For almost a year, I have had the privilege of exploring the aerial perspective thanks to owning a quadcopter. I am switching to the Mavic Pro and wanted to share some of my favorite photos taken on the Phantom series as I make the transition.

The Phantom have served me well as a flying camera for the past year but the Mavic Pro is now going to be my daily driver quadcopter for capturing aerial imagery.

The portability of it just cannot currently be beat. I can fit the quad, batteries, charger and controller in 3 lens slots in my Lowepro bag. Before, I had to carry around the Phantom 4’s “beer-cooler” case.

I would debate sometimes between taking only the quad or only regular camera gear – now, I can take both and be lighter at the same time traveling.

The Phantom 4 is 12 megapixels and so is the Mavic. I haven’t noticed any drop in camera quality and so it makes complete sense to make the switch.

It all started in early 2016 with a Phantom 2 Vision+. I really only made one memorable photo with that quad:

 

hi-res/prints: photos.tmahlmann.com

After that, I decided to upgrade to the Phantom 4 as there was no lens distortion with its 90 degree field-of-view and better camera.

Here are some of my favorites from the P4 as well as a few I have already taken with the Mavic.

Sunrise in Pisgah National Forest:

hi-res/prints: photos.tmahlmann.com

Sunset at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway:

hi-res/prints: photos.tmahlmann.com

Cary Quadrangle, Mackey Arena, and Ross-Ade Stadium:

hi-res/prints: photos.tmahlmann.com

Engineering Fountain, Hovde Hall, and the Purdue University Bell Tower before the fall colors arrived:

hi-res/prints: photos.tmahlmann.com

Same angle, covered in snow:

hi-res/prints: photos.tmahlmann.com

From above, before the fall colors arrived:

hi-res/prints: photos.tmahlmann.com

and from above, in the snow:

hi-res/prints: photos.tmahlmann.com

Memorial Mall, when the fall colors arrived:

hi-res/prints: photos.tmahlmann.com

Red Hot Chili Peppers at Lollapalooza 2016:

hi-res/prints: photos.tmahlmann.com

Purdue Grand Prix practice a few days before the 59th running in 2016:

hi-res/prints: photos.tmahlmann.com

Windmills along I-65:

hi-res/prints: photos.tmahlmann.com

Circle of Lights in downtown Indianapolis, Christmas 2016:

hi-res/prints: photos.tmahlmann.com

Loeb Fountain here at Purdue University:

hi-res/prints: photos.tmahlmann.com

The Purdue “P” being repainted on the Water Tower:

hi-res/prints: photos.tmahlmann.com

My and my dad flying in the front yard:

Indiana State Courthouse:

hi-res/prints: photos.tmahlmann.com

Looking down on snow drifts along the lake:

hi-res/prints: photos.tmahlmann.com

I participated in the 2016 Epic Race, Epic Place photo contest and won with this aerial:

hi-res/prints: photos.tmahlmann.com

Saint Joseph Outer Light in Michigan wreathed in ice:

hi-res/prints: photos.tmahlmann.com

Beach goers walk below during a beautiful day at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve:

hi-res/prints: photos.tmahlmann.com

The Purdue “P” sinking below the rising Wabash River:

hi-res/prints: photos.tmahlmann.com

My last photo taken with the P4, a great way to end before switching over to the Mavic:

hi-res/prints: photos.tmahlmann.com

All the following photos were taken on the Mavic Pro.

Purdue’s Wilmeth Active Learning Center in construction behind the Bell Tower just after sunset:

hi-res/prints: photos.tmahlmann.com

Hove Hall:

hi-res/prints: photos.tmahlmann.com

Engineering Fountain:

hi-res/prints: photos.tmahlmann.com

Looking down on a hero who never stopped looking up: Neil Armstrong here at Purdue.

hi-res/prints: photos.tmahlmann.com

Spring color returns to Indiana:

hi-res/prints: photos.tmahlmann.com

 

Williamsport Falls:

hi-res/prints: photos.tmahlmann.com

“The Potholes” in Fall Creek Gorge Nature Preserve:

hi-res/prints: photos.tmahlmann.com

Purdue Crew speeding down the Wabash River:

hi-res/prints: photos.tmahlmann.com

The Men’s team going back up the river at the end of practice:

hi-res/prints: photos.tmahlmann.com

I can’t wait to see all the new photos I am able to make thanks to how easily I can fly now especially on my upcoming trip to Michigan to see a bunch of lighthouses over spring break. More on that tomorrow.

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See you tomorrow for another daily photo story!