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Recommendations for a drone that could carry a mirrorless camera

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Can someone help me if I am missing a drone that actually exists...

I am a still photographer that shoots advertising. I have considered getting a M600 so I can fly a small mirrorless camera as all the smaller drones (inspire etc) really don't do stills particularly well and restrict the use of certain lenses for looks.
I own a inspire x5r at the moment and have a little experience with shooting with an old s1000 drone. I figure the s1000 (which is the same size as a M600) is about that ridiculous size that if you need walk up a mountain for a shot - you need two people and it kills you before you get there! I kind of feel its designed for lifting too much weight and is a bit overkill.

There doesn't seem to be a drone that exists that I've found thats small enough to carry anywhere that can hold a small mirrorless camera (like a Sony A7RIV) ? Or an I missing a product?

I wondered if a matrice 200 or a tarot 650 (although they are pushing the spec's with the camera)? That new sony could be cool, but it doesnt seem to fold up. I feel its a part pdf the market that hasn't been tackled yet.

Is there a drone in existence at the moment that can do this without the weight, size off the M600?

Cheers Paul
 
I fly most of the time the i2 and the s1000+.. the i2 its relatively small plus its very quick to set up and fly and i use mavic too.

did not upgrade to m600 since i managed to 3d print all the s1000's arms and legs for the joy of the consumers society.

for an almost infinite replacement parts once needed that "dinosaur" it is a very high customizable platform once you learn it( it takes a learning curve, yes)

in 2015 i owned a tarot X8 Heavy Lift ...still bulky platform..cheap.

i keep my eyes on these four options :

1. Firefly future releases : Alta Astro & Alta X just 4 motors not the best but great and expensive machines..seen the Sony Airpeak, doesnt appeal me at all but i might be wrong.

2.If ever dji is willingly to release an "x8" or "x9" and fix the software bugs on the actual i2/eventual i3 release

+ if they release ground gimbal for these cameras...drone porn+ i sell my ground gear.

3.meanwhile we know the nikon z9 is coming out, if this camera has the better specs than nikon d5 or the d6 wich are heavy... i will keep the s1000 fly forever.

4. mavic 3? maybe i think it will be not a big step up for serious high ISO shots.

best thing its to wait till end of this pandemy, and save our money stay safe everyone
all the best !
 
Can someone help me if I am missing a drone that actually exists...

I am a still photographer that shoots advertising. I have considered getting a M600 so I can fly a small mirrorless camera as all the smaller drones (inspire etc) really don't do stills particularly well and restrict the use of certain lenses for looks.
I own a inspire x5r at the moment and have a little experience with shooting with an old s1000 drone. I figure the s1000 (which is the same size as a M600) is about that ridiculous size that if you need walk up a mountain for a shot - you need two people and it kills you before you get there! I kind of feel its designed for lifting too much weight and is a bit overkill.

There doesn't seem to be a drone that exists that I've found thats small enough to carry anywhere that can hold a small mirrorless camera (like a Sony A7RIV) ? Or an I missing a product?

I wondered if a matrice 200 or a tarot 650 (although they are pushing the spec's with the camera)? That new sony could be cool, but it doesnt seem to fold up. I feel its a part pdf the market that hasn't been tackled yet.

Is there a drone in existence at the moment that can do this without the weight, size off the M600?

Cheers Paul
Paul, they’re almost here. Check Freefly Systems and Sony.
 
Actually the Skydio has a big drone and soon Sony will have the AirPeak out on the market designed around carrying a A7 mirrorless camera.
I already have a test model of the Sony AirPeak and am flying the new Sony A1 on it, once Sony lets me I will post up my reviews and image, if I want to keep my ability to test product, I won’t leak anything.
‘but, the drone flys awesome and carrIES the A1 with a Zeiss 24-70 f2.4 on it without a issue with great flight time.
 
I fly most of the time the i2 and the s1000+.. the i2 its relatively small plus its very quick to set up and fly and i use mavic too.

did not upgrade to m600 since i managed to 3d print all the s1000's arms and legs for the joy of the consumers society.

for an almost infinite replacement parts once needed that "dinosaur" it is a very high customizable platform once you learn it( it takes a learning curve, yes)

in 2015 i owned a tarot X8 Heavy Lift ...still bulky platform..cheap.

i keep my eyes on these four options :

1. Firefly future releases : Alta Astro & Alta X just 4 motors not the best but great and expensive machines..seen the Sony Airpeak, doesnt appeal me at all but i might be wrong.

2.If ever dji is willingly to release an "x8" or "x9" and fix the software bugs on the actual i2/eventual i3 release

+ if they release ground gimbal for these cameras...drone porn+ i sell my ground gear.

3.meanwhile we know the nikon z9 is coming out, if this camera has the better specs than nikon d5 or the d6 wich are heavy... i will keep the s1000 fly forever.

4. mavic 3? maybe i think it will be not a big step up for serious high ISO shots.

best thing its to wait till end of this pandemy, and save our money stay safe everyone
all the best !
Thanks for the info. There seem to be a few new options about to come out. the Alta Astro looks good, but not sure why the legs done retract- seems odd.
do you think the s1000 is still ok to use? I know it doesn't sort out the carry to location issue, but they are real cheap and can carry a lot. I remember the batteries where always a hassle. My mate who owned the s1000 that I shot with quite a few times said they are quite a bit of work to keep flying, he owns an I2 now. Have there been any improvements since then with them?

As for waiting till the pandemic is over, I am in New Zealand so business locally is back to normal work wise , but it was hard when our country locked down last year- its made me take niche areas of my photography more seriously to spread the potential income. Ive done this with my underwater photography and got properly certified (safety certified so I can work on bigger productions) and I plan on getting the same NZ cert for my drone work.
 
Last edited:
Paul, they’re almost here. Check Freefly Systems and Sony.
Hi Chris, how are you going? Yeah, I have been looking at them. The Alta Astro looks cool and in my budget (although cheaper would be nice), but im not sure what sony will decide it price is going to be. I also worry the sony will only control sony cameras and not canon cameras. I am on the fence with systems at the moment- I have sold my sony A7RIII's and just purchased a Canon R5- but not that convinced on the canon and might go back to the sony for the A7RIV. But I would like the drones to work with either.
 
Actually the Skydio has a big drone and soon Sony will have the AirPeak out on the market designed around carrying a A7 mirrorless camera.
I already have a test model of the Sony AirPeak and am flying the new Sony A1 on it, once Sony lets me I will post up my reviews and image, if I want to keep my ability to test product, I won’t leak anything.
‘but, the drone flys awesome and carrIES the A1 with a Zeiss 24-70 f2.4 on it without a issue with great flight time.
HI, thats cool! Please post info when you are allowed to.
Will it let other cameras fly? or is it going to be sony only? (if you are allowed to say).
does it actually fold up at all? I think the biggest selling point for me is being able to put the drone in a large backpack and climb a hill with it, other wise the larger drones are probably a better solution.
 

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