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Camera Zoom?
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bob
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When will dji offer a camera with a remote zoom capability?  I see this as a VERY desirable feature for just about every application.
2015-1-3
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Joola
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That's not a question anyone here can answer and I doubt anyone from DJI will respond because they wouldn't want their competitors to know.
2015-1-3
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ultraturtle
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Already has remote zoom capability.  Assuming the gimbal is facing forward, moving the right control stick forward zooms in and moving it back zooms out!  
2015-1-3
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bob
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I posted this to see if others share my opinion or have further suggestions.  I assume that dji reads these posts.
2015-1-3
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bob
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ultraturtle Posted at 2015-1-4 07:05
Already has remote zoom capability.  Assuming the gimbal is facing forward, moving the right control ...

I get your jest, but it takes a lot less energy and time to zoom in and out than it takes to fly in and out.
2015-1-3
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redleader
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Adding zoom, real zoom not digital zoom, adds a hell of a lot of weight, relatively, to the camera. DJI would have to put quite a bit more glass in front of the lens which causes balancing problems as it moves, plus any extra glass in front of the sensor means more chance of distortion, loss of sharpness, increased chromatic aberration etc. Then there's the effect of weight on flight time to think about.

DJI specialises in drones and probably does not want to dilute that by getting too heavily into the camera business. I think they can compete with GoPro for the lower end of scale, but when it comes to pro cameras Nikon, Canon, Sony etc have the facilities, experience, and skills to build cameras, DJI makes the gimbals and drones to carry them.

2015-1-3
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rmaxwell
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Note that when you go from a GoPro to an Inspire 1 camera, the viewing angle goes from 170 degrees to 94 degrees.  This means that the gimbal and quad copter must reduce the vibration to less than one pixel.  If you put a longer focal length lens on this camera it requires that you further reduce the vibration level.  It is very difficult to reduce the vibration of a quadcopter more than they have achieved in the Inspire One.  If you go to the S900 or S1000 and put a very heavy camera with a lot of mass, then you can put a longer focal lens on the camera.  There is no free lunch.  If you want a narrow viewing angle, you have to pay the price for a heavier and more stable platform.  Note also that changing your point of view (i.e.. a dolly move) is not the same as zooming.
2015-1-3
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jones5r
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rmaxwell Posted at 2015-1-4 10:13
Note that when you go from a GoPro to an Inspire 1 camera, the viewing angle goes from 170 degrees t ...

Maxwell - Great input.
2015-1-3
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bob
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rmaxwell Posted at 2015-1-4 10:13
Note that when you go from a GoPro to an Inspire 1 camera, the viewing angle goes from 170 degrees t ...

That's a good point.  I hope they can find a way to reduce the vibration so that optical zoom is possible.  On the other hand, I suspect that making the camera resolution higher to achieve the same result using software zoom has the same problem.  It's a difficult problem...but's that's why we have engineers.
2015-1-3
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bob
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Again, as to solving the vibration problem which gets worse with optical zoom, does the Inspire have built-in anti-vibration software like most hand-held cameras have?  If not, that might be a solution.
2015-1-3
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ultraturtle
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Note also that changing your point of view (i.e.. a dolly move) is not the same as zooming.


Any credible photojournalist with a fixed 50mm, low aperture lens and feet can explain why "sneaker zoom" generally results in a far superior image than that made by any zoom lens at any distance.

By the way, excellent coverage of why narrow angle aerial photography/videography is generally a bad idea, and why adding the weight and reduced image quality of a zoom lens makes it worse.
2015-1-3
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mark
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I think the best solution would be a series of interchangeable "micro-primes." Even if the vibrations could be overcome with a higher quality gimbal, there are very limited applications for an in-camera zoom.

In other words, you can argue for a lens with a longer focal length (or a wider FOV), but why would you need to actively zoom as the camera is rolling? I mean, yes, it would be pretty cool to do a push-pull dolly-zoom with a drone... and there might be a couple times where you'd want to zoom-in on the fly but, for the most part, interchangeable primes and planning your shots should work. All things equal, primes can built with lighter weight, generally better optics, and better light gathering.  Having an optical zoom that's able to maintain its aperture across the entire zoom range is heavy and expensive. Primes can also be designed to have the same size and weight more easily, so you wouldn't have to re-balance your gimbal. Just land the drone, swap the lens, and take off in seconds. I can see this being useful for getting coverage of a shot at two focal lengths to help with editing.

