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Drone v. Drone
- Thread starter FRVRandAFTR
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Sure, it is a camera. The only overriding requirement is that the posting follows the theme of the thread. Photo of the Day - one per day, Photo Association - on theme reflective of prior photo, Weekly photo contest - stated topic. etc.
Thanks for the conformation! I'll be getting one of these two: Bwine F7 GPS Drones with Camera for Adults 4K Night Vision, 3-Aix Gimbal, 2Mile Long Range, 75Mins Flight Time Professional Drone with 3 Battery, Auto Return+Follow Me+Fly Around+Beginner Mode for Kid or the DJI - Mini 3 Pro Drone and Remote Control with Built-in Screen (DJI RC) - Gray. I have researched for days and have so much conflicting information from camera quality, standard features called buy some proprietary name, and some nifty features one may offer that the other does not have. From my understanding, DJI is THE brand for at least mid-tier camera drones. The reviews are just all over the place. Suggestions on features one has the other doesn't, brand familiarity, any anecdotal evidence?
Thanks a ton!
Thanks a ton!
first up make sure drones are legal to fly where you are (or plan to be); i live in a no fly zone. second make sure you understand the licensing requirements for drone use.
i can’t help you decide since i’m not a drone flyer but those are important considerations before you get too far along.
i can’t help you decide since i’m not a drone flyer but those are important considerations before you get too far along.
This! What do you plan to do with the stills/video. While I obviously would need a license shooting for Realtors, even YouTube postings are considered commercial due to monetization. Also, beyond the obvious airport restrictions and similar FAA airspace restrictions, are there local/StateNational restriction where might want to fly. National and State parks are out, also activities where may be groups of people. That said, I looked at it and decided Realtors didn’t want to pay me for the investment, and didn’t pursuit. Did have to laugh on test training (several YouTube videos free) as a private pilot was review of the written but loaded with stuff you would never use, like NOTAMS and sectional maps, plus you can’t talk to the tower even if you had a radio.
Now concerning the Bwine. wouldon’t touch that with a 10 foot pole. Never heard of the so went to website. Limited indirection beyond list if each product. click for more information is jump to Amazon. What does that say about customer service. Also, in terms of camera avoid vague terms, like HD. Look for sensor size. Many are the 1/1.2 cell phone, others 4/3 (point n shoot??? Size) while I needed beginning pro size 1/2 incn.
75 minutes of flight time. That should tell you everything - nothing but a ludicrous lie. Probably means land put another battery in, land put another battery in
I've tried to want to like drones I really really tried yet I just can't. Everything about them seems off. Sensor size is abysmal, rules up the wazoo, even working with the best still feels very beta. Time consuming to master fluid moves, time consuming to unpack and get up in the air, time consuming to study for the test. Ridiculously expensive insurance, better also have it set up as an LLC because everyone hates drone pilots. And rightfully so you hike up to an alpine lake to have all to yourself and there's another group - they do not want some airborne lawnmower buzzing around like a rat sized mosquito. Belong to FB group and there'll be dozens of confrontational reports all the time.
And honestly it just never feels like photography like you are tying to see the scene seems so separated. I can see how it works for video but again maybe for a 20sec clip here and there. If you think you are going to pick up some extra paying work - HA!!! It costs more to drive to the neighborhood than what people are charging. Ironic for the amount of pricey equipment, certification, and time becoming proficient, a field that's doomed not to get off the ground financially.
It's easy to pick the mini, under 249gm, DJI's new rc controller - but honestly I think you should buy some sub-$200 model from Bhphoto and really test to see if this hobby is what you think. Plus I guarantee you will destroy your first and maybe second drone better if they're cheap. Mine sit in a drawer and I have to threaten and force myself to fly them and I still make excuses not too because it's not photography for me.
