How to get the most out of your DJI Spark

This is an article by our guest author Sergio Candela, who tells you all the secrets of the DJI Spark so you can get the most out of it.

Today I bring you a complete analysis about a drone that will surely clarify many of your doubts about this wonderful world of photography. The DJI Spark, a drone for amateurs with very professional results. It may not be the best flying machine, nor the best photographic sensor, but it will certainly exceed your expectations.

aircraft characteristics

• Aircraft weight: 300g
• Dimensions:
  143 x 143 x 55mm
• Maximum speed: 50km/h
• Maximum service height above sea level: 4,000m
• actual flight time: 13 minutes (maximum time 16 minutes)
• Maximum transmission distance: 2km
• Positioning system: GPS/GLONASS
• Mobile device/remote control connection system: Wifi

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With this drone you can face any flight situation you can imagine. DJI has developed its technology to facilitate the handling of the aircraft to the fullest. Intelligent flight modes give you endless options to get big jobs done with highly professional results.

In my opinion, the ideal is that you buy the pack with the remote control included, since this will allow you to make completely safe flights in any circumstance.

A flight time of about 13 minutes may seem short at first, but once you have 3 or 4 flights and understand the workflow of the aircraft it is more than adequate time to get your work done.

The security systems that the aircraft has incorporated allow you to fly without fear of losing the aircraft or crashing it. A front proximity sensor and a proximity sensor to the ground fulfills this function to a thousand wonders. In the same way, if the connection with the Drone is lost, it will return to the starting point of flight.

In adverse wind conditions the device behaves perfectly, its geolocation and height control system allows you to fly it with gusts of up to 25 km/h of wind. Despite its small size and the fact that you are probably afraid to see it fight against strong gusts of wind, it responds effectively to these situations.

As for the flight range both in height and in distance, the first thing I recommend is that you buy an OTG cable (check compatibility with your mobile device), this cable allows you to connect your mobile device to the remote control of the aircraft. You have to keep in mind that the distance at which you can fly the aircraft will depend a lot on the interference you may have in your connection. In very populated places you will move around 100 meters around you, which is more than enough to avoid causing danger with the aircraft. In open places you can reach 400 meters high and 2 kilometers around you. Although, as you can see, great flight distances can be reached, this drone is not designed for that, but to move to the locations you want, gain height and take the photos and videos you want around you.

camera features

• Sensor: CMOS 12MP
• Opening:
  f2.6
• Focal:
  35mm equivalent
• Stabilizer:
  2 axis mechanical
• ISO:
  Video 100-3200, Photo 100-1600
• Video Resolution: Full HD 1920 x 1080 at 30 frames per second
• Photo format: jpeg
• Video format: MP4

In this section I want to tell you about my experience with the use of the DJI Spark camera. Without a doubt, it is a camera with exceptional results, although with some limitations. If what you are looking for is incredible resolution with a very high level of detail, this camera may not be the most suitable for it. However, its results will exceed your expectations.

In favorable light conditions you will get surprisingly good results, although with the lack of light you will begin to notice its deficiencies. The Full HD video quality is remarkable, although having reached 60 frames per second I think it would have given a qualitative leap to his videos. I attached a couple of photos to give you an idea of ​​the photos and the quality you can get from this sensor.

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Remote control

As I have told you before, the remote control is, in my opinion, essential both to get the best results from your work and to make safe flights.

The remote control has a minimalist and intuitive design that will allow you to adapt to its operation immediately, even if it is the first time you fly a drone.

When you make your first flights I recommend that you focus solely on using the joystick to lift, land and rotate the aircraft (joystick left by default) and to indicate the direction of movement (joystick right by default). Forget about the rest of the controls since, in my opinion, it is easier to control the camera from your mobile device.

DJI Spark Flight Modes

The DJi Spark has 6 flight modes included: Normal, QuickShot, Active Track, TapFly, Tripod and Gesture Control.

• regular mode: This is the most common way to freely move the aircraft and individually carry out your work. I recommend that, when taking video, you read about the different cinematographic shots that can be made and try to make them yourself. In the photographic section you can access an option recognized as “Pano” from normal mode. This option allows you to take panoramic, 360 degree, horizontal or vertical photos. I recommend that you try these semi-automatic shooting modes and let your imagination run wild, you will be surprised at the results you can get.
• Quickshot mode: This is a flight mode to make videos automatically. You have four automatic video modes: Dronie, Circle, Helix and Rocket that are accompanied by drawings that represent the movement that the aircraft is going to make. These different modes give rise to very striking videos of a very professional nature, without a doubt it is the most striking and interesting thing that you will use in your first flights.
• ActiveTrack mode: This mode, as you can imagine, is used to record a moving subject. It is interesting especially for outdoor sports activities. It is very easy to use and captures the subject very well.
• TapFly: This mode, in my opinion, you will not use in most cases. It consists of marking a point on the ground on the screen and the aircraft will move to that point. It’s simple, but with a little practice you’ll be able to do it yourself in normal flight mode. However, on some occasions it can be useful to take smoother video shots if you do not yet have the feel of the controls.
• Tripod: This flight mode, like the previous one, is not commonly used, it consists of placing the aircraft at the desired height and, when selecting the mode, the movements we make will be more fluid, thus avoiding sudden movements of the camera. As I told you in the previous flight mode, with practice, these will be movements that you perform yourself in normal flight mode.
• Gesture control: This flight mode will allow you to enjoy the flight experience with friends, but you will not use it to get great photo and video shots. As you can imagine, this flight mode consists of controlling the movement of the aircraft and the use of the camera through hand gestures. DJI software has developed this mode very well and it gives amazing results that you can enjoy with family and friends.

conclusion

Finally, if you are a fan of video and photography and want to do sporadic work with very professional results, this is your drone. Size, weight, versatility, ease of handling and good results endorse this small great apparatus.

If, on the other hand, you are looking for long-distance flights or a camera with extraordinary sharpness, you will have to look for more advanced models.

It’s all here, do not hesitate to follow me on my social networks and ask me any questions that may have arisen when reading this post. Greetings and see you soon!

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