In 2008, I created a company called "Morning Fog Films", the concept behind the company was to showcase the beauty of the environment, and educate through documentary films. When I started flying drones in 2014, I found ways to combine my passion for environmental education and cinematography with aerials. In 2016 the FAA allowed for commercial operation, I joined the Local 600 Union as a Aerial Camera Operator the following year. In 2018 I started Sky Scouts.
The Handoff
I have been focused on the X5S platform, building a set of lenses for it, and looking forward to the X7. While the X5S is my primary camera platform, I wanted to explore one of the goals DJI set out to address when it launched the Inspire 2, Ground Filming.
https://www.dji.com/inspire-2
When the original description was released, there was speculation of a new Osmo that could handle professional formats on the ground, this was going to be DJI's entrance into the Cinema Camera Market. Except it wasn't. Nothing happened after the launch. No announcement, no trailers, total silence.
https://store.dji.com/guides/dji-zenmuse-x7-vs-red-weapon-8k-first-impressions-test-footage/
On September 10th 2017, there was a guide posted on the DJI Store about the X7 footage compared to the RED Weapon 8K camera. Right in the middle of the article is a picture of an Inspire 2 mounted to a Sachtler Fluid Head and Tripod system. The Caption reads, "Mounting the Inspire 2 on a tripod" with no mention of a mounting plate adapter availability for the Inspire 2. Following up with DJI, on April 3rd 2018 they stated:
"All are prototypes and coming soon equipment."
On November 7th 2017, the Inspire 2 Handle Grips instructional video was uploaded to Youtube and soon after, they were available to purchase on DJI's website.
https://store.dji.com/product/inspire-2-handheld-grips
This is the current landscape of ground filming on the Inspire 2. We will be exploring how the handle grips are working, since we just ordered a pair.
Adobe and Blackmagic
I have been using non-linear editing (NLE) software since I was in High School, after three degrees and five years in Los Angeles, I still use a few. Seeing the progress that Blackmagic has made over the years has been encouraging. Their support and refinement of the NLE interface and implementation of their stupendous color control has shifted more than I few editors I know. When I started flying with the Inspire 2, I was always filming CinemaDNG at 5.2k RAW, maximizing the benefits of the full range of the sensor. Unfortunatly, Adobe's offical line is:
"Adobe officially supports all ProRes formats for the X5S. However it does not support Cinema DNG from the X5S."
As an Inspire 2 pilot, this is an issue, Adobe only supports half of the formats available to pilots. When pressed, the link below is offered, showcasing the formats and cameras supported by Adobe:
https://helpx.adobe.com/premiere-pro/using/supported-file-formats.html
When asked about the X7, the only confirmation was ProRes compatibility. No word of future CinemaDNG support for either the Zenmuse X5S or X7.
Switching over to Resolve 14, there is a smoothness to CinemaDNG playback, 60 frames per second silkiness. Which makes finding selects easier, although, putting them all together is trickier than Premiere. There is a timeline issue when it comes to multiple resolutions and the sorting is easier in Premiere. This will be a reoccurring theme, technically superior doesn't make for an easier workflow. Don't even get me started on LUTs in Resolve 14, it is the worst implementation of color controls I have seen since I've started working with NLEs. They could update to 15 and only change the LUT implementation, and I would pay full price for that update, no question about it.
It puts drone pilots in a bit of weird spot, if you own a Mac, Final Cut Pro X may be the best option. For PC users, it's more along the lines of what you prefer shooting. If you only want to use ProRes for your drone work, Adobe will do the trick. For those pushing the boundaries of color correction and resolution, Blackmagic will flex it's technical skills (and rough user interface). For everyone else using H.264 & H.265, everything will work.
How The Phantom 4 Pro Remote Spoiled Me
When I began flying, it was with the Phantom 2, it using an analogue video transmission. I had a small 7 inch monitor with a built in antenna and a pair of FatShark Goggles. When I returned to the world of drones, everything had gone digital. All my equipment that I had was obsolete for the modern aerial cinematography platforms available. I had the option of a Phantom 4 Pro + and it wasn't till I started using the Inspire 2, that out of all the benefits of the Phantom 4 Pro +, the one that stands out the most is the remote.
It was DJI's first foray into their CrystalSky system, and the only time they integrated a monitor with one of their remotes. The CrystalSky 5.5" and 7.85" were created afterwards and is compatible with the widest range of drones, from the Spark to the M210.
So, how did DJI's initial monitor turn out? Surprising well.
Yes, I still used a Sun Hood
(for glare and reflection control)
The best part of the monitor wasn't the brightness, most of the time I didn't need to adjust the brightness to see, it was the simplicity of use. Being able to power my drone and remote with the same charger was just the icing on the cake. The best part was battery life, being able to have a remote and monitor that could last a full day on set without recharge was a relief and allowed me to focus on flying. The Inspire 2 was the first time I used a cell phone to connect to a drone, and when I would go flying, I always ended up reaching for the Phantom 4 Pro over the Inspire 2. It was always easier to fly with the Pro + remote, having all the cables integrated made sure that I wouldn't forget any loose cables when packing my drone or if there would be an issue with said cable as well. It was one less issue to have.
The simplicity of this remote showed me the potential of Crystalsky
This is really the heart of the matter when it comes to a monitor that gives you less control over how to control your drone. I've flown with pilots who love using Litchi and are able to create amazing visuals with these fantastic tools. When moving to the Pro + remote, I didn't have any options of third party applications, there were even issues with adding in additional software that DJI made! It made the use of the Pro + singular in nature, only being able to use the DJI Go 4 application to create my visuals. That's the bigger picture with this monitor, it's a pathway to using DJI's monitor system to streamline the process of flying DJI aircraft.
Spoil me? I will say that I didn't want to use anything else when it came to flying. The screen, the battery use, the lack of cables. All of these elements combined helped DJI point in the right direction when creating a simple solution for pilots. Is it an ideal system, for some. There were a few more perks that the Pro + remote had in store.
HDMI Output
Tap for a Director's Monitor and the world of LUTs
Having an HDMI port built into the remote made working on set a breeze. I already had a 5" Sony CLM-V55 HDMI monitor with a handle, which turned into a nice director's monitor when I was working on larger sets. Using a monitor that can load a LUT allows for color accuracy when working on multi camera shows, making it much easier to collaborate with the DP when setting up and executing shots. In short, it made my life easier.
Earlier this evening I used the CrystalSky 5.5" monitor with the Inspire 2, and it was just as simple when I was flying with the Phantom 4 Pro +; That's how successful the litmus test that is the Pro + remote with monitor integration was.
A Few Notes For A Father
Earlier this evening I came across a post on Facebook by a man who just purchased a large drone. He wanted to know how to not be intimidated and show his son that he could fly it. So in turn, I wrote him a response:
"As always, reading the manual will give you insight into how the drone works. It's more like a phone book than a text book though. Use the DJI GO app and practice with the simulator, every night, even a 15 minute session. Have your kid watch and see what his reactions are, it will help him when working with the real drone. When you start flying, find the local parks and check with Airmap to make sure where you can fly, then find the biggest, widest field possible. When you go there, do it alone, don't take the kid yet. Start flying, just basic shapes, squares, circles. Learn about flying only using visual line of sight, if anything happens to the video link, this will be the only way to control the craft. Get a feeling for the craft, try flying once a week. This will give you time to learn about battery safety during the week. Get a lipo safe battery bag to fit your batteries, practice good charging and discharging techniques. By this time you have flown a bit, know how to control by line of sight, and can operate while being around others. Now it's time to show your kid how cool drones are."
I hope more people learn about drone safety for safer skies.