I'm doing battle with a project downtown that has required many more trips than I had planned. The client wants all drone video and stills and a lot of it at dusk and dawn. Either my technique is lacking or (and I hope it's this) drone cameras are great, but not in ridiculously low light. The client's needs keep changing and I keep working to fulfill them. Last evening I launched the I2 in 15-25, scary, but it handled it. As usual, my Buddy Mike B. is always "virtually" by my side goading me on and giving me tech help. Last night was so intense that I got distracted and missed/ignored my low battery warnings until one pooped up that I could not ignore....."critical low battery, the drone will return to the home point....!" The I2 then became autonomous and wouldn't obey a single command, it climbed to about 40' shifted sideways, hovered for what seemed like an eternity, then came straight down, lowered the gear and landed. My knees are still shaking. There was a period of time there where I didn't know what I was going to witness, but I had a hunch it wasn't going to be pretty. 350 hours on the Inspire and I am still learning multiple things on every flight.
I'll be back there at dawn tomorrow, hopefully to wrap this project up with a couple more early morning perspectives. The Navy Seals are correct when they say..."The only easy day was yesterday...........".
JWilsonphoto wrote:
I'm doing battle with a project downtown that has required many more trips than I had planned. The client wants all drone video and stills and a lot of it at dusk and dawn. Either my technique is lacking or (and I hope it's this) drone cameras are great, but not in ridiculously low light. The client's needs keep changing and I keep working to fulfill them. Last evening I launched the I2 in 15-25, scary, but it handled it. As usual, my Buddy Mike B. is always "virtually" by my side goading me on and giving me tech help. Last night was so intense that I got distracted and missed/ignored my low battery warnings until one pooped up that I could not ignore....."critical low battery, the drone will return to the home point....!" The I2 then became autonomous and wouldn't obey a single command, it climbed to about 40' shifted sideways, hovered for what seemed like an eternity, then came straight down, lowered the gear and landed. My knees are still shaking. There was a period of time there where I didn't know what I was going to witness, but I had a hunch it wasn't going to be pretty. 350 hours on the Inspire and I am still learning multiple things on every flight.
I'll be back there at dawn tomorrow, hopefully to wrap this project up with a couple more early morning perspectives. The Navy Seals are correct when they say..."The only easy day was yesterday...........". ...Show more →
If I was a betting man, my money would be on you for the win.
I picked up my RF 70-200/2.8 yesterday, it's still in the box but I'm looking forward to shooting with it. I confess to struggling over spending $2800 for it, when the 100-500 does such an incredible job. In the end I decided that I could never not have a 70-200 in the bag, and it's my go to air to air glass. Each iteration of the lens is just a little bit better than the previous one and the first edition was mind blowing. A few years ago I remember thinking that there was no way that hat I would blow the kind of dough they were asking for the new RF version lenses...............the older I get the more I learn not to say "never".........
The 50/1.2 is due in soon, no news on the 600/4 RF, but that's ok, I'm not looking forward to that discussion with The Office of the Budget..................
I flew the Inspire 2 the longest distance ever this morning. Decided to walk a half a mile down the Trinity River levee and fly the drone over to my project. The gate was closed at my usual launch site for this perspective so I decided to brave it and fly from the levee. The winds are howling here today, and for the next ten, but the I2 flew like it was on rails. Aside form the fact that no drone in existence has the quality sensor that the I2 has, it's really nice to have a drone that big that handles high winds so well, and that you can see when it's a half a mile away from you.
Ok, I like that Contour jet and very nice shots Rob.
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Douglas, beautiful and jaw dropping pictures from you like usual.
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Eddie, Norman Rockwell...Dead on Jim...Love the action shots Eddie-
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Keeping it up Jim, I'm sure your arial shot will be beautiful and make your clients happy. We all know you won't give up till you get the shot or image you need.
JWilsonphoto wrote:
I picked up my RF 70-200/2.8 yesterday, it's still in the box but I'm looking forward to shooting with it. I confess to struggling over spending $2800 for it, when the 100-500 does such an incredible job. In the end I decided that I could never not have a 70-200 in the bag, and it's my go to air to air glass. Each iteration of the lens is just a little bit better than the previous one and the first edition was mind blowing. A few years ago I remember thinking that there was no way that hat I would blow the kind of dough they were asking for the new RF version lenses...............the older I get the more I learn not to say "never"............Show more →
Congrats on the new RF 70-200, Jim! When Sony announced the 70-200 II, I wasn't going to get it for $2800, but I caved in after reading the reviews. It's unbelievably light and sharp, it's even a bit lighter than the Canon RF. I also have the 100-400 GM, which is super sharp, but a bit too heavy to carry around in for non birding/airshow outings. I love it for compressed landscape and semi macro stuff. I may eventually let go the 100-400, since I also have a 200-600. The 200-600 is my primary airshow lens, complemented by the 600mm+1.4 TC if I want super closeup shots. Enjoy the new toy, now Canon needs to give you that R1.
Bill Gass wrote:
Ok, I like that Contour jet and very nice shots Rob.
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Douglas, beautiful and jaw dropping pictures from you like usual.
.
Eddie, Norman Rockwell...Dead on Jim...Love the action shots Eddie-
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Keeping it up Jim, I'm sure your arial shot will be beautiful and make your clients happy. We all know you won't give up till you get the shot or image you need.
Thanks Bill, taking these shots keeps me out of my recliner at night. I appreciate your comments.
