Anything new coming?

[v3rlon]

DSLRs are heavy to carry even on the ground
more and more professional photographers are moving away from DSLRs and adopting mirrorless systems like Fuji X Pro or X-T, the results from these ASP-C sensor based systems are already comparable to full frame DSLRs.

I wasn't seriously suggesting above to lift DSLR with Solo, it was a sarcastic reply to another post.

even CG04 + Gimbal is still way too heavy (1.6kg) for Solo, but anyway that's another category.
If some manufacturer can come up with 1" sensor (or better) Camera+Gimbal solution under 700g and it turns out that Solo can carry this weight for at least 5 minutes then I'll be getting it. I was so many times in a situation where I wished I had 5m or 20m step ladder with me to take a photo with no obstruction, or a shot from a different angle only if I could move 50m left or right while standing on a ledge.

[OFF_TOPIC]
I would say that "more and more pro photographers are switching" is a bit misleading. I can point you at a TON of stuff where pros are saying "that amateur garbage isn't replacing MY camera anytime soon." There are certain physical realities we cannot overcome or work around yet with large sensors.

That said, it really is a case of the right tool for the right job. For decades, your options were 35mm or 110 film (other sizes never really caught on). Unless you were a spy, that pretty much meant 110 was less than optimal quality. If your only tool is a hammer, all your problems look like nails.

Now you have options because the people who make the sensors can make more of them if they are smaller than 35mm. For manufacturing, you get higher yields and lower costs on smaller sensors.

For sports photographers, for example, APSC or M43 builds in a bit of zoom and expands your depth of focus making it easier to track fast moving action. That is made of win for these guys.

For reading photographers, smaller sensors offer more depth of field (undesirable, normally), and less low light performance. Those guys are more likely to look for full frame DSLRs. As far as it goes, most of FF DSLR selling points are not the things I need on a drone.

[/OFF+TOPIC]

At the moment, I would have to see something really amazing to convince me I need to upgrade. The flight time is long enough for what I do. I don't even fly at full medium speed most of the time. I am getting steady video out of the gimbal. And the GP4 shoots nicely for what I need on a drone.

If someone really needs more payload, why not attach the 3DR to a dirigible. Use helium to lift your red camera, lens, follow focus, camera operator, focus operator, and snack buffet. Just use the Solo to move it. It would be like Up!

Really, if you need all that airborne, you need a helicopter - for now.

 

[pyrate]

Pros said the same thing about digital cameras in the day
There will be smaller cameras and if Mirroless was so worthless Canon and Nikon would not be jumping on the band wagon.

 

[v3rlon]

Back in the day, it was true. In fact, I was talking with such a pro just yesterday who was lamenting how digital still isn't as good film. Again, right tool for the right job.

At this time, it is true of smaller sensors.

Simulated shallow DOF is garbage, but they are working on it. One day it will not be garbage.
The out and out physics of a larger sensor getting more light than a smaller one cannot be overcome. One day, there will probably be a point where the smaller sensors are able match what we can see with our eyes or better, but today is not that day.

Focus on moving objects is still not as good on mirrorless. Again, right tool for the right job. I am not saying Mirrorless or small sensors are a bad platform. Use what works best for what you do.

 

[1264_Solo]

Pros said the same thing about digital cameras in the day
There will be smaller cameras and if Mirroless was so worthless Canon and Nikon would not be jumping on the band wagon.

agreed they do have their place and right now their market is growing and growing.
While the DSLR market is losing ground its far from being gone. In the next 5-10 years we may see
a fully new market for mirrorless but there will always be something for the dslr cameras.

A friend of mine just pre-ordered his 1DX MK II and that was a pretty penny.
Im a Canon shooter but even I dont know if I want to lay down that kind of money when there's
so many choices these days.

 

[UCLABruins]

The DJI Phantom 4 was announced today..... DJI's revolutionary Phantom 4 drone can dodge obstacles and track humans

It's pretty impressive for $1399

 

[pyrate]

yes but quite predictable
throw away all your P3 batteries, they wont fit
no mention of improved support other than sell you a common core math crash policy.
and oh enjoy it while you can, DJI will stick it to you again next year.

No thanks
I will see how solo develops

 

[EyeWingsuit]

i got my nabshow pass so hopefully I or any other attendees can give some immediate coverage of whats to be expected.
Id still love to see a parachute system and optical flow sensor. I dont need to replace a drone but making better and safer
is always a positive.

Curious, are there enough people attending NAB to have a users group gathering?
My schedule at NAB:
Profile: Spotted Eagle, Douglas

I might be able to arrange for a room if we'd have a few people.

 

[Ian [P13]]

yes but quite predictable
throw away all your P3 batteries, they wont fit
no mention of improved support other than sell you a common core math crash policy.
and oh enjoy it while you can, DJI will stick it to you again next year.

No thanks
I will see how solo develops

Some really great tech but the props still look to get in shot too often.

And in summary, this >

 

[1264_Solo]

Curious, are there enough people attending NAB to have a users group gathering?
My schedule at NAB:
Profile: Spotted Eagle, Douglas

I might be able to arrange for a room if we'd have a few people.

Not sure but even Im not sure whats day im attending but I am definitely interested if anyone else is

 

[Mr_Chris]

I'm with you on everything but this one statement. All of 3DRs drones (iris, x8, etc) will follow without needing the controller. Only the Solo requires the controller to be on hand.

I'm not sure this is as relevant as it used to be, but my impression back in the first Kickstarter days of IRIS-to-be, was that 3DR and Chris Anderson were giving financial and equipment support to people like Andrew Tridgell and APM folks all over (sorry to the others, have been a Tridge fan since Linux) , to benefit the whole industry.

So when I see the "other guys" and nobodies making things that do APM tricks, I still feel that it comes from the folks hacking APM and through that, 3DR-and-Chris. So I get much less competitive about those things, and worry about a legion of cheap drones smashing into things and silly legislation coming out.

Humans have well known bias to favour something they have bought or their opinion or those of someone they trust. So these thread-jackings will continue, but yeah it's not about who's got the biggest dick in droneland from week to week, it's about Look at all the great things we can do that were impossible just a couple years ago! And I say the more the merrier...

With the "code" being more ubiquitous, the focus should be on value per dollar and the unique applications of that code to make market opportunities. Like heavy lifters, or yes, specialised cameras... and us customers can complain about prices or reliability or a flagship that breaks compatibility each year... but it's good to have options. Isn't it?