DJI - Mavic Pro

I have the OG Mavic and most of the specs for the Mini 5 are better. I'd go with that IMO

I still run the first Mavic. It’s still a great drone. So 3? Amazing. Don’t fall for marketing bullshit of needing the new thing.

I scored a mavic pro 1 off marketplace cheap. It’s used occasionally but nowhere near as much as we thought we would. It’s fun taking footage and watching the camera but unless you’re really into the photography/videography aspect then it gets boring pretty quickly. If you travel lots then it might be worthwhile but from my perspective if I’ve seen a place once then flying there again isn’t so interesting. Personally, I find the FPV drones more exciting than a straight cinematic drone but it really comes down to what you want to use it for. If you’re uncertain about whether you’d use it, I’d check if any of your mates have one you could borrow to test, post on the local FB groups to see if someone will come out one afternoon and show you one or grab a deal off marketplace (so you can sell again with minimal loss if you decide you don’t like it).

Wouldn't go for "mini" series, otherwise pretty much any DJI camera drone, camera is quite good on all of them. Not new as in used or not latest models? Even first gen Mavic Pro has 20+ minutes real flight time, can be found for as low as $200. "Mavic 2 Pro zoom" has optical zoom, could be useful for your usecase. From new ones Air 3 would be my choice, 40 minutes flight, zoom lens, bigger for wind, but rather expensive. Also DJI sells official refurbished stuff, Air 3 is \~850 there

400 for first mavic pro is rather high, is it with fly more kit? I see a bit newer Air2 fly more for 400 in my area, and mavic pro with hard case but no kit for 250

This is same for most drones. My mavic pro died and camera/gimbal is useless now

Agreed. I have a fist gen DJI Mavic and it’s still awesome. Super well built

i only have like 7 hours logged on my DJI mavic pro 1st gen

I second this lineup. Air3 has a damn good camera, and it's what I use. The Mavic is even better. Filters are a must have for great photos. This is what I think is my best ever. Shot with a 1st gen Mavic pro *

In the beginning, I watched some videos on how to fly. I had a parrot drone that you fly with your cell phone. It really didn't help at all, because the controls are completely different. So I jumped in and bought the Mavic pro when they were the latest and greatest. I never once crashed it. They are very easy to fly. I've had the mini 3, and it was also very easy. It was a great little drone, and it really impressed me. Buy a dji within your budget. You won't be disappointed. There's simulators you can try as well to practice. But they are so easy to fly, you shouldn't need much training.

My dad is 55 and he flew my mavic pro with no issue I wouldn't let him fly the s3

Buy a mini or full-size 2/3 (used) that you don't care about crashing. First 250.00 300.00 If you're going to be doing any selfie type stuff you're going to need a pro because the non-pro models do not have follow and the other features like that. I should say, not as many features like that I would stick with getting drones that are roughly the same size so they have the same flight characteristics. That being said if you were more experienced I would love to have a small,medium,and large. small for fun portability, medium for just getting some pictures here and. large for really good cinematic stuff. When I'm talking size I mean both physical size and size of cost Fortunately DJI stuff is really easy to fly until it just flies away on you. Which has been known to happen. This is all based on the mavic mavic pro type drones I haven't bought a new drone in 5 years. So take it for what it's worth. That being said anything DJI has as far as drones you will be able to fly very easily with no problems. I would recommend it calibrating it every single time you take it out. At least until you get used to Flying it because if for some reason it's not calibrated and you don't know how to fly it you are never bringing that thing back. I'm curious if you buy one now and something happens to it will Best Buy still warranty it. Things like that I have questions about and then service in the future. I know they will still have support. But if you can't import DJI parts going to be hard to fix. Anyway I digress good luck enjoy

The Mavic Pro series has variable aperture. Otherwise you can use ND filters to lower the shutter speed if that's your goal.