DJI Mini 2 SE. What a drone! Should you’re looking for a budget-friendly drone for round $300, there is no such thing as a higher drone that I may suggest.
Nonetheless, with all the thrill going across the Mini 2 SE, it has a number of downsides. And one in every of them is the precise digicam high quality.
In reality, the digicam behind it isn’t dangerous in any respect; don’t get me incorrect. Nevertheless, the picture sensor or CMOS is comparatively small in comparison with as we speak’s drone customary for skilled pictures and filming.
Nevertheless, with the superior digicam know-how and video enhancing software program these days, you may get some fairly respectable recordings with this drone.
That’s why I need to share with you the easiest settings for various situations to document the most effective movies doable with the DJI Mini 2 SE.
DJI Mini 2 SE Digicam: What do we all know?
The digicam behind DJI Mini 2 SE has a picture sensor of 1/2.3 inch, just like the one discovered behind DJI Mini 2 and DJI FPV drones.
Wanting past that, the digicam sensors discovered on the Mini 3, 3 Professional, and 4 Professional are 1/1.3 inch, a lot bigger than the one within the Mini 2 SE. That’s the purpose the place pictures and movies taken with such drones look extra skilled, are of higher high quality, and have a greater dynamic vary.
However how does the small sensor have an effect on the Mini 2 SE digicam?
Nicely, in pictures, the digicam sensor or CMOS is essentially the most essential facet of capturing implausible photographs and movies.
With this drone’s digicam, as a result of it’s only one/2.3 inch, which is comparatively small, you’ll wrestle to seize any low-light movies, and undoubtedly, the evening movies you seize will look horrible.
The dynamic vary will endure, the readability and vividness of those movies are worse, and should you amplify your remaining video, you’ll discover extra apparent artifacts than an identical video captured with a bigger sensor.
That’s as a result of each video element might be squeezed on this small sensor.
I’m not saying now that it’s completely horrible. Imagine me, it isn’t.
However all of the aforementioned drones with 1/1.3 inch CMOS and bigger could be higher for filming until the drone is tremendous previous and a part of the older know-how the place what’s inside issues.
Nonetheless, regardless of all of the downsides of this drone’s smaller CMOS, should you tweak a number of settings and, perceive what to vary and respect a number of guidelines in videography, you’ll be shocked on the movies you’ll be able to document.
» MORE: DJI Mini 2 SE Digicam High quality (With Photos)
entry video settings on DJI Mini 2 SE
To entry the video mode within the DJI Fly App (stay view mode), press the icon above the shutter button on the correct aspect of the display screen, and you will note a listing of photograph and filming choices. Select “video,” and from there, both regular or sluggish movement taking pictures mode – however we’ll go along with regular.
The subsequent step is to modify to Professional Mode.
To do that, check out the digicam icon on the underside proper of your display screen. You will notice written on the digicam “Auto,” which is the auto mode. Faucet the digicam icon, and it’ll routinely change to Professional Mode, providing you with a collection of digicam choices you’ll be able to manually change.
Be aware: Professional Mode is the equal of the handbook mode on a video digicam.
When you might have activated Professional Mode, you might have entry to all of the video settings you could change to enhance your filming.
Should you’re filming in Auto Mode, the Shutter Velocity, ISO, WB, and different settings are routinely set to correctly expose the video you’re taking with the Mini 2 SE.
You don’t need this as a result of a easy change within the atmosphere surroundings would mess with the highlights and shadows of the video, the place the drone will try and readjust the publicity, thus making the movies look non-professional.
On high of that, the movies gained’t look cinematic in any respect should you don’t observe any guidelines of filming. Extra about that later.
Now with the Professional Mode, you’ll be able to change all these settings to have the ability to seize the most effective movies in essentially the most skilled method, even with this drone.
» MORE: DJI Mini 3 Professional – Change Video Settings (Video)
Greatest Decision and Framerate
Abstract: 2.7k at 30fps
The very first thing we now have to pick earlier than filming with our DJI Mini 2 SE is the decision and framerate. This drone can movie solely as much as 2.7k, however at this decision, you’ll be able to set solely 30 frames per second.
If you’re ever seeking to shoot in 60 FPS, you’ll should drop down the decision at FHD.
2.7k is okay. In reality, it’s what we’re searching for presently to movie with the drone. Don’t go 1080p until you need to shoot some sluggish movement.
» MORE: Digicam Know-how in Drones (Defined)
The Right Shutter Velocity
Abstract: Set it to double the framerate you select.
