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Drone Equipment

Which drone model and drone accessories to choose?

I have been using different drones since I have started drone photography in 2017. All drones were from DJI, but accessories were from different brands. On this page, I am sharing with you the exact drone equipment I have been using, from the actual drones to the camera filter and the drone bag. I am also summarizing, from my perspective, pro's and con's where helpful.

Currently used drone: DJI Mavic 2 Pro

 

I am currently using my third drone which is the DJI Mavic 2 Pro. This drone definitely beats my previously used drones in terms of an excellent drone picture and video quality. With the DJI Mavic 2 Pro, drone photography became a real pleasure. Even on big, high resolution screens, the drone pictures and drone videos look amazing. Check out my portfolio of drone photography to see some of my latest drone pictures or watch some of my most recent drone videos.

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Pro:

+ Excellent picture and video quality (better than Mavic Pro and Mavic Air)

+ Still compact size (not too big for hand carry luggage)

+ Still acceptable weight (not adding too much to travel luggage)

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Con:

- Relatively high price (around EUR 1,200)

- No 60 fps recording with 4K resolution

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You can purchase only the drone (incl. battery, controller, propellers) or a combo package including many more accessories. There is a useful charging hub included (allowing to charge several batteries at a time), but since I didn't like the bag which is included (and prefered having the Lowepro Viewpoint BP 250 AW explained below), I did not buy the combo package.

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Drone only

Combo package

Vs. the DJI Mavic 2 Zoom version

 

There is another version of the DJI Mavic 2 - which is called DJI Mavic 2 Zoom. As the name already reveals, that version of the drone has an optical zoom. To me, the benefit of taking some videos with zoom (and certain fancy effects) wasn't big enough to opt for that model. I have preferred to have an increased picture quality with the Hassleblad camera which only the DJI Mavic 2 Pro comes with.

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Check out DJI's video on the right to see both drones, the DJI Mavic 2 Pro and the DJI Mavic 2 Zoom.

DJI Mavic 2 Pro

Currently used drone bag: Lowepro Viewpoint BP 250 AW

 

I am currently using a really perfect drone bag for the DJI Mavic 2 Pro - the Lowepro Viewpoint BP 250 AW​. 

 

Pro: What makes it so perfect:

 

  • The drone can be accessed from the outside of the bag via a separate compartment (lower part of the bag)

  • There is ample of space for other stuff like passport, wallet etc. which you need during your trip (upper part of the bag)

  • Space for laptop and/or travel documents like flight or hotel reservation printouts (separate compartment inside the bag)

  • Space for a water bottle while traveling/hiking (outside, on side of the bag)

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Con: The drone bag is not made originally for the DJI Mavic 2 Pro, so the compartment dividiers inside the small drone bag do not fit exactly with the DJI Mavic 2 Pro. This is however just a small negative aspect and doesn't really bother. The drone fits still well.

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Loewepro offers other bags which are specifically designed DJI Mavic, namely the Lowepro DroneGuard BP 200 and Lowepro DroneGuard BP 250. However, I find those bags pretty bulky (not as nice) and aside from the drone itself with its accessories, you won't fit many more belongings into the same bag. While traveling though, you need to fit other belongings in the same bag, like your valuables, travel documents or even some food/drink while hiking. Also I would not want to carry two different bags.

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Therefore, I highly recommend the Lowepro Viewpoint BP 250 AW to anyone owning the DJI Mavic 2 Pro or any other drone!

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Drone bag

Currently used filter: PGYTECH polarizing filter

 

For 90% of my pictures, I am using the polarizing filter from PGYTECH which perfectly fits the DJI Mavic 2 Pro.

 

What does a polarizing filter do?

 

  • A polarizing filter reduces reflections, e.g. on the ocean surface to see the corals below

  • Intensifies colors, e.g. green plants look really green and the turquoise color of tropical waters really turquoise

  • Intensifies contrasts, e.g. white clouds look really white and in contrast with the blue sky behind

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Con: There are no real cons, just make sure you buy a filter which is not changing the colour of the ovrall picture. I had some polarization filters in the past which give the picture a brownish colour. It is difficult to see this before buying a filter, but I can assure you that the PGYTECH polarizing filter is fine - it does not influence the overall picture colour in any negative / brownish way.

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Some might think pictures are becoming unreal when using a polarization filter, but I do not think so. I find that a polarization filter is rather bringing the picture closer to reality and translates more the real beauty of the place. The pictures afterwards need very little editing - they are beautiful in the way they are taken when using a polarization filter.

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Polarizing filter

Currently used lipo bags: No-name Li-po Safe Bags

 

Whenever I take the plane, I always bring my drone batteries inside lipo bags.

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What are the lipo bags needed for?

 

  • Lipo bags function as protection in the unlikely event that the batteries catch fire

  • Lipo bags make sure you won't face problems taking your batteries on board of an aircraft

 

According to IATA rules, the DJI Mavic Pro batteries are within the authorized power range of batteries allowed on board of an aircraft. However, to make sure you won't face any issues by either airline or security personnel, it is highly recommend to:

 

1) Use lipo bags

2) Check the regulations of the airline you fly with (especially if that airline is a Non-IATA airline)

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So far, I have never experienced any issues bringing my batteries (inside lipo bags) on board of an aircraft. In many cases, security staff doesn't even want me to open/take out my drone for x-ray scanning - even when pro-actively telling them that I am carrying a drone. So you may also travel without lipo bag, but that puts you at a certain risk. So avoid any trouble and simply get some lipo bags for your drone batteries - they are cheap anyway!

