For flight and image capture i have tried apps like Dji Flight, Dronelink or Map Pilot Pro.
All images i shoot only has one (default) orientation.

Look at attached screenshot of how it ends up in ie. Pix4d

Anyone knows how to get the drone to record orientation?

The orientation seems correct.
The gimbal is facing East, pitch 1.54 degrees almost at NADIR, and the roll is at 0 which is normal.

LV_Forestry Posted at 3-20 12:11
The orientation seems correct.
The gimbal is facing East, pitch 1.54 degrees almost at NADIR, and the roll is at 0 which is normal.

If you look at the image you see that all kameras/images are pointing same direction (blue cameras).  This is not currect, drone flew autonomous in a grid, so should be different orientation for most images.

mortenzokan Posted at 3-20 12:44
If you look at the image you see that all kameras/images are pointing same direction (blue cameras).  This is not currect, drone flew autonomous in a grid, so should be different orientation for most images.

Did you ask the question to PIX4D?

Otherwise look in the metadata of the images. There should be a "Gimbal Yaw degree" line. Check that it changes according to the trajectory. So you will know if the problem comes from PIX4D or Mini2. But I just checked with Metashape, there is no problem.

Hi there. Thank you for reaching out. Since you are using a 3rd party application, unfortunately, we can't provide technical service on any 3rd party accessories and software. Should you have other inquiries, please don't hesitate to reach us. Thank you for your understanding and support.

LV_Forestry Posted at 3-20 12:55
Did you ask the question to PIX4D?

Otherwise look in the metadata of the images. There should be a "Gimbal Yaw degree" line. Check that it changes according to the trajectory. So you will know if the problem comes from PIX4D or Mini2. But I just checked with Metashape, there is no problem.

Hi, thanks for reply again.

Yes, have have actually checked the meta data, (i used Pix4d just to visualize the issue).
   drone-dji:GimbalRollDegree="+0.00"
   drone-dji:GimbalYawDegree="+0.00"
   drone-dji:GimbalPitchDegree="+0.00"

This is how my meta-data always looks.

DJI Paladin Posted at 3-20 20:15
Hi there. Thank you for reaching out. Since you are using a 3rd party application, unfortunately, we can't provide technical service on any 3rd party accessories and software. Should you have other inquiries, please don't hesitate to reach us. Thank you for your understanding and support.

Hi, thanks for reply.

The image from Pix4d was just to visualize the issue, it is not 3rd party issue. Same issue in 3 other photogrametry software,
The issue seems to be related to missing meta-data:

   drone-dji:GimbalRollDegree="+0.00"
   drone-dji:GimbalYawDegree="+0.00"
   drone-dji:GimbalPitchDegree="+0.00"

I have downloaded other working dataset of images (DJI), and compared, those paramatres are set (and then camera orientation is correct).

So the core of the problem seems to be that my DJI mini 2 doesnt set those meta-data at all.
And i get no orientation on images. I have tried turning of/on all settings in flight apps.

Everything else with the mini 2 seems to work perfectly, and it is brand new.

If this is not a known problem, then i think the mini2 is stuck in this state due to bug in (initial) setup, so i tried to factory reset it, but DJI has removed that possibility...

LV_Forestry Posted at 3-20 12:55
Did you ask the question to PIX4D?

Otherwise look in the metadata of the images. There should be a "Gimbal Yaw degree" line. Check that it changes according to the trajectory. So you will know if the problem comes from PIX4D or Mini2. But I just checked with Metashape, there is no problem.

What flight app did you use for this photo?

mortenzokan Posted at 3-21 01:08
What flight app did you use for this photo?

Exiftool to view metadata, and Agisoft Metashape for photogrammetry.  

You can try to refresh the firmware, it's like a reset.

mortenzokan Posted at 3-20 12:44
If you look at the image you see that all kameras/images are pointing same direction (blue cameras).  This is not currect, drone flew autonomous in a grid, so should be different orientation for most images.

