Mini 5 PRO for business?

[Daniel NZDF]

Good day to all you fellow pilots out there! I am soon going to be starting up a side business along with my brother doing real estate photography. We're looking at the DJI Mini 5 PRO as being a good option, because of its small, foldable size, many features, and good camera. Also, I'm looking at the Mavic 3 PRO Cine. Does anyone have advice/ experience on the best way to start this? Any advice would be appreciated!

Cheers,
Daniel M

 

[Felix le Chat]

Good day to all you fellow pilots out there! I am soon going to be starting up a side business along with my brother doing real estate photography. We're looking at the DJI Mini 5 PRO as being a good option, because of its small, foldable size, many features, and good camera. Also, I'm looking at the Mavic 3 PRO Cine. Does anyone have advice/ experience on the best way to start this? Any advice would be appreciated!

Cheers,
Daniel M

I think the one of the problems you might encounter will revolve around real estate 'clients' seeing a mini drone and sneering at it as not fitting in with their idea of a 'professional' drone (not anything new... quite a few posts detailing this over the last few years).

Also: you'll probably have people who wouldn't know the difference between their own arse and a brown hole in the ground insisting that anything less than Prores (or current equivalent) video output is unacceptable... as if they were planning a Hollywood epic instead of a 5 minute YouTube marketing short.

 

[Daniel NZDF]

I think the one of the problems you might encounter will revolve around real estate 'clients' seeing a mini drone and sneering at it as not fitting in with their idea of a 'professional' drone (not anything new... quite a few posts detailing this over the last few years).

Also: you'll probably have people who wouldn't know the difference between their own arse and a brown hole in the ground insisting that anything less than Prores (or current equivalent) video output is unacceptable... as if they were planning a Hollywood epic instead of a 5 minute YouTube marketing short.

Thank you for your advice. So maybe a more "professional" Mavic 3 Pro Cine would be better suited?

 

[FLDave]

What matters most of the professional output not the perceived size of the drone. A professional pilot and professional photographer are what really sets the professional above the rest. Technology now allows small wonders to do great things in the hands of a true professional.

 

[Daniel NZDF]

What matters most of the professional output not the perceived size of the drone. A professional pilot and professional photographer are what really sets the professional above the rest. Technology now allows small wonders to do great things in the hands of a true professional.

Thanks for the advice. I have always believed that being professional is the best way.

 

[MavicAir2Marc]

Also, join the commercial pilots forum Commercial Drone Pilots Forum
There's plenty of guys over there with lots of knowledge as well.

 

[FletcherAero]

Either drone will work just fine, it all comes down to the deliverables at the end of the day and both are more than capabile. It might come down to what you want to spend on your initial investment where the mini is much less than the Mavic 3 and on that note the Cine version may be overkill as well.

 

[MavicAir2Marc]

Make sure you are both 107 certified first off.

He's from New Zealand so that doesn't apply to him

 

[Felix le Chat]

Thank you for your advice. So maybe a more "professional" Mavic 3 Pro Cine would be better suited?

Both of us already know that the video output that comes straight out of both types of drone is fantastic quality, same goes for knowing it's best to use smaller drones for the tight spaces and up-close-and-personal shots.

What it boils down to is client expectation and perception. Certain Suits like to see the bigger birds because it gives them a sense of importance while they're standing there pointing the directorial finger. If you haven't come across this particular character type already, at some point or another, you will.

If you're dead set on a 'professional' drone: a Mavic 3 Pro will serve you just as well as the 'cine' version, and cost you quite a bit less. This might be something to consider after you've got your feet under the table... don't make the mistake of heavy investment in expensive kit before you're up and running.

The Mini 5 Pro is more than capable enough for real estate shorts (and using one will draw a lot less unwelcome attention while you're on-site).

Find out how shot and edited footage is going to be used - if it's going on an estate agents web page, YouTube, or any of the other SM platforms: Prores 4:2:2 or All-Intra is about as useful as a bicycle is to a fish. Standard 4K 60fps is still overkill, but at least most streaming platforms can handle it (after heavy compression).

 

[FletcherAero]

He's from New Zealand so that doesn't apply to him

didnt catch that but thanks for pointing that out

 

[PHZ]

If bigger is better (and it is not!), I can sell you an Inspire 1 or 2. Big, noisy and at one time, very expensive. Impressive looking, great capabilities, but I prefer the videos and photos out of my Mini 3 and Mini 5 Pros. Remember, running the business is the most important thing.

 

[Paul Harvey]

Good day to all you fellow pilots out there! I am soon going to be starting up a side business along with my brother doing real estate photography. We're looking at the DJI Mini 5 PRO as being a good option, because of its small, foldable size, many features, and good camera. Also, I'm looking at the Mavic 3 PRO Cine. Does anyone have advice/ experience on the best way to start this? Any advice would be appreciated!

Cheers,
Daniel M

I can't speak to the Mavic 3, as I don't own one.

But I do own a Mini 5 Pro. The image quality is great; and its size is a big plus except that: 1) The batteries don't last as long; 2) Its light weight makes it move erratically in moderate wind; 3 Its small size might turn off a potential client; 4) again, its size makes it a lot harder to see and there's little room to add lights.

That's my take, anyway.

 

[MS Coast]

Thank you for your advice. So maybe a more "professional" Mavic 3 Pro Cine would be better suited?

I don't see much utility associated with the Cine version, especially for the cost difference. Having a lot of on-board storage has little value in typical real estate photography.

 

[Daniel NZDF]

Thank you for your advice, everyone. Does anyone have any other drone suggestions?

 

[Daniel NZDF]

He's from New Zealand so that doesn't apply to him

I have to be Part 102 Certified.

 

[Daniel NZDF]

If bigger is better (and it is not!), I can sell you an Inspire 1 or 2. Big, noisy and at one time, very expensive. Impressive looking, great capabilities, but I prefer the videos and photos out of my Mini 3 and Mini 5 Pros. Remember, running the business is the most important thing.

I agree.

 

[tonyc23]

Thank you for your advice, everyone. Does anyone have any other drone suggestions?

I take my Air 3 and Mavic 2 Pro on every real estate shoot I do and 90% of the time I use the Air 3. I've never had photos or videos rejected by my clients with either. I mostly use the 2 Pro for other missions that require DroneDeploy.

 

[skycam509]

I have both drones and do commercial work. If I could only have one of them, it would be the Mini 5 Pro with the RC Pro 2 controller. That's about all I fly anymore, other than my Air 2s for mapping jobs. The only exception would be if I'm taking photos to print in a large format to go on someone's (or my) wall. I would use the Mavic 3 Classic for that, but the Mini 5 Pro could probably also do an adequate job. For anything that's going to be viewed on a computer screen, the Mini 5 Pro is way more than adequate.

Also, I have 9 batteries for the Mini 5 Pro. A benefit of the smaller drone is that the accessories are less expensive.