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Parrot SWING VTOL Drone – First Look and Review

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Introduction

I recently purchased a Parrot Swing VTOL Drone (quadcopter) along with the Bluetooth Controller pad. The Swing is remarkable in that it is very different than any Drone currently on the market…due to the VTOL abilities. For the uninitiated, that means it can take off and land (and fly) like a quadcopter, but it has X-shaped wings which can then allow it to fly like an airplane. VTOL will be a big part of the future of drones due to the longer distances and larger payloads they will be able to haul.

Let’s be very clear – the Parrot Swing is a “toy grade model” with brushed motors, yet at the same time it’s head and shoulders above any toy grade machine I’ve ever operated. It has many options – flying forwards, backwards, at different angles and even programmable flights (looks, circles, etc.

It can be operated with a mobile phone attached – or not. The mobile device is mostly for settings and other such monitoring and changes since it does not have a front facing camera. There is a tiny (and poor quality) camera on the rear which is part of the “ground sensing” system. In other words, it has a “VPS system” using sound waves and the rear camera to allow it to know when it is close to the ground – an option usually only seen on much more expensive machines.

At launch the Parrot Swing sold for approx. $130, but they have now come down to about 50% of that price. Refurbs can be purchased for even less, sometimes as low as $40 or less. You’ll have to buy at least one extra battery to get the hang of this machine as you don’t want to have to go out to the field and have only 10-12 minutes of flying.

Note: the Youtube Video Embedded at the bottom of this article will repeat a lot of the written information here – and go much further into some details. You’ll see the model in flight and get a much better idea of how it works!

Parrot Swing (new) at Amazon: https://amzn.to/2pHi7xF

Parrot Swing Refurb at Amazon: https://amzn.to/2pHi7xF

3 pack generic batteries and charger – https://amzn.to/2pHi7xF

Who and What it is for

The Parrot Swing is not a camera drone or a “FPV or Racing model. It is unique and the VTOL aspect is the major feature. [Read more…]

Why Do Drones Get Such Bad Press?

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Scroll through Google News having searched for ‘Drone’ on any given day, and you’ll be faced with a list of articles from around the world. Drones are making headlines everywhere but, more often than not, it’s for all the wrong reasons.

Whether it’s another near miss with a manned aircraft, a case of voyeurism or a foiled prison drone delivery plot, negative stories involving the technology are much more common than positive ones.

So why is it that drones get such bad press? Why are stories in the media so overwhelmingly negative when we know for a fact that drones are saving lives around the world and having a significant impact across a range of industries?

They tap into our futuristic fears

One major reason is that they tap into the public’s preconceptions. Fear sells and generates clicks, so if you can attach negative connotations like danger and ‘Big Brother’to a certain technology, any story that involves it is going to get attention.

But delving deeper, you can see why drones are an easy target for that kind of scrutiny. They don’t sound very nice. They don’t look very appealing. And worst of all, they buzz around seemingly with a mind of their own, like overgrown robotic mosquitoes.

So with that in mind you can understand the negative predisposition people feel towards the technology.

Which is where negative media becomes self-perpetuating. The more people hear about the dangers drones pose, the recklessness with which they are used and the criminal situations they are involved with, the less likely the worse the situation gets.

It’s a vicious circle.

Anonymity

One of the major issues people have with drone technology is the same fear that applies to self-driving cars and autonomous systems in general. There is a lack of trust. Without an obvious pilot in the cockpit (which would be impractical to say the least with a drone) there is a lack of accountability. Who is controlling that thing and how?

Which means many people’s first impression of a drone is seeing one flying nearby, but not having any idea who is controlling it.

With anonymity comes concern. If it doesn’t have an obvious pilot then it must be dangerous. It’s human nature to be suspicious of something when you can’t understand its motives, after all. Unless the pilot is present and close enough to let you know what’s going on, that same factor is going to apply to most drone flights.

Fear of the unknown

On the one hand, the rise of drones has given us a glimpse into a robot dystopia, where autonomous vehicles buzz around the skies, monitor us from above and generally make our lives a misery.

But for most people, the fear and suspicion of drone technology stem from something much more innate: the unknown.

The general public isn’t particularly well-informed on the benefits of drone technology, on what they are capable of and on what they definitely aren’t capable of.

