2025 - my year in focus

[Meta4]

With the release of the Mavic 4 pro halfway through the year, 2025 was a great year for my photography.
I was expecting it to be only an incremental upgrade and was prepared to sell if it was and continue working with the Mavic 3 pro.
But a week after getting it, I sold the Mavic 3 outfit and bought extra batteries for the 4.
The Mavic 4 pro was far more than an incremental upgrade and gives me a lot more great images every outing than I was used to.
Each of the cameras is significantly improved when compared with the Mavic 3.
Now I can count on getting fine images from each of the three cameras, all the time.
The additional speed and flight time also makes a difference in the environments where I shoot.
Here are some of my favourite images from the past year.

Tugs coming alongside to take an empty bulk carrier to its berth. Mavic 3 short tele.

Frigate Mavic 3 short tele.

Bright green container ship Mavi 4 pro long tele.
The long tele is great for pulling in the background elements

Large container ship Mavic 4 pro short tele

Spinnakers in light wind Mavic 4 pro short tele

Reflections at dusk Mavic 4 pro wide camera

A capable yacht heading offshore in a strong wind Mavic 4 pro mid tele

A small container ship near the end of its voyage Mavic 4 pro short tele

An island trader caught at dusk Mavic 4 pro short tele

A small bitumen tanker Mavic 4 pro long tele

A smart looking bulk carrier Mavic 4 pro long tele

A brand new container ship Mavic 4 pro short tele

Pilot boat returning to base - one of my favourite shots for the year Mavic 4 pro short tele

A very wet boat Mavic 4 pro short tele

Two tankers - another favourite shot Mavic 4 pro wide camera

A small French frigate in the last light of the day Mavic 4 pro short tele

Hard to ignore - 320 metres of hot pink container ship at speed Mavic 4 pro wide camera

Low light at the container port Mavic 4 pro short tele

Leaving port Mavic 4 pro short tele

Although most of my flying is at sea, I come ashore occasionally too.

Canola windrows Mavic 4 pro wide camera

City sunset panorama Mavic 4 pro long tele

Highrise detail Mavic 4 pro long tele

Traffic jam - new cars on the dock Mavic 4 pro short tele

City panorama Mavic 4 pro wide camera

 

[Rchawks]

Stunning pictures!!! Reminds me of life on the Bay in my youth!

 

[Chrislaf]

Great shots! I especially like the Spinnaker’s and the Two tankers.

Thanks for sharing.

Chris

 

[PHZ]

Many really great shots! Thanks for sharing.

 

[MS Coast]

Absolutely wonderful photos. Your comments make me feel better about buying the Mavic 4 Pro, despite the complications.

Here in the US, we're limited in how closely we can approach US Navy vessels - no closer than 3000 feet laterally.

"These new restrictions specifically prohibit drone flights in this airspace within a stand-off distance of 3,000 feet laterally and 1,000 feet above any U.S. Navy vessel.

UAS operators who violate the flight restrictions may be subject to enforcement action, including potential civil penalties and criminal charges. Violators may also face security enforcement action that results in the interference, disruption, seizure, damaging or destruction of unmanned aircraft considered to pose a safety or security threat to protected U.S. Navy assets."

https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/faa-establishes-restrictions-drone-operations-near-us-navy-vessels

 

[HoozierDroneDaddy]

Amazing shots. When shooting the ocean craft, Pilot boot, sub, etc. Where were you flying from?

 

[GFields]

Absolutely amazing work! Excellent photos!

 

[Mrktn]

@Meta4 all are quality pics. I love the compression in #3 and #13 is also my favourite.

 

[EricJT]

Meta4, superb pics!

I can't recall if you had an M2P in the past, but would you venture an opinion of the M2P vs M4P picture quality?

 

[Meta4]

Meta4, superb pics!

I can't recall if you had an M2P in the past, but would you venture an opinion of the M2P vs M4P picture quality?

Thanks.
I didn't have the Mavic 2 because it had the same camera as the Phantom 4 pro that I used until the Mavic 3 came along.
That camera with the 1" sensor was very good, but the bigger sensor in the Mavic 4 pro is even better.
And with the other two cameras added to the advances in flight ability, the 4 is as good as you can get (for now).

 

[maggior]

Those are amazing shots!! I especially like the overhead of the cars lined up. That's great that the Mavic 4 suits your needs perfectly. Thanks for sharing.

 

[EricJT]

Thx Meta4.....to date the M2P is meeting my needs, but good to know if I step up to the M4p or M5P (?), i can expect to be satisfied.