DJI Air 3S in light rain/drizzle or low light?

[tetraslash]

Hi. New to the DJI Air 3S and drones in general. That particular drone was my first pick.

It didn’t click to me to consider the lack of the IP rating at the time of purchase, which I’m now slightly regretting in retrospect. Unexpected rainy day while travelling and afraid to use it. One and only day in this location and tempted to pull the trigger to fly it or I’ll miss shots.

Has anyone taken the risk to fly their Air 3S through a drizzle?

Also, how good is the drone in the night? I didn’t consider using it in the evening or night as many consumer cameras and smartphones just don’t do well in low light, but it appears from DJI’s website that they have good enough lenses and sensors for it.

 

[Felix le Chat]

As far as the IP rating is concerned, pretty much all of the consumer class drones are vulnerable - you rely on good airflow to cool the chips, restrict the ventilation (one way of making the drone more water resistant) and you end up with a drone shut down when you least want it... either that or you've got chips going off like popcorn. The mini 3 and mini 4 being the case in point in the overheating department. The same problem rears it's head with conformal coatings (which will waterproof live electronics but also badly inhibits heat dissipation). Unless it's a Zapruder kind of moment: I can't think of many shots that are worth a £1,500+ risk.

RGGB sensor and drone camera tech has improved massively in the last 10 years, no doubt driven by phone and drone R&D. With DJI drones, low light photography has improved the most, but they're still behind Autel drones that use the RYYB Bayer matrix sensor (which allows up to 40% more light to hit the sensor photosites).

I doubt that the more recent DJI drones will disappoint anyone wanting to shoot available/low-light.

 

[tetraslash]

As far as the IP rating is concerned, pretty much all of the consumer class drones are vulnerable - you rely on good airflow to cool the chips, restrict the ventilation (one way of making the drone more water resistant) and you end up with a drone shut down when you least want it... either that or you've got chips going off like popcorn. The mini 3 and mini 4 being the case in point in the overheating department. The same problem rears it's head with conformal coatings (which will waterproof live electronics but also badly inhibits heat dissipation). Unless it's a Zapruder kind of moment: I can't think of many shots that are worth a £1,500+ risk.

RGGB sensor and drone camera tech has improved massively in the last 10 years, no doubt driven by phone and drone R&D. With DJI drones, low light photography has improved the most, but they're still behind Autel drones that use the RYYB Bayer matrix sensor (which allows up to 40% more light to hit the sensor photosites).

I doubt that the more recent DJI drones will disappoint anyone wanting to shoot available/low-light.

Hi Felix, thank you for your reply and insight!

I ultimately decided not to fly the drone in fear of damaging it (it was indeed costly to buy and I barely clocked any mileage on it) although I did take it out of the bag to set on the ground for a few minutes, unpowered, as I gauged the weather. Not sure if that would be a concern. Again, just a light drizzle; probably no worse than taking a towel to wipe off the drone.

I’ll try out some evening shots now that I know the drone is more than capable of handling them. Much more potential when I’m not restricted to daytime sunny scenes like a GoPro.

 

[Mrktn]

Hi. New to the DJI Air 3S and drones in general. That particular drone was my first pick.

It didn’t click to me to consider the lack of the IP rating at the time of purchase, which I’m now slightly regretting in retrospect. Unexpected rainy day while travelling and afraid to use it. One and only day in this location and tempted to pull the trigger to fly it or I’ll miss shots.

Has anyone taken the risk to fly their Air 3S through a drizzle?

Also, how good is the drone in the night? I didn’t consider using it in the evening or night as many consumer cameras and smartphones just don’t do well in low light, but it appears from DJI’s website that they have good enough lenses and sensors for it.

A big welcome to the forum from the UK!

 

[GadgetGuy]

Hi. New to the DJI Air 3S and drones in general. That particular drone was my first pick.

It didn’t click to me to consider the lack of the IP rating at the time of purchase, which I’m now slightly regretting in retrospect. Unexpected rainy day while travelling and afraid to use it. One and only day in this location and tempted to pull the trigger to fly it or I’ll miss shots.

Has anyone taken the risk to fly their Air 3S through a drizzle?

Also, how good is the drone in the night? I didn’t consider using it in the evening or night as many consumer cameras and smartphones just don’t do well in low light, but it appears from DJI’s website that they have good enough lenses and sensors for it.