Are they dangerous? Are they spying on me? How reliable are they? Are they reading my pin code from afar? Are they stalking me? These are all legitimate questions if you’re not aware of what the technology is being used for.

The solution is obviously a case of education, of highlighting the many positive use cases. The best way for this to happen is for pilots on the ground to make themselves known and be open about what they are doing. Fear and doubt will melt away as soon as the reason for flight is explained.

They put power in anybody’s hands

The final reason that drones get bad press is because they are powerful, affordable and far beyond anything that’s come before in terms of capability.

This means that, unfortunately, they can easily be harnessed for malicious purposes and criminality. Already we’ve seen contraband smuggled into prisons using drones, weaponized models used on the battlefield, and suspected deliberate interference at major airports.

This is scary. It’s also likely to get worse and more sophisticated in the future. But that doesn’t mean that the current levels of negative publicity are justified.

It’s clear that the industry as a whole needs a huge PR effort, particularly at a time when regulations are shifting and legislators risk being swayed more by public opinion than by evidence.

It’s unlikely that the PR the industry needs will come through media channels, who will always skew towards the negative. So really it’s down to the community to speak directly to people who do raise concerns.

And, of course, the many companies doing remarkable work with drones. Keep doing what you’re doing, folks.

5 Things You Can Do To Become A Better Drone Pilot

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In this industry, we all start out as beginners. Even if you’ve moved beyond hobby flights at the weekend to flying drones as part of your 9 to 5, this business doesn’t stand still for long enough for anyone to properly catch up.

So what can you do to keep improving as a drone pilot? What steps can you take to get better at flying your drone and hone all the skills you need on the side to be a success?

We’ve put together a few things that all drone pilots should consider if they want to take things to the next level.

Become your own video editor

Plenty of drone pilots and professional flyers outsource their content editing or don’t do any at all. After a long shoot, the last thing most of us want to do is painstakingly go through footage to create the final product we are looking for.

Here’s a great tutorial to show you an example of what’s available for free. 

It’s tempting to hire an editor familiar with the intricacies of the required software. But if you don’t know how already, perhaps 2019 could be the year that you learn how to edit media for yourself?

It’s not all about cutting videos down to size and organizing a montage. Depending on your camera settings and the conditions, all kinds of post-production effects might be needed to bring the best out of your shots, including color correction.

A great place to start is with Adobe Premiere Pro. The software is relatively easy to use, and there is plenty of content out there in the form of videos and guides to support your efforts. The initial trial is free, so you’ve got nothing to lose.

Of course, one of the best ways to minimize the work you have to do in post-production is to get a grip on your camera settings and set up shots perfectly before you hit record.

Which brings us to…

Get a grip on your camera settings

The cameras on many decent drones, incuding those from popular manufacturer DJI, offer solid image quality and near-instant results. Which is why it’s tempting not to worry too much about the settings, send up your drone and hit record.

But if you’re a perfectionist and want to make your media look as professional as possible, you need to get a grip on your camera settings and understand all the possibilities in detail.

This means understanding the basic elements of photography: shutter speed, aperture, ISO and the rest.

These two blogs from DJI are a great place to start:

Fly in challenging conditions

Baptism of fire, jumping in at the deep end… both idioms are all about learning from challenging experiences and improving as a result. With flying a drone it’s no different.

One way to become a better drone pilot and a more effective aerial photographer is to practice. But the conditions are important. Once you’ve mastered the basics, your skills will probably plataeu unless you push yourself and try new things.

So set yourself creative targets, fly at times when the weather isn’t perfect and you’re under pressure to complete your shots quickly. Try out new locations.

That way, when a situation arises that isn’t ideal: low battery, heavy winds, moving subjects – it won’t be the first time you’ve had to adapt on the fly.

Invest in accessories

Being a good drone pilot isn’t just about how comfortable you are behind the controls. It’s also about the quality of your results.

Just as important as perfecting your camera settings and learning the art of post-production is knowing which accessories to use and when.

Some are small but make a big difference to your final product, like Neutral Density Filters. Others are expensive but give you greater control during flight, like DJI’s CrystalSky monitor.

Both will give your footage an edge and provide you with extra creative control when you need it.

Master autonomous modes and flight apps

So much of a drone pilot’s time is spent switching attention between monitor and aircraft. That’s because while the drone and your thumbs are doing most of the hard work, accompanying applications provide technical assistance and are the link between the two.

