6 Ways to Maximize the Mavic Pro

Austin and TJ share six tips on how to get the most out of the Mavic Pro.

Digital zoom – 2x zoom 

If you’re flying around something, but want to be cautious while still getting the tighter shot, you can use this. It’s also useful if you don’t want the propeller noise right next to the person you’re filming. You might lose a little bit of quality if you use 2x zoom, so another way to get a closer shot is to shoot in 4k and then crop when you edit the video.

Focus

You can tap the screen for the camera to focus on your desired subject. This creates a small depth of field when you’re filming. To do this, you need to click an object in the horizon immediately as the Mavic ascends, which will put everything in infinity focus. Then you want to tap again when you’re within 50 feet of something to get a nice, clear image. Alternatively, you can set one of the two “C” buttons on the back of the remote to be the “focus” button.

Tripod Mode

This smart feature may not get as much use as others because it dumbs down the maneuverability quite a bit. However, it is useful if you’re flying indoors and don’t need to move the Mavic too quickly. It is also a great mode to use if you want to create a moving time lapse. In order to create a time lapse effect, take the Mavic up to the height you desire, choose something in the distance, put it in tripod mode and slowly move it across the sky. Side note: it takes a bit of time to create this effect so ensure your battery is fully charged prior to take-off.

Out of the Box

When you first take your Mavic Pro out of the box, there will be two propellers on them, which is normal. You will need to install the other two, but first remove them and ensure all firmware is updated. Before the update make sure the batteries are fully charged on the Mavic, controller and your phone or iPad. With DJI products, the newer they are, the more important the firmware updates are. Update before you fly. It will ensure you get access to all the features and it will work properly.

Once you’ve completed the updates, you need to begin calibration. The IMU calibration is number of sensors that helps the Mavic move, which may not be as necessary. However, calibrate the compass. Elevation and location changes can interfere with the compass, so it’s important to calibrate it correctly. Go through the recalibration list provided with the Mavic so you don’t miss a calibration. Get out in an open field, away from everything to calibrate. Don’t be under a roof or on pavement near a building. 

Another cool feature: You can plug an iPhone cable into the bottom of the remote and you can use a full-sized tablet.

Camera Settings

Surprisingly, the stock settings on the Mavic are decent. But if you’re more of a photographer, use the manual settings so you have more functionality and control over your shots. One of the most noticeable stock settings is that the picture is a bit more saturated. You’ll definitely need to change the white balance to get a more professional shot.

Cover

It’s not a bad thing to keep on the Mavic while flying, especially if you are mainly exploring in rougher conditions and don’t care about high quality footage. However, it does create a large amount of lens flare, so if you plan on having more professional shots, it may be best to remove. But any time you’re transporting the Mavic, keep the cover on!

We hope these tips will help you as you create videos and photos with the Mavic Pro! APlease share any additional tips you have for the Flite Test community below! P.s. here's our Mavic Pro review.