New Pilot

Gareth Rockliffe · Oct 24, 2015

This past week I've been learning how to fly, and film with the new Solo drone. It's been a big learning curve, with a few crashes usually after I was getting over confident. I think the Solo is awesome! Here's my first piece:

J R · Oct 24, 2015

Gareth,

Welcome! I was looking forward to viewing your piece but the link is broken. Will look back in a bit to see if you got it corrected.

Jerry

Gareth Rockliffe · Oct 24, 2015

Thanks for the Heads up Jerry:

Chuck · Oct 24, 2015

Very nice job. Thanks for sharing.

bruiser · Oct 24, 2015

Great stuff, really liked it! Great shot compositions. In the final shot (sunset) was that shot on auto? I guess it must have been but with my GP4 it's all a bit uncertain what the auto exposure settings will go to.

J R · Oct 24, 2015

Beautiful piece Gareth! If that's your first, we're going to see some great stuff from you! I don't know how many clips I've done over the past year but not one of them comes close to what you just put together.

Jerry

nacjr · Oct 24, 2015

Nicely done! Great start.

Earldgrayjr · Oct 24, 2015

Gareth Rockliffe said:
This past week I've been learning how to fly, and film with the new Solo drone. It's been a big learning curve, with a few crashes usually after I was getting over confident. I think the Solo is awesome! Here's my first piece:

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Very nicely done!! Good eye!!

Gareth Rockliffe · Oct 24, 2015

bruiser said:
Great stuff, really liked it! Great shot compositions. In the final shot (sunset) was that shot on auto? I guess it must have been but with my GP4 it's all a bit uncertain what the auto exposure settings will go to.

Yes it was shot on Auto. I find you have to be mindful where the GP4 is pointing, would love a graduated be filter!

Dmitry · Oct 24, 2015

Gareth Rockliffe said:
This past week I've been learning how to fly, and film with the new Solo drone. It's been a big learning curve, with a few crashes usually after I was getting over confident. I think the Solo is awesome! Here's my first piece:

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Gareth, Clean transitions between pieces of video, all super and look professional!

erikgraham · Oct 25, 2015

Gareth Rockliffe said:
Yes it was shot on Auto. I find you have to be mindful where the GP4 is pointing, would love a graduated be filter!

Check out Blurfix Air or PolarPro.

Graduated filters are sometimes a bit tricky on a drone, unless you really limit camera tilt. My 2 cents is to use an ND or an ND/CP, but leave gradients for post.

Gareth Rockliffe · Oct 25, 2015

erikgraham said:
Check out Blurfix Air or PolarPro.

Graduated filters are sometimes a bit tricky on a drone, unless you really limit camera tilt. My 2 cents is to use an ND or an ND/CP, but leave gradients for post.

Thanks for the heads up, I'll check 'en out. Do you think I would throw the gimbal off using them?

J R · Oct 25, 2015

Gareth,

Yes, it'll throw the balance off but you can adjust for it. Read this post:

The 76 cent gimbal balance for 5.4mm lens with filter | 3D Robotics Drone Forum

I just used a a half dollar and dime on the back of the camera gimbal and a quarter and penny on the side. Used Velcro to attach. There are pictures in the link I posted. Works great.

Jerry

erikgraham · Oct 25, 2015

Gareth Rockliffe said:
Thanks for the heads up, I'll check 'en out. Do you think I would throw the gimbal off using them?

They do throw it off balance a bit. Once powered on, the gimbal motors are strong enough to compensate, but many people believe this shortens the life of the gimbal because of extra wear on the motors over time. They counter weight the gimbal with quarters or nickels to compensate (so gimbal stays balanced when powered off). I have not bothered to counter weight (yet), because I feel like the force of air friction while flying or in strong gusty winds is equal to or greater than the force these very light weight filter add.

PolarPros are lighter. I'm slowly switching to them, but I have concerns the glass isn't as high quality as Blurfix. This is not based on side by side testing... just a gut feeling. I don't think you can go wrong with either. Blurfix packaging is better - you get a tin for each filter. PolarPro sells some cases for filter storage, but they are crappy.