Learning to navigate your away around flight control apps like DJI Go is an absolute must if you want to make the most of all the flight modes and creative options at your disposal.

Autonomous shots such as Active-Track and Orbit can free your hands and enable you to be a part of the action. On top of that, most drones have preset manoeuvres that capture moments with more of a professional feel than even the most skilled pilots can bring to the table.

Besides autonomous flight modes, there are a bunch of apps out there to help you expand your creative potential and get better quality shots.

These include PolarPro, the app from the popular camera accessory company. The PolarPro app helps you choose the best filter for the conditions and provides the perfect combination of shutter speed, IOS and aperture to bring your shots to life.

You can also get live weather forecasts for your location and alerts for golden hour.

Another popular app with drone pilots and photographers in general is Sun Surveyor.

interactive map screenshot

With the light conditions being so important to the composition of your aerial photos and videos, Sun Surveyor gives you GPS-specific details on the position and movement of the sun so that you can plan flights ahead and nail shots first time around.

2019 Consumer Drone Industry Predictions

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2018 was an interesting year in the consumer drone industry. DJI reinforced its domination at both ends of the market with the Mavic Air and the new Mavic 2 Pro; Parrot launched a solid contender in the shape of ANAFI, despite cutting its workforce after disappointing sales. And, of course, Skydio’s R1 finally hit the market to much acclaim.

So what could 2019 bring? Will we see more of the same? What surprises could be around the corner? Here are a few predictions for the coming year.

2019 consumer drone industry predictions

More barriers to recreational entry?

2019 is the year that regulations will begin to catch up to the advances drone technology has made in a few short years.

Registration for recreational pilots has been an ongoing issue in the US. But in the UK and Australia, registration and safety tests are set to become mandatory for hobbyists. This is part of an effort to increase accountability and improve the general awareness around what drone pilots can and cannot do.

It’s hard to say how these new laws will impact sales and the number of pilots out there. On the one hand, these new rules are another barrier to entry, particularly if they include age restrictions and tar all pilots with the same brush: that their hobby is dangerous, a nuisance and something that needs to be better regulated.

On the other, tighter rules could serve to lessen media hysteria when a drone is involved in an incident. This would put the emphasis on the pilots at fault rather than the technology as a whole, which can only be a good thing.  

However, should unfair new rules be introduced in light of the Gatwick airport fiasco, for example, it would be hard to avoid the feeling that regulators are attempting to appease the public rather than educate them.

After all, existing laws already make dangerous and disruptive behaviour behind the controls illegal. It’s a case of enforcing those measures, something that technologies such as Remote ID could help with.

Drone regulation will continue to be a delicate balancing act. Particularly as the pathway from recreational to professional pilot is so well trodden. Not to mention the money raised through consumer sales supporting the important work of DJI Enterprise, for example.

Smaller and more portable

When the original Mavic Pro entered the market, it was a sign of things to come: A shift toward smaller drones with adequate battery life, small form factors and plenty of built-in technology. Then came the Mavic Air and the Spark. And after, the new Mavic Pro 2.

DJI’s drones could continue to grow more compact as part of a wider trend in which manufacturers increasingly streamline their ranges.

After all, if you can pack a fantastic camera, leading obstacle avoidance technology and portability into the Mavic 2 Pro and Mavic 2 Zoom, why would you choose to create bulkier models for the recreational market?

This could be the reason why we won’t see the long-awaited DJI Phantom 5 in 2019 or any time soon. It’s not immediately clear who it would be for and why it would be preferable – flight time aside – versus the improved Mavic range.

Traditionally the reasons to go for a Phantom have been about power, camera quality and safety features. But the margins between the two have been shrinking as the Mavic range catches up.

The line between professional and consumer drone is going to become increasingly blurred as capabilities are shared throughout both ranges. So expect more of the same in 2019.

Weather-proof consumer drones?

It’s well known that manufacturers such as Apple like to hold back on putting developed technologies into new products and instead iterate at a deliberately steady pace. That philosophy has been a successful part of the hype cycle of smartphones and a major driver in the annual race to grab the latest model.

But drones are expensive and not yet offered as part of long-term monthly contracts. They are also not the kind of thing you want to be replacing every year or 18 months. Which is why the choice from several drone manufacturers to iterate as well as transform has been interesting to watch in recent years.

