Phase One has just announced the iXM 100MP camera for aerial imaging. It boasts Sony’s medium-format sensor which will also be used in Fuji GFX-100S and Hasselblad X1D-100c.
This Egg Drone is a breeze of cool air in the world of Karmas and Mavics
Both DJI and GoPro announced their Mavic and Karma drones. While there are some notable differences they are both following a familiar form factor. If you are looking for something completely different, you may wanna take a look at the PowerEgg from PowerVision. I think it is kind of easy to realizes how the drone got its name, but see if you can tell for yourself ;).
Dutch Police are training eagles to take down drones…seriously
Drone owners, it looks like Spiderman-inspired nets aren’t the only thing you’ll need to worry about taking down your drone.
The Dutch National Police are testing a new means of bringing down unauthorized unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Eagles.[Read More…]
This Navy-funded drone can both fly and swim
UAV stands for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. But, if a team of scientists at Rutgers University have a say in the matter, it will soon be an acronym for Unmanned Aquatic Vehicle as well.
Meet the Naviator, a quadcopter designed to be used both underwater and in the skies.[Read More…]
The Tesla Drone Concept Boasts 30MP Camera, 4K Video, 60 Minute Flight Time, & Eliminates Need For A Gimbal
A U.K. based designer, Fraser Leid, has just released some details on his latest concept, the Tesla Drone. Reid made a special effort througout the design process to avoid conventions when it comes to modern UAV/drone design, as you’ll see in the photos. One of the most notable differences is Leid’s approach to the propeller design. Rather than sticking with the typical quadcopter propeller system, Leid thought outside of the box by designing a drone which uses only two propellers.[Read More…]
Fotokite’s Quadconpter Is Not Legally A Drone, It’s A Tethered UAV
So, the FAA (US), the CAA (UK), Transport Canada (Canada, duh) and countless others are taking a stand against drones restricting usage and allowed flying zones and conditions. Especially for commercial use.
This is where Zurich-based company – Perspective Robotics hopes to gain footage in an ever-crowded niche. Their UAV solution is somewhat different from the DJI’s and 3DR’s out there in the sense that it does not use a radio to control the UAV. Rather it is using a tethered cable to deliver power and control to the airborne half of the unit.
Fotokite claims that at least one Airspace regulator – DGAC, the French airspace authority – exempted them from the Drone classification.
Aerial Photography Without A Drone – Hands On Review of the Seaport Digital MegaMast
The single biggest challenge I face as a photographer is finding ways to create images that are noticeably different than everyone else’s.
The vast majority of photographs that have ever been taken (or ever will be) are captured from about 5 feet above the ground – eye height for the average human.
One different perspective that I find particularly interesting is overhead and aerial photography.
There are several (very complicated and expensive) ways to get a camera overhead, but I recently had the opportunity to review a product that makes taking overhead and aerial style photos very easy – and the results are spectacular.
Hit the link to continue reading my hands on review of the Seaport Digital MegaMast. (If you do decide to get one, use code mega10 on checkout to get 10% off during the following week)
Dramatic Aerial Views Of Hong Kong Taken From A Chocolate Delivery Drone (Plus 5 Essential Flying Tips)
Admittedly, I’m not wild about the idea of “delivery drones”, but this video taken with one is pretty cool. The video condenses the 14-minute trip from Kowloon to Hong Kong into a 2-minute array of sweeping coastlines, dramatic cityscapes, and serene hillsides. While the drone did successfully deliver a chocolate bar, the real purpose of this flight was to bring attention to safe UAV flying habits, which the producers accomplished in the well thought out description of the video on it’s YouTube page. Definitely worth a read, but first, check out the clip:[Read More…]
The Saga Continues: DJI Pushes Mandatory Update Preventing Phantoms From Flying Over Washington DC
A couple days ago we reported on a DJI Phantom being crashed into the lawn of the White House. News later surfaced that the unidentified man responsible for crashing the drone (who, I kid you not, works for the National Geospacial Intelligence Agency ) was intoxicated at the time of the flight. The New York Times reported the man claimed the drone belonged to a friend who was letting him borrow it. He was attempting to fly the drone from the window of his apartment, which is located near the White House. When the drone failed to come home, the man texted his friend noting he was afraid it may have crashed onto White House property. He then decided to just go to bed.
The next day, the man turned himself in. He was questioned by authorities before being released without being charged with a crime.
Obama responded by recognizing there are a lot of good uses for UAVs, but efforts needed to be taken to ensure they are not dangerous or invading people’s privacy. He also noted the necessity to establish a “framework that ensures we get the good and minimize the bad.”[Read More…]
Some Genius Tried Flying His DJI Phantom At The White House; Crashes It Into Obama’s Lawn
Anyone who even remotely follows photography related news will know how difficult and trying it has been to get the FAA to establish new guidelines on the flying of drones. The current rules allow individuals to fly the unmanned aircraft for recreational purposes; however, there are very strict regulations in place for those wishing to use the aircraft for commercial purposes. To some, this seems slightly backwards, mostly in part because the public often has the tendency to do stupid things. Things that a trained, professional drone operator most likely wouldn’t do. Like attempt flying a Phantom over the front lawn of the White House.[Read More…]
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