Drone suggestions for a Noob

[Dialtone]

There's a lot of talent here and some of the videos show really good drone footage. Looking for recommendations for a good starter kit. I have zero practical experience. While it shouldn't matter it might so I'll mention I'm a Mac user. I can software run in my Windows VM but would prefer not to.

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[FleshTuxedo]

I have a DJI Mavic Pro. It's so damn easy to use.
Get it insured, I only pay like $30/yr through State Farm

 

[RobWTX]

I have a DJI Mavic Pro. It's so damn easy to use.
Get it insured, I only pay like $30/yr through State Farm

Like this one?

DJI Mavic 3 Pro with DJI RC, Flagship Triple-Camera Drone with 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad Camera, 43-Min Flight Time, 15km HD Video Transmission, FAA Remote ID Compliant, 4K Camera Drone for Adults

Amazon Link

 

[Rydfree]

I have a DJI Mavic Pro. It's so damn easy to use.
Get it insured, I only pay like $30/yr through State Farm

I agree the Mavic Pro is the best all around bang for the buck and you won't be disappointed. I have kept all mine insured with State Farm also. There are super good deals out there on the original Mavics also if you don't mind buying used.

 

[FleshTuxedo]

Like this one?

DJI Mavic 3 Pro with DJI RC, Flagship Triple-Camera Drone with 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad Camera, 43-Min Flight Time, 15km HD Video Transmission, FAA Remote ID Compliant, 4K Camera Drone for Adults

Amazon Link

Well, mine is older and it was only like $1,200 new.

 

[FleshTuxedo]

I agree the Mavic Pro is the best all around bang for the buck and you won't be disappointed. I have kept all mine insured with State Farm also. There are super good deals out there on the original Mavics also if you don't mind buying used.

Yep. The original Mavics are great quality as well. Super easy to learn. I picked it up in about 10 minutes lol, and I'm a klutz. Crashed it twice with no damage!

 

[TTT]

the best drone you can have , is a insta 360 one x,(not a drone) and a long selfie stick pole. trust me is easier than a drone, i have both.

 

[Boreal]

If you’re area has Drone Laws (dont get me started in this BS) and you are looking to stay “legal” without obtaining a drone pilots license.
Look toward the DJI Mini series, M3P/M4P.

Otherwise the Mavic with the triple Hassleblad camera is the cream of the crop when it comes to portability and performance

 

[TTT]

I use the Mavic Air, which is an old and affordable drone that can withstand crashes. I've crashed mine about 6 times, and it still functions well.

The camera and video quality depend on the settings. Despite being considered a "cheap drone," I've managed to produce professional work with amazing quality.

For achieving a cinematic look, follow the 180-degree rule. Essentially, for every frame, set the shutter speed to 2 times the frame rate. For instance, in a 30 frames per second video, use a 1/60 shutter speed. This may result in a very bright video, but you can use ND filters to correct it. You can choose from filters like 8, 16, 32, or 64, with 32 for bright conditions and 64 for daylight with snow.

Here's an example with these settings:

• ISO: 100
• Shutter Speed: 1/60
• Frame Rate: 30 fps
• ND filter 32 https://www.polarpro.com/collections/air-3/

 

[RobWTX]

I use the Mavic Air, which is an old and affordable drone that can withstand crashes. I've crashed mine about 6 times, and it still functions well.

The camera and video quality depend on the settings. Despite being considered a "cheap drone," I've managed to produce professional work with amazing quality.

For achieving a cinematic look, follow the 180-degree rule. Essentially, for every frame, set the shutter speed to 2 times the frame rate. For instance, in a 30 frames per second video, use a 1/60 shutter speed. This may result in a very bright video, but you can use ND filters to correct it. You can choose from filters like 8, 16, 32, or 64, with 32 for bright conditions and 64 for daylight with snow.

Here's an example with these settings:

• ISO: 100
• Shutter Speed: 1/60
• Frame Rate: 30 fps
• ND filter 32 https://www.polarpro.com/collections/air-3/

Yeah, I understand about 10% of what you just said, lol.

 

[RagnarKon]

DJI is the widely considered the best.

• DJI Mavic series - Best of the best. Basically the best you can get without bumping up to professional cinema drones.
• DJI Air series - For those serious about getting good drone shots, but don't necessarily make money from that footage. Very common among YouTubers.
• DJI Mini series - More of a hobbyist drone, but still does awesome stuff.

To @Boreal's point... make sure you look up the drone laws in your area. General rule of thumb: If you or someone else is making money off of the footage (YouTube, Instagram, etc)... you need a license to fly. In addition, on certain public lands such as national parks, you will need a permit to fly in addition to your license. This is true even if you yourself are not monetizing the content.

 

[Dialtone]

Yep. The original Mavics are great quality as well. Super easy to learn. I picked it up in about 10 minutes lol, and I'm a klutz. Crashed it twice with no damage!

That's the kind of endorsement I'm looking for
Thanks everyone for the suggestions and the great tip on State/local ordinances regarding use. VA, NC and NY will be the where. If it's anything like firearms laws NY will be expensive and suck. Thanks again

 

[Glade Runner]

Autel Evo Nano

 

[604Bronco]

This is the best bang for your buck drone money can buy. It's super reliable and you can find it anywhere. Might not do well in rough weather, but it's a great starter drone for sure.

 

[Dusty]

I have the DJI Air 2S and it shoots great video. I bought it because I had no experience with drones and wanted one that can follow me as I drive. Most of the drones these days will do that but make sure to pick one with decent obstacle avoidance. My Air 2S does well with this except from the side as it doesn't have side obstacle sensors. So when I have it following me in parallel it won't see that tree or canyon wall its about to hit. But when following from behind it's fine. If I were to buy one now I would opt for the Mini 4 Pro. It's tiny, so its easier to stow, deploy and recover quickly. And it has 360-degree obstacle avoidance. Whichever one you get, pay a little extra for their "fly more" kit that comes with extra batteries.

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