Drone photography! (Page 2 of 4)
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Originally Posted By PKT1106: I'm looking at drones pretty hard lately. I'd like to get one and get all the licenses and what not for commercial and do something with that. For right now, need to get one and learn to fly it well. Looking hard at the Potensic Atom 3 axis gimbal. Seems like it is right behind DJI for quality and the price seems good for something to learn on. We have a few acres of land that I can use it around and get the basic feel. Any issues with my plan that you more experienced operators can see? So the aperture is stuck at 2.2 on the potensic? if that is true instant no from me. I shoot everything manual and if I couldnt adjust aperture I would be in trouble. |
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Originally Posted By Solace22: So the aperture is stuck at 2.2 on the potensic? if that is true instant no from me. I shoot everything manual and if I couldnt adjust aperture I would be in trouble. Nearly every consumer drone has a single fixed aperture. Even on DJI drones you don't get the ability to adjust the aperture until you get to the $2,000+ Mavic Pro series. |
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Originally Posted By Grendel-OK: Nearly every consumer drone has a single fixed aperture. Even on DJI drones you don't get the ability to adjust the aperture until you get to the $2,000+ Mavic Pro series. Originally Posted By Grendel-OK: Nearly every consumer drone has a single fixed aperture. Even on DJI drones you don't get the ability to adjust the aperture until you get to the $2,000+ Mavic Pro series. Originally Posted By PKT1106: Aren't the adjustable aperture drones way more expensive? I advise getting something higher end, more than you think you need. You'll grow into it instead of out of it. You guys do you though!  another HUGE tool youll not have is AEB mode. That is an insanely strong tool I use almost every shoot. nearly every photo I have posted here was shot using AEB mode. |
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Nice! This was taken with my cheap Hubsan drone. I really need to use it more. The Wonder Mine. Mill foundation is lower right. The inside of that mountain is a honeycomb. Attached File |
Nobody is coming. It's up to you.
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Originally Posted By vmax84: $203 now.........killer deal. https://www.ebay.com/itm/387183112108?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=cd1hkq5bsbc&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=hkNhVWNuSwu&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY How do those compare to the DGI stuff? |
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Originally Posted By imq707s: How do those compare to the DGI stuff? Originally Posted By imq707s: Originally Posted By vmax84: $203 now.........killer deal. https://www.ebay.com/itm/387183112108?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=cd1hkq5bsbc&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=hkNhVWNuSwu&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY How do those compare to the DGI stuff? Have no idea, but I think for $200, it's a lot of bang for the buck. |
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A little off-topic, chastise me if im out of bounds. Is it possible to pass the 107 with just the 2 PDFs from the FAA website? FAA Site with PDFs |
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Originally Posted By PKT1106: A little off-topic, chastise me if im out of bounds. Is it possible to pass the 107 with just the 2 PDFs from the FAA website? FAA Site with PDFs It really depends. The test isnt hard but you have to know what you are looking at. If you can learn by reading pdf's then sure it probably has the information. I really liked pilot institutes course, the practice tests were perfect. There were only two questions on my test that I had not seen. |
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Originally Posted By Solace22: It really depends. The test isnt hard but you have to know what you are looking at. If you can learn by reading pdf's then sure it probably has the information. I really liked pilot institutes course, the practice tests were perfect. There were only two questions on my test that I had not seen. Originally Posted By Solace22: Originally Posted By PKT1106: A little off-topic, chastise me if im out of bounds. Is it possible to pass the 107 with just the 2 PDFs from the FAA website? FAA Site with PDFs It really depends. The test isnt hard but you have to know what you are looking at. If you can learn by reading pdf's then sure it probably has the information. I really liked pilot institutes course, the practice tests were perfect. There were only two questions on my test that I had not seen. I'm an engineer, so I'm used to reading drawings and standards. I've found a bunch of stuff in just the last couple hours about reading aeronautical charts and weather graphs. Learning about airport runway orientations and the difference between AGL and MSL. The different classes of controlled airspace and getting a refresher on coordinates. Good stuff. |