You'll want to get in touch with @Phantomrain.org for a wetsuit for your Air3S.

 

[Cafguy]

Second the wetsuit.

 

[Mrktn]

Do they ship to the UK or have stock in the UK?m
Am I correct that any form of weatherproofing starts from the Matrice range upwards - IP55?

 

[drone away]

Protecting the drone is only one part of this equation. If you get water on the lens, the pictures are worthless.

 

[Phantomrain.org]

We do a lot of flying in the Rain, and the Pictures come out amazing, here are a few links of the Wet Suit in action with the Air 3 and a Phantom Wet Suit

New AIR 3S Wet Suits Shipping : The new Bolt Wet Suits are AWESOME !!!

Aug 11, 2023

The best looking Wet Suits I have ever designed for this stunning drone.
We have already put it thru it paces , one storm to the next , back to back to back . Fearless.

Phantomrain.org
Wet Suit to fly your Air 3 in the Rain. Land on the Water .

Email me at [email protected]
if interested.

They will Retail for $124.95 on the Website but the Forum Members will get them for $94.95
and they will come with a 2 Color Design and #3 Battery Covers.

Install is about 3 minutes , easy to work with.
and changes the whole entire look of your drone <

We also...

• Phantomrain.org
• Replies: 125
• Forum: Air 3

• 
• 

Phantomrain.org
Gear to Fly your Air 3S in the Rain.

 

[tetraslash]

You'll want to get in touch with @Phantomrain.org for a wetsuit for your Air3S.

Second the wetsuit.

We do a lot of flying in the Rain, and the Pictures come out amazing, here are a few links of the Wet Suit in action with the Air 3 and a Phantom Wet Suit

New AIR 3S Wet Suits Shipping : The new Bolt Wet Suits are AWESOME !!!

Aug 11, 2023

The best looking Wet Suits I have ever designed for this stunning drone.
We have already put it thru it paces , one storm to the next , back to back to back . Fearless.

Phantomrain.org
Wet Suit to fly your Air 3 in the Rain. Land on the Water .

Email me at [email protected]
if interested.

They will Retail for $124.95 on the Website but the Forum Members will get them for $94.95
and they will come with a 2 Color Design and #3 Battery Covers.

Install is about 3 minutes , easy to work with.
and changes the whole entire look of your drone <

We also...

• Phantomrain.org
• Replies: 125
• Forum: Air 3

• 
• 

Phantomrain.org
Gear to Fly your Air 3S in the Rain.

Do you ship to China by any chance?

Because I’m in Guangdong right now and won’t be back home for a long while xD

 

[Felix le Chat]

Hi Felix, thank you for your reply and insight!

I ultimately decided not to fly the drone in fear of damaging it (it was indeed costly to buy and I barely clocked any mileage on it) although I did take it out of the bag to set on the ground for a few minutes, unpowered, as I gauged the weather. Not sure if that would be a concern. Again, just a light drizzle; probably no worse than taking a towel to wipe off the drone.

I’ll try out some evening shots now that I know the drone is more than capable of handling them. Much more potential when I’m not restricted to daytime sunny scenes like a GoPro.

"Better safe than sorry" is a really good rule to operate by whether you're new to the drone gig or not. I've been using my Mavic 2's for 6 years now and I still 'baby' them. As you become more confident: I'm sure you'll gradually push the comfort envelope to find out what your drone can, or can't cope with. That way you'll be able to exploit it to the limits of it's capability and still have a drone to fly tomorrow, next month, next year. Have fun.

 

[Phantomrain.org]

Do you ship to China by any chance?

Because I’m in Guangdong right now and won’t be back home for a long while xD

We do ship all over the world and all international packages get extra color design and parts package.

Phantomrain.org
Gear to fly your Drone in the Rain. Land on the Water.

 

[tetraslash]

We do ship all over the world and all international packages get extra color design and parts package.

Phantomrain.org
Gear to fly your Drone in the Rain. Land on the Water.

Total price estimate if you were to ship to China, then? Guangzhou, if you must state a specific city to get an estimate.

What are the different colours that you currently offer?

 

[Phantomrain.org]

Total price estimate if you were to ship to China, then? Guangzhou, if you must state a specific city to get an estimate.

What are the different colours that you currently offer?

Shipping is $30 and here are the colors send me a PM



Phantomrain.org
Gear to fly in the Rain, Capture the Storm.