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It looks like the time of the DJI Phantom is almost at its conclusion. DJI has officially ended support for the DJI Phantom 4 as of July 15th and the DJI Phantom 4 Pro Obsidian Edition from July 1st.
DJI ended support for the Phantom 2 and Phantom 3 4K drones in September 30th, 2022. With support for the two Phantom 4 models being over, this leaves only the DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2 (buy here) on DJI’s official lineup, although most retailers show it as being out of stock.
DJI has announced that as of September 30th, 2022, they will no longer be providing maintenance or technical support for their Phantom 2 (2.4G) and Phantom 3 4K drone models or their accessories. It’s not much of a surprise, given that DJI hasn’t manufactured these products since 2017 and drone technology has come a long way, but there are still a lot of Phantom 2 and Phantom 3 models out there still flying.
Naturally, DJI is suggesting that users of the Phantom 2 and Phantom 3 drones update their kit to a more modern drone. They don’t specifically say a new DJI drone and don’t mention any specific models but obviously, they want you to buy more because that’s what businesses do. But drone technology has come a long way since the days of the Phantom 2 and 3.
Founded in 2012, ParaZero specialises in the development of parachute systems for both manned and unmanned vehicles. And we’ve shown you some of their drone parachute technology a couple of years ago being tested on a 3DR Solo. Since then, ParaZero has gone on to produce a range of “SafeAir” parachutes for larger drone models, like the DJI Matrice 600 series.
Now, though, they’re looking at a more mainstream audience, offering new SafeAir parachutes for DJI’s very popular Mavic Pro and Phantom series drones. The biggest benefit of this new model is that in the event the chute needs to be used, it can be repacked by the end user, and reused in the future.
If you were wondering what may be in store for the new DJI Phantom 5, here is a hint of what may be coming soon. While those photos are not confirmed (DUH!!), we have a good reason to believe that OsitaLV, the Twitter user who shared the photos is spot on and is not spoofing.
While you can use a drone to take shots and videos (either from the sky or from the ground), there are some alternative uses for it as well. Lauri and Anni Vuohensilta, the couple you may know from the Hydraulic Press Channel, used their DJI Phantom Pro 4 to dry the laundry.
On their other channel Beyond the Press, they published a video demonstrating how the airflow from the hovering DJI Phantom Pro 4 dries the laundry. In the end, they even tape wet boxers to the drone – but it turns out not to be the best idea.
Shooting quality aerial video is the main reason that most people get a drone like the DJI Phantom 4 Pro. So, when your footage doesn’t look that great, it’s a bit of a disappointment. Often, though, the problem is simply down to not understanding how your drone works, and the different flight modes it offers.
In this video, drone enthusiast Billy Kyle takes us to drone flight school to teach us all about the twelve intelligent flight modes offered by the Phantom 4 Pro. If you have a Phantom 4, Mavic Pro or earlier drone, it’s still worth having a watch. Even though all of the flight modes might not be available to you, the ones you do have access to are probably mentioned. It also serves as a good reference for what it can do if you’re considering buying, too.
NASA has used computer models to simulate airflow for decades. It lets them test to see how aircraft will react to drag, friction and countless other forces. All important factors when it comes to designing the next generation of vehicles. At NASA’S Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley, the technique was recently used to check out the airflow around quadcopters. Specifically, the DJI Phantom 3.
Unlike NASA’s typical rocket powered aircraft, quadcopters rely on four spinning motors with propellers to generate thrust. This thrust needs to generate enough lift to raise both the quadcopter and its payload (perhaps a gimbal and camera) off the ground. The simulations show just how complex the air motions are from the propellers, due to interactions with the X-shaped frame during flight.
With drones becoming more and more popular at weddings, it was only a matter of time before an accident happened. Although it’s not the photographer or video guy to blame for this one. Apparently it’s the groom’s fault. The Boston Herald reports that New Hampshire man, Barry Billcliff had just married his new bride when he decided to fly his drone during the reception.
Two guests at the August wedding, Kelly Eaton and Kneena Ellis, have now filed a negligence lawsuit against both the groom and Searles Castle Event Management, Inc. where the incident took place. Eaton says that the drone broke her nose and orbital bone and left her with concussion when the drone struck her head. Ellis is also claiming a concussion as well as lacerations from blades hitting her head.
Here is something we have not seen drone’s do yet. A timelapse. Photographer Jamie Brightmore used a “GPS enhanced” DJI Phantom 2 to put a GoPro Hero 4 at a constant position in the sky and take timelapse sequences from a constant position. He calls this project SATLAPSE. While this is an experimental project, he results are quite interesting.
We’re always seeing new and creative ways that parents are using to inform friends and loved ones of a new addition to the family. But, I don’t think anyone does it quite like Dirk Dallas. Dirk, a photographer and drone enthusiast with a flair for the dramatic (in only the best sense of the term), created a very memorable birth announcement for their third daughter using a drone in the backyard.
Udi Tirosh is an entrepreneur, photography inventor, journalist, educator, and writer based in Israel. With over 25 years of experience in the photo-video industry, Udi has built and sold several photography-related brands. Udi has a double degree in mass media communications and computer science.
Alex Baker is a portrait and lifestyle driven photographer based in Valencia, Spain. She works on a range of projects from commercial to fine art and has had work featured in publications such as The Daily Mail, Conde Nast Traveller and El Mundo, and has exhibited work across Europe
Dave Williams is an accomplished travel photographer, writer, and best-selling author from the UK. He is also a photography educator and published Aurora expert. Dave has traveled extensively in recent years, capturing stunning images from around the world in a modified van. His work has been featured in various publications and he has worked with notable brands such as Skoda, EE, Boeing, Huawei, Microsoft, BMW, Conde Nast, Electronic Arts, Discovery, BBC, The Guardian, ESPN, NBC, and many others.
John Aldred is a photographer with over 20 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter - and occasional beta tester - of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.
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