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Name: DJI Tello Quadcopter Iron Man Edition Drone with HD Camera and VR Starter Bundle
Brand: DJI
Price: 109 USD
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DJI Tello Quadcopter Iron Man Edition Drone with HD Camera and VR Starter Bundle

$109.00

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Up, Up and Away!: Our Favorite Mini Copters, UAVs, And Drones for Aerial Photography
| Oct 2, 2015
Mark Toal shot this aerial image with a Panasonic Lumix GM5 and an Olympus 9mm body cap lens mounted to a DJI FC40 Quadcopter that was 50 feet in the air. Exposure was 1/640 second at f/8 and ISO 200. He used the GM5’s built-in Wi-Fi to capture the image, triggering it with his iPhone. © Mark Toal The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officially refers to quadcopters as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) but they obviously have more in common with the kind of hobbyist’s radio-controlled aircraft that have been around since I was a member of the Poly Aeroneers in high school. Yet tech blogs and social media endlessly refer to quadcopters as “drones” when the only thing a General Atomics MQ-1 Predator and a DJI Phantom 1 have in common is that they’re capable of flight. But they’re not without some controversy. Following the much publicized quadcopter crash on the White House lawn, a website and database was launched called NoFlyZone.org. To prevent quadcopters from flying over their property, homeowners can enter their addresses. It’s voluntary for companies to agree to these no-fly zone requests and (as I go to deadline) seven companies have agreed to incorporate the data into their products, including Ehang, Horizon Hobby, DroneDeploy, Hexo+, PixiePath, RCFlyMaps, and Yuneec. The FAA seems confused about the difference between commercial and private use of quadcopters. As I was finishing this column they were harassing a hobbyist for posting flight videos on YouTube. Because Google loves to shove ads down everybody’s throats, their ads on his YouTube video, in the FAA’s view, made the quadcopter videos “commercial use” even though he did not place the ads. And seemingly in answer to the question, “this is why we can’t have nice things,” some idiot decided to get his drone in the way of commercial aircraft by flying higher than the FAA’s (proposed) maximum 500-foot altitude, interfering with a Southwest passenger jet attempting to land. The pilot of the jet reported “…there was just one of those radio-controlled helicopter things that went right over the top of us at 4,000.” If the hammer gets dropped on quadcopter pilots, this will be one of the reasons. Hopefully, this will all get straightened out eventually and photographers who want to fly UAVs for aerial imaging will be able to do so legally. To that end, here are my choices for the best drones (or whatever you want to call them) out there. 4K In The Air It’s no surprise that with all the hoopla surrounding 4K video that it didn’t take long to put these types of high-resolution cameras in the air. DJI’s Inspire 1 ($2,899) was the first flying 4K camera and includes a built-in wireless video transmitter as well as indoor stabilization without GPS. Wind is always a challenge when flying quadcopters and Inspire 1’s three-axis gimbal (a pivoted support that allows rotation of an object around an axis) maintains stability even in strong winds. The camera comes with an app that runs on iOS and Android devices, broadcasting 1080p video at a distance of one mile. The quadcopter’s dynamic home point function lets you know where it is and returns it safely. During flight, the platform stabilizes itself with a downward facing Optical Flow camera that uses a stereoscopic image of the ground to ensure it won’t drift. The DJI Inspire 1’s battery provides 18 minutes of flight time but having a backup is a good idea (see “Quadcopter Flying Tips”). Product shots courtesy of the respective companies. At the other end of the quadcopter spectrum there’s Swann’s QuadForce Video Drone ($89). It’s a radio-controlled toy—that’s what they call it—that uses the latest 2.4GHz frequency for a strong signal indoors or outdoors up to 330 feet. It has an on-board video camera mounted in the undercarriage recording (720p resolution) videos or stills of your flights onto a microSD card, which seems like the de facto standard recording media for quadcopters. It’s easy to get started flying the QuadForce: Install four alkaline AA batteries in the remote control, then charge the chopper’s batteries using the provided USB cable for (up to) 50 minutes. Once charged, you’re up, up and away for eight minutes flying time. Ehang’s GHOST Aerial ($729) comes with a gimbal that (they say) fits all versions of the GoPro and similar cameras and includes an auto-leveling function to ensure smooth, stabilized images. You fly it with your smartphone using one-click commands. The app is compatible with all Android devices—an iOS version is promised real soon now. The quadcopter has a Night mode with illuminated LED lights that will let you track the GHOST Aerial in the sky and just plain look cool when flying. Flight time is an impressive 30 minutes or 20 minutes with the gimbal and GoPro attached. 3D Robotics’ IRIS+ ($750) has an autopilot that will automatically fly itself where you tell it to go, while keeping the on-board camera steady with its two-axis gimbal stabilization. You can fly it manually using the controller or use its “Follow Me” mode that will follow any GPS-enabled Android device. The company’s tablet-based software should make flight planning easy. Fully loaded (eight-pound capacity), the power system delivers 16 minutes of flight time. The IRIS+ includes a high-capacity flight battery, battery charger, ground station radio, and remote control. It has a GoPro-compatible camera mount and includes a tool kit along with an operation manual with flight checklist. Six-Bladed Copters You can’t call the Hexo+ ($1,299) a quadcopter because it has six blades. (As I was completing this column, it was available for preorder; “final product shipping September 2015.”) It’s supposed to be simple to fly because you set the framing on your smartphone and the Hexo+ does the rest from takeoff to landing. The Hexo+ has a 3D gimbal with a GoPro Mount—you need to add your own camera. One of Hexo+’s unique features is its ability for completely autonomous flight that tracks you and makes sure you’re in the shot. You can choose to capture yourself in action from any angle—front, back, side, above, and anywhere in between. Is this the ultimate video selfie? Walkera’s TALI H500 Hexacopter ($1,899) is another six-bladed copter that gives it more power than comparable quad-rotor configurations, making it more than capable even under the combined weight of a three-axis gimbal with GoPro attached. You can choose from several flight modes, including GPS assistance for beginners to manual control for better maneuverability. The integrated GPS means you can take advantage of features such as Intelligent Orientation Control (IOC) and fail-safe “return home.” It uses a 5400mAh LiPo flight battery for up to 25 minutes flying time. The battery slots into the aircraft’s tail and features LED indicators to check remaining capacity. The transmitter features a five-inch color display for live feed viewing from the camera as well as telemetry data, including battery voltage, GPS data, and temperature. Adorama exclusively offers the Aries Blackbird X10 quadcopter ($699) with built-in 16-megapixel camera. By attaching a smartphone to the transmitter, you can monitor flight in real time and direct the camera how to frame the subject. The quadcopter has a six-axis gyro, weather-protected construction, and stable landing base. The Blackbird X10 can record at altitudes of up to 1,640 feet (reminder: proposed FAA maximum limit is 500 feet) for up to 25 minutes of flying time. The 120-degree f/2.8 wide-angle lens automatically tilts during flight, keeping the lens pointed at the same height relative to the horizon. The camera supports single and continuous shooting modes, with