Mr Sparkle Posted at 2018-2-23 20:02
I totally agree with what you said.

I can easily grab the Spark from my bag and palm launch it. You can't do that with any other drones. With the Mavic Pro/Air you have to stretched out their arms and remove gimbal protector and find a spot to launch. The Spark really is an everyday drone - versatile and convenient.

I just think in the world of drone flying the Spark is more affordable to one's budget. I actually regret buying the DJI Care Refresh from DJI for $59 plus another $49 to replace or repair my Spark.

I purchased the Fly More Combo so in the event my Spark doesn't return DJI will not replace my drone. That's the one big clause of the policy employed by DJI that isn't flyer friendly. A flyaway is not necessarily always pilot error.

I'm also a little suspect of the replacement DJI sends its customers, as they could be refurbished from another customer repair. For $118 to purchase another Spark from DJI Care Refresh, paying $200 more for a boxed brand new Spark that can be re-paired with your Remote Controller sounds like less of a headache and temporary break from your flying?

Montfrooij Posted at 2018-2-24 00:19
If Spark would have 25fps, I would buy it.
My other videocamera shoots 25 or 50 fps only, so merging 30fps footage is a real pain.
I tried it with iPhone footage (stock iPhone camera app also shoots 30 / 60fps only.

I think the Spark has a more stable and capable camera (less resolution of course) than my Mavic Pro.

davidmartingraf Posted at 2018-2-24 11:30
I think the Spark has a more stable and capable camera (less resolution of course) than my Mavic Pro.

If you would not need the 25fps, I would start with Spark. But it was too difficult for me to combine footage, so I had to go for Mavic Pro.

Langner91 Posted at 2018-2-24 04:54
Very impressive video.  I am going to order a remote control, looking forward to a bit more distance, but I would be too nervous to try what you did.

I think the Remote Controller improves the binding frequency with your Spark. My feeling is owning the Spark everyone including myself was timid with starting to fly the Spark too far away from the RTH point. But I realize DJI incorporates the long-range capability and assurance of RTH into the Spark, so they really encourage owners to fly their products with a little more liberty and freedom than typically another manufacturer may provide?

The reason I made the video is because I believe in DJI. They're in the business of standing behind its drones, and in the event of a flyaway that isn't the pilot's fault, then I think DJI is in the position of replacing that drone when you take into account flying the drone 1,000 feet or 10,000 is going to be, at the end of the day, the same treasure hunt will seemingly have finding their drone.

Montfrooij Posted at 2018-2-24 11:39
If you would not need the 25fps, I would start with Spark. But it was too difficult for me to combine footage, so I had to go for Mavic Pro.

You can always done convert your fps from 30 to 25 using a video editing software. I've done it in Adobe Premiere Pro 2018.

davidmartingraf Posted at 2018-2-24 11:42
You can always done convert your fps from 30 to 25 using a video editing software. I've done it in Adobe Premiere Pro 2018.

Yes, I tried that too. But that was not coming out how I liked it.
Motion looks unnaturally slow.
Especially when people are in the shot.
But also things like hairs that move etc.
All get this slow motion effect.
And I also tried keeping the same speed, but that gave some artifacts when there was moving objects / frame.
Plus I got ugly flickering light on footage where certain types of artificial lighting were in the frame.

davidmartingraf Posted at 2018-2-24 11:42
You can always done convert your fps from 30 to 25 using a video editing software. I've done it in Adobe Premiere Pro 2018.

Look at this test footage

So I decided Spark was not worth the money and I saved some more.

Montfrooij Posted at 2018-2-24 11:48
Yes, I tried that too. But that was not coming out how I liked it.
Motion looks unnaturally slow.
Especially when people are in the shot.

I will defer to your videography skills as I'm simply a novice.

davidmartingraf Posted at 2018-2-24 12:08
I will defer to your videography skills as I'm simply a novice.

Me too I think.
But I do invest a lot of time in making video's.
And testing what does work for me.
Since I really like the concept of the spark.
(and the price )

Montfrooij Posted at 2018-2-24 11:49
Look at this test footage
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0kapVC1nQE

Yeah, I guess I can see a difference.

davidmartingraf Posted at 2018-2-24 12:11
Yeah, I guess I can see a difference.

