I am planning on getting an Inspire 2 Bundle very soon and have a few questions.

  

  

First, does it include a lens with the X5S and if yes, which one? Coming from a Sports Photography background I tend to prefer long lenses and tight composure. Not that I expect a drone to be comparable to my D5 with 600mm but I am interested in adding the Olympus 45mm 4/3rds.

  

  

I have never flown before and prefer to crash a less expensive drone before I fly the Inspire 2.

  

  

My daughter’s boyfriend has a lower priced model he picked up I can practice with and I notice a closeout for a DJI Phantom 2 Quadcopter v2.0 with Zenmuse H4-3D Gimbal Kit I could play with for $299 and I already have a Black 4.

  

  

Can I use an older iPad Air? If I need to buy a new iPad I would prefer to wait for a newer release assuming they have one in 2017. I can use an iPhone as well.

  

  

Are there hands on flight schools that make sense? I am in Seattle and saw an ad for Dart Drones for example. They are near Seattle Feb 12.

  

  

I am sure to have more questions but hope to take a similar approach to drones as I did to underwater photography. First, I got certified and practiced controlling trim and neutral buoyancy control and after 50 dives, finally took my full-frame DSLR, housing and two strobes underwater. A slight difference is if you make a mistake at 100 feet you die, if you make a mistake flying a drone you kill a drone. I realize there are regulatory consequenses I need to understand and I prefer not to kill a drone.

  

  

I meant to add more but an appointment calls.

  

  

I look forward to picking the brains of the experienced fliers on the forum.

  

  

Thank you.

Another quick question;

  

  

Is there a way to trip strobes with the Inspire 2?

  

  

I have been asked to shoot a wedding and have some shots I would like to attempt with the Olympus 45mm.

  

  

As a Sports Photographer, I usually decline but have shot a few weddings with great results but it is always with people I know who for some reason translate my accomplishments in action photography to wedding photography.

  

  

I prefer to enjoy the ceremony and leave the work to specialists but if I do it, I want to do it big.

The X5S comes with the 15mm DJI Stock lens. You can use an iPad Air, but that's the minimum requirement with an A7 processor. Dealers tend to host flying courses if you really want that hands on approach. Regarding the strobe question, do you mean that you want to attach some lights to the unit, correct?

There is no trigger socket on the X5S to connect a flash synch. There is also no alternate IR, so sorry i don't see how you can synch a flash with shots taken with the I2. The only way is to light the subject (Wedding) with tripod mounted lights as flash looks like it out of the question.   

DJI-Jamie Posted at 2017-1-17 23:51
The X5S comes with the 15mm DJI Stock lens. You can use an iPad Air, but that's the minimum requirement with an A7 processor. Dealers tend to host flying courses if you really want that hands on approach. Regarding the strobe question, do you mean that you want to attach some lights to the unit, correct?

I want to trip remote strobes unless a a on camera/drone flash could trip the remotes. I would prefer the sync come from the controller but it seems neither is an option.

Would an iPhone 7 Plus be a better option then the Air/ I can pick up the new iPad after it is released.

Thank you for the replies.

GeorgeR Posted at 2017-1-18 05:54
I want to trip remote strobes unless a a on camera/drone flash could trip the remotes. I would prefer the sync come from the controller but it seems neither is an option.

Would an iPhone 7 Plus be a better option then the Air/ I can pick up the new iPad after it is released.

George :
Concerning the best Go App device for most of the DJI quads:
I pad pro standard size 9.7 inch is the best , get it with the Cellular and GPS functions as well. This way you can freely utilize the Follolw Me and othere functions of the app.  Get with 128 GB  as well. ( this is my opinion of course )


Sounds to me like you know a lot about cameras which will give you a great advantage in that aspect of it , but flying is a whole nother ball game
As far as you getting the I2 , why don't you start off with a Phantom 3 advanced or Pro,  this will get your feet wet and have most of the basic features of the Inspire line .  I think to start out with the I2 is a bad Idea , I mean by the time you add some extra packs and what not you are going to be at 6 to 7 grand .  And using a friend's or future son in Laws Quad  is not a good idea either.