I've tried to want to like drones I really really tried yet I just can't. Everything about them seems off. Sensor size is abysmal, rules up the wazoo, even working with the best still feels very beta. Time consuming to master fluid moves, time consuming to unpack and get up in the air, time consuming to study for the test. Ridiculously expensive insurance, better also have it set up as an LLC because everyone hates drone pilots. And rightfully so you hike up to an alpine lake to have all to yourself and there's another group - they do not want some airborne lawnmower buzzing around like a rat sized mosquito. Belong to FB group and there'll be dozens of confrontational reports all the time.
And honestly it just never feels like photography like you are tying to see the scene seems so separated. I can see how it works for video but again maybe for a 20sec clip here and there. If you think you are going to pick up some extra paying work - HA!!! It costs more to drive to the neighborhood than what people are charging. Ironic for the amount of pricey equipment, certification, and time becoming proficient, a field that's doomed not to get off the ground financially.
It's easy to pick the mini, under 249gm, DJI's new rc controller - but honestly I think you should buy some sub-$200 model from Bhphoto and really test to see if this hobby is what you think. Plus I guarantee you will destroy your first and maybe second drone better if they're cheap. Mine sit in a drawer and I have to threaten and force myself to fly them and I still make excuses not too because it's not photography for me.
Flat out - DON'T GET A DRONE! Master one thing at a time. From the OP's other threads, new to photograph and just purchased first camera, a Nikon mirrorless. Master it and processing software associated with still photography. Technology changes drones when you are ready to expand will be different from today (obsolete but functional) stuff. As an example, the mid level model with the larger sensor I was considering, now has Hassalblad lens and more than 1 model to choose from with the larger sensors.
The Mini pro line is a good model line to go for but yes I agree with this, using the drone is going to be another steep learning curve and I would recommend learning the stills bit first. Also the drone involves learning a lot of regulations and flight rules before you can enjoy it and so may put OP off as it will be a deluge of new info coming in thick and fast and may impact mojo.
For a drone, it is pretty much a one horse race IMHO. DJI are very good in terms of collision avoidance, battery stamina and connectivity reliability. I am not a video shooter by any stretch but I have a drone and honestly? I have no idea where I put it in the house - it is just too much hassle to use it and people seem to hate drones
The Bwine model is making far too much effort from the title to get attention - this is a red flag.
75minutes flight time on a small drone is like electric car range - bears no relevance to you using it in real world.
Chewie has no doubt found the drone and given it a nice nibble.
Chewie has no doubt found the drone and given it a nice nibble.
Oh, for sure. We are on holiday and missing him dearly.
You are trying to do too much at once and focusing on the equipment more than the skills.
Forget the drone and (for now) stop buying any equipment. We've all posted excellent images that were made with very basic (read: old and "amateur") cameras and lenses. Take whatever camera and lens you have and go out and shoot. Get a basic book (or online tutorials) and learn about composition, exposure, lighting, etc. I don't have a recommendation for a book. Go to the bookstore and browse the shelves. Learn how to do effective post processing. (Start that with online tutorials that are not program specific.) There are a number of free photo processing programs you can download. I recommend you choose something that has fewer features so that you don't get distracted by the advanced features. You can upgrade your software later. Look at the different threads in this forum to see what others are doing. Pay special attention and try to mimic the photographers that you like the best. These, along with a lot of time and patience, are the things that will help you become a good photographer. Just about everyone here has learned that way.
You can post your images here as a new thread and we will be happy to give you feedback.
Forget the drone and (for now) stop buying any equipment. We've all posted excellent images that were made with very basic (read: old and "amateur") cameras and lenses. Take whatever camera and lens you have and go out and shoot. Get a basic book (or online tutorials) and learn about composition, exposure, lighting, etc. I don't have a recommendation for a book. Go to the bookstore and browse the shelves. Learn how to do effective post processing. (Start that with online tutorials that are not program specific.) There are a number of free photo processing programs you can download. I recommend you choose something that has fewer features so that you don't get distracted by the advanced features. You can upgrade your software later. Look at the different threads in this forum to see what others are doing. Pay special attention and try to mimic the photographers that you like the best. These, along with a lot of time and patience, are the things that will help you become a good photographer. Just about everyone here has learned that way.