Jup.
So after reading all this so called experts, I had to make proof why it did not work for me.
Even hoping DJI would make it available on the Spark.
....

Montfrooij Posted at 2018-2-24 12:13
Jup.
So after reading all this so called experts, I had to make proof why it did not work for me.
Even hoping DJI would make it available on the Spark.

That makes good sense.

davidmartingraf Posted at 2018-2-24 12:28
That makes good sense.

I wish it was not true, that would have made the choice much easier.

Montfrooij Posted at 2018-2-24 13:34
I wish it was not true, that would have made the choice much easier.

What is your opinion of the Mavic Air?

davidmartingraf Posted at 2018-2-24 13:35
What is your opinion of the Mavic Air?

Not as good as the Mavic Pro, but very nice upgrade for Spark owners.
From what I have seen, the MP has better image quality (sharper images).
Although that can have issues with compression due to 60mbp/s bitrate.

If you have the MP, I would not go for the MA.
Maybe MP2 that is on the way.  

Montfrooij Posted at 2018-2-24 13:46
Not as good as the Mavic Pro, but very nice upgrade for Spark owners.
From what I have seen, the MP has better image quality (sharper images).
Although that can have issues with compression due to 60mbp/s bitrate.

I think the Mavic Air is a jack of all trades and master of none. If you own the Mavic Pro then you get range and excellent video quality that offers long flight time. The Spark on the other hand, offers portability and convenience at a cheaper price. One could make the claim they rather get the best bang for the buck, which not the Air at $999 Fly More Combo but the Spark at $549 Fly More Combo is at this point the best bang for the buck.

davidmartingraf Posted at 2018-2-24 13:53
I think the Mavic Air is a jack of all trades and master of none. If you own the Mavic Pro then you get range and excellent video quality that offers long flight time. The Spark on the other hand, offers portability and convenience at a cheaper price. One could make the claim they rather get the best bang for the buck, which not the Air at $999 Fly More Combo but the Spark at $549 Fly More Combo is at this point the best bang for the buck.

I think they all have their purposes,  but you are right about the jack of all trade to me.
Still, I find the MA very appealing since I don't have the MP anymore.
But I am going to wait probably for the MP2 to arrive and see what my options are then.

Montfrooij Posted at 2018-2-24 13:59
I think they all have their purposes,  but you are right about the jack of all trade to me.
Still, I find the MA very appealing since I don't have the MP anymore.
But I am going to wait probably for the MP2 to arrive and see what my options are then.

Is the Mavic Pro 2 definitely coming out? Or is it just rumors and speculation at this point?

davidmartingraf Posted at 2018-2-24 14:08
Is the Mavic Pro 2 definitely coming out? Or is it just rumors and speculation at this point?

Just rumors.
But it will come eventually.

Montfrooij Posted at 2018-2-24 14:15
Just rumors.
But it will come eventually.

I wonder if the Mavic Pro 2 will be almost identical to the current Mavic Pro given how the Phantom 3 and Phantom 4 body style are the same except the modifications and additional sensors?

Montfrooij Posted at 2018-2-24 11:39
If you would not need the 25fps, I would start with Spark. But it was too difficult for me to combine footage, so I had to go for Mavic Pro.

I don't know what software you use, in Adobe After Effects (and probably Premiere) you can interpret the footage as 25 fps. It will do the pulldown for you.
Edit: Opps, I just read the further posts, you seems to have tried it. But if you are willing to pay for expensive commercial software, try Twixtor Pro. It's also available for FCP, Twixtor is probably the best app in framerate conversion. You can do slow motion with it too.

http://revisionfx.com/products/twixtor/after-effects/

davidmartingraf Posted at 2018-2-24 16:57
I wonder if the Mavic Pro 2 will be almost identical to the current Mavic Pro given how the Phantom 3 and Phantom 4 body style are the same except the modifications and additional sensors?

We can only speculate on that.
I can imagine they make for a little bit more rounded edges.