video capture resolutions up to 1080p/30 fps video recorded onto a microSD/SDHC card. When flight controls are released or there’s loss of control, the quadcopter automatically hovers, using GPS guidance to maintain position and height, regardless of wind. If it strays beyond transmission range, Failsafe mode automatically returns the Blackbird to a safe height and lands it safely. Dromida offers entry-level (cameraless) quadcopters for less than $60 but if you want to make pictures, you’ll need to look at something like their Ominus FPV ($199) that has a 720p FPV (First Person View) camera recording onto the inevitable microSD card. You not only see your flight through a Wi-Fi-enabled digital camera but also can operate it using your smartphone or other mobile device using the free FPVCam app that’s downloadable from Google Play or Apple’s App Store. The Ominus FPV includes a transmitter and AA batteries, LiPo battery (for up to 12 minutes flying time) and USB charger, microSD card, and—you’ll need ’em—spare propellers. Blade’s 180 QX HD costs $189 with a camera. At this price point you won’t be surprised to learn that the camera is only 1.3 megapixels and shoots 720p HD video. It has a storage port for two microSD memory cards and for the money makes a good starter quadcopter. The camera has a Stability mode (high- or low-angle selectable) where the 180 QX HD operates with bank limiting and self-leveling characteristics. Two Stability modes provide the pilot with a high- and low-angle setting, allowing the quadcopter to be flown smoothly or aggressively (resist the urge) depending on your video needs and style. Tip: Remember to fly responsibly. Hubsan’s H109S X4 Pro Quadcopter ($1,299) uses a GPS-based flight control system and includes a transmitter with a FPV screen. The quadcopter features autopilot flying with waypoint navigation. The X4 Pro not only features Automatic Return to Home but has a built-in parachute for emergencies. The quadcopter includes removable prop guards for protection for those inevitable…you know. Small Drones The Estes Proto-X FPV affordable ($229) microcopter comes with a 1280x720p camera that shoots videos that you can watch in real time (with a range of 240 feet) on the controller’s 4.5-inch screen, which also comes with a hood for outdoor viewing. A three-axis gyro and three accelerometers create stable flight for such a small—distance between motors is 4.5 inches; 2.2-inch blade—bird, which has seven LED lights to make it easy to spot when flying at dusk or sunrise. The Proto-X FPV comes assembled with a LiPo battery and USB charger. Just install four AA batteries in the transmitter and start flying. The Parrot Bebop Drone Quadcopter with Skycontroller ($899) has an ABS reinforced structure weighing 14 ounces and in the event of collision its propellers automatically stop. A Return Home function brings the Bebop back to its takeoff point and an emergency mode lets the quadcopter land right away. The 14-megapixel fisheye (180-degree field of view) camera is stabilized on three axes. Using Parrot’s Skycontroller, a piloting smartphone or tablet is fixed on a shelf that’s compatible with most smart devices. Yuneec’s Q500 Typhoon ($1,299) quadcopter includes a 12-megapixel, 1080p/60 fps camera, three-axis gimbal, ST10 personal ground station, two batteries (nice touch), charger, and an 8GB microSD card. In addition, there are a number of accessories available, including a sunshade, car charger, USB adapter/charger, and an extra set of rotors. The ST10 ground station is a 10-channel 2.4GHz RC transmitter that supports a 5.8GHz video downlink that delivers streaming video via an Android mobile device with a 4.5-inch touchscreen, allowing you to view an FPV video image from the camera along with superimposed telemetry data. XProHeli’s XPX Heavy Lift Quadcopter ($1,899) has been designed for use with sub-900 gram (31.7 ounce) mirrorless cameras like the Sony NEX-5 or the Panasonic GH4. XPX is designed to fly with the Silk three-axis gimbal, it uses a high efficiency (22.2v) power distribution system, powering four 340kv motors with 14x5.5-inch multirotor props, providing flight times from nine to 30 minutes depending on camera/gimbal payload. The transmitter is a full 5.8GHz FPV system with monitor. How-To Extra: 5 Quadcopter Flying Tips Flying a quadcopter may seem easy but as Señor Wences once famously said, “Is easy for you, is difficult for me.” Here are a few tips and recommended accessories to help with your first flights: • Find a large field that doesn’t have too many trees. It’s easy to get your quadcopter tangled on tree branches and you don’t want to have to rescue it from a kite (and quadcopter) eating tree. Similarly, avoid hard-paved areas and buildings. If you crash, you want it to be as soft as possible. Buy a set of rotor guards for when you do tangle with a tree. • Get an extra battery or two. Battery life on smaller, less expensive quadcopters can be as short as 10 minutes. (Author’s Note: I tried to get flight times for all the quadcopters featured but that information was not always available.) When the battery is low and you have a light camera on board the quadcopter will stop rising and slowly start to come down. If you have a heavier camera on board, flight time is reduced and it comes down much faster. • Just as with a real aircraft use a pre-flight checklist before taking off for the wild blue yonder. There are many checklists available on the web, some designed just for your quadcopter. MultiRoterUSA (www.multirotorusa.com) has one you can download to get started. • Repeat after me: You will crash your quadcopter. You will crash your quadcopter. Many quadcopters have a built-in GPS and easy-to-use controls and may seem deceptively easy to fly but even a slight breeze can make a quadcopter drift so you have to constantly correct its flight direction. After some experience in an open field, this isn’t difficult to master. • Be prepared to get addicted. It’s that much fun. Acknowledgements: I want to thank my friend Mark Toal and his friend Dave Richardson for their hands-on insights on the world of quadcopter photography. Mark writes a series of posts called “Quadcopter Diary” for the MirrorlessPhotoTips.com blog. Joe Farace invites readers to visit his blogs, including Saving the World, One Pixel at a Time (www.joefaraceblogs.com) and Mirrorless Photo Tips (www.mirrorlessphototips.com), to read new how-to posts Monday through Friday.
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These Are the Striking Images of Iconic American Avant-Garde Photographer & Artist Man Ray
| Jan 13, 2017
All images courtesy ©Man Ray Trust / ADAGP / TELIMAGE / Benjamin Black Editeur Some people think of Man Ray strictly as a photographer but those familiar with his broad body of work recognize him as a sculptor, artist and filmmaker as well. Born Emmanuel Radnitzky in Philadelphia in 1901, Ray’s eclectic background helped him reinvent photography as a significant force in the Dadaist and Surrealist movements. Ray spent most of his career in Paris, and by the time he died he was widely acclaimed and exhibited throughout the world. Much of the recognition for his photography came after his death in 1976, especially in the U.S. Ray considered himself a painter above all else, but his renown as an avant-garde, fashion, and portrait photographer has grown steadily in recent decades. In 1999, ARTNews magazine named him one of the most influential artists and photographers of the 20th century. The images you see here are from the aptly named new book “Man Ray,” published by Benjamin Blanck. The bilingual edition (French/English) is printed in France and features 67 of Ray’s notable works. Edited by independent publisher Benjamin Blanck, “Man Ray” takes an in-depth look into the artist’s work from both Paris and New York—attempting to answer the question, “How did Man Ray reinvent photography a century ago?” You can read more about the book on the publisher’s website (where you can place an order), and view more images on the Benjamin Blanck Instagram page. The new book “Man Ray” will be in bookstores in the U.S. soon.
