I returned the Yuneec Breeze finally

I’ve been thinking of dipping my little toe into drone photography. I want to start out with baby steps and considering the Yuneec Breeze, mainly because it’s small and portable, reasonably priced, and unobtrusive. I don’t like calling attention to myself when out taking photos, even with a DSLR, so a big noisy drone is out.

I’m not really concerned with range, battery life, just want something simple to start with and not too expensive! I realize that quality vs. cost are generally mutually exclusive, but I don’t think I could handle crashing a $1000 drone.

I am more interested in photos that video, so I was wondering if anyone has any full-size images taken with the Yuneec Breeze.

Then someone told me that “the camera aboard the Yuneec Breeze may be like that of the Zerotech Dobby. Without a gimbal, the still photo quality of any drone shots will be compromised by rotor micro-vibrations, on the one hand, and “jello” or banding caused by the digital stabilization, on the other.”

(Via Dobby)

(Via Dobby)

I checked out the Dobby photos, it looks decent enough to maybe print as 8×10’s which would be acceptable to me. I am not looking to use this for anything more than what I would use my iPhone for.  As I said, I am mainly interested in photos and not so much on taking video.

I went ahead the pulled the trigger on getting the Yuneec Breeze, as B&H Photo has a sale going on right now. I am thinking it will be a good starter kit, then go from there. At least with the Breeze I will get my foot in the door.  I still haven’t’ decided on getting the optional remote w/goggles…they are currently on backorder anyway so there is no rush.

Well, I received my new Yuneec Breeze and had no success with connecting to my iphone 6s Plus wifi. I was able to sporadically connect with an older Apple ipad mini enough to apply the latest firmware upgrade and then test it briefly indoors. Given the wifi issues I was experiencing, I was all set to return it and had it boxed up and ready to ship.

This morning, I hesitantly decided I would give it one more try with my iphone and lo and behold, the Yuneec Breeze appeared in my wifi connections with no issues. Took it over to the local park where I thought maybe the artificial turf would protect it in the event of a crash. It flew perfectly and I was able to snap a few photos.

Here’s sample taken this morning. I edited it slightly using Photoshop CC with mainly some minor smart sharpening and a graduated filter to bring back some of the color in the sky.

(Via Yuneec Breeze)

I must admit there’re lots of jpeg blurring. I think it might be okay for smaller prints. I’m guessing the “fuzziness” of the artificial turf might exacerbate the problem, but I see it clearly in other images as well. The Breeze was really designed and marketed for the selfie crowd, used to using smartphones and tablets. I think it would probably also work well for simple shots for as well.

I plan to continue testing for a few days and if the wifi connection remains stable and reliable, then I think it might work out for my purposes after all.

Now I’m returning the Yuneec Breeze after all for other issues. Think I might relinquish myself to shooting from terra firma, at least for the time being. Besides there’s a Nikon 70-200 f4 out there somewhere with my name on it!

 

 

 

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How do Drone Protect the Planet’s Health?

An increasing number of conservation and wildlife welfare agencies across the globe are using drone technologies to support their efforts. Shark Spotters in South Africa are using the DJI Phantom 4 aircraft to identify and record a variety of marine life. The Rare Species Fund, which helps save endangered species, uses the DJI Phantom to tell compelling stories about their important work.

In a similar vein, an Australian conservation group has run a successful crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for a very unique project. In an effort to protect, promote and restore nature across Australia the Wilderness Society has raised funds to purchase a drone. The goal is to help monitor deforestation – the harmful clearing of large areas of forest lands for non-forest use. The Society feels that the general public is not aware of how much land-clearing is occurring, hence their endeavor to bring this issue to a global audience using aerial video.

“By launching a fleet of drone,” the crowdfunding campaign website explains,” the Wilderness Society can afford to capture more high-quality footage than ever before.”

The campaign has raised nearly three times its initial goal, so the Society can now purchase a drone to film the deforestation from a seldom-seen aerial perspective. Previous filming using helicopters was expensive, using a drone brings affordability.

The drone model that the Society has chosen is the DJI Phantom 4 Pro, one of the latest and most exciting releases from DJI. Launched in November 2016, the Phantom 4 Pro is a significant advance on DJI’s previous success, the Phantom 4. The Phantom 4 Pro has an improved camera which boasts a 1-inch, 20-megapixel sensor capable of shooting 4K video at 60fps. The advanced image sensors and processors ensure everything is captured with great dynamic detail. The camera is as powerful as many traditional ground cameras. The Wilderness Society will be able to capture the compelling footage needed to help mobilize its audience. The Phantom 4 Pro’s titanium alloy and magnesium alloy frame means improved robustness with less weight. In addition to two front sensors, the aircraft has rear and side sensors for obstacle avoidance.

The Wilderness Society has already passed their original funding goal to purchase one Phantom 4 Pro. Indeed, they have raised enough to purchase a second and now foster ambitions for a third.

The more drones the society can obtain, the more they will be able to capture images of deforestation which can be shared with the world. Lyndon Schneiders, the Society’s national campaign director explained most farmers were very responsible in their agricultural practices with regards to clearing land on their farms “we understand, most farmers do genuinely care about their country and do want to run it sustainably.”

The Wilderness Society, Shark Spotters, The Rare Species Fund and other conservation agencies have readily embraced the DJI Phantom 4 family of drone technologies to protect the health of the planet for the benefit of us all.

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