Also DJI has updates can be tricky and so can all the features of the system , and My God the Inspire 2 would make your head spin

Have you been flying RC Heli's or aircraft in the Past ?  Not saying you won't learn quick but this will give you a GREAT  advantage if you have .

Trust me when I started out I wanted the 1/4 scale P51 mustang with a large gas motor , retracts and the whole nine yards, BUT I had to learn on the trainer called "The Gentle Lady " .  The name itself was bad enough , but I look back and could not have gotten as far as I have without that first trainer  AC.  Also now a days they have EXCELLENT  simulators that you  can really learn on quickly , I mean a crash on the simulator is a space bar away from a new aircraft .

Dont bother with the DJI standard, itis just a toy and you will bore quickly , also they have zero resale value , get the Phantom advance or Pro and some extra packs , like 5 of them and fly alot . Then if you choose you can keep it , or it has good resale , I have sold 2 in the past getting at least 60 -70 % of retail.  This way with extra packs and some decent filters and some basic extras you will be under 1500 dollars and have  a great beginneer set up with some re-sale .  

So Please Head my advice, I have been at this now for 27 years ( flying RC and 53 years old  )  , and this is not my first rodeo , start off slow and advance from there . Sorry for the long winded post- I do that....alot.  

donnie

Hi George, Welcome,I must totally agree with Donnie. I wish you would have started on the other end (R/C airplanes, helicopters, other small toy multi rotor aircraft) Then add the photography part! Learn how they look, feel and act in real life, sun shining, cloudy, wind blowing, totally calm. Nothing beats honest hours of honing your flying skills (they will be invaluable on every flight) I can not stress that enough! You MUST become proficient in all aspects of flying manually, by hand no GPS. I'm not saying that you won't learn quickly, but these aircraft are not cheap! You should really consider CRASHING 3 or 4 $50.00 helicopters or multi rotors before you even think about unboxing that Inspire 2. Then after a few lessons you learn from crashing some toys, then only unbox the Inspire 2 instructions. Leave the Inspire IN the box and #1 Read the instructions (NOT THE QUICK START GUIDE)  #2 understand what the instructions mean. #3 Follow all of the instructions. #4 read the instructions again. Sounds like you obviously know your photo stuff, but now you're main objective is to PRACTICE you're piloting skills!!! VERY, VERY important! 100 Ft. under water or 100 Ft. in the air, that Inspire may kill someone if you are not fully in control. Safety First    Ken   

Nothing worse than getting disoriented while flying your r/c helicopter and just watching your toy slowly go down and crash... Very good advice given!

George, Please also visit https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/ for registration (free) and a ton of information that will help you fly safely, and keep you out of trouble. Ken.

I appreciate the comments.

  

I never planned to fly an Inspire 2 until I mastered the required piloting skills and learned the regulations I need to follow.

  

  

I will start with a PC simulator, follow that with some flight time with a Phantom 3 standard 4K I got a reasonable price on, (less than any used prices I found), and only then fly the Inspire 2. I will likely sell the Phantom 3 at some point and pick up a current model if I find I need a backup or second drone to accomplish the projects I undertake.

  

  

Thanks again.

GeorgeR Posted at 2017-1-20 10:39
I appreciate the comments.
  I never planned to fly an Inspire 2 until I mastered the required piloting skills and learned the regulations I need to follow.     I will start with a PC simulator, follow that with some flight time with a Phantom 3 standard 4K I got a reasonable price on, (less than any used prices I found), and only then fly the Inspire 2. I will likely sell the Phantom 3 at some point and pick up a current model if I find I need a backup or second drone to accomplish the projects I undertake.     Thanks again.

I love it  George !  