The Ups and Downs of Using Imaging Drones For Aerial Photography
| Feb 13, 2015
The DJI Phantom Quadcopter with controller, one of several photo-enabled quadcopters on the market. Courtesy of DJI Drones! Remember the day when the word referred to male bees whose only role was to hang around the hive and fertilize the queen bee—in flight! They couldn’t even sting and, of course, died upon mating. Today drones are better known as unmanned military aircraft that appear in the news with ever-increasing frequency. There was less coverage years ago when they were used strictly for surveillance. But now, as they fire ordinance on suspected terrorist targets, these high-tech vehicles are rewriting the rules of aerial warfare. So it shouldn’t be surprising that consumer use of drones—albeit nonviolent ones—should evolve. Military technology frequently “trickles down” to the private sector. Enter the quadcopter. Ka’ahumanu Church, Wailuku, Maui A single image made with a DJI Phantom 2 Vision Quadcopter with FC200 camera. “I shot this using the DNG Raw file. Using Adobe Lightroom 5, I was able to pull down the highlights and open up the shadows despite shooting directly into the sun.” - RJB © Randy Jay Braun Originally developed as a toy, several manufacturers have refined the four-bladed flying machines to the point that they serve admirably as still and video photographic platforms for photographers interested in aerial photography who prefer not—for reasons of cost, training, or fear of heights—to shoot from traditional aircraft or ultralights. Standouts in the field include DJI’s new Phantom 2 Vision+, Walkera’s QR X350 Pro, Parrot’s AR Drone, and Storm’s Drone 6. Which unit to consider depends on several factors, including your photographic mission and, of course, what you’re willing to pay. The price range, depending where you buy, is $350-$1200. The best way to compare features is to check the manufacturers’ websites. Another good source of information and pricing is HeliPal.com, which bills itself as the “largest online helicopter store.” To get a handle on quadcopters as imaging platforms, Shutterbug sought the help of three expert quadcopter pilots/photographers. Kapalua Resort, Maui “I love the thrill of flying way out over the ocean. But I know three people who have lost drones in the ocean off of Maui, myself included. Still, the risk versus reward is often attractive.” - RJB © Randy Jay Braun Randy Jay Braun (www.randyjaybraun.com), Maui, Hawaii—Over the past 27 years, Braun has had a portrait studio, followed by 18 years as a successful gallery operator. Today he teaches and writes. He recently decided to learn about GoPro Hero cameras. He then bought a quadcopter. Aerial photography is now a growing percentage of his professional work—perhaps 25 percent. He recently published a book about small drone photography techniques—the first book on the topic (www.randyjaybraun.com/shop/aerial-drone-photography). In April, drone manufacturer DJI named Braun as the first “Visionary” in its new Aerial Drone Hall of Fame. Julian Cohen (www.juliancohen.com), Sydney, Australia—Cohen is primarily an underwater photographer who has spent the last seven years photographing marine life of the Red Sea, Indonesia, and other locations. He was introduced to quadcopter photography by Eric Cheng, director of aerial imaging, DJI, when he met him in Tonga. He had been considering aerial photography. When he saw Cheng’s DJI Phantom he was hooked. Romeo Durscher (romeoch.prosite.com), San Francisco, California—Durscher was born and raised in Switzerland and moved to California in 1997 hoping to work on a NASA space mission. Initially, he worked at Stanford University on one of the scientific instruments for the Solar Dynamics Observatory mission. In 2009, NASA asked him to provide education and outreach for the mission. He started doing photo projects and flying RC airplanes in 2007, switching to multi-rotor (quads, hexcopters, and octocopters) in 2012. He and partner Mark Johnson run Visual-Aerials.com. Braun With Whale “I have photographed whales from my kayak for seven seasons. I saw this one coming to check me out. Within 10 seconds I literally tossed my DJI Phantom 1 into the air before it even locked in GPS coordinates. I had set the GoPro Hero3 so it would shoot every two seconds. I didn’t realize the whale was next to me, because I kept looking up, trying to keep my drone under control. I nailed the shot pretty well. It is one of those iconic images a photographer dreams of.” - RJB © Randy Jay Braun Shutterbug: Have you used an aerial photography platform other than imaging drones? If so, what’s been your experience? Randy Jay Braun: I have been hired to shoot from doors-off helicopters. It is always a rush shooting because the helicopter runs about $1600 per hour and the client begs for a quick shoot. The pilot can only hover in safe locations, and not too low or close to buildings. With drones, I can place my camera anywhere a bird can fly—between tree branches, in hotel courtyards, even inside large rooms with high ceilings. Imagine using a tripod that can extend 400 feet up. Essentially, a quality quadcopter is a magic tripod. GPS-assisted stability means one can capture panoramas simply by yawing slowly around the drone’s central axis. It sounds difficult but becomes simple after the first time you try. Julian Cohen: Helicopters have the advantage of being able to stay airborne for long periods. Quads are time restrictive—about 20 minutes before the need to change batteries. Helicopters also allow the use of larger cameras and a variety of lenses. But they are big, noisy, and, for subjects such as wildlife, problematic. Although quads mainly carry small cameras, they are portable and far less expensive than other platforms. Yet they offer similar capabilities. Romeo Durscher: The multi-rotor has the distinct advantage of being able to hover. The multi-rotor presents an easier-to-fly platform than traditional helicopters along with greater capability to recover from equipment failure. Hex and octo craft can lose a motor and still fly. Dawn, Raja Ampat, Indonesia A five-image pano taken at 300 feet with a DJI Phantom Vision with FC200 camera. “I wasn’t sure how the sensor would handle shooting straight into the sun, so I chose a sunrise to avoid the sun coming out as a white ball. The DNG Raw files allow processing to reveal the colors in the sky as well as reflections in the water.” - JC © Julian Cohen SB: Do you shoot aerials for commercial customers or to sell? Or both? Randy Jay Braun: Photographers are tiptoeing into commercial work with cautious optimism anticipating that the FAA will start issuing licenses to small-format drone flyers who want to operate commercially. In addition to some commercial work, I also produce gallery images and stock footage from around the world. Raja Ampat, Indonesia A four-image pano made at 170 feet with a DJI Phantom Vision with FC200 camera. “This region of Indonesia is dotted with beautiful islands in azure seas and was the main reason I decided to bring the quad with me on a dive trip.” - JC © Julian Cohen SB: For readers who are unfamiliar with quadcopters, can you briefly discuss their operation and limitations? Randy Jay Braun: The new generation of quads has several built-in intelligent systems. They will lock-in to global positioning satellites and use them to reference their location. If I let go of the controls on the transmitter, the quad comes to a halt and hovers until I start moving the joysticks again. The quad will sit motionless in a wind up to about 23 miles per hour. I have made successful three-shot HDR captures in the wind. A drone pilot should keep the craft below 400 feet, stay at least three miles from airports, keep a direct line of sight to the craft, not