DJI Wows the World Once Again
- Charl Jooste
- Jun 17, 2019
- 2 min read
Video: YouTube user STORM custom aerial platform
DJI always impresses but their latest release, The DJI Storm, dazzles at a whole new level. While they are well known for leading consumer and prosumer models such as the Mavic and the legendary Phantom series, they are often used for more commercial or professional applications. This lead DJI to develop a phenomenal drone for the cinematography industry. Not only is the drone and camera exceptional but it comes with the backup of trained and experienced professionals to ensure perfect operation and application of the technology.
That’s right. With the drone is a fully equipped van that houses the support equipment as well as a passionate and dedicated crew to pilot the drone and control the state of the art cameras.
For some reason DJI has been rather quiet about the launch of the Storm but there are a few inspiring and captivating videos on YouTube. The DJI site is also remarkably quiet about this development although there are a few details on the Chinese site.
Photo: DJI
The DJI Storm has eight rotors and can comfortably handle a hefty payload of 40.8 pounds (18.5 kilograms). Great stabilization is enabled by the Ronin 2 gimbals. The power and strength is sufficient for the best filmmaking camera such as the Red or Arri Alexa LF camera. This is significantly more than the already popular choice of the DJI Matrice 600 that can handle a modest 6 kilograms. The Storm can also handle an impressive temperature range.
Apart from the impressive payload ability and stabilization the operators can get perfect camera angles with Force Pro or Master Wheels. The DJI Storm has a good 50 miles per hour top speed (about 80 kilometers per hour) and a fly time of about 15 minutes with a load of 12 kilograms. It is not available for purchase at this stage so you will contract for the use of the Storm as well as the DJI Studio Custom Aerial Cinematography crew. If it was for sale it would not be a cheap option. The advanced gimbals alone are more than $8000.
DJI Studio has quietly been operating for a while now and they have done a lot of work with leading cinematographers. Until now they primarily used the DJI Matrice 600 with a Sony A7S II camera. The DJI Inspire 2 was also used in some applications. The Storm will allow for a much wider and heavier range of options. For now, there is limited availability in the U.S. The DJI Storm is being tested by Helinet Aviation. They have bragged a bit about their “exclusive” use of the Storm on their Instagram post and I can’t say I blame them. Apart from them there has been little other word of the DJI Storm in the air over the United States.
Take a look at some of the early photographs and videos on the DJI Storm. It is truly remarkable.
SOURCE: The Verge