Has Anybody Created A Component For Camera Setting?

V. Kelly Bellis

I flew my first mapping mission this afternoon, and while it technically was successfully completed, and returned to home without incident, the camera settings weren't fixed; i.e., ExposureTime.

Worth noting: Previous experiments with the MA2's camera settings in the DJI Go Fly app's manual camera settings appeared to still be honored during the Dronelink mission; e.g., storing both .jpg and .dng; fixed white balance; fixed ExposureCompensation.

Please set me straight if I've misunderstood some fundamental Dronelink concept as illustrated in the following scenario:

  1. Create a new ManualCamera component which will include instructions, for example, to set the camera to fixed white balance, fixed exposure time, fixed exposure compensation, and to store images as both jpg and dng
  2. Insert that new ManualCamera component first followed by
  3. The Map component

I'm not sure if the creation of the ManualCamera component is even presently possible, but if so, please advise; and if it isn't presently possible, please consider it as a possible new feature.

More could be included than what's mentioned above for the user to choose from. For example, the ManualMappingMission might include a single still image first being taken by the drone (either on the ground or from the air) and used for seeding fixed values of custom white balance, exposure time, and exposure compensation.

Thank you very much!

Kind regards,

Kelly

 

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Comments

11 comments

  • Comment author
    Jim McAndrew Dronelink Staff

    Has Anybody Created A Component For Camera Setting?

    That is the general idea behind our shared components like Camera Settings Reset.

    Having said that, you can't expect settings that the drone does not support to work.

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  • Comment author
    V. Kelly Bellis

    Thank you Jim for the reply, and I'll experiment with Camera Settings Reset. Is there any documentation on their intended use and implementation?

     

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  • Comment author
    V. Kelly Bellis
    • Edited

    Jim, I started playing around with Camera Reset, but it flung me to Texas! Couldn't figure how to utilize it, so started from scratch with the following guesses for the next experiment. Does this look like it should work? I'm flying my new Mavic Air 2. Thanks for your help! - Kelly

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  • Comment author
    Ray Kao

    It looks good for me.

    And, pls check if the capture is also set to start in the 17Union's settings.

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  • Comment author
    V. Kelly Bellis

    Hey Ray, thanks! Please let me know if I've implemented your suggestion correctly and in the proper sequence; I wasn't sure how else to "also set to start in the 17Union's settings"

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  • Comment author
    Ray Kao

    V. Kelly Bellis

    It looks good.

    And, you can check with previewer, too.

    Click the preview icon:

    And, you will find the camera's actions there:

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  • Comment author
    V. Kelly Bellis
    • Edited

    Thanks Ray, you've been a tremendous help, very much appreciated!

    Mission failed repeatably after following the initial trying Dismissing, twice, powered airframe off and then back, Dismissing again; until the command Camera White Balance Custom was edited out of the command list (see above), after which the mission was successfully completed.

    FWIW, in the DJI Go Fly app, which I used earlier this morning (see composited HDR shot below - (Glory to Ukraine!), I had previously set a custom white balance. Apparently, and during the mission (Test3) the camera stubbornly refused to give way to the Dronelink command, ignored it altogether, or some other reason was in play.

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  • Comment author
    V. Kelly Bellis

    Thanks again guys (Jim & Ray) for answer this newbie's questions.

    I was able to fly the mapping mission so that the camera on the Mavic Air 2 shot the entire mission with a fixed ExposureTime; i.e., Dronelink command: Camera Shutter Speed; however, the Dronelink command Camera Exposure Compensation, failed. Does anybody know a way to set the ExposureCompensation specifically on the Mavic Air 2?

    Thanks again! - Kelly

    Example of the ExposureCompensation values from Test4 after removing the Dronelink command Camera Exposure Compensation:

    DJI_0187.DNG    1/500    0
    DJI_0188.DNG    1/500    +2
    DJI_0189.DNG    1/500    +1
    DJI_0190.DNG    1/500    +0.7
    DJI_0191.DNG    1/500    +0.7
    DJI_0192.DNG    1/500    -0.3
    DJI_0193.DNG    1/500    -1.3
    DJI_0194.DNG    1/500    -1.7
    DJI_0195.DNG    1/500    +1
    DJI_0196.DNG    1/500    0
    DJI_0197.DNG    1/500    -0.3
    DJI_0198.DNG    1/500    +0.7
    DJI_0199.DNG    1/500    -0.7
    DJI_0200.DNG    1/500    +0.3
    DJI_0201.DNG    1/500    0
    DJI_0202.DNG    1/500    -1.7
    DJI_0203.DNG    1/500    +1
    DJI_0204.DNG    1/500    +0.3
    DJI_0205.DNG    1/500    +0.7
    DJI_0206.DNG    1/500    -0.3
    DJI_0207.DNG    1/500    -0.7
    DJI_0208.DNG    1/500    +1
    DJI_0209.DNG    1/500    +0.3
    DJI_0210.DNG    1/500    +1.3
    DJI_0211.DNG    1/500    +0.7
    DJI_0212.DNG    1/500    +0.3
    DJI_0213.DNG    1/500    +0.3
    DJI_0214.DNG    1/500    +1.7
    DJI_0215.DNG    1/500    +1
    DJI_0216.DNG    1/500    -1.3
    DJI_0217.DNG    1/500    +0.3
    DJI_0218.DNG    1/500    +0.3
    DJI_0219.DNG    1/500    +0.3
    DJI_0220.DNG    1/500    +0.7
    DJI_0221.DNG    1/500    +0.3
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  • Comment author
    Mike (Arizona Wyldwest) Dronelink Expert Dronelink Expert

    I realize this is a bit older question. The MA2 ev can only be adjusted in Auto exposure mode. If you look in the DJI Fly app you will see when set to Manuel exposure mode the ev which they indicate as (MM) value cannot be changed. Not sure why and it would be great if it could be. Basically, If it cannot be accomplished in the DJI app then more then likely it cannot be accomplished in DL. Hope this helps. 

    I’ve tried asking DJI why it can’t in Manuel exposure mode via email but they seem to always misunderstand questions and are no help. 

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  • Comment author
    V. Kelly Bellis

    That's too bad they didn't understand your questions about manually setting the camera's EV. It is a fundamental part of photography. My limited email exchanges with DJI support have been positive and the writer (Marcus) seemed to be a native English speaker.

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  • Comment author
    Mike (Arizona Wyldwest) Dronelink Expert Dronelink Expert

    I think they read through quickly and don’t understand sometimes. I’m fairy sure when I purchased my MA2 in August 2020 the DJI Fly app had adjustment for the ev in manual video mode. As always though, I may be wrong. It definitely would be greet if they updated the fly app to include it. Maybe you can try to contact them about this. Good luck….

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