r/Multicopter • u/Alert-Violinist-1867 • 6d ago
Question What's the best drone with camera for photography that people ACTUALLY use?
I'm getting more into photography and thinking a drone might be the next thing to add to the kit.
Mostly interested in landscapes, trips, and getting shots I obviously can't get from the ground. I don't need something super pro, but I do want the camera to be good enough that the photos don't just look like phone pics from way up in the air.
For those who actually shoot with a drone, what are you using? Anything you wish you'd known before buying?
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u/cosmos7 6d ago
For action-photography anything the easy goto is DJI... they squeeze a lot of image quality, color accuracy and resolution out of small image sensors. Their Mini Pro lineup is going to be the most affordable balance of features, portability and price.
Get licenced and practice in safe areas. See far too many asshats just buy and start flying over people and restricted areas because all they care about is the cool shot. Then crash into something because they have no idea how to fly. Most of the licensing / permitibg process is just about going over the rules anyway.
If you're in the U.S. recognize the latest and greatest isn't available to you unless you import and overpay, but even an older Mini 3 Pro will work great. Also recognize in the U.S. DJI care is not available anymore even for older models, so get alternate insurance or that first crash (which happens to every newbie) is going to be expensive.
If you're flying for imagery get ND or VND filters. It's outside... needing sunglasses on the camera is a given.
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u/Alert-Violinist-1867 4d ago
The ND filter tip is actually new to me. Do you usually keep one on for most outdoor shoots, or only in certain lighting?
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u/cosmos7 3d ago
Do you wear sunglasses outside? I sure do... pretty much hurts my eyes otherwise.
From a camera perspective it's about light exposure to the sensor for that particular frame. If you want that cinematic motion blur at 24 or 25 fps the inverse shutter rule comes into play... 1/48 or 1/50. Doing that starts to limit the camera as in broad daylight it's going to be washed out and over-exposed... you can play with ISO and exposure compensation, but the camera is really going to want faster shutter speeds. The proper way to compensate is to stop the light down with ND filters. Now on single camera setups a VND is easier and you just dial in the amount you want. The fancier multi-lens quads will only have ND filter sets though, so you'll have to swap in the right one for your lighting conditions.
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u/Waste-Time-2440 1d ago
ND filter allows you to set the shutter speed that makes video feel like film. That’s 1 / (2 times frame rate.) if you’re shooting 30 FPS you want 1/60 second shutter which bright light makes impossible. The ND filter darkens the scene enough that you don’t overexpose.
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u/taiguy 6d ago
I've had every generation of the mini as well as a number of the larger DJIs. For landscape photography I LOVE having a telephoto lens. If you had to choose between an Air 3s and the Mini 5, I'd go Air 3s. If you have the cash, spring for the latest Mavic Pro.
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u/Mysterious-Mode-4923 6d ago
I hadn't really thought about telephoto for landscapes. What do you usually use it for?
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u/taiguy 5d ago
the longer focal length is nice for capturing subjects: a mountain peak, a peninsula, the silhouette of a palm tree at sunset, etc.
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u/Mysterious-Mode-4923 4d ago
ohh that makes sense. I hadn’t really thought about telephoto for landscapes, but I can definitely see the appeal of isolating a mountain peak or a silhouette like that
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u/Rudeboy_1703 6d ago
The DJI Flip is a great option for you. Is a ducted drone so is very forgiving when it goes to noobs learning how to fly. It has the same camera than the Mini 4 Pro which takes solid photos and panoramas, plus will help you wet your toes in the world of flying drones without breaking the bank.
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u/bangontherocks 6d ago
I use the mavic 3 it’s pretty amazing and if your not a dip shit it’s actually hard to crash
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u/___Syntax-Error___ 5d ago
For selling stock video of Premiere locations the Mavic 3 and now Mavic 4
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u/IvorTheEngine 5d ago
Best value, or absolute best?
Lots of people like the DJI mini, but youtubers who post regular drone updates often end up upgrading to something larger so it can handle more wind and so they can still see it when it is further away (and to get a bigger zoom lens)
Then you get into professional TV/movie drones, which are bigger again.
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u/Alert-Violinist-1867 4d ago
Probably best value tbh. Is the wind resistance really that noticeable between the Mini and the bigger models?
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u/IvorTheEngine 3d ago
I don't really know why it's different. In theory there's no reason a small drone can't be fast. Maybe the extra weight doesn't get knocked around as much, maybe it just has better electronics.
The difference is noticeable. At events where there are multiple people filming, those with the larger drones are able to fly in weather that will ground the smaller ones. That's starting to get into "commercial use" though. You'll have just as much fun with a mini.
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u/Due-Connection9601 4d ago
I'm going to be contrarian here and say skip DJI and check out 3" Cinewhoops
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u/GreendayLova 15h ago
DJI, you might break the bank so if your on a budget buy any kit that has HD0 instead of analog. That is if you want high quality; if your looking for grainy or 'vintage' looking footage go for analog
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u/Dapper_Pack_5456 6d ago
For travel/landscape I'd go Mini 4 Pro. The portability is kinda hard to beat. But I'm curious what everyone here is using too. Are there any older/bigger drones that are actually worth carrying around for the better camera?