No doubt the decision is supported by the fact that drones, unlike phones, are yet to reach peak adoption. There are also technical limitations at play, so manufacturers can afford to make steady changes rather than drastic ones.

But maybe 2019 will be the year that we see major progress for recreational pilots in the realms of computer vision, battery life or, as we are predicting today, weather-proofing.

Skydio and, to a lesser extent the new Hover 2 drone, have shown that computer vision can do more than obstacle recognition. So maybe it’s time for DJI and other manufacturers to bring weather-proofing tech traditionally reserved for enterprise drones into the mainstream.

Currently, recreational pilots are grounded in wet conditions, see their battery life suffer in the cold and are restricted by heavy winds. 2018 cemented progress in portability, computer vision and camera technology. Maybe 2019 will show us how all-action and all-weather aerial photography can really be.   

DJI’s stranglehold will tighten

Watching DJI continue to innovate and push out exciting new drones – not to mention a range of other photography equipment and camera tech – is a thrill.

But there’s also a sense that it’s not ideal for the industry. DJI has already cemented its position as the go-to platform provider for recreational and professional pilots. There’s no reason to think that is going to change anytime soon.

And competitors continue to struggle by the wayside. Towards the end of 2018, Parrot announced personnel cuts amid lower sales than expected and a contraction of the consumer market. Yuneec and Autel have fallen away. GoPro is gone. Skydio is still out of the reach of your average Joe, despite recent price cuts.

All of which makes it difficult to imagine anything other than more DJI domination. Luckily the Chinese manufacturer is at the top for a reason: They produce industry-leading products for reasonable prices. But we can’t help but feel that competition would be healthy, so here’s hoping some new companies come to the fore in 2019.

Mid-2018 State of the Drone Market – Predictions and more…

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Mid-2018 State of the Drone Market – Predictions and more….

or, 2018 Drone Report…

As of mid-2018 there are a number of factors affecting the current Consumer and “Consumer Enterprise” drone market – some of which we will explore in this article.

Consumer Enterprise – what’s that?

Oh, it’s just a term I made up on the fly. Traditionally, the civilian drone (UAV) market has consisted of a few segments:

1. Toys – generally semi-disposal models to learn on. Some things have changed in this market as the higher ($100-$300) end of this range now features programmable models as well as some equipped with GPS.

2. Consumer Camera Drones – this has been the real driver of sales and profits over the past 4 years and consists of GPS drones with app control and stabilized cameras. Current prices run from $400-$1500, although there are some “prosumer” models at the higher end with better cameras (Phantom 4 Pro).

3. Enterprise Drones – Starting at about 3K (DJI Inspire) and headed up to many 10’s of thousands of dollars, these are typically used for professional videography such as the drone shots you might see on network and streaming hollywood productions. Smaller agricultural and security drones as well as surveying models (with software designed for such) are also part of this group.

My new category, Consumer Enterprise, covers the segment which would appeal to contractors, inspectors and many others who use their drones for various tasks that either make…or save…them money and time. An example would be roofing or landscape development companies, land trusts, solar PV installers and various other construction trades. Up until now, this segment has settled for the consumer models, however their tool budgets allow them to easily step up to better models. These firms, usually relatively small businesses, are accustomed to spending money on better tools even though the consumer grade might do the job in many cases.

Two examples of such products are either available now…or will be very soon. The Phantom 4 Pro with the CrystalSky display offers features which are very important to the contractor – from the better picture and video capabilities to the vastly superior display. The upgraded Obstacle Avoidance system is also a big plus for this group of users, as their pilots may not be as experienced or well trained as those of us who have spent years navigating through trees and wires and other barriers. Another upcoming unit from DJI, the Mavic Pro 2 series, will feature more portability, a zoom lens and even better obstacle avoidance. [Read more…]

Drones are now a Filmmakers Tool: Can they make your video better?

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The following is a guest post by Sasha Rezvina of leading aerial cinematography company Aerobo. Originally published on DroneLife.com

Drones were introduced into filmmaking as cheaper and safer alternatives for some helicopter shots. They could pull off (1) high-and-wide shots, so long as they weren’t too high, (2) sweeping shots, so long as they weren’t out of pilot’s sight, and not much else.

But in the past 5 years, drone technology has improved, and so has the imagination of the filmmakers who are using them.

