Hi there, I’m Gary
Based in Preston, Lancashire
So far I’ve messed around and I do mean messed around with toy type of drones and model helicopters with varying in degrees of success with the helicopters I might add
i’m looking to purchase a drone for more serious use. My main hobby has been for many years photography and I would really like to learn something new and combine it with my passion for cameras. I was brought up with the mantra buy cheap buy twice So my budget is quite flexible.
I’ve been looking at two quite different drones both DJI the first being the mini 4 pro, the second being the Air 3S.
i’m aware of the differences in usage for Sub 250 g drones and will be taking my A2 exam in the next week or so.
Anyway, advice between the two advice on something different am I going down the right track? I look forward to your replies.
Hi Gary.
Welcome to the family. I’m a commercial drone operator with a Mavic 3 Pro and a Mini 3 Pro.
Alright — DJI Mini 4 Pro vs DJI Air 3s — both are awesome, but they have some important differences depending on what you care about.
Here’s a straight comparison…
Mini 4 Pro is crazy capable for its size. If you want ultra-portability, avoid heavy drone laws, and still get really good video/photo quality, it’s perfect.
Air 3S is a more serious machine — longer flights, stronger in wind, dual cameras (normal + 3x zoom) for much more flexibility in shots. But it’s heavier and pricier.
Quick pick
Travel, hiking, casual creative work→Mini 4 Pro
Pro-level content, serious photography/cinematography, windy areas→ Air 3S
I bought a second hand Mini 3 Pro so I could work indoors and closer to people and that has fabulous quality all round.
Might be worth looking at second hand deals from a site called MPB.com
MBP is where I pick up my lenses, I run two EOS 5D mk4’s through L series lenses (mostly 24mm Prime, 28-300 and 100-400) but never even crossed by mind for drones
I saw on the DJI page on amazon the Mavic 3 pro fly more kit for about £1800 used but excellent condition now that’s about £2600 ish worth of drone new. At that price it would become a 3 way race to be fair but the main choice being then between a Mavic 3 pro used or a new DJI Air 3s…
Hah, know what you mean. The Mavic 3 Pro is the top standard for the industry but it’s weight means I can’t fly within 50m of anything (people, houses, vehicles etc). But a sub 250g changes all that. Go with a sub 250g first (wish I had). Opens up so many more possibilities including indoor fpv flying for commercial stuff.
This is an fpv practice using Goggles 2 and the motion controller…
Bought the Mavic 3 pro fly more kit got it for £1800 as a boxed returm from the dji store on amazon, i willi think in the next few weeks pick up the mini 4 pro when i sell my car in a few weeks.
Quite typically for me what starts as a dilemma ends in me buying both
Good man. Both good choices. Not sure if you are familiar with Davinci Resolve 20. It’s a video editing software you can download for free. Apparently it’s the industry leader and there are loads of tutorials and support forums for it.
Good luck brother
Enjoyed your clip…Just think if you connect a pair of scissors to your Drone you can fly round Town and make extra money cutting the public’s Hair without setting on any extra staff…think about it…lol
I noticed a map of mentors, but I wouldn’t really sure how that whole system worked. I’m trying to mash enough information into my head at the moment without going down yet another Avenue even if it would help me.
