Drones
So Drones are having a bit of a bad press recently, but despite this I bought my preferred model in the January sales, a DJI Mavic Air.
My main hobby is walking and whilst out I like to record our walks with an ageing digital SLR.
When we were walking the "Broads" I thought the photographic capabilities of a good amateur Drone could come in quite useful, and my goodness I was not wrong, stunning still pictures and equally amazing video.
As a person who flew early model RC helicopters I am amazed at the ease and flight abilities of this Drone, it's a shame that as usual it's the few that seem to ruin it for the responsible many.
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Tractors, chainsaws etc?
We have covered many many miles on foot both countryside and coastal pathways all over the UK, noise isn't really an issue, more the awful littering we see, oh and dogs not kept in close control or on leads, which is our biggest bug bear.
I've done some test videos and photos and I'm really excited to try out my Drone for Ariel photos and " Active Track" videos just to mention a couple of possibilities.
I'm away next week, I'll try and post the odd picture if possible to see if I can change minds. Hard work possibly, but years ago as a member of a Rc flying club, taking ariel photos with disposable cameras was a sought after goal, now it's here in HD I'm super excited.
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I’m interested to know if you operate your drone with due regard to the law and safety of others, W&M? Do you carry public liability insurance?
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Welcome to CT W&M, the natives aren’t all like this, some are tame & welcoming👍🏻. DJI Mavic is a pukka Drone, I’d like the air time to be better before I bought one but it’s still better overall than than the GP Karma. Happy flying👍🏻😊
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Be nice if we could see your efforts. For moving pictures I think you would have to establish a YouTube account and then you can post the link here.
How do you control the camera? Do you set it at the start or do you have a remote way of doing it?
David
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Hi David.
The Mavic Air is a good entry level Drone, but still has very good capabilities.
The Drone itself has an internal sd card which is used to store still pictures and video.
Whilst flying the Drone you connect your smart phone to the controller, this provides flight information and real time video of what the camera is seeing via a Wi-Fi link, this video (not stills) then can be recorded in lower resolution to the mobile device and shared via WhatsApp.
You activate the record function at any time in flight via a conveniently placed button, and like wise for stills.
The camera can be remotely angled up and down from the remote, but all other placement functions are by flight, with inbuilt presets for various shots, boomerang to name one. The camera has the usual digital programmable functions, or auto.
You are quite correct about a YouTube link, I'll give it a go. Years ago I used video editing software for my hi8 video camera, there is basic free suites out there, but I intend buying software to edit my videos into something more pleasing, a future project.
There's plenty of YouTube videos on Mavic Air and various mavic drones, if photography is a hobby then have a look.
Totally amazing.
This is believe it or not a low resolution video, we went put for a walk with our friends, at the start of the video you may catch a glimpse of myself! Sorry
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Hi,
Its ok, people express themselves in different ways, no offence by me taken.
This is my first Drone, it's got to be 24 years since I last flew Rc planes, 'bug well and truly bitten.
😀
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Absolutely,
2017 into last year there was the beach plastic watch, Drones photographed the country's coastline for individuals to log on and count the amount of plastic items littering our beaches.
There are downsides to them, as recent airport shut down's have shown, there is a balance to strike, we aren't quite there yet.
For example the National Trust ban Drones on their sites with houses, quite right too, but it would be nice to have maybe a Drone afternoon where supervised and restricted flights where allowed for those using drones for photographic purposes.
Maybe one day.
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ByI have no problem with people using drones as long as they are used like any other pastime equipment, that is to say with due consideration to those around them, be they people or animals.
They can be extremely useful in an official capacity, for mapping, for surveying, for, potentially, life saving even. Great.
The fly (pun intended) in the ointment are the few who are just plain anti social. We've already seen it with the recent chaos at airports and with media coverage of criminals using them to get drugs etc. into prisons. There will always be these types and we need stronger deterrents and better registration.
Let's face it. We belong to an organisation where its' members are derided and mocked by some sections of the public and media. We're easy targets due to decades old prejudices so I don't see why we can't have a bit more understanding for a hobby that is quite new and is already suffering those same type of prejudices.
Enjoy your hobby and be good.
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The noise in my video was amplified by my phone.
There is noise when flying say at 10 metres high, above that you should hardly hear them if at all.
Drones are like cyclist.
It's illegal in England to cycle on footpaths, and even push a bike. As an avid walker of our countryside and coast I don't mind cyclist enjoying our scenery, provided they are courteous and conscious of others who want to enjoy the outdoors. I hope I can fly my drone under these circumstances.
I would imagine Drones would be banned on all caravan sites, if not I for one would say they should be, so privacy shouldn't be an issue.
I can understand noise being an issue, but the outdoors isn't the pursuit of one hobby, in the Rc flying club years ago noise was extreme with petrol and nitro engines, so flying times were adhered to. Drones are much quieter.
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Me too, many years ago I loved to build plane kits by Flair. They were based on WW1 aircraft, ah memorys.
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W&M, having re-read my earlier post I realise it sounded abrupt. That was not my intention and I apologise. I’m genuinely interested in the legality, safety and insurance issues and would welcome your response.
I've heard that the Mavic Air is a good one.👍🏻
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There are plenty of websites for you to look at that can provide far more information than I.
My interest is photographic, and will fly my Drone in this mode rather than the sports mode that it also comes with.
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Cheers👍🏻
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The Drone code doesn't allow you to fly further away than line of sight, so you cannot utilise the full capabilities of this Drone, whose range is 3 km, others up to 5km.
You don't actually lose control, provided you follow preflight and preliminary flight checks, the drone will automatically return to within 0.5 metres of take off if the signal is lost. Mine would climb/decend to 30 metres, then if it detected an object whilst flying back either go round or above. The same applies to low battery power.
Some drones do have low noise propellers, but noise really isn't an issue if you don't fly in sports mode, this particular Drone doesn't have a microphone, I'm not sure any do, the noise in my video in the link on previous page is recorded on the lower resolution mobile phone which has amplified the sound, as you can tell from my voice.
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For some beautiful Sunrise footage over frost & mist in the Lake District check out the photographer & videographer Nigel Danson on Youtube, stunning work👍🏻
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Can you post a link, or can I just search his name?
The fact you can release the sticks and the Drone stays almost dead still to actual dead still gives some amazing photographic options and opportunities
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I understand that you enjoy RC aircraft and hope you enjoy flying your drones., However, there are some (myself included) who prefer peace and quiet whilst out in our garden, or the countryside.
I am with ABM on this one.
Natural country sounds are acceptable but not the whining of electric motors overhead..
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Having woken up one morning with a drone and camera flying 6 foot outside my bedroom window, I am not a fan and was surprised to find the laws governing the use make them quite difficult to fly legally. Especially around other people, buildings and wildlife.
There are many sites offering guidance on this topic, so please be sure you understand the legalities before purchase or flying one.
As the law stands today, consumer drones (classed as those that weigh under 20kg) must be flown no higher than 400 feet (120 metres), and be kept at least 50 metres away from people and private property, and 150 metres from congested areas and organised open-air assemblies of more than 1,000 people.
Changes are due this year that I believe require drones to be registered and online tests taken prior to being able to fly one.
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Try this-https://youtu.be/ptIyAkaulhg
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