fly over groups of people, and always be in complete control. Julian Cohen: Many later model quads have a controller that prevents the quad from leaning over more than a set number of degrees when flying, thus keeping it stable and preventing flips. Before this, learning to fly a quad was as difficult as learning to fly a full-size helicopter. They also come with GPS that keeps them stable in three dimensions, adding to ease of flight for beginners. Quads are sensitive to wind and are best flown in calm conditions. Although they will fly in about 10-15 knots of wind, the calmer the better. Straight out of the box my Phantom will fly about 1500 feet. With additional modifications, it is possible to fly about five miles. The main limitation is battery life. The Phantom line has a proprietary battery that lasts 20-25 minutes, but most other quads have flight times around 10 minutes. Sydney Harbour A six-image pano at approximately 300 feet made with a DJI Phantom 2 Vision with the FC200 camera. “I stood in a small park near the Sydney Harbour Bridge at dawn on a windless day. I flew out, grabbed the shots, and flew back in a flight lasting about 10 minutes.” - JC © Julian Cohen SB: Have you ever cracked-up a quadcopter? Randy Jay Braun: Everybody has crashed at least a couple of times. I have had about five memorable crashes, all my own fault. Fortunately, a quadcopter adds up to a 2.5-pound pile of replaceable parts. Crashes teach humility. I fly much slower and more cautiously than I did a year ago, even though I am vastly more experienced. Julian Cohen: I took my drone to Indonesia on a diving trip. One morning, as I flew about 300 feet over the sea, the quad dropped like a stone. I think one of the motors malfunctioned. Over land you can collect the pieces and repair it, but over water, even if recovered, it would never fly again. Salt water would have fried all the electronics. Romeo Durscher: We have sometimes chased a shot knowing our battery power was borderline. This has led to losing power and landing in trees. Once we landed in a large oak tree near a homeless encampment. It was sundown so we had to leave it until the morning. Meanwhile, its bright locator LED flashed high in the canopy above. We wondered what those in the camp would think of the bright purple flashes high in the darkness. Pacific Ocean Shoreline, Davenport, California A five-image pano taken at about 330 feet from a DJI Phantom with a GoPro Hero3 camera. “I took the first image looking straight down, then tilted the camera slightly up for the next picture, and so on.” - RD © Romeo Durscher SB: What is your drone toolkit? Randy Jay Braun: I fly DJI Phantom Quadcopters. My current favorite is the Phantom 2 Vision. It is stable, durable, and comes with the DJI FC200 camera attached. The camera is controllable with a smartphone on the ground. Not only can I see on my phone exactly what the camera sees, but I can adjust the exposure, color temperature, switch from JPEG to DNG (Raw), change my ISO, and point the camera in virtually any direction. Adobe software is my other tool. I generally begin in Adobe Lightroom and occasionally move into Photoshop CC. The attached DJI cameras actually have DNG Raw and JPEG shooting options. Raw file processing is where the magic happens. Adobe engineers were quick to develop lens profiles for both the DJI FC200 camera and the GoPro Hero3. There is a simple one-button lens distortion correction feature both in Lightroom and Photoshop. Julian Cohen: I use a DJI Phantom Vision. Its camera has 14 megapixels and an f/2.8 fisheye with a 140-degree field of view. The main advantage is the camera will shoot Raw, allowing plenty of processing power. One has to be realistic and not expect the small sensor to produce poster-size images. But for web use or a magazine double-page spread, it is eminently capable. Romeo Durscher: We fly a DJI Phantom 2 Vision+ that has its own proprietary camera and gimbal system. We also fly a Phantom 2 with a GoPro Hero3+. Our larger hex and octos fly a Zenmuse Z15 gimbal by DJI with a Panasonic Lumix GH4 camera. The gimbal is optimized for the Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm f/2.0. Notre Dame, Paris, France A six-image pano made with a DJI Phantom with a GoPro Hero3 camera. “We launched from the river, went straight up, and took this series of images. The entire flight was only four minutes.” - RD © Romeo Durscher SB: What improvements, if any, would you recommend for quadcopters used in photography? Randy Jay Braun: I wish I had a choice of focal length. The small action cameras have a 140-degree field of view that is often too wide. I actually purchased a custom-built GoPro Hero3+ with a long lens from RageCams.com. Having a built-in zoom would be nice! Julian Cohen: Longer-lasting batteries. DJI’s Phantom 2 and Phantom Vision were the first with batteries allowing 20+ minutes of flight time. The ideal would be to be able to use a full-frame DSLR in a quad that can fly for an hour and is easily portable. That might sound a stretch, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see it within a couple of years. Romeo Durscher: Improvements in battery technology will change everything, allowing us to carry heavier cameras and lenses for longer flights. The DJI Phantoms with the GoPro Hero3+ can fly approximately 22 minutes. Obviously, the camera sensors and lenses are limiting, but trumped by low weight and long flight time. We can fly a Canon EOS 5D on our heavy-lift copters, but suffer from short flight times. Thus, we fly the Lumix GH4 as an acceptable substitute. Narrows Canyon Gorge, Zion National Park, Utah A single image at about 200 feet made with a DJI Phantom with a GoPro Hero3 camera. “After a two-hour hike upstream into the canyon, we flew straight up and shot straight down. There was no GPS reception and winds made it challenging to keep the drone centered.” - RD © Romeo Durscher SB: What recommendations would you make to someone considering buying a quadcopter? Randy Jay Braun: Take a class or learn from a friend. I teach classes in aerial photography in Hawaii, and I know many cities have frequent social meetups. Expect to spend about $2000 for everything you will need to get started. That includes extra batteries, extra props, and a carrying case. Don’t forget that you will need to process drone photos. Adobe Lightroom Version 5.4 or later comes with lens correction profiles for both the DJI FC200 camera and GoPro Hero cameras. Julian Cohen: Learn to fly first. The best entry model would be something like a Blade Nano QX, available for about $100. Although palm-sized and without a camera, it reacts and flies the same as a full-size quad. If you can fly it, you can fly anything and will not have to depend on GPS mode in the bigger quads. GPS is great for stabilized photography, but I believe it is better to be able to fly without it to have more control. Romeo Durscher: We recommend that anyone serious about aerial photography pick up the DJI Phantom 2 Vision+. For a single price you get a turnkey product that flies right out of the box—complete with three-axis gimbal, camera, and radio controller. As with anything technical, it’s a learning experience. However, the Phantom is easy to learn and, with GPS technology, produces professional results. Drone Origins Military historian Steven Zaloga, in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, explained how drones got their name: “In 1935, U.S. Adm. William H. Standley saw a British demonstration of the Royal Navy’s new remote-control aircraft for target practice, the DH 82B Queen Bee. Back stateside, Standley charged Commander Delmer Fahrney with developing something similar for the Navy. Fahrney adopted the name ‘drone’ to refer to these aircraft in homage to the Queen Bee.”
