Posted on 12/17/2024 2:55:47 PM PST by fireman15
Learning to simply fly a drone can be a great, entertaining hobby. Take it to the next level when you use a drone to take some beautiful pictures and videos. When you first start out, you'll want to make sure to familiarize yourself with the regulations, then you can take your hobby to new heights.
If you're a professional video maker, having a drone can help enhance your work with aerial shots. It doesn't have to be a huge investment because good drones no longer cost an exorbitant amount. You can now get quite a few camera drone models for less than $500 -- which is perfect if you want to snag an affordable drone for someone on your list this holiday shopping season.
The market is flooded with drone options. You get various combinations of features, video quality and prices. There are options that suit every enthusiast, regardless of your budget. Whether you want a drone only for the thrill of the flight or to add some flair to your photo and video work, we've got some recommendations.
Our picks of the best drones on the market include the top options for beginners, intermediate users and "prosumer" enthusiasts. We've also included an introductory drone for folks interested in racing -- a whole scene unto itself. To help you pick the best drone for you, we've also included a more in-depth buying guide and FAQ on the best drones below, as well as the key factors to consider before you buy. We'll update this list periodically.
Best drones of 2024
(Excerpt) Read more at cnet.com ...
I forgot I to mention that I would also purchase a couple of DJI Mini 4 Pro Intelligent Flight Battery Plus Batteries for Extended Flight Time. They are currently $95. I would also purchase a charger that can stop charging automatically at 65%.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09WVYZC8K
gives up to 47 minutes of flight time.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CRDWKVLJ
I have had good luck with this charger I had a high amperage USB-C hub already, but the charger is a little bit finicky so purchasing the combo might not be a bad idea.
These DJI batteries self-discharge to a safe storage voltage automatically after a few days. But to maintain your battery’s capacity and life it is still a good idea to not charge beyond 65% until you are ready to use them.
Thanks for all that. Much appreciated.
Merry Christmas!
L
I should also mention that the extended battery is heavier than the ultralight version and causes the drone to weigh more than 250 grams so it activates the built in Remote-ID you need. Also 47 minutes is a little optimistic on the flight time, but it is still pretty darn good. It depends on how windy it is and how you are using your drone.
The Mini 3 actually has longer flight time with the extended battery because it does not have obstacle avoidance and the longer-range transmission system and onboard computer uses less power. I should also mention that the ultralight mini 4 pro batteries do not work in the mini 3 but the extended batteries do. It is one of many DJI eccentricities.
Merry Christmas to you as well!
I notice that all the ones listed are from DJI.
👍
Never flying under the influence of drugs or alcohol
That’s racist to say illegals can’t fly them.
/s
There is not a thing wrong with the 3500 and there are some truly great lenses for it for pretty low prices. If you shoot in low light one of the more expensive cameras might be on your list. The Z9 does not take better pictures than the D850 but is has more features, one that I really like is the pre image shots it takes which is uncanny for sports.
I took some pictures for a friend of mine who is a a football coach at a local high school. Every picture I sent him seemed perfectly timed with the ball just out of the fingers or the foot having just touched the ball. There is no magic about it or skill for that matter you just set the camera to take 20, 60 or 120 pictures a second and for up to a few seconds before you press the shutter release. It is capturing constantly prior to your hitting the shutter button but when you snap the picture, that his hit the shutter it keeps the last 1, 2 or 3 seconds of exposures prior to your hitting the shutter button, it is really a fantastic feature.
You don’t have to purchase the Z9 for that though, the Z8 will do it also. The Z8 is about 2 thousand less expensive. The biggest benefit of the 9 over the 8 is the size of the battery. When I got the 9 there was no 8.
One problem with the 8 or the 9 however is that they are full frame cameras. Full frame lenses are more expensive. With an adapter (about $100) you can use the older “F” style as opposed to the new “S” style lenses. The newer are more expensive but some say they are a little better.
Good Luck.
Thank you for the advice on the Z8 and 9.
I never looked at the 8 but it has just about everything I could really want.
Survive Christmas and see.
The P1000 is a good Swiss army knife of cameras but I like a true DSLR.
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