The DJI Mini 2 SE has an digital shutter velocity with values between 4 seconds and 1/8000 s. That’s tremendous nice and diversified; nonetheless, you solely make the most of this vary in pictures.
As for filming with a drone or digicam, regardless of which one it’s, there’s a golden rule the place it’s important to set double the shutter velocity in concordance with the framerate you select.
As an example, should you decide to shoot in 60 frames per second, regardless of the decision, you’ll have to select the 1/120s shutter velocity or the closest worth.
When selecting the usual framerate of 30fps, you’ll have to decide 1/60s shutter velocity or the closest worth.
That is essential in an effort to deliver clean movement blur to the movies ensuing from a drone or digicam. If not, the movies will look a bit uneven and undoubtedly amateurish for any good use.
However there’s a catch. Should you’re seeking to set the shutter speeds when filming through the day, the movies will look overly uncovered.
There are two issues to do right here.
- Drop down the ISO to the minimal, which is 100. If the video nonetheless seems to be overexposed (earlier than taking pictures), observe step 2.
- Use ND filters. These filters that you just connect in entrance of the drone digicam lens have the position of blocking a considerable amount of mild merely for that reason.
With an ND filter, you’re capable of management the sunshine that comes into the digicam sensor and set the correct values following this golden rule in video making.
There are a lot of ND filters, they usually often are available a set for various lighting conditions for the atmosphere you’re planning to movie.
As an example, you employ a denser filter like ND16 or ND32 throughout full daylight and possibly ND8 when the lighting is much less considerable (overcast). That is only a guideline, although.
Should you’re seeking to grasp extra details about ND filters and their full position in a drone, we suggest trying out the next article:
» MORE: A Easy Information to ND Filters: What You Have to Know to Shoot Higher Drone Video
What ISO to make use of
Abstract: Set the ISO in accordance with shutter velocity and framerate to acquire a correctly uncovered picture (100-400)
The ISO ought to be set as little as doable in an effort to keep away from picture noise (grainy look) set into the movies. This should observe the identical rule as in pictures.
Nevertheless, generally, you could alter the ISO in accordance with the circumstances and never set it to the bottom values. That may occur once you set the shutter velocity to double the framerate, with or with out ND filters.
As an example, if the video will look underexposed at 1/60s shutter velocity with an ND filter ND16, one possibility could be to extend the ISO (or readjust it) to adequately expose the picture.
What I like to do in any case isn’t to get an ISO above 400. On this case, utilizing one other ND filter (weaker) and maintaining ISO decrease could be more practical.
» MORE: Can a Drone Digicam Zoom In? (Defined for Newcomers)
Selecting a video framerate
Abstract: 30 fps for on a regular basis use, 60 fps for slow-motion
24 frames per second are utilized in cinematography, whereas 30 or 60 frames per second are used for tv or on-line content material.
As I discussed earlier than, with the DJI Mini 2 SE, we solely have 30 or 60 fps.
In any case, the most typical method to movie is through the use of 30 frames per second. On this case, your shutter velocity should be 1/60s.
However, should you’re searching for any slow-motion content material, movie at 60fps in Full HD after which drop down the velocity in post-processing, which is able to lead to 0.5x 30fps.
These are merely pointers. Nevertheless, you could do not forget that the slower the shutter velocity is (decrease the FPS), the extra mild will come into the digicam sensor. Subsequently, movies will simply get overexposed through the day.
As a rule of thumb, I generally movie at 60 fps through the day with my drones and cameras (additionally as a result of I like 60fps movies – pure magic) so I don’t should drop the shutter velocity an excessive amount of, as many instances throughout respectable lighting hours (not too vivid nor too darkish) I don’t want any ND filters with this framerate.
» MORE: Greatest Digicam Settings for DJI Air 3 (Photograph & Video)
White Steadiness
Abstract: 5600K throughout a sunny or overcast day; 3500-4500K throughout golden hours.
The video coloration illustration is outlined by the white steadiness. Fortunately, we are able to alter the white steadiness from decrease Kv values (colder) to increased values (hotter).
Relying on the time of the day, we have to alter the white steadiness so the video gained’t look too heat or too chilly.
Let me say it one other method. The auto mode is simply high-quality for individuals who don’t need to get an excessive amount of into element and readjust the white steadiness. And even when it’s a bit off, you’ll be able to appropriate the white steadiness in post-processing.
