Make the Jump

[buzz]

OK all you members, as you'll see I'm new to the forum. Did the demo in Dublin Friday and really impressed. Inside of-course, no wind.
Now here's the big one for you all. Now that you have made the commitment would you do it again?
This is where I'm stuck. We already do mast and aerial photography, but when I consider what we're paying for the aircraft should I make the jump to the X6. And it certainly would save me carrying that 15m mast about. I could keep the large area shots for the aircraft only with the closer ones for the X6
Are you customers more than happy with the result. Is the still camera to a high enough spec for A3 prints or even bigger.
Please help Buzz

[craig]

As I'm only a beginner (got 2 X6 about 2 weeks ago) I can make some very positive comments about the back up service and support. They have always been helpful and quick to respond.
I'm dealing with Draganflyer Inov. direct though. I assume Air2Air are similar but have had no experience with them.

For a beginner what it boils down to is for quality shots you need to be in very light winds (experienced people possibly higher winds but I still rely on the GPS). So take note of how many days of light winds and sunny weather you have had in your location lately. (I'm lucky enough to be based in the sunniest place in New Zealand so this was an influential factor in the purchase decision).

There are more experienced guys on here that may be ok in higher winds but I'll let them make comment on that.

By looking through this forum I had a good idea on what setup I needed on the camera to start with and have produced plenty of in-focus well balanced photos. Other with more experience may wish to comment on expanding prints to A3 etc.

In my opinion I wouldn't be throwing away the Mast system yet as it will be reliable during periods of windy weather. However the X6 can obviously offer you a lot more option in height and location.

I can't comment about "would I do it again" as I haven't done it yet However I have not started the company yet (about 2 weeks away) and already have real estate agents asking for my services and have my first jobs lined up for this week (due to demand, not my original time frame).

So thus far I am very happy, but you need to be realistic about the wind with this machine.

I look forward to other experienced people to make comment as I'm still learning

[buzz]

Hi Craig, Wow that sounds great. Well here this week, has been fantastic, calm winds. Thats very unusual!! Generally we sit at about 10mph, hopefully the X6 can cope with that.
I also look forward to some feedback from other members of the group. For me this is a hugh investment and I need to make sure it works as it says it will. Thanks again BUzz

[pulsey]

Hi,

Relatively new user here. Am getting some practice in the wind at the mo. The trick is to (once you get experienced!) take it upwind, then be brave and release the levers and let the wind carry it. Press the shutter a few times, then 'grab' it back. Repeat.

Using that method the shots come out pretty sharp. I took some on Friday. Calmish on the ground but when I released it about 30' up, it whipped off sideways. I'd estimate about 10-12mph. The shots came out OK, if a little lopsided (which can be dealt with), but useable.

Would I buy it again - yes, but I'd look at the X4 first as a beginner- especially as it appears to support a 12Mpx camera compared to my 10 (only 9 on 4:3. Need widescreen to get 10Mpx.)

Unless you are particularly targeting video, you might want to hold off buying that bit until you're happy. I've had a play and need to play more but the learning and the smoothness curves are higher. I'm shooting crisp stills already. Commercial video footage will be a while methinks. Especially in the UK.

As for Russell & David @air2air (UK), nothing but praise.

Oh, and I've just entered a comp to win a A3 Canon printer. If I win, I'll print some out and let you know on that front.

[daveb]

Hi
My name is Dave and I am hoping to start of an AP business using the DragonFlyX6,. Well I am just wondering if anyone has any advice on this . I am new to this and I wonder how much I should charge clients for my services, teething probs etc. Also be interested to know if the pictures taken would blow up to A3 size ok. I know that a 10 megapixel camera should blow up to A4 size ok.
I would be very gratefull for anyt feedback both positive and critical about the 6x.
Many thanks for anyone giving me advice.
Kindest Regards
Dave

[Visitor]

It's good to see that someone other than people at DF are having success with that process of going with the wind. I think somebody else commented on this latest video and article links , video examples and description on this page on their WEBsite. That's cool this is working for you too.

www.draganfly.com/news/2010/01/18/obtain-incredible-aerial-video-of-moving-subjects-with-the-draganflyer-x6-uav-rc-helicopter/

[buzz]

Hi Dave, Know how you feel. I'm totally sold on the concept of using the X6 in my business. But as a professional supplier of aerial photography I don't believe that my clients will get the best that we can offer from the current camera. I met with the rep from Air2Air during last week and took some images. I'm more that happy with the result if the use was for computer only but printing is were things go wrong. Max sized print that I would be happy to sell would be 10x8. Certainly over the past few months we have been putting out A2 -A3 sized prints. We couldn't do this at the moment with the LX3. Maybe the change in camera may assist but Im hoping the X8 can solve all our issues. If only we knew what camera theyre testing for the X8!!