Canon Intros 6D Mark II DSLR; We Test It Out in Yellowstone (Hands-On Preview & Test Images)
| June 28, 2017
Canon just unveiled the 6D Mark II, a relatively compact and lightweight DSLR fitted with a 26.2-megapixel, full frame CMOS sensor. The Canon EOS 6D Mark II, as the name suggests, is the long-awaited follow-up to the popular 6D, which was announced in 2012. Shutterbug was one of a handful of media outlets to get our hands on an early version of the Canon 6D Mark II and tested it out during a recent press trip to Yellowstone National Park. Scroll further down in this story to read our hands-on impressions of the 6D II and to see full-resolution test images we shot with the camera. Five years is a rather long time between camera models in this digital day and age, so one would think Canon might significantly overhaul this full frame, photo enthusiast-focused DSLR with the “Mark II” version. On face value, that doesn’t seem to be the case with the Canon 6D II. There are some changes and improvements to the new camera – including a new 3-inch flip-out touchscreen on the 6D II – but nothing dramatic. For instance, the Canon 6D Mark II still shoots 1080p HD video, not 4K, as some had hoped. (Though the 6D II does add a 4K Time Lapse feature.) The Canon 6D II, like its predecessor, also only offers a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot for storage media. Here’s a rundown of the major specifications of the Canon EOS 6D Mark II with notes on where it has changed from the original 6D. Canon 6D Mark II Specifications • 26.2MP, full frame CMOS sensor (20.2MP: 6D) • 3-inch, 1040K-dot, vari-angle, touchscreen (fixed, standard screen: 6D) • Digic 7 image processor (Digic 5+: 6D) • 100-40000 standard ISO (100-25600: 6D) • 45-point, all-cross-type autofocus (11-point, 1-cross-type: 6D) • 6.5 frames per second continuous shooting (4.5 fps: 6D) • Dual Pixel CMOS AF for Live view & video (Contrast AF: 6D) • 1080p HD video at 60p (1080p HD at 30p: 6D) • 7500-area, RGB+IR metering sensor (63-area: 6D) • Built-in stereo microphone (Mono: 6D) • One SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot (same as 6D) • WiFi/Bluetooth/NFC (WiFi: 6D) • Dust and water-resistant camera body (similar to 6D) • 144 x 110.5 x 74.8mm dimensions (144 x 110.5 x 71.2mm dimensions: 6D) • Weight: 26.98 ounces with battery and card (approximately same as 6D) The Canon EOS 6D Mark II DSLR camera will go on sale in late July 2017 for $1,999 (body only); for $3,0999 as a kit with the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM II lens; and for $2,599 as a kit with the Canon EF 24-105mm f/3.5-5.6 STM lens. Hands-On Impressions of the Canon 6D Mark II As mentioned at the start of this story, I got my hands on an early “beta” sample model of the new Canon 6D Mark II and shot with it during a recent press trip to Yellowstone National Park. See a couple of my "hands-on" images with the 6D Mark II (badging disguised) in the nexrt few sections. Nine of the images I shot with the beta Canon 6D Mark II (essentially a pre-production version of the DSLR that’s close to final) are embedded below. Click on each web image to open up full resolution versions of my test shots. While I captured images in the 6D Mark II’s Raw format, I was only permitted by Canon to upload JPEGs at this point. As for the look and feel of the new Canon 6D Mark II, it’s remarkably similar to its five-year-old predecessor. The one major difference being, of course, that the 6D II features a 3-inch, 1040K-dot, vari-angle, touchscreen. (The Canon 6D has a fixed, standard LCD screen on back.) As a photographer, I’ve found a flip-out, rotating screen like the one on the 6D II to be essential to creative picture-making these days. During our shooting expeditions in Yellowstone, I was able to turn out the Canon 6D II’s vari-angle screen, switch it to Live View and capture interesting angles on nature and wildlife. Truth be told, however, this is a bit less essential to the sort of landscape photography I was doing. In fact, when shooting on a tripod to capture landscape shots at dawn or sunset, you might not use the 6D II’s vari-angle screen at all. But it’s there though if you need it. While it performed ably during my Yellowstone shoot (the proof is in the images below which were captured in a range of often tricky lighting conditions), the Canon 6D II is not just designed for landscape or outdoor photography. It’s a small and lightweight, full frame DSLR suited for a variety of shooting scenarios including travel and street photography where the vari-angle screen will come in handy. Also, with the 6D II’s new 6.5 frames per second continuous shooting mode (the original 6D could only shoot at 4.5fps) and its 45-point, all-cross-type autofocus system (the 6D had a slower 11-point, 1-cross-type AF system), Canon’s newest full-frame DSLR can also handle basic sports and action photography. And for those still put off by the electronic viewfinders (EVF) on comparable mirrorlesss cameras, this DSLR has a good, old-fashioned optical viewfinder, which I still find preferable even to the best EVFs. (What you see is, usually, what you get with an optical viewfinder.) Where the Canon 6D II contrasts with higher-end (and more expensive) pro-level DSLRs is that its camera body is not as nearly robust. Though it is rated as being “dust and water-resistant” I would hesitate to bring the somewhat plastic-feeling 6D II into any significant rainy, snowy or sub-zero shooting conditions. For a fast shooting, 26.2MP full frame DSLR that’s loaded with advanced features and retails for just under two grand though, the Canon 6D Mark II is certainty worth considering for any photo enthusiast. Check out my sample images captured with the new Canon 6D Mark II below and look for our full review of this small and light but powerful full frame DSLR in the near future. Images were shot using the 6D Mark II paired with the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM II or the EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM lens. (Click image to view at a larger resolution.) Shot at ISO 100, f/8, 1/640 sec, 200mm ©Dan Havlik (Click image to view at a larger resolution.) Shot at ISO 100, f/8, 1/1000 sec, 24mm ©Dan Havlik (Click image to view at a larger resolution.) Shot at ISO 640, f/8, 1/40 sec, 50mm ©Dan Havlik (Click image to view at a larger resolution.) Shot at ISO 160, f/8, 1/40 sec, 24mm ©Dan Havlik (Click image to view at a larger resolution.) Shot at ISO 100, f/8, 1/60 sec, 60mm ©Dan Havlik (Click image to view at a larger resolution.) Shot at ISO 100, f/8, 1/40 sec, 24mm ©Dan Havlik (Click image to view at a larger resolution.) Shot at ISO 2500, f/8, 1/200 sec, 200mm ©Dan Havlik (Click image to view at a larger resolution.) Shot at ISO 3200, f/8, 1/100 sec, 85mm ©Dan Havlik (Click image to view at a larger resolution.) Shot at ISO 100, f/11, 1/30 sec, 24mm ©Dan Havlik (Click image to view at a larger resolution.) Shot at ISO 100, f/8, 1/100 sec, 70mm ©Dan Havlik
Two New Shows Spotlight the Gracefully Geometric Images of Marc Riboud
| Nov 4, 2014
Eiffel Tower, 1953; ©Marc Riboud/Magnum Photos Through his camera viewfinder Marc Riboud sees a world of gestures and graceful movements framed by elegant geometrical spaces. For over sixty years, he has photographed people and places with eyes full of wonder. Now in both New York City and his hometown of Lyon, France his delightful images from nearly sixty years of photography are on exhibit. Riboud was born in a small village near Lyon, France in 1923, the fifth of seven children. When he was a teenager, his father gave him a Vest Pocket Kodak camera and in 1937 the young Marc took the camera on a family trip to the Paris Universal Exhibition. Out of this journey he created a “photo story” which his father would later say was the first sign of his son’s destiny. But before he could pursue the destiny another destiny intervened. The German army occupied Northern France in 1941 and Riboud was fighting in the French underground, The Maquis. When the war ended he studied engineering for a while, to please his family, but finally decided to follow his heart and become a photographer. Turkey, 1955; ©Marc Riboud/Magnum Photos Leaving Lyon he travelled to Paris where he met Henri Cartier-Bresson, David Seymour and Robert Capa, the founders of the Magnum photo agency. Cartier-Bresson recognized the young man’s talent and became his mentor; teaching him his theories of “geometry” and the “decisive moment.” However the temperaments of the two men differed and it is evident in their photography. While the teacher’s images are often somewhat distant, very formal with very rectangular geometry, the student’s work is lighter, the geometric lines more nimble and graceful. In his early days in Paris, the young Lyonnais wandered the city streets looking for images. One day in 1953 