Rodney Campbell's Blog

Long Jetty 360˚ DJI Mini 3 Pro Pano

DJI Mini 3 Pro FC3582 + 6.7 mm f/1.7 @ 6.72 mm, 1/8000 sec at f/1.7, ISO 110 x 35 Frames

The latest firmware for the DJI Mini 3 Pro updates how the automatic panorama mode works on the drone. One of the major improvements uses the capability of this specific drone to angle up the gimbal more. This allows the drone to take images pointing further upwards than on previous drones. Thus the final panorama sphere covers more of the natural sky above the drone. Which results in less of a “hole” in the sky above to be “filled” in by post processing software (content aware fill)

In the 360˚ panorama here I’ve left in the unfilled area above so you can see just how small it now is. With this drones improved ability to shoot more upwards it’s essentially just a tiny part straight up directly above the drone. So pan this pano upwards to see for yourself

The latest firmware for the DJI Mini 3 Pro updates how the automatic panorama mode works on the droneOne of the improvements uses the capability of this specific drone to angle up the gimbal more. This allows the drone to take images pointing further upwards than on previous drones

When taking 360˚ panorama’s the drone now takes many more images (35) vs previously (27). The extra images allow the drone to cover more of the sky above the drone than ever before

The image below shows each of the 35 shots taken (in order from 1 to 35). It shows where they are positioned in a 360˚ panorama stitching app. You can also see how much of the 360˚ by 180˚ space is covered in a flattened rectangular projection. Basically everywhere except a small “hole” at the top (looking straight up above the drone)

DJI Mini 3 Pro 360˚ Pano Layout

DJI Mini 3 Pro FC3582 + 6.7 mm f/1.7 @ 6.72 mm, 1/8000 sec at f/1.7, ISO 110 x 35 Frames

Normally the DJI software automatically fills in the sky area at the top of it’s 360˚ panoramas. In the stitched version of the flattened panorama below I’ve left the areas outside the image space blank

However the best way to see how little actually needs filling with the new DJI Mini 3 Pro’s 360˚ mode is to view the image in a 360˚ panorama viewer and “look” directly up to see where the “hole” would be. In this case to see just how small that hole actually is. I’ll post the 360˚ viewer version tomorrow

DJI Mini 3 Pro 360˚ Pano

DJI Mini 3 Pro FC3582 + 6.7 mm f/1.7 @ 6.72 mm, 1/8000 sec at f/1.7, ISO 110 x 35 Frames

Note: These photographs (especially the wider shots) look much better when larger. To see larger versions in an inline overlay slideshow gallery viewer click any of the images.

Crossed Purposes

NIKON Z 7 + NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S @ 14 mm, 2 sec at f/13, ISO 31

Another from a surprisingly fruitful sunrise session at Jenny Dixon beach on the Central Coast

Motorway Vision

DJI have adjusted their 360˚ panorama mode on the DJI Mini 3 Pro. This is to take advantage of this drones extra ability to tilt the camera upwards more. They are now taking an extra circle of frames which includes more of the sky. With 35 frames for the 360˚ panorama (instead of the previous 27 frames). We now have an almost complete spherical ball covering all directions. With a clear blue sky like this it doesn’t matter, it will be interesting to see how effective it is with a cloud filled sky

Dixon’s Lines

NIKON Z 7 + NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S @ 14 mm, 5 sec at f/11, ISO 64

Spent a few days up on the Central Coast with the family. The weather forecast looked very grim for all the days we were there. Thankfully caught a break on the first early morning there with no rain

This is at Jenny Dixon Beach just on the northern side of Norah Head. I opted to come here because of these lines of rocks which I was hoping would be mossy green

I’ve never actually shot or even been here before. The same is true for almost all of the Central Coast. In my few days here I saw a few promising places. I’d be keen to come back and stay a few days mid week sometime

Note: These photographs (especially the wider shots) look much better when larger. To see larger versions in an inline overlay slideshow gallery viewer click any of the images.