DJI Mini 3 Pro Drone - a prize!

[Paul Iddon]

I entered a Christmas competition on a photo website here in England (Ephotozine) and blow me away, I won a (like new) Mini 3 Pro from MPB Photographic!

Now that's what I call good luck!

Anyway, I have never considered having or using a drone, so it will be a new experience for me to give it a go.

I've taken the CAA test and registered an Operator ID and Flyer ID, and now its been delivered and the batteries are charged up, it is time to dip my toes in new waters!


Here are my first 3 attempts at taking the DJI Mini Pro 3 drone on it's inaugural flights. I'm astonished at how stable the drone is in flight.

My editing skills are not up to much, nor is my drone flying!


The Ribble Estuary, Preston:

Avenham Park is on the edge of the city of Preston in Lancashire (England).

Went up to White Coppice, near Chorley for a play with the drone and its 3rd flight...

Paul.

 

[Asher Kelman]

Good job, Paul!

What a wonderful reward for you photography submission. Was it your macro work. I hope you might post the winning pictures, if you havnt done so already!

Such an absorbing 3 flights. Thr last one, matched with thr music, “Sail Away” is so restful, bucolic and enjoyable.

I realize they the drone takes back “Right of Access” to tgr common man, tgst rich landowners and gentry have stolen from thr General population!

Did you program each flight or steer live the entire time?

Asher

 

[Paul Iddon]

It was an annual competition like an advent calendar, so not actually a submission of photos.

The drone was all my own flying.

Paul.

 

[Asher Kelman]

It was an annual competition like an advent calendar, so not actually a submission of photos.

The drone was all my own flying.

Paul.

What is an advent calendar?

 

[Paul Iddon]

What is an advent calendar?

Traditional advent calendars (meant to be for kids) are used in December, and have 25 small hidden boxes inside of each is a small piece of chocolate. You open one a day and on the 25th it's a bigger piece!

The competition had virtual online boxes and behind each day was a sponsored prize .

Paul.

 

[Asher Kelman]

Traditional advent calendars (meant to be for kids) are used in December, and have 25 small hidden boxes inside of each is a small piece of chocolate. You open one a day and on the 25th it's a bigger piece!

The competition had virtual online boxes and behind each day was a sponsored prize .

Paul.

Is this something to do with the Church as Dec 25th is Christmas Day!

I will try to educate myself!

Asher

 

[Asher Kelman]

Got it! Advent is the prelude to the story of the birth of Jesus in the Christian religion!

Hmm I am ignorant!

Glad you took part in this interesting competition. Do folk pay or do the presents or prizes generally get donated? A drone is a very generous and wonderful gift! I love it!

Is this a regular part of everyone’s calendar in the UK.

Didn’t hear about it in my schools in London, just Chistmas, Lent and Easter!

Asher

 

[Paul Iddon]

Got it! Advent is the prelude to the story of the birth of Jesus in the Christian religion!

Hmm I am ignorant!

Glad you took part in this interesting competition. Do folk pay or do the presents or prizes generally get donated? A drone is a very generous and wonderful gift! I love it!

Is this a regular part of everyone’s calendar in the UK.

Didn’t hear about it in my schools in London, just Christmas, Lent and Easter!

Asher

The prizes in the competition are by sponsors - when you enter, you get taken to the page where they sell the goods from. It is free to enter.

Most youngsters will have an advent calendar - it's hard for kids to resist chocolates! The calendars all follow a theme - open a box each date during December.

 

[Paul Iddon]

Garstang - England.

Few would know that Garstang has its very own castle... The castle was pulled down by order of Cromwell and all that now remains is the ruin like a broken tooth...

The town stands on the River Wyre, the Lancaster canal, and the West Coast mainline railway and is 10 miles south of Lancaster and 11 miles north of Preston. The name Garstang may have sprung from the Saxon word “Gaerstung” meaning common land or meadowland. The Doomsday Book describes it as 'Cherestanc'. In 1310 Edward II first granted the Market Charter to the town.

Paul.

 

[Paul Iddon]

The octagonal Jubilee Tower on Beacon Hill, overlooking the town of Darwen, was completed in 1898 to commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee and also to celebrate the victory of the local people for the right to access the moor. It was opened to the public on September 22 1898. Standing 85ft in height, walkers can climb to the top of the tower via the internal staircase to admire the breath-taking views of the surrounding moorland. Music: Amarantine by Enya.

 

[Asher Kelman]

Paul,

These are magnificent steady views. Have you tried filming animals, perhaps starting with cows, sheep and perhaps then dogs, cats and rabbits.

I’d be mose interested in being able to lock in on birds such as an eagle, ducks in a pond or birds in trees. Do these devices have sufficient telephoto reach and can they be quiet enough for birding?

Is it legal to fly over zoos?

Asher

 

[Paul Iddon]

It's not regarded as "good" if it may affect wildlife. I've got a short distance to some birds but even these (gulls) took flight...

Paul.

 

[Asher Kelman]

Yes, in general it’s a risk. In California all this years 800 eggs of a common non-threatened tern were lost this year by a drone crashing into the nesting area!

But could it be made safe for say common hawks at a distance.

How about with a very light M43 camera and and 800 mm equivalent lens. That, if it was far away, could watch a bird feeding without frightening it? Assuming thr 5 axis stabilization works.

But I agree it could be a disaster for nesting birds!

Asher