Better camera gimbals, more durable hardware, and more sophisticated software has enabled cinematographers to push the limits of aerial cinematography. We’re seeing cameras fly full-speed towards cars and sweep up seconds before collision. We’re seeing cameras launch from the ground and circle around protagonists until they expose gorgeous backdrops. And we’re seeing cameras soar above the treeline, only to dip through tree tops to expose a clandestine meeting between characters.

The drone is becoming a camera platform in its own right — and before long, drones will become part of any filmmakers’ toolbelt. Here’s how.

Better Camera Gimbals Bring Us Back To Earth

If you look at this video and this video, you might notice the shakiness of the frame when the drone is close to its subject. This trembling is imperceptible when the camera is 500 feet in the air, but up-close, it’s quite clear that the camera platform is unstable.

Both videos were taken five years ago. The first was executed by a custom-built heavylift, and the second was taken by an off-the-shelf DJI Phantom drone, neither of which had gimbals that could make up for the shakiness produced by the wind and the rotors of the drone. While the footage made for great viral content, no filmmaker would allow for this sort of trembling frame in their film or commercial.

But today, off-the-shelf drones have considerably more sophisticated gimbal systems that stabilize big and small cameras alike. 3-axis drone gimbals stabilize along the yaw, pitch, and roll– and they’re available in all shapes in sizes. The sophisticated Movi Pro can be fastened to a heavylift drone to stabilize an Arri Alexa, and the X5s camera can be stabilized by the Inspire 2 gimbal system.

The shakiness and jitters are a problem of the past. Now, as long as the camera is moving, it’s moving along a smooth path. The following shots wouldn’t have been possible just four years ago:

 

 Now that flying cameras can be used at all altitudes, filmmakers can use a drone for more than just a novelty item for aerial shots. They can be used capturing shots otherwise captured on land-based equipment, replacing jibs, dollies, and even, in many cases, even cranes and Russian Arms.

More Durable Hardware Lets You Get Closer to The Action

Early experiences with drones have turned some filmmakers off of them forever. The early systems– often built in pilot’s garages– were incredibly easy to crash, and incredibly expensive to fix. There were no off-the-shelf parts, so some pieces had to be borrowed from other industries and others had to be manufactured using cheap, readily available materials.

As a result, early drone companies had a lot of disgruntled customers. On a film set, where every minute can cost a hundred dollars, one bad experience could have been enough to set back the entire drone industry.

Today’s off-the-shelf drones, however, are nothing like their predecessors. Now manufacturers such as DJI are building drones to withstand inclement weather, heat, cold, and crashes— with off-the-shelf parts available for reasonable prices.

This means filmmakers can go, quite literally, where no filmmaker has gone before.

They can film cars falling out of a skyscraper:

 

They can capture fights on top of moving trains:

A large part of working on a movie set is just lugging equipment around as quickly as possible. This means loading and unloading cases, tossing equipment in and out of vans, and throwing a $100,000 pile of hardware in the dirt. Anything that is considered a “filmmaker’s tool,” needs to be durable enough to be tossed, dropped, and exposed to the harshest conditions.

Leading drone manufacturer, DJI, which owns over 70% market share has launched a shift upstream, to focus on enterprise use-cases. Since then, their drones’ performance has become more dependable and the hardware, more durable.

Filmmakers can throw a Mavic in the trunk of their car, right next to their backup camera and lens kit, and not have to think twice.

Better Software Gives More Filmmakers Control

When the FAA allowed for commercial drone flight in September of 2014, filmmakers were not the first in line for drone parts. Commercial pilots and engineers were. Today, there’s an entire sub-industry of drone pilots, who provide services exclusively to the film and entertainment world.

Initially, filmmakers weren’t interested in drones because they were simply too difficult to fly. And today, we’re still seeing the remnants of that time. The drone industry is distinct from the filmmaking industry, providing aerial film and photos to a number of other verticals, including agriculture, industrial inspection, and mapping. Very few serious filmmakers have invested in their own drone equipment.

But the software behind some of the most sophisticated drones is making drone flight considerably more accessible.

Today’s drones aren’t motors controlled by joysticks, the way remote-control helicopters once were. They have “smart” features that make the thing much harder to crash:

  • Vision Positioning System (VPS) which keeps a drone steady, even if your hands are off the controls (or if its a windy day).
  • Obstacle avoidance sensors which will keep you from flying a drone into the side of a building.

