to cut power. Try to avoid this as your machine will, obviously, drop to the ground and possibly/probably damage something.

If I were to buy one of the drones you mentioned I would look into a device that allows it to track you via a wrist component, and something that will bring it back to home base automatically.
I've read some stuff and watched enough YouTube videos to know that these devices are available.
Also, I think you have to have some sort of license or registration and are limited to how high and where you can fly.

jsimp3 Loc: Tennessee

Hi Indi,

Thanks for the reply. I apologize for the terminology, in speaking to various people over the last week or so they all use different terms when referring to the devices. From what I've read the P4 has the more advanced DJI technology for avoidance, and homing making it easier to get the device back to the home position without error. The X5 360 camera on the Inspire I Pro appears to have the far better image quality.

I believe you are correct about the license... that's something else I need to investigate.

Thanks again.

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

Darn. I was typing out a reply on my iPhone and lost what I was writing. Anyhow...

You're welcome!
Check to see if you can interchange the camera with a GoPro. Might work out better.

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

jsimp3 wrote:

I would also be a newbie to drone piloting. I am concerned about the learning curve to get up and going. In my photography mindset I am thinking DSLR upgrade... I have the feeling that this would be different. Appreciate any council.

Consider the heavier weight of DSLR's. Will the drones handle it?

Until you get some flight hours in, keep in mind that drones are prone to falling into volcanos and being downed by eagles and spear throwing Russians.

Bobbee

OddJobber wrote:

........and spear throwing Russians.

Carl D Loc: Albemarle, NC.

I am a drone pilot of both the Phantom 3 pro and the Yuneec Q500+. Both are 4K and 12mp is more than adaquate for my needs. Unless you plan on doing commercial work, by which you will also need a commercial UAV liecense(very expensive), stick to ones I mentioned. Look on FB at the Phantom and Yuneec forums, it will give you a better idea of what each can do. Lastly, you are required by the FAA to register your drone within 30 days of purchase, the cost is $5 and is good for as many drones as you own. Check the FAA web site under UAV., it explains all the rules. They are pretty simple and straight forward. No, you do not need any liecense to operate a drone as long as you're non-commercial.

jsimp3 Loc: Tennessee

Thanks for the feedback Carl. At this point I am not planning on commercial work, my primary concern is capturing sharp images that I can enlarge if necessary. I do plan on using the quad mounted camera, it was for this reason I was eyeing the Inspire over the Phantom. It seems that video quality is good on both devices. I only mentioned my bodies to give an idea of the image quality I'm looking for.

On your Phantom 3... are your stills sharp enough for print and enlargements close to those produced by a full from DSLR? I will also investigate Yuneec, I don't remember seeing during my limited search.

Thanks again

Carl D Loc: Albemarle, NC.

jsimp3 wrote:

Thanks for the feedback Carl. At this point I am n... (show quote)

The Inspire has 360 deg camera rotation and you don't need that or the retractable landing gear when learning. The quality for stills is plenty good for prints, depending on what size your looking to do. I recommend the Yuneec typhoon Q500+ for someone just starting. The controller is self contained so you don't need an iPhone or iPad as you do with the Phantom. Call Frank at Carolina Dronz.com. He's a great guy to deal with and a very close stocking retailer. I buy everything from him and have it in 2 days from him to where I live in NC. Goto the Yuneec typhoon Q500+ FB site you can view videos and stills.

Cotondog Loc: Saskatchewan, Canada

I also have the DJI Phantom 3 Pro model Drone. With the 12mp camera on a Gimbal head and 4K video, you will not be disappointed in your photo results. There are enhanced features for low noise and you get crisp, clear pictures with it. You can also do a number of camera adjustments, such as shooting in RAW, Jpeg , or Jpeg+ Raw. There is an ap with a simulator to practice flying, but it is very easy to fly, and you should be up and flying around within 10 minutes. It has a number of great features (such as a "return to home" button on the remote). I use mine only in places that I would like to go, but can not easily get to, like over valleys, old unoccupied farms, etc. Never around people! If you are smart and responsible, you should never run into any problem with using it.

jsimp3 Loc: Tennessee

I really appreciate your council. I was salivating over the Inspire 1 Pro Raw which has the price tag of a decent car... mainly because of the ability to shoot RAW. The fact that the Phantom has RAW capability is a big plus. I think I will definitely go with the Phantom. Do you know if Lightroom recognizes the Phantom RAW files? What is the ISO range before reaching the unacceptable noise level?

RJM Loc: Cardiff, S Wales, UK

The Phantom 4 will serve you as good as the Inspire - the Inspire is fast to respond to the controls. It maybe the better machine in wide open areas.

There is a learning curve. I've had one for about 2.5 years and have had a few crashes and 'fly-offs' - it is not for the faint of heart!! The software has improved now and fly-off's are extremely rare.

I'd get the Phantom 4 (my friend has Inspire and 4 and prefers 4 as more control) BUT I'd spend a good while learning the ropes in a flat open space with no people about (farm field) before you do anything more adventurous.

Be wary of trees, wires, and pylons. Best advice is, if you feel a panic hit the UP button (there shouldn't be anything above you) which will give you time to think. Fly on full batteries and think about getting back/landing when the battery level is about 40%.

Cotondog Loc: Saskatchewan, Canada

jsimp3 wrote:

I really appreciate your council. I was salivating over the Inspire 1 Pro Raw which has the price tag of a decent car... mainly because of the ability to shoot RAW. The fact that the Phantom has RAW capability is a big plus. I think I will definitely go with the Phantom. Do you know if Lightroom recognizes the Phantom RAW files? What is the ISO range before reaching the unacceptable noise level?

Hi jsimp. I do not use Lightroom, so I can't answer that part of your question. I have used my Phantom 3 Pro only in the day time, so I am not sure about the ISO range for use after dusk. However, a friend of mine who also has the Phantom 3 did some video and stills of fireworks over the city for last year's Canada Day celebrations. I don't know the settings he used but his stills and video were impressive.

thelazya Loc: Wendell, MN

Do your research between DJI and Yuneec before purchasing either. I would compare the newest ones, Phantom 4 and Yuneec H.

rjriggins11 Loc: Colorado Springs, CO

Drone photography can get expensive. A good camera platform that holds DSLR's will run $5000. Watch out, it's addictive. The learning curve is steep, but possible. If I con get the hang of it, I'm sure you can. I'd suggest joining a couple of RC forums. There's one I belong to called RC Groups. Lots of experts on this one.

As for which one to get, the Phantom 4 is a 4th generation quad so they've worked out the bugs, (but you still need to learn how to fly it). I would start with something inexpensive first, it's going to crash, this is inevitable. We all crash the first one a few times. It's much better if you have someone locally that can teach you the art of flying. The good news is, I believe either model has auto take-off and autonomous flight with auto land back at home.

jsimp3 wrote:

Greetings all, br br I recently attended an event... (show quote)