However I do want to manually set it after I’m taking pictures longer movies as a result of the atmosphere ambiance will change.
So, what settings do you want right here?
If you shoot movies together with your DJI Mini 2 SE within the morning or night, and there’s a really heat ambient coloration (dawn, sundown), decrease the Kv a bit, often between 3500K to 4500K. In any other case, the video might be too heat.
The alternative ought to occur when taking pictures both throughout an overcast day or particularly throughout a sunny day the place you might have a chilly blue sky – you could enhance the Kv to heat up the video a bit or it is going to look method too chilly (blue-ish).
Be aware: I annotate Kv as a reference to Ok, which represents the Kelvin temperature on the white steadiness scale.
» MORE: Drone Filmmaking Final Information
Different video settings to contemplate
The DJI Mini 2 SE doesn’t have an adjustable aperture; the digicam has it mounted at f/2.8.
That’s respectable for many cameras, and until you’re taking pictures in low mild or evening circumstances (as with another drones), you gained’t want it open greater than that.
When the aperture is extra open (decrease values in several cameras that assist adjustable apertures), extra mild will come straight by way of the lens into the digicam sensor when the opening is wider.
Yet one more factor you’ll have to keep in mind when taking pictures with the DJI Mini 2 SE is that, sadly, this drone doesn’t assist a D-CineLike or related coloration profile and solely has “Regular Mode.”
What does this imply?
The D-CineLike is the equal of RAW in photographs; the movies will look extra flat, which permits intensive post-processing.
This doesn’t imply you can’t edit movies taken with this drone. In reality, you’ll be able to very effectively, however to place it merely, you might be extra restricted than when taking pictures with a flat coloration profile.
» MORE: Drone Pictures Final Information
Ideas for taking pictures higher movies with DJI Mini 2 SE
Now that you’ve got a primary concept about what settings to decide on once you’re seeking to seize movies with the DJI Mini 2 SE, let’s additionally dive into some ideas and in addition some primary settings I exploit when taking pictures at totally different instances of the day.
All the time plan your photographs forward
Wherever you’re planning to journey someplace with a drone and seize movies of an space or panorama or have a gig, it’s at all times important to plan every little thing forward and calculate each risk to keep away from disappointments.
One factor I at all times point out is checking the climate. Let’s assume you already understand it’s most likely not gonna rain, otherwise you gained’t plan this shot, however what concerning the wind velocity stage?
The 3-axis gimbal behind DJI Mini 2 SE is extraordinary and does a implausible job in mechanically stabilizing the movies ensuing from this drone. However that’s not the tip of the story.
Whereas the Mini 2 SE has a good wind resistance stage of 5 with a max of 10.7 m/s, each wind gust and velocity can have an effect on your plans.
And it isn’t solely concerning the Mini 2 SE not stabilizing itself – it has glorious hovering stability regardless of being so light-weight, however don’t overlook that the flight time might be drastically affected, particularly should you plan to fly long-range.
On this matter, we now have two implausible articles we suggest studying should you’re planning to take any movies with the DJI Mini 2 SE, or another drone for that matter.
Use Clever Capabilities (QuickShots)
Whereas the DJI Mini 2 SE doesn’t have Energetic Observe or Observe-me Mode (that’s a bummer), it does have some clever features like QuickShots, which is usually a sensible method to taking some distinctive photographs.
These QuickShots are made for filming and can program the drone to observe a preset path and seize some implausible movies.
From Boomerang, Circle, Rocket, Helix, and Orbit to Dronie, every of those shot modes can simply seize some fairly tough flights with this drone, so that you get nice movies with little or no effort, particularly should you’ve adopted our settings ideas.
However merely remember that the DJI Mini 2 SE doesn’t have any impediment avoidance sensors, so plan these modes rigorously and ensure there are not any obstacles round for the drone to crash into (e.g., timber or buildings).
» MORE: DJI Clever Flight Modes (Together with Quickshots & Mastershots)
Be taught Cinematic Strikes
On the planet of cinematography, from the legendary drone photographs behind Jurassic World to Kandahar, cinematic photographs of epic proportions are used to create emotion and ship a message to the viewer.
Nicely, you might have a DJI Mini 2 SE. We can’t by any means examine it with any million-dollar cinema drone digicam. Nevertheless, one factor is frequent: the cinematic photographs.
It doesn’t matter what drone you might have, should you study and grasp these cinematic strikes, you’re off to an ideal begin.