Keep us posted on your progress.

donnie

I am spending a little time with "RealFlight Drone Simulator" while I look at my Inspire 2 sitting on the floor. I am really hoping the Simulator Challenges are more difficult then actual flying or I could be waiting awhile. I'll get through a few more levels and take the Phantom 3 for a ride. Give me patience.

Frankly I would not plan on a phantom 3. For pure photography you want nothing less than a phantom 4 pro, now. All other phantom cameras are quite inferior compared. They could be fine for a casual user, but for more serious photography you have to start with a P4P, and you'll be glad you did. The obstacle avoidance on it can aid you to keep yourself, your subjects, and the bird itself safe. Learning on a bird such as a P4P is the best first step before moving to an I2. The flight apps are the same and the dji remote control and flying are similar too. I believe the p4p has the simulator in the app too. If you're gonna use a simulator, use the one in the dji app. You learn the bird and the flight telemetry software doing that. If you're a new pilot, shooting a wedding is too ambitious, I think. Flight needs to be truly second nature in that instance. But a P4P has such a good camera and is so great to fly, you may very well not need to upgrade from there. Good luck.

userf1d95a1ea1 Posted at 2017-2-3 18:59
Frankly I would not plan on a phantom 3. For pure photography you want nothing less than a phantom 4 pro, now. All other phantom cameras are quite inferior compared. They could be fine for a casual user, but for more serious photography you have to start with a P4P, and you'll be glad you did. The obstacle avoidance on it can aid you to keep yourself, your subjects, and the bird itself safe. Learning on a bird such as a P4P is the best first step before moving to an I2. The flight apps are the same and the dji remote control and flying are similar too. I believe the p4p has the simulator in the app too. If you're gonna use a simulator, use the one in the dji app. You learn the bird and the flight telemetry software doing that. If you're a new pilot, shooting a wedding is too ambitious, I think. Flight needs to be truly second nature in that instance. But a P4P has such a good camera and is so great to fly, you may very well not need to upgrade from there. Good luck.

I appreciate the reply but if you read the thread, the decisions have been made, no turning back now.

If I am ready, I will shoot the wedding, if not, I won't. I have 7 months to practice. I also have two pilots I could choose from if I decide to shoot it so I could just worry about the camera. One currently has an Inspire 1.

Yes, I see I missed some details, lol. Sorry. I wish I could have advised before you spent on the 3 series. In any case best to you and safe flights.

userf1d95a1ea1 Posted at 2017-2-3 19:18
Yes, I see I missed some details, lol. Sorry. I wish I could have advised before you spent on the 3 series. In any case best to you and safe flights.

I am solid with my plan and have my reasons and no regret I didn't order a P4.

I assume you have personal experience with RealFlight to recommend against it?

Regards

Oh no, no experience with real flight. Sim flying is great when you find something you like. But definitely spend time on the dji dimming the app. Flying isn't very 'inspiring' but it's an excellent way to learn everything about navigating the app, flying flight modes, all settings really. Makes actually flying much easier when you know the system really well.   

Flew my Phantom 3 4K for the first time today. Granted it was beginner mode but compared to the RealFlight Challenges, it was MUCH easier to pilot then the simulator timed challenges.

Need to get some more air time and then begin learning the camera controls but I am feeling much better about my ability to master this "hobby".

As to the studio flash question, I have done it with a P4 and plan to do it to an Inspire 2 also.  Much of it is explained on this thread:  http://forum.dji.com/thread-76758-1-1.html  All you need to do is parallel a switch off the shutter button on the RC unit (Hardest part is soldering to it.) and then figure out the difference between the trigger for the shutter on the Inspire camera, and the time to trigger off the hot-shoe socket (Wireless trigger here.) from the RC shutter button switch and delay the difference using an Arduino microprocessor.

DJI just released some controller that runs off the Can-Bus socket on the RC transmitter for the Matice 600 and I noticed it has a shutter output on the diagram.  Don't know if the Matrice RC box would work on the Inspire though.