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Originally Posted By PKT1106: I'm an engineer, so I'm used to reading drawings and standards. I've found a bunch of stuff in just the last couple hours about reading aeronautical charts and weather graphs. Learning about airport runway orientations and the difference between AGL and MSL. The different classes of controlled airspace and getting a refresher on coordinates. Good stuff. Nice! Sounds like you are on the right track! |
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Spot my drone in my trucks window reflection. My bed and bed cover make a great LZ Attached File |
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Originally Posted By MrMackey: Spot my drone in my trucks window reflection. My bed and bed cover make a great LZ https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/587392/IMG_4715_png-3414705.JPG |
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I've been studying for 10 days and am going for the 107 tomorrow. Watched Altitude Institute's videos, a bunch of Mr Migs and Northrup's vid. Took a bunch of notes and used the Part 107 app and King's School practice tests. Im getting consistent 90s. I'll spend today reviewing weather and going back over videos. I feel like this shouldn't be ridiculously hard. In the end, it's all a bunch of regulations and watching the weather. The METARs and TAFs were intimidating until I figured it out. Yesterday, I was out and about and looked up the METAR for my local airport and was able to read it. My wife thinks I'm crazy until I told her it could be a small business. Weather has a lot of little caveats, but it's basically stable vs unstable air. Sectional charts and chart supplements can get hairy, but following the boundaries and using the chart legend is about 90% of the battle, from what I can tell. The other 10 is just knowing the general radii and ceiling elevations of the airspace classes. Crew management and risk/safety management seem.to ve pretty straightforward. Keep everyone informed and don't do stupid shit. That should about cover it for a passing score. |
Lowly Phantom 3 STD part 107 One of these days I need to upgrade. The Phantom 3 was somewhere to start, and so far, has worked well. I can certainly see it's limitations, but for puttering around, it's fine. I definitely would like something a bit newer. Thermal would be awesome, but likely not worth the cost for hobby use. The Part 107 really isn't difficult if you know the material. I recommend practice tests. |
| What are you guys using to edit your photos and videos? Not just editing software (but that too), but computer setups as well. If the internet is to be believed, I'm going to have to spend more money on a new computer to be able to edit than I did on the drone itself. I currently have a 4 yr old HP Pavilion Gaming laptop with a 10th gen i5 and a 1660ti graphics card (4 GB of vRam and 32 GB of system RAM). |
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Originally Posted By spectre3: What are you guys using to edit your photos and videos? Not just editing software (but that too), but computer setups as well. If the internet is to be believed, I'm going to have to spend more money on a new computer to be able to edit than I did on the drone itself. I currently have a 4 yr old HP Pavilion Gaming laptop with a 10th gen i5 and a 1660ti graphics card (4 GB of vRam and 32 GB of system RAM). I'm mostly using my 8 year old Lenovo P50 laptop, quad-core i7, 64GB of RAM, and 3 1/3 TB of internal SSDs, plus outboard SSD drives for storage and work. I have two external monitors in addition to my laptop monitor. I also have a 6-core i9 2018 Mac Book Pro with 32GB of RAM and 1TB SSD. But I mostly use that for audio recording. Software is Lightroom Classic and Davinci Resolve. Adding a solid state drive to your set up will greatly improve editing performance as their read and write access times are several times faster than even 7200 rpm HDDs. |