That is most likely one of the crucial necessary issues. That is the distinction between capturing mediocre movies and taking epic photographs together with your drone.
Studying cinematic strikes with a drone could seem difficult initially. However I promise you, it isn’t as tough because it seems to be.
I might strongly suggest you watch the next video to raised perceive the place you’ll be able to enhance on this space.
» MORE: 9 Tricks to Make Your Drone Footage Extra Cinematic
Taking pictures movies throughout daylight
Let’s focus for a bit on what settings it is best to use should you’re going to shoot movies together with your DJI Mini 2 SE through the day.
Listed below are some pointers I exploit which have proved to be glorious not solely with this drone however with different ones as effectively.
Keep in mind that the settings might differ relying on the panorama and the ambient mild the place you’re taking pictures the video.
Mornings & Evenings
- Decision: 2.7k
- Framerate: 30 fps
- Shutter Velocity: 1/60s
- ISO: Between 100 and 400, alter to correctly expose the video
- ND Filters: None or ND8. Typically, it’s possible you’ll even want ND16
Notes: You might or might not want an ND filter to acquire the shutter velocity of 1/60 with a correctly uncovered video whereas the framerate stays at 30 and the ISO between 100 and 400 vary. As an alternative choice to utilizing ND filters, you’ll be able to enhance the framerate to 60fps at 1080p decision and set the shutter velocity to 1/120s
✅ The benefit right here is that the ambient mild is greater than sufficient, and it’s possible you’ll not even want an ND filter. However not at all times.
❌ The draw back is that the dynamic vary (the distinction between highlights and shadows) might be badly noticeable. Subsequently, some photographs might not look skilled.
» MORE: When is the Greatest Time to Fly a Drone?
Full Solar & Overcast
- Decision: 2.7k
- Framerate: 30 fps
- Shutter Velocity: 1/60s
- ISO: Between 100 and 400 when utilizing an ND filter.
- ND Filters: ND16, 32, and even 64 could also be wanted.
Notes: Throughout the daytime, your sensor might be flooded with mild, particularly if taking pictures in full daylight with the Mini 2 SE. To respect these cinematography guidelines of filming, you undoubtedly want to make use of an ND filter of upper power (blocks extra mild), and relying on the surroundings, it is going to go between ND16 and 64. Set the ISO manually to show the video appropriately with the suitable ND filter, however by no means go above ISO400.
In case your video seems to be overexposed even with ND filters (e.g., you might have solely ND16 or as much as 32 when needing 64), you’ll be able to drop down the decision and enhance the framerate to 60, the place the shutter velocity ought to be set at 1/120s. On this case, much less mild will come into the digicam sensor.
✅ The benefit right here is that the video high quality ought to be at its peak, and no picture noise ought to be current; additionally, with correct ND filters, you’ll be able to create some epic cinematic photographs throughout most daylight situations with this drone.
❌ The drawback is that should you’re seeking to seize the most effective photographs, ND filters throughout daylight are sort of obligatory, so long as you need to respect this rule of cinematic filming.
» MORE: Greatest Drones With the Largest Digicam Sensors
Taking pictures movies at evening
- Decision: 2.7k
- Framerate: 30 fps
- Shutter Velocity: 1/60s
- ISO: Between 100 and any higher restrict, however attempt to maintain it as little as doable
- ND Filters: None
Notes: There’s no want for an ND filter at evening. Fairly the other; you’ll be capable of seize respectable movies solely in areas well-illuminated.
The DJI Mini 2 SE was not made for evening pictures and filming. The sensor is method too small to seize appropriately uncovered movies, particularly following these guidelines in videography and with a shutter velocity of 1/60 seconds.
In areas like downtown, the place there’s a whole lot of mild, you’ll be capable of do one thing, however even with that, maintain the ISO on the lowest values you’ll be able to. In any other case, there might be a whole lot of noticeable grain within the movies. We don’t need that.
» MORE: Greatest Drones for Evening Time Use (Pictures & Video)
Conclusion
In response to my very own judgment, the DJI Mini 2 SE digicam high quality is kind of respectable for capturing movies, however solely beneath correct circumstances.
I don’t suggest utilizing this drone to movie through the evening and even at nightfall or daybreak when the lighting circumstances aren’t enough.
However aside from that, you can be shocked by what you’ll be able to document with this drone, particularly should you’re desirous to study cinematic strikes and respect these pointers utilized in filmmaking to get the most effective footage you’ll be able to out of this drone.
