DJI Lens Swap Service?

NAUIDIVER · Oct 30, 2018

Has DJI come to market with a price and service to change out the lens elements from M2P to M2Z or reverse?

Goof · Oct 30, 2018

Haven't seen any more news about it...

DJI would want to offer a credit to go from the pro to the zoom, the actual job takes less than 10 minutes.

EDIT: If you're not worried too much about warranty issues, and can source the other gimbal assembly from somewhere, you can have both.

The drone automatically detects which camera is installed, and offers either aperture or zoom control in the Go app.

Former Member · Oct 30, 2018

Im curious to know how many M2 owners who want to do a swap want to hold on to their old gimbal? If it's a tradeup program by DJI, they will give you 30% of what the gimbal is worth anywhere else.

Former Member · Oct 30, 2018

Goof said:
Haven't seen any more news about it...

DJI would want to offer a credit to go from the pro to the zoom, the actual job takes less than 10 minutes.

EDIT: If you're not worried too much about warranty issues, and can source the other gimbal assembly from somewhere, you can have both.

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The drone automatically detects which camera is installed, and offers either aperture or zoom control in the Go app.

Sounds good in theory. However, if an owner breaks that connector (easy to break), or tears that delicate ribbon, the gimbal is trash. Parts are not currently available.

ryanolivas · Oct 30, 2018

Thunderdrones said:
Sounds good in theory. However, if an owner breaks that connector (easy to break), or tears that delicate ribbon, the gimbal is trash. Parts are not currently available.

Technically not covered by warranty right? Then it is not worth it.

Former Member · Oct 30, 2018

ryanolivas said:
Technically not covered by warranty right? Then it is not worth it.

Probably not. Thats why DJI is offering the service, or is supposed to be offering the service, so that owners dont break anything in the swap.

My Youtube story... I watched a Youtube video of a guy sanding, and finishing his deck in 2 hours. Wow, I can do that! 2 months later, and countless man hours, and it was still not done. Finally got it finished, but now when I tell my wife I can do something because I saw it on Youtube, she just points outside or just says "deck" and I focus my energies on a different project.

One mans truth is another mans folly. Had to learn that one the hard way.

mavicn00b · Oct 31, 2018

My understanding with the gimbal swap service is you get your old one back regardless of whatever it was. So in theory you can get them to swap it out and then swap them yourself once you got both gimbals. Unsure what DJI will charge but no doubt they will charge like a wounded bull. Vaseline is extra.

Goof · Oct 31, 2018

It would have to at least the difference in cost between M2P & M2Z, plus more for the cost of the shared components in the two gimbal assemblies (assuming you get the old one back). Plus more for DJI's repair rates. If it's done as a 'trade in' though it should be much cheaper.

Would presumably be cheaper again to go the other way though (Pro to Zoom). They were so very close to a non - warranty voiding, consumer friendly gimbal swap with this bird, whether they stopped short due to management wishes or technical limitations is anyone's guess.

The only real "gotchas" are, like Thunderdrones said, the fragile SMD plug / ribbon cable, and the rear plastic cover. It's still much less risky to do than a phantom gimbal though, on those you have to pry the gimbal away. If it falls away from the aircraft you risk damaging the 3in1 board...

Former Member · Oct 31, 2018

This whole Mavic 2 "gimbal swap" thing is an afterthought on DJIs part. They could have made it so easy for owners by designing the gimbal as a bayonet style mount, like on the Inspire, which has been around for years, so they already have the technology. On Inspires, you can change the gimbal in less than a minute without voiding your warranty.

Another thing that DJI missed the boat on for the Mavic 2 was the Karma type of removable gimbal that fits on a stick (in this case, the Osmo). The Osmo has been around for years, and is as solid as any of DJIs drones. However, it's only compatible with the Inspire gimbal in terms of being interchangeable. Most aerial real estate photographers would kill for a stable land mount for interior stills and videography using the M2's Hasselblad gimbal, but for $1449, you dont get that. You can always buy a hand mount for the M2, but thats not as portable.

Guess we have to wait for the Mavic 3 in 2020 or whenever DJI releases it. Maybe it will have a truly interchangeable gimbal.

ryanolivas · Oct 31, 2018

Thunderdrones said:
Guess we have to wait for the Mavic 3 in 2020 or whenever DJI releases it. Maybe it will have a truly interchangeable gimbal.

I somewhat doubt it. It is one of the key features of a more expensive Inspire. If they will put it on a Mavic, then I expect the price to be quite high.

Former Member · Oct 31, 2018

ryanolivas said:
I somewhat doubt it. It is one of the key features of a more expensive Inspire. If they will put it on a Mavic, then I expect the price to be quite high.

Yes, for sure, but think about how flexible it would be. Im sure every M2 pilot will drop the M2 for an M2 with bayonet gimbal.