he came upon some workman repainting the iconic Eiffel Tower. They worked without safety ropes or nets; the only concessions to their perilous occupation were broad brimmed hats that would catch paint drops falling from overhead. Riboud climbed the Tower and took photographs of the workers. One image of a workman painting the huge metal girders with the poise of tightrope walker and the concentration of an artist before a canvas became Riboud’s his first published image. (See photo at the top of this story.) Pakistan, 1956; ©Marc Riboud/Magnum Photos The photo appeared on the cover of the French magazine Marie-Claire and in the weekly American Life and it led to Riboud being invited to join Magnum later that year. And with membership in the agency came work and travel. In 1954, Capa sent him to London “to see the girls and learn English” and in the next year he was assigned to travel around the Middle East, Afghanistan and India in an old Land Rover photographing the changes sweeping that region. His first book, published in 1957 was Women of Japan and it came out of his travels to China and Japan. After Asia he took a road trip from Alaska to Mexico and followed that with several months photographing in the USSR. Welders, France; ©Marc Riboud/Magnum Photos I met Riboud briefly in the late 1960s when I collided with him at a New York City anti-war demonstration. We were both running alongside the demonstrators, watching the action and not where we were when we bumped into each other. No real damage was done to either of us and later I got to chat with him and see some of his photos. This brief encounter has stayed with me because I believe it changed my images. The ’60s were an angry time in America and my photographs reflected that anger and little else. Looking at Riboud’s images I saw my world as he saw it; with a gentler eye. The best example of this attitude is his image of a protester putting a flower in the barrel of a National Guardsman’s rifle. Russia, 1960; ©Marc Riboud/Magnum Photos Years later speaking with Cornell Capa about Riboud, Capa said that he was one of his “concerned photographers.” A photographer who looked beyond turbulence and despair to capture optimistic images of a world filled with joy and grace. The Marc Riboud exhibitions in New York and France are both collections of his black and white photographs from the late 1940s through the 1960s. The show in Lyon is at the Plateau Exposition Hall at the Hotel de Région, 1 esplanade François, and is entitled "Marc Riboud, Early Snaps.” It runs until February 21, 2015. Alaska, 1958; ©Marc Riboud/Magnum Photos In New York, you can find Riboud’s “Witness at a Crossroads” exhibition at the Rubin Museum at 150 West 17th Street. It focuses exclusively on Riboud’s travel photography in the Middle East and Asia between 1955 and 1958. It runs through March 23, 2015. India, 1956; ©Marc Riboud/Magnum Photos (Marc Riboud photos used with the kind permission of the photographer.) For more on Marc Riboud, click here.
jAlbum 13 Photo Website Builder Software Review
| Sep 13, 2016
My first task was to start organizing images by date. I opened the program and drag and dropped a large folder of images titled “Exposure” from an external hard drive onto the workspace. I previously had stored images there for teaching and various articles I wrote on camera technique. After that loaded, I then went to “View>Organize> By Date” and chose my date parameters. I chose “Year.” Creating a web page for your images these days is fairly easy, and there are numerous web apps available that offer a wide variety of colors and backgrounds. But organizing your images before you even consider the template (or “skin” as it is called in the trade) is perhaps the biggest challenge, given the proliferation of images we all have made with various cameras and mobile devices stored on flash drives, hard drives, and even memory cards. In short, editing images you want to include, and getting them organized and ready for web presentation, is the lion’s share of the task. This is especially so if, like many of us, you have been lax in keeping pace over the years and have finally decided to get your web act in order. I recently got notice that the folks at jAlbum have posed a solution to this dilemma. Their recent upgraded version of their namesake software—jAlbum 13—incorporates an organizational solution that is quick and easy, yet offers many options along the way. I have worked with earlier versions of web build software from this company, so was fairly familiar with the basics (type jAlbum in the Search box on Shutterbug.com for my previous coverage). In this article I will concentrate on the organizational features of the recently released software upgrade. « Here’s the workspace I created in jAlbum 13. On the left side you can see all the grouped by date images within the Exposure folders. (Beneath that are where you choose the “skin” or site template and other tools. Upper right are the other workspaces that we’ll explore soon.) I then clicked on all the images within that folder made in 2005 by clicking on that date and the software quickly sorted by EXIF data and presented the images in its full-screen browser. I followed the drag-and-drop method to add all the images from the various folders and then created an album with them using the Make Album tab on the left side/bottom of the workspace. This allowed me to name the album, create keywords, place the album in a directory, and more. I further wanted to organize the album by date and simply followed the procedure outlined about (View>Organize>By Date) and had access to images I made in 2007, 2010, and 2015. First, it should be noted that the company’s software is primarily aimed at photographers who have a large volume of images on various drives, devices, and networks, with possible dupes taking up additional space. The new version is designed to help you sort and organize by date (year, month, or even a specific date), by GPS coordinates, by caption names (if you have captioned previously), and of course by folder. If you have not ID’d any images at all you can simply browse and drag and drop to build albums as you go. For this test I worked with images from a large (2TB) hard drive, my laptop, and some CDs I burned years back. I do name my image file folders after download from the camera, so that helped. If you don’t then you will have more work, but this is all part of the image organization; happily, there are many tools in the software to ease the way. If I then wanted to explore more large folders and group by date I could do so with ease by using this drag and drop and browser method. My next task was gathering all the images I’ve made over the years at the Albuquerque Balloon Festival. For this I searched labeled folders on my backup hard drive and even some I still had on my laptop made in 2007. There’s a whole lot more to the new jAlbum that I didn’t cover here, including the ability to create Collaborative albums and sites for groups that want to share images among like-minded associates; many new Skins that support “Responsive” designs for tablet and mobile device viewing; a batch rename capability that can speed image labeling; and the ability to process and enhance images as you go. « There were some Raw files in the folders but this didn’t stop me. The software has the capability to read and process a wide variety of Raw image file formats. While you might want to do this beforehand for more finite and sophisticated processing, there are certainly sufficient processing controls here to make very good-looking images for your website. Having Raw images in your folder will not impede your build and make you go back and process them before proceeding. « Here’s another good tool. You can customize the image size and other parameters on posted images. This is part of the tools provided on the upper right of the workspace. « You can also do some processing on individual images by clicking on Effects in the workspace. Not shown: Hovering on an individual image reveals the EXIF data as well. Once you have your album ready to go click on Skin and Style to get samples of the many and varied presentations available. You can also download more from the jAlbum website. Courtesy of jAlbum In all, the new jAlbum 13 software makes it easy to both organize your images and build great-looking websites in the bargain. As you gain experience you’ll discover that it can make what might have seemed a daunting task a fun and exciting experience. Once you have selected the Skin and Style you can preview the album, go back and make any changes to the order of images, reprocess if you desire, and more. Once done a simple click on Upload gets your site cooking and you can post to your own site, share, or have jAlbum handle the hosting for you. More info is available at jalbum.net.