They already have quite a few aftermarket lens options for the GoPro, so this is definitely ready for prime time if DJI wants to make it happen. I'd love to see some kind Industry-Standard "Micro 1/3rd" interchangeable lens mount for GoPro/Inspire/Micro cameras... so the drone makers can do what they do best and we can see some quality "micro" lenses from Zeiss, Schneider, and the like. But I suspect if you want that level of glass, you're already using an S900 or better.
2015-1-3
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Tahoe_Ed
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Yes we do read these posts.  I don't see ZOOM in the picture any time in the near future.  But my crystal ball is cloudy.  
2015-1-3
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bob
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Tahoe_Ed Posted at 2015-1-4 12:34
Yes we do read these posts.  I don't see ZOOM in the picture any time in the near future.  But my cr ...

Thanks for your reply, "dji".  I guess for now I'll just have to use digital zoom as long as I don't degrade the resolution too much in doing so.  For the future, I do see many uses for the ability to optically zoom into an object at max camera resolution.  Obviously that's common feature of most hand held cameras, as well as image stabilization.
2015-1-3
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eric
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Tahoe_Ed Posted at 2015-1-4 12:34
Yes we do read these posts.  I don't see ZOOM in the picture any time in the near future.  But my cr ...

I'd like a digital zoom like the Vision + has. The resolution of the stills show the camera's sensor has far more pixels than it takes to record at 1080 or even 4k. So, software control over how the image is mapped from the sensor would be very nice... like the Vision plus allows.
2015-3-22
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crossfittb
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If this company can make a camera with the ability to have 30x zoom with a gimbal why can't DJI?https://www.aeryon.com/products/payloads/hdzoom30.html


Camera Features:

Image capture:

Stills: 20 megapixels
Optical zoom: up to 30x
Enhanced digital zoom: up to 60x
File format: JPEG
Field of view:
73 degrees width
53 degrees height
Video:

Resolution: 1080p60 H.264 HD recorded
Removable memory:

microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC
Weight:

620 g
Operating temperature:

-4°F to 122°F (-20°C to 50°C)
Gimbal Features:

3-axis stabilization
Range of motion:
Roll: +/- 20 degrees
Pitch: +/- 60 degrees
Yaw: +/- 20 degrees
2015-3-22
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doug
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I'd take a larger sensor over a longer lens any day. NOT more pixels, just better ones.
2015-3-22
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Tahoe_Ed
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eric@quarterbyt Posted at 2015-3-23 00:51
I'd like a digital zoom like the Vision + has. The resolution of the stills show the camera's sens ...

Digital zoom would not work well in post production.  You need optical Zoom.  Guys that use these professionally would have a cow if we introduced digital Zoom.  They all want bigger sensors.
2015-3-22
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Dangair
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I want a bigger sensor! Gather more light equals better quality image all the way! Tahoe do you think DJI might up the sensor a tad in the future? Maybe make a FLIR unit.. I really want a FLIR!
2015-3-22
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mvonditter53
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eric@quarterbyt Posted at 2015-3-23 00:51
I'd like a digital zoom like the Vision + has. The resolution of the stills show the camera's sens ...

Where is that digital zoom, I have not found it. I can use my editing software, yet have not seen it in the camera.
2015-5-7
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Sky High Aerial
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crossfittb@yaho Posted at 2015-3-23 07:28
If this company can make a camera with the ability to have 30x zoom with a gimbal why can't DJI?http ...

And... the most important part - what is the size of the sensor????
This looks surprisingly compatible with the Inspire 1!!!
2015-5-7
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GB44
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This camera looks awesome and with 30x optical zoom and 20mp stills is pretty good.

I wonder if we will see some Third Party developers making something compatible with the inspire mount system or if DJI will release an upgrade camera.
2015-5-9
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Kvamen
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crossfittb@yaho Posted at 2015-3-23 07:28
If this company can make a camera with the ability to have 30x zoom with a gimbal why can't DJI?http ...

