Which drone?

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Deleted User YDKXO

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I'm thinking about buying my stepson a camera drone for Xmas. Nothing too pricey but one that takes reasonable quality video footage and has a good flying time. I don't know the first thing about drones. Anyone got any recommendations as to what to buy and where to buy it?
 
Ooops put this on the wrong forum. Meant to put it in the Lounge. Sorry
 
Deleted User though the price is punchy the one to get for an amateur flyer is dji phantom 3 advanced, which shoots in HD, or if you really really want 4k then the "pro" version (which is identical to the HD "advanced version apart from 4k camera res) but remember you'll want a very high end MacBook pro or something to process the uber large video files that the 4k makes

you'll want a 2nd battery. And you need an iPad or similar

The thing is really easy to fly and the included camera is much better than a GoPro because the horizon stays straight.

Don't worry about waterproofery - it is so easy to fly you won't be landing in the sea
 
jfm said:
Deleted User though the price is punchy the one to get for an amateur flyer is dji phantom 3 advanced, which shoots in HD, or if you really really want 4k then the "pro" version (which is identical to the HD "advanced version apart from 4k camera res) but remember you'll want a very high end MacBook pro or something to process the uber large video files that the 4k makes

you'll want a 2nd battery. And you need an iPad or similar

The thing is really easy to fly and the included camera is much better than a GoPro because the horizon stays straight.

Don't worry about waterproofery - it is so easy to fly you won't be landing in the sea
Click to expand...

I've just had a birthday and SWMBO bought me a Phantom 3 Advanced.
Got it working over the weekend.
Had my first crash today - no damage - I think I will wait for the wind to drop a little before I have another go.
The gimbal is simply amazing.
 
Mike, only thing I would add to the shopping list is a back pack which is very handy for keeping all the stuff in one place and protecting the drone when going places.

I have the Phantom 3 Advanced (so not 4K) and an iPad Air 2. Somewhat to my surprise, iMovie on iPad is surprisingly handy for also editing the videos on the road. Just stick the card from the drone to the (optional) card reader on the iPad and take it from there.
 
I personally have the DJI phantom2 and thinking of upgrading to 3.

but I have been looking at https://3drobotics.com which is quite interesting too, especially in preprogrammed flying patterns and following modes.

DJI gimbals are pin sharp. I don't know about the 3DR but I would think they are pretty good.

Depending on your editing computer, shooting 4k is not a bad thing either. It allows you to reframe your shots without loosing any of the HD resolution if you output in 1080P. And trust me framing an aerial shot properly is not always easy.
 
Do you find the Pro requires serious computing power to edit the video files? I am planning to buy the DJI 3 pro as the 4k picture quality appeals to me and will probably regret it if I buy the DJI 3 advanced, but wondered if my pc is going to be a deciding factor. What do you use?

Nigelpickin said:
fwiw we use the Phantom 3 pro and the recentish firmware update is fantastic....I think that it's around£450 for the standard which is expensive but great value.
Click to expand...
 
spannerman said:
Do you find the Pro requires serious computing power to edit the video files? I am planning to buy the DJI 3 pro as the 4k picture quality appeals to me and will probably regret it if I buy the DJI 3 advanced, but wondered if my pc is going to be a deciding factor. What do you use?
Click to expand...
We're editing all our 4K on Mac book pro, (recent) and the a final pass on iMovie on an Ipad pro so not the best person to ask...suspect that read/write will be your biggest issue so ssd memory on the editing device is important. IPhone 6s handles 4K editing very well, it's fancy transitions and loads of layers that will kill the cpu/gpu...

The pro is the one to go for even if you end up publishing in 1080, you effectively have a 4 X zoom built in so can achieve so much in the edit now...

Great tutorials exist online and I thoroughly recommend subscribing to DJI's YouTube channel for lots of great content.
 
Guys thanks for the advice but I did say this was a Xmas gift and 'nothing too pricey'! This is not because I'm a skinflint but because if I buy my stepson a £1000+ drone, I have to buy everybody else in my life presents of a similar value and then Xmas would start to get expensive. So I'm thinking £300-400 and something like the Parrot Bebop. If I was buying for myself, I would definitely be looking at the Phantom which does indeed look to be a nice bit of kit
 
anthonybert said:
... shooting 4k is not a bad thing either. It allows you to reframe your shots without loosing any of the HD resolution if you output in 1080P. And trust me framing an aerial shot properly is not always easy.
Click to expand...

Nigelpickin said:
The pro is the one to go for even if you end up publishing in 1080, you effectively have a 4 X zoom built in so can achieve so much in the edit now...
Click to expand...
Those 2 comments hit nail on head. You don't really need 4k output but shooting in 4k allows you to zoom to a quarter of the screen area in the edit and still have HD final output. Quality and feel of finished movie is very much in the edit. I skinflintishly bought the phantom 3A not 3P to save £200 because I was pretty sure the thing would be going to the bottom of the sea anyway (based on hard experience). Now that I have realised the thing isn't going to get destroyed I really wish I'd bought the 4P. I have van going to France and back next February so will probably swap it, and sell the old one on here or ebay in March next year
 
Interesting
I selected the Advanced because I didn't want the hassle of "down converting" 4K to 1080 for every clip - especially when I want to match my other 1080 camera clips.
In my experience, video editing can take ages so this decision was mainly to make it easier in the edit.
But I may be proved wrong and I may regret the 1080 decision.
I'm actually considering this in the light of general camera purchase.
For example, my SLR kit cost more than the Phantom and the SLR is well out of date now.
Also development in this area of electronics moves along at blisteringly fast speeds - is there a Phantom 4 planned?

BTW
Been out this morning - no wind and strong sunlight - very pleased with the P3A - and it didn't crash today!!
Still very much a novice though.
 
Hurricane said:
Interesting
I selected the Advanced because I didn't want the hassle of "down converting" 4K to 1080 for every clip - especially when I want to match my other 1080 camera clips.
In my experience, video editing can take ages so this decision was mainly to make it easier in the edit.
But I may be proved wrong and I may regret the 1080 decision.
I'm actually considering this in the light of general camera purchase.
For example, my SLR kit cost more than the Phantom and the SLR is well out of date now.
Also development in this area of electronics moves along at blisteringly fast speeds - is there a Phantom 4 planned?

BTW
Been out this morning - no wind and strong sunlight - very pleased with the P3A - and it didn't crash today!!
Still very much a novice though.
Click to expand...

Hurricane, this post is worthless without, er, video :D
 
Kingfisher 3 said:
P3 Advanced is £755 on Amazon .... anyone know better prices elsewhere, please?
Click to expand...

Yep - here

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191731399365?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Arrived promptly

But when I opened it, it was all in Chinese - no "Quick Start Manual" - this might be normal though.
All the kit was in the box so I reverted to the DJI website and found everything I needed.
All the firmware upgraded as expected.
If the Amazon was is different, it certainly isn't worth the extra cost.
Nothing wrong with this supply.
I believe that Santa is putting a couple of extra batteries (and a few other extras) in my stocking for Christmas - thats what I put in my letter to him anyway.

BTW
I use mine with and Android (Samsung Tab 10.1 - 2014 Edition).
Works fine but only just fits into the carrier on the P3 Remote - one of Santa's presents this Christmas might be a little extender like this:-
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/301814036186?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
and a hood like this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/371353989...49&var=640466169570&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
He might even put some of these in my stocking as well
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151155444436?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
 
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