Eyes in the Sky: Our 8 Favorite Quadcopters and Drones for Aerial Photography
| Aug 30, 2016
Joe’s UDI Discovery drone is an inexpensive ($64) quadcopter that doesn’t require FAA registration but certainly lacks the sophisticated features and rugged construction of most of the other drones mentioned in the column. But it’s an excellent drone to help you learn how to fly before moving on to a more expensive and rugged DJI or even a Parrot. © Mary Farace “Flying may not be all plain sailing, but the fun of it is worth the price.”—Amelia Earhart Because of the “this is why we can’t have nice things” antics of several idiots flying drones, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) now requires every drone (and RC aircraft) weighing more than 0.55 pounds to register their craft and have an identification label. Pilots are also required to carry Flight ID. Recently, the FAA updated the rules for commercial unmanned aircraft, doubling operational ceilings and streamlining the online application process. The new policy allows small UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) to fly up to 400 feet except in restricted airspace and areas where the agency prohibits unmanned aircraft operations. To register, you must be 13 years old or older or have someone who is of age register the drone. You’ll receive a unique registration number—no, you can’t have NCC-1701—that will apply to any UAS you own and you must mark the drone with the number. After registration, a certificate containing the FAA registration number, issue and expiration dates, and name of the certificate holder will be sent to your e-mail address. It only costs $5, but failure to register can result in civil penalties up to $27,500. Criminal penalties include fines of up to $250,000 and/or imprisonment up to three years. Spend the five bucks and live with it. Now that I’ve gotten all that legal stuff out of the way, here are my favorite drones and quadcopters for aerial photography. Heavy Lifter The magnesium unibody Phantom 4 ($1,399) weighs three pounds, with battery, but DJI is clearly the 800-pound gorilla in the quadcopter world. Looking more like a mortarboard with propellers than an aircraft, the Phantom 4 offers 28 minutes of flying time. Its camera has an f/2.8 lens with a 94-degree angle of view using nine elements, including an aspherical element. It will take 12-megapixel stills in either DNG Raw or JPEG, with single shot, HDR, burst, and time-lapse modes available. The camera shoots 4K video at 24/25 fps and UHD 4K up to 30 fps and features Cine-D and D-Log modes for increased dynamic range. To keep footage stable in high winds, a gimbal supports both sides of the camera. You can watch a live video feed on your smartphone and adjust camera settings as well as stream the flight live on YouTube. The Phantom 4 has a GPS-based navigation system and its Vision Positioning System uses dual downward-facing cameras and dual ultrasonic sensors for situations where GPS is unavailable and the quadcopter is close to the ground. A small camera above each leg detects obstacles in the flight path, turning on Active Obstacle Avoidance, allowing the aircraft to attempt (DJI’s words) to fly around or over obstacles, instead of braking. In Sport Mode, the quadcopter can reach 44.7 mph, so let’s hope your reflexes are up to flying it that fast but its Active Braking feature acts like disc brakes for the drone. And the Phantom 4 automatically logs the details of every flight, just in case. Who’s It For: If you want a quadcopter, you want a DJI—if it’s in your budget. Why I Like It: It has a Beginner mode that prevents you from exceeding your flying skills. Think an SLR’s Green mode. Affordable Fun Just in case you were wondering, vis-à-vis FAA registration, Hubsan’s H107D X4 Quadcopter with FPV Camera ($129) weighs 1.5 ounces. A FPV (First-Person View) camera captures 720x240 resolution SD video. It transmits wirelessly on 5.8GHz and lets you record video on a microSD card up to 16GB stored in a slot that’s built into the transmitter. The X4 has a four-channel, 2.4GHz transmitter with an up to 328-foot range, depending on conditions. Its 4.3-inch LCD screen lets you monitor real-time video from the camera while displaying flight telemetry. The quadcopter has a six-axis flight control system with an adjustable sensitivity 3.7v, 380 mAh lithium-polymer battery with USB charging; charging takes approximately 30 minutes. Who’s It For: Quadcopter shoppers on a budget. Why I Like It: The Hubsan looks cool, especially in stealthy black, and is affordable for the average photographer who wants to take flight. If Unique Is What You Seek Yuneec’s Typhoon Q500 4K ($999) is designed for serious photography and video, incorporating a three-axis gimbal-stabilized camera with UHD 4K video recording at 30 fps, 1080p video recording at up to 120 fps, and 12-megapixel still capture. The camera has a 130-degree lens saving onto a 128GB microSD card. It’s bundled with the ST10+ Personal Ground Station, a 10-channel, 2.4GHz transmitter with a 5.8GHz video receiver in one handheld unit. There are RC-style joysticks to pilot the quadcopter and a built-in Android mobile device with a 5.5-inch screen lets you view an FPV video image from the camera along with telemetry. You can add a free mobile app that offers control over resolution, white balance, ISO, and shutter speed. Two 5400 mAh batteries provide up to 25 minutes of flying time each per charge, depending on wind resistance. The Q500’s Smart Mode uses GPS to establish a 26-foot safe circle, meaning the aircraft will move in the same direction the stick is pressed relative to the pilot, regardless of which way its nose is pointing. In Home Mode, the Typhoon automatically lands within a 10-foot circle of where it took off. Who’s It For: It may not be the 800-pound gorilla (aka DJI) but is perfect for the demanding UAS pilot. Why I Like It: The Typhoon has a determined and more choppery—think Airwolf—look than the more timidly designed DJI Phantom. When Pigs Fly I love my UDI Discovery quadcopter (it was a birthday gift from Mary) but the pace of innovation in inexpensive drones is fast—they’re toys after all. The most inexpensive—and good—one as I write this is the Air Hogs RC Helix X4 Stunt ($64). However, if you want to shoot video, you’ll need their Helix Video Drone that sells for $109. The Helix Video Drone has a built-in 60 fps video and still camera and the piggies even toss in a 4GB memory card. Expect about 10 minutes of flying time, which is de rigueur if not optimistic for most small drones. The Air Hogs have an extruded foam exoframe that protects the propellers from bumps and crashes and is covered in a bedliner-style finish that says badass. The hogs say it’s easy to fly and it looks like it with its four ducted fans. Caveat: All small quadcopters are wind sensitive so when flying outdoors (yes, some people fly them indoors) be aware of gusts and where it can toss your drone. Who’s It For: Quadcopter shoppers looking for a bargain. Why I Like It: Don’t you love that name? Air Hogs! I’d call mine Arnold Ziffel. Cowboy BeBop The Parrot Bebop Drone 2 ($549) is noteworthy for its 14-megapixel (4096x3072) camera that can also capture 1080p video. The drone is controlled by an Android or iOS mobile device running their FreeFlight 3 app. The app provides real-time preview from the camera and you can record a low-resolution feed directly on your device. For high-res recording it has 8GB of built-in memory. The optional ($399) Skycontroller extends the Bebop Drone 2’s Wi-Fi range to 1.2 miles and features a control pad as well as a tablet holder. Its lithium-polymer battery has a capacity of 2700 mAh, producing 25-minute flight times. The drone has flexible six-inch props that yield improved flight performance of 52.5 ft/s horizontal and 19.7 ft/s vertical top speeds. Seven sensors keep the Bebop Drone 2 flying steady, allowing it to compensate for pilot inputs and counteract some, I’m guessing, wind conditions. Built-in GPS assists flight stabilization, providing positional data with “possible” automatic return home and landing. Who’s It For: Pilots looking for a mid-level drone that can shoot great-looking photographs. Why I Like