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Lipo bags

Currently used launch pad / landing pad: KINGWON 55 cm

 

For around 50% of my drone flights, I am using this launch pad / landing pad of KINGWON (sold under various brand names)

 

When do I need a launch pad / landing pad?

 

  • If the floor where you want to launch / land your drone is dirty

  • If the floor where you want to launch/land your drone is uneven

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In both cases, you want to protect both your drone's camera (from scratches, especially after switching the drone on, when it is initializing and the gimbal turning the camera in all directions) and the drone's propellers (from getting damaged by hitting surrounding grass or branches for example). Whenever the terrain is even and clean, you do not need to use the launch pad / landing pad. I suggest to take the smaller version with 55 cm. That one fits well into the same compartment of the drone bag Lowepro Viewpoint BP 250 AW - so both items are a perfect match. After a while you will be easily able to land the drone on the right spot, also on that smaller surface of 55 cm.

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Landing pad

Currently used extra batteries: Three original DJI Mavic 2 Pro batteries (in total)

 

I suggest you buy at least one, better two additional DJI Mavic 2 Pro batteries - that way you have 3 in total.

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Why do I need additional batteries?

 

  • With each battery, you have a limited flight time of approx. 25 min (according to DJI, the maximum flight time is 31 min, but in practice you won't reach that amount of time, because it is measured without wind and you would return the aircraft to its home-point before it runs out of battery, hence my personal judgment is approx. 25 min of flight time)

  • When doing a day trip, you might want to fly your drone more than once or twice

 

Especially in stunning places, you might want to fly your drone several times within one day without having a chance to charge the drone batteries in between flights. Especially, when you do excursions over several days, be it for example hiking in the mountains or a boat trip at sea, there may be no place for your to charge the drone batteries. Therefore, to not miss out on drone picture opportunities, do not save money on the drone batteries! Yes, they are a bit expensive, but you really do not want to  regret not having had more batteries at hand.

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Batteries

Previously used drone: DJI Mavic Air

 

Before my current drone (the DJI Mavic 2 Pro),I have used the DJI Mavic Air which was more portable, but the quality of drone pictures and drone videos wasn't the best. In the beginning, I didn't realize the lower quality, but when looking at the drone pictures on a big screen with high resolution, you can quickly see the down-sides. On most pictures, the horizon looks tilt towards the edges of the picture - you can imagine this effect to look like the curvature of the earth. Also the sharpness and lower colour quality were a bit disappointing. Consequently, I had decided to sell the DJI Mavic Air again.

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Comparing the DJI Mavic Air to the DJI Mavic Pro and DJI Mavic 2 Pro:

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Pro:

+ Smaller (you would fit it in almost every bag)

+ Lighter (less than 500 grams)

+ Cheaper (between EUR 600 - 700)

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Con: 

- Low flight range (after approx. 300-500 meters, no more signal)

- Lower image quality (in terms of sharpness, colour quality, tilt horizon)

- No 60 fps recording with 4K resolution

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Same as with other DJI drones, you can chose to buy the drone only or a combo package. While in the case of the DJI Mavic 2 Pro, I recommend to buy the drone only (because you better buy a different bag, not the one included in the combo), it's different for the DJI Mavic Air: I found the combo to be an excellent deal. The included bag is still small and you can fit it entirely into your main travel bag or hand carry luggage when taking a plane.

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Drone only

Combo package

***Update***

 

DJI has released the DJI Mavic Air 2 - I suggest you go for that one if you're looking for a compact drone. Amazing feature: For the first time, a drone that compact allows your to record videos in 4K resolution with 60 fps. Unfortunately, I haven't had the chance to test this drone yet. The smaller 1/2 inch picture/video chip compared to my current DJI Mavic 2 Pro (which has a 1 inch picture/video chip) prevents me though from switching. I would expect the picture/video quality to not be on the same good level as my current DJI Mavic 2 Pro. 

DJI Mavic Air & Air 2

My first drone: DJI Mavic Pro

 

The first drone I have used back in 2017 was the DJI Mavic Pro. Even though one of the first compact drones, it already had very good picture and video quality. The only downside to me was its size. It's not really a big drone, but when traveling with only hand luggage, I found it difficult to fit the DJI Mavic Pro including its accessories in your luggage. My current DJI Mavic 2 Pro has the same size, but I found the perfect drone bag, the Lowepro Viewpoint BP 250 AW (see above) - so I can live with the size and weight.

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Today, you might find the DJI Mavic Pro at cheaper prices, especially when bought second hand. So it might still be the right drone for you if you are just starting to venture into drone photography and you are a drone pilot beginner. Have a look under "Buy Now" below, the drone can be bought below EUR 700 and the combo package below EUR 900. The "Platinum version" (e.g. with low noise propellers, but not much different features otherwise) is also quite cheap by now (compared to a couple of years ago).

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DJI Mavic Pro
Anchor 2

Check out drone equipment at conrad.ch

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I have bought quite some of my drone equipment at Conrad and always had very good experience. Hence, I can highly recommend their Online Shop. There are great deals from time to time and the delivery is usually very quick. Click on the banners below to enter their shop!

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