[Rod Dent]

I am selling A3 sized prints and some A2 sized prints from my X6 platform.
What has to be realized that is for at the expense of some resolution, you are gaining un-obtainable perspective view angles of the subject. Of course the shots don't match the quality of a 24 Mpx ground based, long exposure, tri-pod shot....
But anyone can shoot those.....NOT anyone can put the camera where I do to get the shot...What is more valuable, a high res shot ANYONE can get....or a low res shot of something no-one cand get.....Again, the large format shots look better with a 24 Mpx camera but a an A2 shot is not BAD from the LX3.
wwwl.aerialart.com

[buzz]

Hi Rod, I certainly take your point and the demo on thursday proved that. The LX3 is not for me it's just not servicable here and my clients will not accept soft images. I'd love to see a full file of yours, at A2 or even A3. I certainly enjoy looking at your site and the first time I looked at it I was blown away. I'm hoping the Olympus will pull through though. Or maybe the camera wasn't set up correctly!! I'm glad you replied and I hope that more do so. At £30k it has to be right no messing about and its only with feed back such as yours can I decide. There's not an X6 operator within 100's miles from me.

[Chris Cropper]

Just started corresponding with Draganfly. I'm interested in purchasing one of their products. They're saying that the X8 cameras being considered are the Canon 5d or 7d

[Rod Dent]

That Camera is $2000 +.....
Has DF announced a price for the X-8.....?

[buzz]

Rod, that's more information than I was even able to get and they know I want to buy. The only answer we got is that the X8 will be sorted by winter 2010. I can buy the X6 and trade it in though. Not likely. I can wait

[robc450]

I'm also curious about the X8 camera. The info I have says the max payload for the X8 will be 1Kg.

A Canon 5d/7d without batteries or lens weighs about 800g, the new "Rebel" with a 12meg sensor weighs quite a bit less at 475g.

You'd probably be looking for an "IS" lens as well, something like a 17-85 f4 IS. This lens weighs 475g.

I've got a feeling they'll probably be using the "Rebel" series of camera (which is a pretty good camera, as long as you don't need high frames/second shooting rates).

hhmm... just thought of something... these new DSLR's shoot video as well... does that mean you wouldn't need a camcorder??

Rob

[buzz]

Hi Andy. Just checking through the forum from the start. I don't see your email address so I can't correspond with you directly. Whilst being in the UK you most likely to be the closest to me in Ireland. I'm keen to hear more about your business with the X6. You'll know we have the same weather as you. Is a business with the x6 sustainable in the UK when you see the number of companies now offering mast photography. My business is in photography but in these days we need to keep our eggs in different baskets. I haven't finally decided on what to do yet but as you'll have read the LX3 isn't for me and thats without doubt.. Weve been asked to cover a race school after their photographer departed company. What a different perspective the X6 will give immediately. I'll check out your site but i'd love to hear more which may encourage me to Make the Jump.

[pulsey]

Hi Andy. Just checking through the forum from the start. I don't see your email address so I can't correspond with you directly.

Send an email through the website (http//www.overshoot-photos.co.uk) and it will get to me. Yours is hidden too, so ditto!


Whilst being in the UK you most likely to be the closest to me in Ireland. I'm keen to hear more about your business with the X6. You'll know we have the same weather as you.

Hmmm. I think your days are 'softer'

Is a business with the x6 sustainable in the UK when you see the number of companies now offering mast photography.

Good question. If you can get the angles or there is a wind / rain, then the mast will win hands down. If you want a pic directly above a manicured lawn or a lake or a sweeping shot, the X6 is the answer. Horses for courses and there is considerable overlap.

You could even ask 'is the business model sustainable?' full stop. That, I don't know but am willing to put the money down to find out. Personally, I think that my business model is, but it encompasses more than the X6 (think fingers and pies, but the other pies are not aerial photography). A bit here and a bit there, with each reinforcing each other.

My business is in photography but in these days we need to keep our eggs in different baskets. I haven't finally decided on what to do yet but as you'll have read the LX3 isn't for me and thats without doubt.. Weve been asked to cover a race school after their photographer departed company. What a different perspective the X6 will give immediately. I'll check out your site but i'd love to hear more which may encourage me to Make the Jump.

You can always 'hire before you buy'. (Have X6, will travel )

Contact me off board if you want any other specifics answered, but it's your decision. I was able to take the chance and if I fall flat on my face, it won't be the first time and if it works, then that also won't be the first time.

Andy