And each new DJI drone model that’s designed for aerial film and photo is equipped with new and simpler ways to fly the drone. The latest Spark can be controlled with a joystick, your iPhone, or your even your hands (“like a bloody Jeti”, according to one reviewer).

Drones have become increasingly sophisticated, lowering the barrier to entry for filmmakers and content creators interested in aerial film.

The Renaissance Filmmaker

The filmmaking industry was once fragmented, with people sticking to one specialty throughout their careers. You’re either an editor, a VFX specialist, or a director of photography. Today’s filmmakers and content creators are able to tap into a number of different specialties.

All sorts of cinematic tools– from editing software to cameras–  are being built with usability in mind, democratizing filmmaking. Today’s creators can wear several hats, but also have a deeper conversation about the project as a whole with their collaborators. We’ve never been better equipped to create art.

The drone is following suit. DJI drones are just like the DSLR camera, which can make anyone a photographer. Just like Adobe Premier, which can make anyone an editor. Technology is augmenting what tools creatives can implement to fulfill their creative vision. And the drone is no different.

Sasha Rezvina is a Brooklyn-based writer who explores the intersection of technology and art. Throughout her career she’s worked with over 30 tech companies to help them shape their brand stories and tell the world about their products. She’s currently the Director of Marketing for Aerobo, the largest aerial cinematography company in the U.S. 

Parrot Slashes Prices on Additional Anafi Flight Modes

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Following the launch of the new Anafi drone, Parrot has received some criticism for not including its Follow Me and Flight Plan features and making consumers pay extra for features that are standard in competing drones.  While included in the feature list they were priced as add-on’s that increased the price of the drone a significant amount.

While this is common in other industries,  (think about your mobile phone bill, wait try to not think about it as it will make you sad) it is not common in the drone marketplace and they came under significant criticism,  Parrot has made this right to their customers by lowering the prices of these add-on features from 17.99 to .99 per feature.

This drone was recently reviewed in DroneLife.com in a Anafi review, where those features were a significant add-on price increase.  This is pricey given competitors such as DJI include this a standard feature.  This has now changed.

Parrot recently send out an email that details the price changes.

Parrot Anafi – Now With Heavily Discounted Extra Features

Parrot is backing down on charging extra for Follow Me and Flight Plan modes, the French manufacturer has decided to cut the prices down from £17.99 to just £0.99. They are pretty much giving the modes away.  .

parrot anafi deals

The scale of the discount on Follow-Me and Flight Plan illustrates that in the drone space the consumer is still king, but kudos to Parrot for making the change.

Looking to pick up a Parrot Anafi?  These are available at Amazon here.

Editing your RAW Drone Photos in Apple Photos

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Note- A Mavic Pro was used for these photos – but the advice given will apply to most all DJI drones and to some other brands.
This article is for Beginners and Advanced Beginners – those who know their imaging will likely already have other programs (Lightroom, etc.) that process their RAW and other photos. This article involves editing with the free (included) MacOS program “Apple Photos”, formerly called iPhoto.

What is RAW?

RAW is a photographic file type – one that takes as much as possible of the information from the camera sensor and stores it in a larger (usually 5X the size in bytes) format than the JPEG (.jpg or .jpeg) that most are familiar with. Most DJI Equipment now allows you to set the Photo type as RAW…or, as both RAW and JPEG at the same time. In the later case, the Drone will take and store two photos – one processed with your JPEG settings and one RAW.

Should you use RAW as your Photo file type?

This is an open question. If you do a lot of work on your photos after you download them (this is called post-processing), then RAW is the preferred format due to it containing more actual light and color information…which then gives you more to work with. However, if the majority of your work is “as-is” or only slightly adjusted afterwards (crop, light, etc.), then the JPEG format should work fine. However, it will benefit you to check and test the JPEG photo settings on your machine before you take it into the field. DJI provides various options – I currently use “Landscape” on my Mavic Pro and the result are quite good. Reports from the field indicate that DJI has occasionally changed these settings with firmware updates, so it’s important that you check to make sure the photos are satisfactory before doing any important flights. This can be done by checking the settings in the DJI Go (4) app while connected to the Drone – and also taking a couple photos outdoors. I just hover a few feet above my house and do so, but you could also do it hand held. Make certain to touch the screen to focus and try to take a sample photo of something at a distance – then inspect it closely on your computer or any larger screen.

