Using external cameras on the DJI Mavic

jontracey · Aug 25, 2017

After my last 360 video I got some questions around the mounting of external cameras on the Mavic, so here is a short video to show the mount and a few tips and things to be aware of when using external cameras.

Norman A · Aug 25, 2017

Well done. I received that same Samsung camera when I purchased my S8+ and I was wondering what I was going to do with it. Now I know!

jontracey · Aug 25, 2017

Norman A said:
Well done. I received that same Samsung camera when I purchased my S8+ and I was wondering what I was going to do with it. Now I know!

Hey its a lot of fun a couple to of things I have learned, make sure you have a powerful PC/MAC to process the video it can take a long time to stich and edit, doing it on the phone is possible but will hammer the battery.

Also practice your hand launch and capture a few times before you do it for real, those blades and fingers do not mix, that said post some footage when you have it , would love to see it

Norman A · Aug 25, 2017

jontracey said:
Hey its a lot of fun a couple to of things I have learned, make sure you have a powerful PC/MAC to process the video it can take a long time to stich and edit, doing it on the phone is possible but will hammer the battery.

Also practice your hand launch and capture a few times before you do it for real, those blades and fingers do not mix, that said post some footage when you have it , would love to see it

Great advice all around. Thank you! I have hand launched/captured the MavicPro only a few times from a boat, so I will definitely get a hang of that before doing this. It was easier when I had a Solo because of the longer legs, but I will definitely practice this weekend before doing this. I will definitely post the results!

By the way, I didn't find the mount on Amazon USA, but I found it on eBay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/3D-Printed-Camera-Holder-Adapter-Mount-Accessories-For-DJI-Mavic-Pro-Drone/322585972403?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D41376%26meid%3D888a0cd2ee1345e28f5151543fdb1a23%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D253098910766&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

gjaleman · Aug 25, 2017

Why would you want to mount a camera on a mavic. The camera it has is one of the best features

jontracey · Aug 25, 2017

Norman A said:
Great advice all around. Thank you! I have hand launched/captured the MavicPro only a few times from a boat, so I will definitely get a hang of that before doing this. It was easier when I had a Solo because of the longer legs, but I will definitely practice this weekend before doing this. I will definitely post the results!

By the way, I didn't find the mount on Amazon USA, but I found it on eBay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/3D-Printed-Camera-Holder-Adapter-Mount-Accessories-For-DJI-Mavic-Pro-Drone/322585972403?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D41376%26meid%3D888a0cd2ee1345e28f5151543fdb1a23%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D253098910766&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

yeah that looks like it, cheaper as well

jontracey · Aug 25, 2017

gjaleman said:
Why would you want to mount a camera on a mavic. The camera it has is one of the best features

because you may want fly a differnet type of camera, for example a 360 degree VR camera or as I hope to try soon a FLIR infra red camera.

The camera that comes with its its very good but maybe you want to do something else

Take a look at the video below (let it cache some data before playing) you can look all around the aircraft in any direction even straight up, cant do that with the mavic camera

gjaleman · Aug 25, 2017

The props come out on that video. That is interesting though. Maybe future mavic will have that.

jontracey · Aug 25, 2017

gjaleman said:
The props come out on that video. That is interesting though. Maybe future mavic will have that.

Unsure what you mean by the props come out, are you watching in Chrome or some other browser, if your in chrome or the youtube app on mobile it should be a 360 view you can move around in, if it looks flattened than you need a different browser

Its possible they may fit one but its a little specialised at the moment I doubt most would want to use it

BerndM · Aug 25, 2017

The mount that is shown in the first video clearly shows that it totally covers the front downward looking camera.
How would this affect the landing process and does it bring in constant error alarms?

jontracey · Aug 25, 2017

BerndM said:
The mount that is shown in the first video clearly shows that it totally covers the front downward looking camera.
How would this affect the landing process and does it bring in constant error alarms?

So firstly no alarms it fly's just fine the rear two sensors seem to active as it detects the ground and its beams are not impeded by the samsung camera.

With regards to landing you have to hand catch it, and they do sense your hands and try to fly up again so you have to be quick and grab hold

BerndM · Aug 25, 2017

gjaleman · Aug 25, 2017

jontracey said:
Unsure what you mean by the props come out, are you watching in Chrome or some other browser, if your in chrome or the youtube app on mobile it should be a 360 view you can move around in, if it looks flattened than you need a different browser

Its possible they may fit one but its a little specialised at the moment I doubt most would want to use it

I am watching it on this app and it's just not compatible. Shows the props and distorted movie. Maybe I need to watch it on YouTube.

jontracey · Aug 25, 2017

gjaleman said:
I am watching it on this app and it's just not compatible. Shows the props and distorted movie. Maybe I need to watch it on YouTube.

yes the player needs to be 360 aware so you would need to access it from youtube either in chrome or via the youtube app, that way you get the full 360 view rather than the splayed out version

gjaleman · Aug 25, 2017

Dude I hate to sound like newb but how are we supposed to do that? I have tried to see if there are buttons to open outside of this app and can't find it. How would someone know to do that here?

jontracey · Aug 26, 2017

gjaleman said:
Dude I hate to sound like newb but how are we supposed to do that? I have tried to see if there are buttons to open outside of this app and can't find it. How would someone know to do that here?

What app are you using, try logging into mavicpilots.com from a web browser that may help

If not goto a web browser type in youtube and search for Swavesey Lakes - Samsung gear 360 (2017) video (vr) fly over - July 2017

Then you should find it

gjaleman · Aug 26, 2017

Wow that's awesome!!! This has to be on the next dji drone. Only thing is you probably will need a lot of storage but wow that's incredible.

jontracey · Aug 31, 2017

gjaleman said:
Wow that's awesome!!! This has to be on the next dji drone. Only thing is you probably will need a lot of storage but wow that's incredible.

File sizes are not that huge its still 1 4k image spread across 2 lenses, now if they came out with an 8 or 12k version then yes standby for huge file sizes and huge increases in processing time.