It: Moderately priced with a really good camera. Flying Selfies The Hexo+ ($999) is a drone and an app designed to create video footage of yourself, no piloting required. The chopper doesn’t come with a camera; instead it has a GoPro-compatible mount. The average flight time for a Hexo+ carrying a GoPro is between 10 to 15 minutes. Hexo uses your phone’s GPS position together with data from its other sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, and magnetometer) to know where you are and how you move. They’ve created algorithms that let the Hexacopter follow and anticipate your trajectory and speed. If you lose the GPS signal, or your smartphone’s battery runs out, or the drone’s battery dies, there are built-in safety features to “safely” land the drone. Who’s It For: BYO photographers who want video of them riding their mountain bikes and other action-oriented outdoor activities. Why I Like It: Out of my budget for what it does but you gotta admire the concept. No Comic Book Hero The Blade 180 QX HD Quadcopter is an affordable ($149) quadcopter with great styling with a detachable camera that captures 720p video and 1.3-megapixel (remember the price point) photos, recording them to microSD memory cards up to 32GB. It’s powered by a 500 mAh lithium-polymer flight battery that should deliver from five- to 10-minute flight times per battery. Tip: With any drone you should keep extra (and charged) batteries handy. The Blade copter has three flight modes: Stability Low Angle Mode for beginners, Stability High Angle Mode once you start to get the hang of it, and Agility Mode that gives you the most maneuverability. Blade warns, “This mode should only be used by experienced pilots.” Think of it as what happens when you turn off the stability modes on a performance car when you’re on a track. In addition to the provided RTF (Ready-To-Fly) controller, the 180 QX supports many BNF (Bind-N-Fly) compatible transmitters. Who’s It For: Someone getting started in drone photography and wants something just a little bit better than a starter drone without breaking their piggy bank. Why I Like It: Awesome style with orange accents that should make it easy to find after the (expected) crash landings. Flying Falcon UDI makes a wide line of affordable quadcopters from the no kidding ($24) U839 Nano to their top-of-the-line U842 Falcon quadcopter ($99). Tricked out in black with orange blades up front, the Falcon has a 720p resolution camera as well as single shot photo mode. It features a quad-rotor design with detachable propeller guards for protection against (inevitable) “light collisions.” To pilot the U842, there’s a four-channel, 2.4GHz transmitter with a low-voltage alarm warning you to land the quadcopter when the battery is about to expire. If you like aerobatics, you can perform flips and 360-degree rolls with the press of a controller button. In addition to its six-axis gyroscope, the copter sports a high-speed mode for advanced pilots or to compensate for windy conditions and a low-speed mode that’s ideal for beginners. The package includes a 1000 mAh flight battery good for eight minutes of flight time, a USB battery charger, a 2GB microSD card, a USB card reader, and a screwdriver. Who’s It For: Anyone looking for something just a notch up from a basic drone and one that’s easy and fun to fly. Why I Like It: I fly an older UDI Discovery but this affordable chopper is on my list when it’s time to replace because of its upgraded features. Joe Farace flies a UDI Discovery, his second quadcopter, and you can see video clips from some of his recent flights (and crashes) on Vimeo.com. Information about the gear he uses to create images for Shutterbug and his personal photography can be found at joefarace.com and mirrorlessphototips.com. Just click the “Gear” button.
New Photo Show: "Innovation In The Imaging Capital" Explores Early Photo Tech
| Sep 30, 2014
Lunar Orbiter, 1967. Eastman Kodak Company, George Eastman House Gift of Frank Marussich. The George Eastman House is currently hosting the Innovation in the Imaging Capital exhibit from September 20, 2014 to January 4, 2015. The main focus of the show is the major contributions to the development of imaging technology made possible by the various inventions that were created—or developed—in the town of Rochester, New York. Since 1888 Rochester has been widely known as America's center for imaging innovation. The exhibit features objects taken from the George Eastman House collection along with a selection of items borrowed from many local lenders including: Bausch and Lomb, Xerox and the Eastman Kodak Company. Each section of the exhibit highlights a different area of the photographic technology that was developed in Rochester. The Consumer Product section includes early digital inventions such as the first digital camera patented by the Eastman Kodak Company in 1977. Other sections include a selection of medical devices (early and modern digital X-rays) and a capsule camera provided by Given Imaging. Also on view are aerial cameras from WWI, WWII and the Lunar Orbiter I. More info on the show here.
Torture Test: Do Small Scratches in Lenses Prevent Sharp Images? We Gouge a Zoom to Find Out
| Apr 6, 2017
Does a 5mm scratch in the center of the front element ruin a lens? We gouged a brand new, straight-from-the-box, $499 Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 zoom to find out. Then we shot some test subjects. Was the defect visible in the images? See for yourself… I’ve done some difficult and painful things in my life, but digging into the front element of a new $500 lens with a tungsten carbide awl gave me pause. It felt so wrong. But in the pure pursuit of knowledge, and with a heartfelt thanks to Tamron for providing the victim, I forced the tool to strike. And strike it did. It was more difficult than I’d anticipated, but I managed to cut a furrow about 1/20th of an inch, or roughly 5mm, near the center. Before committing this mayhem I shot a selection of images at different combinations of f/stops and focal lengths. Experience (and the laws of physics) suggested that if the flaw were to be detected it would most likely occur at the widest focal length, in this case 28mm, and at the smallest aperture, herein f/32. So I needed reference images. After the act of destruction I shot the same regimen, again using small and large f/stops at wideangle and telephoto settings. Then I set about shooting general, miscellaneous subjects just to see if the scratch would appear under normal, everyday circumstances. The rest of the story you can see for yourself. Every image in this article—except for the two images of the lens itself—was shot with the damaged lens. From this angle it’s hard to tell that the scratch is more-or-less in the center, but you can see it’s for real. ©Jon Sienkiewicz This image was captured with the defaced lens. Even if you knew exactly where the damage was located, you wouldn’t be able to find it. ©Jon Sienkiewicz Same as above, shot with the scratched Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 zoom (which is a very nice lens, BTW). ©Jon Sienkiewicz I thought the scratch might show up as a blip on this white wall, especially since the exposure was 1/400 sec at f/10. So far, I cannot see any evidence that the lens has been brutalized. ©Jon Sienkiewicz Fence and sign look fine. ©Jon Sienkiewicz No problem with these yellow and white ranunculus flowers. ©Jon Sienkiewicz As you can read in the metadata, this was shot at f/16 in the 28mm wideangle position. The flaw is visible, but only if you know where to look. For the record, the blob did not appear when I shot similar scenes at larger apertures. ©Jon Sienkiewicz At f/32 the aberration is clearly visible, and there is no denying that the lens is damaged. However, based on this experiment, I’m prepared to defend the assertion that unless you shoot at a small aperture and at wideangle, a single scratch, even one as large as 5mm, is virtually unnoticeable. ©Jon Sienkiewicz Here are the fence and ranunculus again, only this time I’ve pasted a section from the previous image so you can see where you should be able to see the flaw. Can you see a flaw? I cannot. ©Jon Sienkiewicz —Jon Sienkiewicz