RAW Photos will often look “washed out” compared to JPEGS – this is because JPEGS are automatically improved inside the camera. In other words, the basic work (sharpening, brightening, colors popping) is done for you – whereas with RAW you have to do the post-processing.

Up until recently, working with RAW files often meant you needed expensive programs like Lightroom – and also the education on using them. However, the free (included) Apple Photos App on Macs now has the ability to process these files. Following is a short tutorial on editing RAW (and other) photos in Apple Photos.

Selecting a Photo in Apple Photos

The screenshot below shows part of a typical Apple Photos “Photos” screen. These Photos have been imported from the Micro-SD card plugged into an adapter on my Mac. The thumbnails which have a “J” at the upper left also show a second shadow behind that “J” – this indicates that both a JPEG and a RAW copy of the photo are in the program. If nothing is shown, that means only a JPEG exists – if the upper left only contains an “R”, that means only a RAW photo was taken. Note that RAW photos will have a .DNG (or .dng) extension.  [Read more…]

DJI Introduces new Drones and More in NYC on Jan 23, 2017

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Want to be the first to order a Mavic Air – try this link – UNITS ARE NOW SHIPPING DIRECT FROM DJI.

As per the rumors, the release is called the Mavic Air and is very similar to the description below. It is smaller than any other system of it’s type – 1/2 the size of the Mavic Pro and weighs 41% less – yet it has the same (and many better) features.

21 Minutes of flight time – and a range of over 2 miles. Wind resistance has been improved – to 22 MPH. As first mentioned, this could be called a vastly improved Spark or a downsized Mavic Pro – with, of course, the extra features.
Price? Only $799 for the basic package including the R/C Controller, prop guards, single battery, etc.
For $999 you get 3 total batteries, a multi-charger, a case and some other accessories.
DJI claims that a number of accessories and add-ons will be available in the coming weeks.

100 mpbs 4K Video is included – this is a much higher rate (quality for video) than most other consumer drones. Panoramas are automatic – just the tap of a button to shoot a 32 MP Pano. An HDR setting is included.

The Camera and Gimbal are quite advanced – 8Gig of memory is built in, so if you forget your MicroSD card you can still take stills and video. The Camera has been improved and recessed back into the drone for extra protection.

Want to be the first to order a Mavic Air – try this link – delivery is in just a few short weeks.

Palm and Gesture control have been updated and are much more responsive.

The Mavic Air is shown below:

DJI sent us an invitation to a “launch” event which will feature the unveiling of some new products. Unfortunately, I will be at 39,000 feet in a real flying machine on that day – but DJI has promised to send along ALL the Press Material. In addition, we have many contacts within the industry who will be attending and sharing their opinions with us.

The rumored new machine is a cross between the Spark and the Mavic Pro. Specifically, it addresses the shortcomings of the Spark (Camera, short flight times) and improves on some aspects by being able to fold like the Mavic Pro. A more compact headset may be available which will not scare the neighbors as much as the older model.

So – if the rumors are true, what is being introduced is a Mavic Pro which is smaller, less expensive and perhaps has some additional features. Since the Mavic Pro is the best selling drone in history, this makes perfect sense..

See and/or order what has been introduced: Want to be the first to order a Mavic Air – try this link – The Mavic Air is shipping immediately from DJI direct.

Price: $799 with the R/C Controller and a single battery – $999 for a more complete package with extra batteries, a case, a multi-battery charger and more. This means you can now have a better, smaller and more capable Mavic Pro….for less than the cost of a Mavic Pro.

Range is given as 2.5 Miles – less than the original Mavic Pro. However, very few pilots use their craft out to this distance.

Note: For the initial shipments, the Mavic Air is available only through DJI Direct. By the end of February it should be at most outlets such as Best Buy, the Apple Store, Amazon, Etc.

Buyers should compare this with other models – it definitely is the most compact in terms of size and weight given the 4K high-res capabilities. However, the Mavic Pro has longer range and very similar image quality for most uses. Those needed better imaging should look at the Phantom Pro line with the 1″ Sony Sensor.

NEW – DJI Phantom 3 SE – The Best Budget 4K Drone?

