Three powerful cameras

As a drone enthusiast, I’ve been fortunate to use the new DJI Inspire 3 drone for various productions since May 2023. From the bustling streets of Amsterdam to the breathtaking heights of the Dolomites, this drone has consistently impressed me: “It’s an 8K cinematic powerhouse and a major advancement for filmmakers seeking top-notch image quality and willing to invest significantly for it.

OBSTACLE DETECTION IS MY COPLIOT

I often receive the same questions: “What drone do you fly, what is the camera quality, or what is the maximum frames per second?” Unfortunately, I can’t always provide a definitive answer. I don’t rely on a single system; instead, I consider the client’s needs, the required agility of the drone, and, of course, risk-related factors. All of these can be decisive in determining which drone is best suited for a specific job.

The drones I use at Zero Gravity Drone can range from a DJI Mavic Mini 3 Pro to a DJI Mavic 3 Pro Cine or the DJI Inspire 3. Additionally, we have a fleet of FPV (First Person View) drones; the smallest and lightest models can be used to fly through office buildings, shops, and restaurants, capturing beautiful dynamic shots while safely navigating around actors and/or extras.

DIGITAL DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY

The Inspire 3, like the DJI Inspire 2 with the Zenmuse X7, features interchangeable payload capabilities. The Inspire 3 is equipped with the new X9-Air 8K sensor, offering RAW video options in ProRes RAW up to 75fps and in CinemaDNG up to 25fps.

While I already found the footage from the Inspire 2 and Zenmuse X7 combination excellent, the X9 camera continues to impress us. The camera’s dynamic range of over 14 stops in ProRes 8K is nothing short of exceptional. My team and I pushed the camera to its limits in low-light conditions during the Rooftop Tapes at the A’dam Tower in the heart of Amsterdam, and the footage remained rock-solid. It reminds us of the post-processing of professional photography rather than video. This way, I can effortlessly apply the desired aesthetics during color grading of our videos without limitations.