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Originally Posted By Grendel-OK: I'm mostly using my 8 year old Lenovo P50 laptop, quad-core i7, 64GB of RAM, and 3 1/3 TB of internal SSDs, plus outboard SSD drives for storage and work. I have two external monitors in addition to my laptop monitor. I also have a 6-core i9 2018 Mac Book Pro with 32GB of RAM and 1TB SSD. But I mostly use that for audio recording. Software is Lightroom Classic and Davinci Resolve. Adding a solid state drive to your set up will greatly improve editing performance as their read and write access times are several times faster than even 7200 rpm HDDs. It has a 512 GB SSD. I've upgraded the RAM, but I'm not sure if adding a second SSD is worth it on a computer this old that may not even be able to reasonably handle editing 4k video as the GPU is not upgradeable. I'm planning to only upload videos onto the computer for editing and then export them to an external SSD for storage. I may end up with a used M1 or M2 chip macbook for editing since that seems much cheaper than getting a desktop PC with similar performance...again, that's according to the internet. |
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Passed the 107 this morning after 10 days of study. Started with the Altitude University free online videos, took notes the whole time. Read over the study guide on the FAA website a few times. Watched Northrup's study guide video and Mr Mig's videos for weather and fog. Also did a bunch of practice tests on the Kings School site and the Part 107 Test app. The questions I got weren't exact matches, but they were the same ideas in looking at sectional charts. Not too much about weather. A few more than anticipated on safety and crew resource management, but I erred on the side of the safest solution. A couple about part 48 categories. Etc. Passed with a 92% after 10 days of self study. Full disclosure: Mechanical Engineer PE who is used to getting info from standards and charts. |
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Originally Posted By PKT1106: Passed the 107 this morning after 10 days of study. Started with the Altitude University free online videos, took notes the whole time. Read over the study guide on the FAA website a few times. Watched Northrup's study guide video and Mr Mig's videos for weather and fog. Also did a bunch of practice tests on the Kings School site and the Part 107 Test app. The questions I got weren't exact matches, but they were the same ideas in looking at sectional charts. Not too much about weather. A few more than anticipated on safety and crew resource management, but I erred on the side of the safest solution. A couple about part 48 categories. Etc. Passed with a 92% after 10 days of self study. Full disclosure: Mechanical Engineer PE who is used to getting info from standards and charts. Congrats! |
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Originally Posted By PKT1106: Passed the 107 this morning after 10 days of study. Started with the Altitude University free online videos, took notes the whole time. Read over the study guide on the FAA website a few times. Watched Northrup's study guide video and Mr Mig's videos for weather and fog. Also did a bunch of practice tests on the Kings School site and the Part 107 Test app. The questions I got weren't exact matches, but they were the same ideas in looking at sectional charts. Not too much about weather. A few more than anticipated on safety and crew resource management, but I erred on the side of the safest solution. A couple about part 48 categories. Etc. Passed with a 92% after 10 days of self study. Full disclosure: Mechanical Engineer PE who is used to getting info from standards and charts.  
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Originally Posted By Libertas: Originally Posted By Libertas: Originally Posted By MrMackey: Congrats! Originally Posted By Libertas: Thank you. My issue now is that the drone I'm looking at, the DJI Air 3s, is not in stock anywhere and orders from China are being held by customs. The Air 3 is in stock some places, but I really like the specs on the 3s better. The Mini 4 Pro was an option, but since I now have my 107, I'd rather have the added weight to better handle wind. |
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Originally Posted By PKT1106: Thank you. My issue now is that the drone I'm looking at, the DJI Air 3s, is not in stock anywhere and orders from China are being held by customs. The Air 3 is in stock some places, but I really like the specs on the 3s better. The Mini 4 Pro was an option, but since I now have my 107, I'd rather have the added weight to better handle wind. Go with the Air 3S. I got the Mini 4 Pro, and while it's a great drone, since owning the A3S, I don't predict i will fly the mini very often. I love this Air 3S. https://dronepoint.ca/products/dji-air-3s-fly-more-combo-dji-rc-2 Attached File |
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I'd like to get a newer drone. I don't use mine as much as I'd like because its kind of a pain to get all together to fly it.  Old RADAR base out in SE Oregon. I added the tilt shift effect in post.  |
“How dare we whine at our inevitable return to that prior state from which the vast majority have never stirred?”