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The DJI Phantom 3 series, first released in April of 2015, set a new standard for what was expected of a consumer-level Camera drone. Even at the original price of $1259, the Phantom 3 Pro was head and shoulders above anything in its class. The P3 series is still widely used today – although officially all models other than the $499 “Standard” (lowest end) model have been discontinued.

However, DJI has decided to introduce a new (updated) model of the Phantom 3 to the US Market.
The new model is called the Phantom 3 SE , sells for $599 and is at this link:
https://goo.gl/CjsT2c

DJI has been very quiet about the launch of this new model – in fact, I had to email the company to find out if it truly was a new model or just a renaming of an older model which was called the “Phantom 3 4K”. They assured me that this is a model which is updated and upgraded and hasn’t been sold in the US until now.

For that price you get a top notch 4K capable camera, the VPS (ground sensing) system and a new upgraded wireless connection which increases the range to as much as 4KM. Note – we suggest cutting these maximums by 50% for your use in most normal situations….but, realistically, even 1 KM is fine for most of what consumer camera drones are used for.
Some other basic specs:
25 minute flight time
Dual GPS (American/Russian)
Video up to 4K 30fps – 60MB Bitrate
3-Axis Gimbal

Basic Features

What it does NOT have is the “lightbridge” DJI system, which is an advanced wireless protocol…with longer and more reliable range (in many cases).

The P3 models are quite mature and reliable and many pilots may not need the advanced features in more expensive models (obstacle avoidance, etc.). Commercial pilots (Part 107) often desire a “backup bird” in case something happens to their primary camera drone. The Phantom 3 SE seems perfect for such uses.

The Phantom SE (Special Edition) is a well kept secret – but it shouldn’t be. You can buy a cheaper Phantom (DJI Standard…refurb and/or new is $399 to $499) – but you would be missing out on a number of features, most importantly the extended range and better camera.

One might say this is the “Toyota Corolla” of consumer camera drones. It does the job which is asked of it and is reliable and a good value. The Image Quality is on a par with the Phantom 4 (plain) and exceeds that of the Mavic Pro and Spark.

With the purchase of a 2nd battery and a case/backpack you’ll be ready to go “pro” for about $700 brand new.

Note – at the time of this writing the Phantom 3 SE is not listed on Amazon, so you’ll probably be best off ordering direct from DJI at this link. Note that the downloads and specs tabs on that page will offer further details on this new budget 4K model.

Phantom 3 SE (Special Edition)

DJI Spark Camera Drone – Is it for You?

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Droneflyers.com received a review model of the DJI Spark Camera Drone before the official launch. We therefore have had a few months to put the model through its paces and determine the pros and cons of this ultra-portable quadcopter. Note that we have our initial review in this article as well as a number of Spark videos at our youtube channel. These may answer many of your questions, however the below is a summary of our thoughts at the present time. We will present most of the benefits and features in the beginning of the article and list out the major “cons” (what it doesn’t do, etc.) at the end.

What is Spark and who is it for?

The DJI Spark is the first mass-market ultra-portable drone that still has most of the features of the larger and heavier models. These include a camera gimbal, front and bottom sensors, dual GPS, FPV, an advanced App and an array of photographic and other options. Up until the Spark, the closest model to this ideal was the Parrot BeBop 2 – which has many of the above features, but lacks a gimbal (mechanical camera stabilizer) – instead using Electronic Image Stabilization to remove vibrations and other unwanted movement from the video(s). Most experts will agree that the mechanical (Spark) camera gimbal results in better overall video than EIS.

The DJI Spark is available with or without an option R/C controller. When purchased without the R/C controller, the range is limited and the model must be controlled using “virtual sticks” which are on the screen. Those who have no experience with either virtual or real “sticks” will likely need a lot of practice (and reading) to become familiar with operating the Spark via Mobile Device. Still, in our opinion, the Spark represents a truly useable camera drone/mobile device combo….something that we feel is lacking with most earlier models.

Adding the R/C controller makes the Spark a much more capable device – extending the range, the control “feel” and other options enough to make it a totally different experience. The R/C controller also features a “Sport” mode – which turns the normally tame Spark into a racer/FPV model that you’ll enjoy flying around the local fields. It can also integrate with the DJI Googles – giving you the full FPV experience (our DJI goggle review is here).  [Read more…]