This isn't right.
Your drone flies straight lines in the grid pattern.
So the image orientation should be all the same, except for at the ends of rows when the drone is turning.

Anyone knows how to get the drone to record orientation?
Your drone automatically records this in the metadata of each image.

LV_Forestry Posted at 3-21 02:01
Exiftool to view metadata, and Agisoft Metashape for photogrammetry.  

You can try to refresh the firmware, it's like a reset.

Tested Exiftools and Metashape, really like them.    And now i  actually got my first "gimbal degree" entries, it seems like only way my mini 2 sets those parametres is if i use panorama mode. I think im close to assume this is by design on my mini 2, and wont use more time on it. Thanks for reply

mortenzokan Posted at 3-22 01:59
Tested Exiftools and Metashape, really like them.    And now i  actually got my first "gimbal degree" entries, it seems like only way my mini 2 sets those parametres is if i use panorama mode. I think im close to assume this is by design on my mini 2, and wont use more time on it. Thanks for reply

You are welcome.  Orientation data must be recorded every time you take a picture.

mortenzokan Posted at 3-22 01:59
Tested Exiftools and Metashape, really like them.    And now i  actually got my first "gimbal degree" entries, it seems like only way my mini 2 sets those parametres is if i use panorama mode. I think im close to assume this is by design on my mini 2, and wont use more time on it. Thanks for reply

it seems like only way my mini 2 sets those parametres is if i use panorama mode.
Every still image you shoot with the drone will have that information in the metadata.
Post an original, full-sized jpg (you'd have to upload to dropbox or something like that and post a link), and I'll show you.

mortenzokan Posted at 3-21 00:38
Hi, thanks for reply.

The image from Pix4d was just to visualize the issue, it is not 3rd party issue. Same issue in 3 other photogrametry software,

Thank you for your feedback. We will coordinate this inquiry of yours to our designated team. Thank you for your valued support.

Labroides Posted at 3-22 03:33
it seems like only way my mini 2 sets those parametres is if i use panorama mode.
Every still image you shoot with the drone will have that information in the metadata.
Post an original, full-sized jpg (you'd have to upload to dropbox or something like that and post a link), and I'll show you.

Hi, sorry late answer here. This is metadata from a image definitly take with tilted camera. (I can even view the flight logs and see that gimbal angel IS not 0 in this example).  (I'm not using more time on this, since i understant it is not important for photogrametry, but strange thing anyway ) And thanks for help


