A commercial pilot and aviation photographer, I think I am ready to make the leap into droning but I have no idea what to buy. I'd like to be able to shoot videos for fun but also get into the real-estate-for-sale drone video market (there are tons of realtors around where I live). I have no idea what to buy. I'd like something that I can put a hi-res cam on (or that comes with one) and makes smooth videos, can get up to legal altitude, and has a decent battery life--all without costing me an arm and a leg. I welcome your suggestions! -- John
Depends on your wallet - but in terms or price and performance right now the leader is probably the Phantom 3 Pro - can be bought for about $800 if you look around. If you want to take video you should buy a RTF (ready to fly) craft like the Phantom with a built-in gimbal and camera...and the accompanying app (software) which allows you to fully control the camera settings. If money is not as important, the next steps up are the Phantom 4 (only a small step up)...and from there your options narrow unless you want to spend twice the money for an Inspire Pro with the micro-4/3 (X5) camera setup. For Real Estate and other similar work, frankly, there is little reason to spend more. The P3P is definitely good enough. In fact, many of the aerial shots you see in current netflix, Amazon and other professional shows are taken with Phantoms.
An extra battery, a couple lens filters , decent case should be on the list as well. Don't forget to give the FAA $5 for certificate. While the Phantoms FPV and its systems can be used with a good phone a tablet is and probably already in your flight case.
Thanks for the answers guys. I managed to snag the FAA cert when it was free a couple months ago so I'm good there. One more question. I see all over how you should get a cheap drone first and get used to it before spending money on something more significant. Do you think that holds true for someone who has quite a bit of left seat flying experience? Is it that different?
Left, right, front or back these birds aren't your grandfathers flying machines. About the only thing in common is the government agency that is trying to control them. The difference between a 50 and 100 toy is probably going to be the barometric hold feature and some other things like push to flip bs. Took me three batteries before I could hold elevation and maneuver(Syma x5) as these things move in all directions pretty quickly. Airplane is forward only and even a helicopter is a challenge to get to go backwards. I found the handling more to that of a good back hoe.
Your looking at a thousand dollar +- quad or hex depending on known quality verses new technology. The advantage of a supplied camera is more interaction between the controller and the camera on the machine. A <$100.00 quad or hex is usually recommended till you get the learning curve so you don't hurt your $1K toy.
Much better that a GoPro for aerial photography. It has almost no fish-eye and more settings, etc. These are not full resolution, but here is a quick photo and vid I did today. https://www.droneflyers.com/talk/threads/a-local-mill-pond-and-old-factories-easthampton-ma.2019/#post-5839
It is still worthwhile to buy a Syma X5 or Hubsan Quads micro - even if at the same time. Flying the toys is MUCH harder than flying the Phantom. But the Phantom requires more study to understand all the modes, settings and other nuances. If you can fly the toys decently, you will be a wizard on the Phantom.