Mr Sparkle Posted at 2018-2-24 19:32
I don't know what software you use, in Adobe After Effects (and probably Premiere) you can interpret the footage as 25 fps. It will do the pulldown for you.
Edit: Opps, I just read the further posts, you seems to have tried it. But if you are willing to pay for expensive commercial software, try Twixtor Pro. It's also available for FCP, Twixtor is probably the best app in framerate conversion. You can do slow motion with it too.

Yes, I tried it (demo version of Premiere ;)  ).
Failed on the moving objects. It did a decent job, but not good enough.
Also it was rather time consuming to implement, as I have to first convert all the 30fps footage and then be able to edit it.
And still it wont help me with the flickering light sources.

Mr Sparkle Posted at 2018-2-24 19:32
I don't know what software you use, in Adobe After Effects (and probably Premiere) you can interpret the footage as 25 fps. It will do the pulldown for you.
Edit: Opps, I just read the further posts, you seems to have tried it. But if you are willing to pay for expensive commercial software, try Twixtor Pro. It's also available for FCP, Twixtor is probably the best app in framerate conversion. You can do slow motion with it too.

That looks like a good tool to use.

Montfrooij Posted at 2018-2-25 05:05
We can only speculate on that.
I can imagine they make for a little bit more rounded edges.

Probably a good proxy.

davidmartingraf Posted at 2018-2-25 06:25
Probably a good proxy.

I must say I like the design of the MA a lot!

Montfrooij Posted at 2018-2-25 13:48
I must say I like the design of the MA a lot!

Me too, I think you're right...

davidmartingraf Posted at 2018-2-25 14:18
Me too, I think you're right...

Actually I can't wait to see the MP2....
But so far no official sign of it...

Montfrooij Posted at 2018-2-25 14:26
Actually I can't wait to see the MP2....
But so far no official sign of it...

I'm in the same boat as you, hope they release it pretty soon...

davidmartingraf Posted at 2018-2-25 14:29
I'm in the same boat as you, hope they release it pretty soon...

Yes. Very much. Another option to choose from

Montfrooij Posted at 2018-2-25 14:31
Yes. Very much. Another option to choose from

I was reading people believe the end of March is when DJI is planning on releasing the Mavic Pro 2?

Montfrooij Posted at 2018-2-25 05:08
Yes, I tried it (demo version of Premiere ;)  ).
Failed on the moving objects. It did a decent job, but not good enough.
Also it was rather time consuming to implement, as I have to first convert all the 30fps footage and then be able to edit it.

The flickering is because you are in Europe - the electricity is running at 50hz (same as your light bulb), therefore you need 25 fps to get a flicker-free video. Are you planning to fly your drone indoor all the time? There will not be flickering outdoor in the sun.

davidmartingraf Posted at 2018-2-25 19:35
I was reading people believe the end of March is when DJI is planning on releasing the Mavic Pro 2?

Yes, but that is all based on one source as far as I can see.
I would expect some kind of teaser if that is true.

Mr Sparkle Posted at 2018-2-25 23:06
The flickering is because you are in Europe - the electricity is running at 50hz (same as your light bulb), therefore you need 25 fps to get a flicker-free video. Are you planning to fly your drone indoor all the time? There will not be flickering outdoor in the sun.

I know, it only happened when there was artificial lighting in the frame.
This is not my main issue, that is converting to 25 fps to match my other footage.

Montfrooij Posted at 2018-2-25 23:25
Yes, but that is all based on one source as far as I can see.
I would expect some kind of teaser if that is true.

Maybe coming momentarily? They gave only a week before the January 23rd Mavic Air event, so mid-March seems appropriate.

Montfrooij Posted at 2018-2-25 23:26
I know, it only happened when there was artificial lighting in the frame.
This is not my main issue, that is converting to 25 fps to match my other footage.

Have you tried 60HZ refresh rate?

davidmartingraf Posted at 2018-2-26 06:36
Have you tried 60HZ refresh rate?

Yes. Also. That still resonates with the frequencies around here.

davidmartingraf Posted at 2018-2-26 06:35
Maybe coming momentarily? They gave only a week before the January 23rd Mavic Air event, so mid-March seems appropriate.

Oh yes, they still have some time

Montfrooij Posted at 2018-2-26 07:04
Oh yes, they still have some time

They should be releasing the Mavic Pro 2 to coincide with the other competitors' releasing their drones announced for this March.