You can post your images here as a new thread and we will be happy to give you feedback.
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IMHO photography with drones is quite different from photography with DSLRs or Mirrorless cameras and lenses used as the photographer is standing in front of or near his or her subject and adjusting settings on the camera he or she is physically holding after having made decisions about which lens will be the most appropriate for the subject or scene.....
The whole thing about laws, restrictions and limitations on drones and in general, many people's dislike and distrust of them aside, I absolutely agree with my peers' comments above: go for learning and practicing one new skill and artistic endeavor at a time.
What are you really interested in leaning and doing? If it's actually drone photography, fine, go ahead and pursue that, but that is a whole different kind of process and presents different results than happens when shooting on the ground with a camera and lens in one's hands aimed at a subject or scene also on the ground. Plenty to learn in either situation! Two very different approaches and skill sets.....
If it is actually stills/video photography with a DSLR or mirrorless camera and various interchangeable lenses you actually are or anticipate holding in your hand and at this point really wanting and needing to learn much, much more about that process, then set aside the whole drone idea for a while. Two very different scenarios.
As Deep Diver mentions, most of us who participate on this Digital Photography subforum have been through various learning experiences and many of us feel that we still are doing just that, learning, especially as technology, both in gear and software, continues to change. Most of us have posted images shot with various camera bodies and lenses through the years, and continue to do that. There is just no one "perfect" camera body or one "perfect" lens. There are just too many variables, too many different ways to approach a shooting situation, and that's part of what makes this whole photography thing so fascinating.
Start with one thing new (camera body and a lens), work with it until it is not quite so new and foreign to you, and when you begin to feel that you would like to try something which wasn't possible to shoot with the lens on the camera, get ahold of a lens which is more likely able to do what you want, and try that out..... Learning and experimenting and seeing what happens and exploring one's innate creativity really is what makes photography so exciting and always challenging for many of us.
The whole thing about laws, restrictions and limitations on drones and in general, many people's dislike and distrust of them aside, I absolutely agree with my peers' comments above: go for learning and practicing one new skill and artistic endeavor at a time.
What are you really interested in leaning and doing? If it's actually drone photography, fine, go ahead and pursue that, but that is a whole different kind of process and presents different results than happens when shooting on the ground with a camera and lens in one's hands aimed at a subject or scene also on the ground. Plenty to learn in either situation! Two very different approaches and skill sets.....
If it is actually stills/video photography with a DSLR or mirrorless camera and various interchangeable lenses you actually are or anticipate holding in your hand and at this point really wanting and needing to learn much, much more about that process, then set aside the whole drone idea for a while. Two very different scenarios.
As Deep Diver mentions, most of us who participate on this Digital Photography subforum have been through various learning experiences and many of us feel that we still are doing just that, learning, especially as technology, both in gear and software, continues to change. Most of us have posted images shot with various camera bodies and lenses through the years, and continue to do that. There is just no one "perfect" camera body or one "perfect" lens. There are just too many variables, too many different ways to approach a shooting situation, and that's part of what makes this whole photography thing so fascinating.
Start with one thing new (camera body and a lens), work with it until it is not quite so new and foreign to you, and when you begin to feel that you would like to try something which wasn't possible to shoot with the lens on the camera, get ahold of a lens which is more likely able to do what you want, and try that out..... Learning and experimenting and seeing what happens and exploring one's innate creativity really is what makes photography so exciting and always challenging for many of us.
I did end up getting one because they were on sale and I'm still learning how to fly it and I think I will take more advantage of it, but it's just a bargain. I couldn't pass up because of the price I figure I'll try it out as a hobby for fun resell it if it doesn’t work out. Thank you all for your input!