How to choose your drone

nvolved in a creative endeavor? The drone may be an appropriate solution. If you haven't yet completed your Santa list, reading this article may give you some ideas...

On paper, we all know about drones. These light devices integrating cameras, capable of making aerial shots and sublimating a dream landscape. What about in practice?

Drones: first things first

Originally, drones were intended for observation, whether military or civilian. In 2010, these small machines are becoming more and more democratic, in parallel with the miniaturization of HD cameras. Stabilization, image quality, today the most successful drone is able to supplant a helicopter in audiovisual production. You might as well say that they have come a long way!

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Which drone for which experience?

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Beginner pilots

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We're not going to bullshit you: drone piloting can be learned. That's why we advise you to adopt, when choosing your first drone, a progressive approach, with light models, easy to install and not too expensive, to then go upmarket and think about moving to audiovisual production.

Yes, because you are not safe from a piloting error leading to a crash, you might as well get your hands on an inexpensive drone. If you feel that piloting an aircraft runs in your veins and that nothing scares you anymore, why not invest more money to give (luxury) wings to your projects.

The mini drone, a good way to learn to fly

The Vision 400 FPV Minidrone, for example, can be a gateway into the world of aerial piloting for less than 100€. This kind of models are small, because they have a light battery with an autonomy of 10 or 15 minutes. Rather to fly indoors, the outside is possible if it does not blow too much!

You will have understood, we are not yet talking about making films or aerial photography with this type of drone.

You will find many models of mini drones that will suit beginners. One caveat, however: since mini drones generally have a low battery life, we strongly recommend that you take extra batteries.

Let's talk about drone now!

Know that the most important criteria to choose your beginner drone are its robustness and solidity. As for the options, there is no need to turn to a model with 1001 features, it would only complicate your learning to fly.

However, some options can be very useful for beginners:

The ATTI mode: A very practical option that serves as an aid to piloting. The ATTI mode allows you to stabilize the aircraft and maintain its altitude.

The RTH (Return to Home) mode: this function allows the drone to return to its takeoff position automatically. Practical for the first flights in the open air if you lose sight of your drone.

For the rest, it will depend on your needs and desires: presence of a camera for aerial photography, radio-controlled drone (RC) or piloting on smartphone, etc. Take the time to find out!

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Features for professionals

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On the other side of the drone piloting world, we have for example the Anafi professional drone from Parrot for about 700€. With its VR headset to dive into the heart of the piloting, we have here something to shoot videos that are off the hook. Its particularity is its camera. This one is adjustable on 180 degrees on the vertical axis, what to multiply your creative possibilities. We won't even mention the image definition, but if you want to make 4K cinema, it is of course possible.

There are many choices:

Drone DJI Mavic Pro & Mavic 2: filming in 4 K, this drone is appreciated for its portability, its simplicity and its ability to detect and avoid obstacles.

Drone Phantom 4 Pro: filming in 4 K and 20 megapixels, excellent model with embedded camera on the market. It also has a great autonomy.

The most demanding professionals will ask for all possible functionalities to realize their plans.

Ergonomics is probably the first criterion to evaluate. The shape of your remote control, its ease of use, many parameters come into play when it comes to taking a drone on a shoot (and we know what we're talking about!)

The image quality is obviously the point on which the manufacturers make the most efforts. The stabilization mixing electronics and hardware must be as efficient as possible. The rise in ISO must also be at the top in order to be able to film in all circumstances. The recording formats and the possibilities offered in post-processing are decisive parameters when it comes to using a drone for a documentary or a short film.

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Use your drone safely (and legally)

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The 10 safety rules of civil drone piloting

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1. Avoid flying over people and vehicles

2. Respect the maximum flight heights set in order to reduce the risk of collision with an airplane or any other aircraft, the maximum height allowed is 50 m or 150 m depending on the location. Before any flight, you can inform yourself in advance about the authorized heights on the Geoportal.

3. Keep your drone in sight and do not use it at night. Keep your drone in your field of vision! Flying at night is prohibited, even if equipped with a light device.

4. Do not fly over a public space in a built-up area. As a general rule, flying a drone in a city is forbidden, unless you have a special authorization from the prefecture.

5. Avoid flying over sensitive and/or protected sites. We are talking about nuclear power plants, prisons, nature reserves...

6. Do not fly near airfields. Note that the minimum distance can be up to 10km... find out more!

7. Respect the privacy of others, do not fly over private property and do not film anyone with your drone without consent. Now, some missions may require flying over your home. Be aware that you are not authorized to administer justice yourself, so don't take out your slingshot!

8. Do not distribute the pictures without the consent of the persons concerned and do not make commercial use of them

9. Check the conditions under which you are insured for model aviation

10. You have a doubt? Then find out!

You can get more information by visiting, among others, the DGAC website and the FFAM website (Fédération Française d'AéroModélisme).

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LET'S (E-)MEET!

As you can see, the drone is an incredible creative tool, but it requires a little work.

Let's talk about your projects!

We are at your side to accompany you and make your ideas a reality.

Our visual communication agency designs and produces numerous video and digital projects and formats to enhance your brand and your teams and to keep your activities going.

Take a look at some examples of videos made with the help of a drone:

Champagne Chateau Boursault

Introduction of Delfingen for Google - Sfeir

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