Nice tool, but but cost a few Inspire 1 i guess
2015-5-9
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simplydp
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Has anyone seen this?
http://ragecams.com/shop/inspire ... t-vision-p-797.html
2015-5-18
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GB44
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Yeah the aeryon aircraft retails at something like US$75k.  However the aeryon camera is mounted on interchangeable gimbal mount, so if the camera itself was a reasonable price there must be a way of mounting it on the Inspire in stead of the DJI camera.  Some tech wizard may be able to do that, but way above my capabilities so will just have to wait patiently for a new DJI Camera.
2015-5-18
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originalmusicia
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GB44 Posted at 2015-5-19 00:31
Yeah the aeryon aircraft retails at something like US$75k.  However the aeryon camera is mounted on  ...

You can pick up a BlackMagic for a grand. It will be available at B&H in the next couple of weeks.

http://www.gizmag.com/blackmagic ... erial-action/36971/
2015-6-13
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w1der
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Digital zoom ...
I would rather just use the "crop" tool in post ... As this gives me the exact same result.

Zoom lens is out of the question I think (steels to much of the light, and the added weight) ... but for those who need more "magnification" maybe another camera with another lens configuration "x4 or x8" would be the solution!?

But, I don´t see the point of it, as you are on a "flying  tripod" here ... just fly closer !
2015-6-13
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GB44
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I understand about flying closer, but sometimes you need to keep away from the subject when inspecting structures for safety reasons,  so a higher quality camera with say 20MP quality, will allow some post edit zoom, with minimum loss of quality or at least down to the same quality of say 12MP image,   yet maintain a safe distance from the subject/ structure when flying.  Especially important when trying to pick up fractures etc.
2015-6-13
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SimplePanda
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rmaxwell Posted at 2015-1-4 10:13
Note that when you go from a GoPro to an Inspire 1 camera, the viewing angle goes from 170 degrees t ...

Even then, there are a few videos kicking around of 45mm zooms (vs the standard 12mm) lenses on a GH4 flying on Zenmuse / S900.

It's pretty obvious why longer focal lengths aren't supported; even the Z15/S900 can't keep 45mm focal stable enough to be useable without substantial post-production stabilization (Warp, etc).
2015-6-13
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Abe
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A better sensor and a camera with interchangeable prime lenses would be my ideal choice. Then even as the cameras get damaged or become obsolete, we can still use our lens collection. And DJI would benefit from the lock-in effect on customers. Once you have a collection of lenses, switching to another manufacturer becomes more expensive.
2015-6-13
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GB44
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Abe Posted at 2015-6-14 01:56
A better sensor and a camera with interchangeable prime lenses would be my ideal choice. Then even a ...

Abe,

Thats surely one good selling point for DJI...

2015-6-13
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SCOTTHORSMAN
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crossfittb@yaho Posted at 2015-3-22 19:58
If this company can make a camera with the ability to have 30x zoom with a gimbal why can't DJI?http ...

This drone is $106,000 usd lol a little different then the $1000 from DJI
2015-11-7
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Big Bird
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crossfittb@yaho Posted at 2015-3-22 17:28
If this company can make a camera with the ability to have 30x zoom with a gimbal why can't DJI?http ...

I called this company with the 60 zoom $75,000 sold to goverment and police yes $75,000 with 3 zeros I told the man he was nuts 519-489-6726 ext 352
2015-11-20
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editus art
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I meet a lot of aerial video made by zoomable cameras, but they do not show us any record with large zoom. At 10x zoom level the picture begin to jello, so they show us only shots at lower zoom level, and this is the trick. The title of aerial videos contain large zoomability, but we can never see shots with more than 10x zoom level (because of jello). It is not difficult to calculate the used zoom level or the differences.
We experimented more years to achieve zoomable solution without any jello effect. Now we can zoom in even on the craters of the Moon without jello:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltdKAcf_8-U

I think the Moon could be a suitable base for everyone to prove the zoomablility because it has always the same size (± 10%) everywhere.
2015-12-8
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