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Attached File Attached File Shenandoah River, Harper's Ferry WV. Air 3S auto settings, no post editing. |
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Originally Posted By Throwsabender: Tagging this thread. I just got a mini four pro and I’m learning how to fly. I just received mine yesterday and did my first flight last night. This is going to be addicting so I’ll be going down the rabbit holes of flying, photography, videography, video editing, etc… I have a feeling this is will get expensive but fun.
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Ok, so the Air 3s showed up today. Ordered from Dronepoint in Canada on January 3rd. Originally selected UPS Ground, but they changed it to DHL Express. They said DHL express seemed to not be held up as much as UPS Ground. Went from Ontario to Cincinnati to Pittsburgh to me. Cleared customs in Cincinnati within hours and was back out the door. No contact for further information. No request to pay duties or brokerage fees as of yet. I bought the Fly More combo that comes with 3 batteries, a set of 3 ND filters, extra propellers and the RC2 controller with the screen built in so I wouldn't have to use my phone. Just unboxed it to verify contents. Going to go through the manual first as I wait for sd cards and a 100w charger from Amazon. Those should be here tomorrow. Have some work.to do around the house this weekend and with the cold weather, hopefully I'll get it outside soon |
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Originally Posted By PKT1106: Ok, so the Air 3s showed up today. Ordered from Dronepoint in Canada on January 3rd. Originally selected UPS Ground, but they changed it to DHL Express. They said DHL express seemed to not be held up as much as UPS Ground. Went from Ontario to Cincinnati to Pittsburgh to me. Cleared customs in Cincinnati within hours and was back out the door. No contact for further information. No request to pay duties or brokerage fees as of yet. I bought the Fly More combo that comes with 3 batteries, a set of 3 ND filters, extra propellers and the RC2 controller with the screen built in so I wouldn't have to use my phone. Just unboxed it to verify contents. Going to go through the manual first as I wait for sd cards and a 100w charger from Amazon. Those should be here tomorrow. Have some work.to do around the house this weekend and with the cold weather, hopefully I'll get it outside soon Show some pics of it hovering too! |
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Originally Posted By NAM: Lowly Phantom 3 STD part 107 One of these days I need to upgrade. The Phantom 3 was somewhere to start, and so far, has worked well. I can certainly see it's limitations, but for puttering around, it's fine. I definitely would like something a bit newer. Thermal would be awesome, but likely not worth the cost for hobby use. The Part 107 really isn't difficult if you know the material. I recommend practice tests. The good thing about old drone tech is, no geofencing. My Mavic Pro tells me if I’m in a fenced area, but doesn’t keep me from flying |
[007]
Rogers. FREDMAN Rogers
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Rogers. FREDMAN Rogers
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Originally Posted By PKT1106: Ok, so the Air 3s showed up today. Ordered from Dronepoint in Canada on January 3rd. Originally selected UPS Ground, but they changed it to DHL Express. They said DHL express seemed to not be held up as much as UPS Ground. Went from Ontario to Cincinnati to Pittsburgh to me. Cleared customs in Cincinnati within hours and was back out the door. No contact for further information. No request to pay duties or brokerage fees as of yet. I bought the Fly More combo that comes with 3 batteries, a set of 3 ND filters, extra propellers and the RC2 controller with the screen built in so I wouldn't have to use my phone. Just unboxed it to verify contents. Going to go through the manual first as I wait for sd cards and a 100w charger from Amazon. Those should be here tomorrow. Have some work.to do around the house this weekend and with the cold weather, hopefully I'll get it outside soon glad to hear yours came through without any hiccups. I love mine!
