Quadcopter/Drone Thread

bwana said:
It's nice, no doubt, but it's [almost] twice as expensive as the spark and I travel quite a bit so it's something I'd like to pack in my camera bag.
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The Phantom is a nightmare to lug around. What's your maximum budget? I'm assuming around R8k?
 
genetic said:
The Phantom is a nightmare to lug around. What's your maximum budget? I'm assuming around R8k?
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Pretty much, yes. I see I can get a refurbished Spark with controller and extras for R5999. Buying direct from the states is also an option.
 
bwana said:
Pretty much, yes. I see I can get a refurbished Spark with controller and extras for R5999. Buying direct from the states is also an option.
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Droneworld are fantastic, bought many times through them and can only rave about their service.

They currently have a special on a factory referb Sparlk for R4995;

https://www.droneworld.co.za/product-category/dji-spark-deals/

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I'd recommend adding in an extra 2 batteries though. No controller though...
 
genetic said:
My original point remains;

You can't have a large zoom lens on a tiny drone without significant vibration issues. Bigger drones have better physics, electronics and technology to mitigate the problem, but at a much bigger price point and size.
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Surely this would be easy for someone to test?

Take a phantom 4 pro and shoot a video
Add zoom in 5x afterwards using video editing software
Sure, quality will be poor due to digital zoom but we will see these vibration issues?
 
Brawler said:
Surely this would be easy for someone to test?

Take a phantom 4 pro and shoot a video
Add zoom in 5x afterwards using video editing software
Sure, quality will be poor due to digital zoom but we will see these vibration issues?
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No, it doesn't work that way. Optics 101.

Micro movements or vibrations get amplified when the zoom lens magnifies the image onto the sensor. As the image is expanded, so are any physical movements which get projected onto the sensor.

If you have small movements that only cover a distance of 1 pixel on the sensor at 1x zoom, it is not going to be picked up by digitally zooming in by 10x, as you re just increasing the size of that pixel by 10x, which in itself can't discern any movement.

If you optically zoom in by 10x, you have those small movements now covering 10x more pixels, as you are blowing up the image to cover more surface area of the sensor. This results in the movement now covering 10x more surface area than at 1x zoom, and this is why vibrations / movement is amplified with optical zoom.

Zoom_prinzip.gif
 
genetic said:
All transport and accommodation costs covered, with a bit of profit on top - not a lot though.

Interesting note, when you test a new product that has yet to be launched, they will not even let you use your own phone / tablet, in case you leak the cached video filed stored on the device. You have a DIT that hovers over you the whole time and gives you an SD Card and phone to fly, then immediately confiscates it afterwards.

We also have absolutely no control over the post production process.
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Is that your job genetic?

Very nice if it is - what a way to earn a living.
 
maumau said:
Is that your job genetic?

Very nice if it is - what a way to earn a living.
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I'm a cinematographer / DOP... basically a glorified cameraman in layman's terms. Mostly do television commercials, some TV shows and the odd movie here and there. Lots of online content too.

Drone work constitutes about 10% of the work I do - mainly operate the camera on bigger drones which require two operators.
 
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genetic said:
No, it doesn't work that way. Optics 101.

Micro movements or vibrations get amplified when the zoom lens magnifies the image onto the sensor. As the image is expanded, so are any physical movements which get projected onto the sensor.

If you have small movements that only cover a distance of 1 pixel on the sensor at 1x zoom, it is not going to be picked up by digitally zooming in by 10x, as you re just increasing the size of that pixel by 10x, which in itself can't discern any movement.

If you optically zoom in by 10x, you have those small movements now covering 10x more pixels, as you are blowing up the image to cover more surface area of the sensor. This results in the movement now covering 10x more surface area than at 1x zoom, and this is why vibrations / movement is amplified with optical zoom.

Zoom_prinzip.gif
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Crystal clear. Thanks
 

Been watching some reviews on the new Mavic 2 Pro, anyone pre ordering it?
Most shops have prices for the 2 pro at around R30K, add another +-6K for the flymore.
 
Colsuldel said:
Been watching some reviews on the new Mavic 2 Pro, anyone pre ordering it?
Most shops have prices for the 2 pro at around R30K, add another +-6K for the flymore.
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That is a bit rough on the pocket when the Mavic Pro is about 14-17k. Don’t see a need to upgrade as the features don’t justify the cost....yet

And the real reason, the bank manager said NO :P
 
creeper said:
That is a bit rough on the pocket when the Mavic Pro is about 14-17k. Don’t see a need to upgrade as the features don’t justify the cost....yet

And the real reason, the bank manager said NO :p
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I've read somewhere that the Mavic v1 is capable of upgrading the camera unit... might be interesting.
I have no complaints with my original Mavic Pro.
 
Does anyone know of a nice place not too far out from PTA East (South East side) to fly? Not too worried about scenic place since I just want some flight time to up my skill.

I live in Elarduspark and due to Waterkloof AFB this area is off limits.
 
Thinking about getting a Mavic Air tomorrow for cyber-Monday... any thoughts from current, or previous, owners of one?
 
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