ExifTool Version Number         : 12.58
File Name                       : DJI_0246.JPG
Directory                       : xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
File Size                       : 5.3 MB
Zone Identifier                 : Exists
File Modification Date/Time     : 2023:03:23 13:31:11+01:00
File Access Date/Time           : 2023:03:27 19:43:56+02:00
File Creation Date/Time         : 2023:03:23 12:30:00+01:00
File Permissions                : -rw-rw-rw-
File Type                       : JPEG
File Type Extension             : jpg
MIME Type                       : image/jpeg
Exif Byte Order                 : Little-endian (Intel, II)
Image Description               : DCIM\100MEDIA\DJI_0246.JPG
Camera Model Name               : FC7303
Orientation                     : Horizontal (normal)
X Resolution                    : 72
Y Resolution                    : 72
Resolution Unit                 : inches
Software                        : v01.43.0071
Modify Date                     : 2023:03:23 12:43:57
Y Cb Cr Positioning             : Centered
Exposure Time                   : 1/50
F Number                        : 2.8
Exposure Program                : Program AE
ISO                             : 100
Exif Version                    : 0230
Date/Time Original              : 2023:03:23 12:43:56
Create Date                     : 2023:03:23 12:43:56
Components Configuration        : Y, Cb, Cr, -
Compressed Bits Per Pixel       : 3.350436
Shutter Speed Value             : 1/50
Aperture Value                  : 2.8
Exposure Compensation           : 0
Max Aperture Value              : 2.8
Subject Distance                : 0 m
Metering Mode                   : Spot
Light Source                    : Daylight
Flash                           : No flash function
Focal Length                    : 4.5 mm
Warning                         : [minor] Possibly incorrect maker notes offsets (fix by 1783?)
Make                            : DJI
Speed X                         : +0.00
Speed Y                         : +0.00
Speed Z                         : +0.00
Pitch                           : -1.20
Yaw                             : +125.50
Roll                            : +0.50
Flashpix Version                : 0100
Color Space                     : sRGB
Exif Image Width                : 4000
Exif Image Height               : 3000
Interoperability Index          : R98 - DCF basic file (sRGB)
Interoperability Version        : 0100
Exposure Index                  : undef
File Source                     : Digital Camera
Scene Type                      : Directly photographed
Custom Rendered                 : Normal
Exposure Mode                   : Auto
White Balance                   : Auto
Digital Zoom Ratio              : 1
Focal Length In 35mm Format     : 24 mm
Scene Capture Type              : Standard
Gain Control                    : None
Contrast                        : Normal
Saturation                      : Normal
Sharpness                       : Normal
Subject Distance Range          : Unknown
Serial Number                   : xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
GPS Version ID                  : 2.3.0.0
GPS Latitude Ref                : North
GPS Longitude Ref               : East
GPS Altitude Ref                : Above Sea Level
XP Comment                      : Type=N, Mode=P, DE=None
XP Keywords                     : v01.43.0071;0.0.1;v1.0.0
Compression                     : JPEG (old-style)
Thumbnail Offset                : 18432
Thumbnail Length                : 9716
About                           : DJI Meta Data
Format                          : image/jpg
Absolute Altitude               : +289.85
Relative Altitude               : +5.90
Gimbal Roll Degree              : +0.00
Gimbal Yaw Degree               : +0.00
Gimbal Pitch Degree             : +0.00
Flight Roll Degree              : +0.50
Flight Yaw Degree               : +125.50
Flight Pitch Degree             : -1.20
Cam Reverse                     : 0
Gimbal Reverse                  : 0
Version                         : 7.0
Has Settings                    : False
Has Crop                        : False
Already Applied                 : False
MPF Version                     : 0010
Number Of Images                : 2
MP Image Flags                  : Dependent child image
MP Image Format                 : JPEG
MP Image Type                   : Large Thumbnail (VGA equivalent)
MP Image Length                 : 260596
MP Image Start                  : 5062138
Dependent Image 1 Entry Number  : 0
Dependent Image 2 Entry Number  : 0
Image UID List                  : (Binary data 66 bytes, use -b option to extract)
Total Frames                    : 1
Image Width                     : 4000
Image Height                    : 3000
Encoding Process                : Baseline DCT, Huffman coding
Bits Per Sample                 : 8
Color Components                : 3
Y Cb Cr Sub Sampling            : YCbCr4:2:2 (2 1)
Aperture                        : 2.8
Image Size                      : 4000x3000
Megapixels                      : 12.0
Scale Factor To 35 mm Equivalent: 5.3
Shutter Speed                   : 1/50
Thumbnail Image                 : (Binary data 9716 bytes, use -b option to extract)
GPS Altitude                    : 289.8 m Above Sea Level
GPS Latitude                    : 59 deg 55' 56.10" N
GPS Longitude                   : 10 deg 46' 47.28" E
Preview Image                   : (Binary data 260596 bytes, use -b option to extract)
Circle Of Confusion             : 0.006 mm
Field Of View                   : 73.7 deg
Focal Length                    : 4.5 mm (35 mm equivalent: 24.0 mm)
GPS Position                    : 59 deg 55' 56.10" N, 10 deg 46' 47.28" E
Hyperfocal Distance             : 1.28 m
Light Value                     : 8.6
-- press ENTER --

mortenzokan Posted at 3-27 09:53
Hi, sorry late answer here. This is metadata from a image definitly take with tilted camera. (I can even view the flight logs and see that gimbal angel IS not 0 in this example).  (I'm not using more time on this, since i understant it is not important for photogrametry, but strange thing anyway ) And thanks for help

There's nothing strange about that.