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Originally Posted By Libertas: glad to hear yours came through without any hiccups. I love mine!Originally Posted By Libertas: Originally Posted By PKT1106: Ok, so the Air 3s showed up today. Ordered from Dronepoint in Canada on January 3rd. Originally selected UPS Ground, but they changed it to DHL Express. They said DHL express seemed to not be held up as much as UPS Ground. Went from Ontario to Cincinnati to Pittsburgh to me. Cleared customs in Cincinnati within hours and was back out the door. No contact for further information. No request to pay duties or brokerage fees as of yet. I bought the Fly More combo that comes with 3 batteries, a set of 3 ND filters, extra propellers and the RC2 controller with the screen built in so I wouldn't have to use my phone. Just unboxed it to verify contents. Going to go through the manual first as I wait for sd cards and a 100w charger from Amazon. Those should be here tomorrow. Have some work.to do around the house this weekend and with the cold weather, hopefully I'll get it outside soon glad to hear yours came through without any hiccups. I love mine!Thank you. Now it's a matter of the ice age passing through Ohio right now. All I have been able to do so far is update all the firmware. Too windy and cold outside for flight. |
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Originally Posted By PKT1106: Thank you. Now it's a matter of the ice age passing through Ohio right now. All I have been able to do so far is update all the firmware. Too windy and cold outside for flight. Attached File Attached File |
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Was able to get out in between snow and wind for some first flights late last week. This is the first drone I have ever owned. A few more other vids, including at night, are on my channel.  DJI Air 3s First Flights Part 4  Brookside at Night Flight Part 2 |
Been trying to get out to get used to the controls and get more flight time. So hard with it being so cold and super windy. Did manage to get some more time a couple days ago. Used CapCut Desktop for the edit on this one. DJI Air 3s Ohio Valley |
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Originally Posted By PKT1106: Been trying to get out to get used to the controls and get more flight time. So hard with it being so cold and super windy. Did manage to get some more time a couple days ago. Used CapCut Desktop for the edit on this one.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRJbWXHRMhULooks great! |
View of the Ohio River from about 1600ft ASL, 385ft AGL. Ohio Valley 1-30-25 by RB 21, on Flickr" />
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Originally Posted By PKT1106: Was able to get out in between snow and wind for some first flights late last week. This is the first drone I have ever owned. A few more other vids, including at night, are on my channel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSVTHsk3ZY0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=er0c1ykqXSY |
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Originally Posted By Global_Cooling: I just got a Potensic to mess around with, fly the neighborhood and up and down local rivers. While I was practicing my dog got curious.  https://i.ibb.co/mht9QVf/100-DRONE-SING0012-20241031110816.jpg Mine, lol. 
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Well respected cult leader.
Also Knight of Wonder.
Also Knight of Wonder.
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Originally Posted By LawyerUp: Mine, lol. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/277223/A3955B63-FBCA-434A-8653-65D010A4DBBB-3452270.jpg That’s a bad ass pic! |
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Drone...it's what's for dinner. Target already aborted by the time the hawk got close enough to see well. I think the noise caused the change of mind. It jumped off a distant tree that I've cropped out of the photo, came in low and hot threading through the trees, then came up behind me (but I'd been flying backwards to record video of where I'd been) flying fast and climbing hard before banking right and getting out of there. Attached File |
I think the hardest thing for good LE working for good agencies to really absorb is that there are whole departments full of exactly the complete fuckheads we rail against here. - vectorsc
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Originally Posted By Libertas: What is your impression of the Air3s so far? I can't wait for the weather to warm up some to get more flying time, but I've been really impressed. Like I stated, it's my first drone, so I have nothing to compare it to. However, it's been very easy to fly and the videos and photos have been impressive without me doing too much with the settings. I, too, cannot wait for the weather to get warmer. I have been flying it with slower speeds to get used to it. After I ordered it, I downloaded the manual for the drone and the RC2 controller to read over. When it came it, I immediately adjusted the settings to slow every mode down. Even sport mode. I didn't need to drop that money and immediately crash. I really want to try the active tracking. Here is one i was playing with the color corrections in Capcut. Deer out in the field.  Deer Spotting |
Air 3S from about 200ft AGL, Edited in Lightroom Sunset 2-4-25 by RB 21, on Flickr
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Originally Posted By PKT1106: Air 3S from about 200ft AGL, Edited in Lightroom https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54307957153_d588a5348a_c.jpgSunset 2-4-25 by RB 21, on Flickr Stunning! |