We need several cloud sequences for a film we're making.
Early to mid-morning today was as forecast: dense cloud cover (which isn't common here). Previously, we hadn't flown higher than 120m or 390ft. We took off from one of our higher points, about 1,700m or 5,500ft above sea level.
At approximately 400m above ground level, we passed through lower cloud. Unfortunately, we couldn't get above the higher cloud before reaching the 500m maximum.
We made a second flight about 45 minutes later from a different spot on our nature reserve, again going through lower cloud.
Although we failed to get the desired footage of sunlight cloud from just above the main cloud layer, we nevertheless made a pleasing start and got some usable footage.
There was no real sign of moisture on the drone or ND/PL filter when back on the ground, and the film was unimpaired. It was "just" cloud - i.e. it didn't rain.
If anyone else is thinking "Can I go through cloud without the drone being adversely affected?" then our initial experience suggests "Yes".
We hope to film building thunderstorm clouds at some point in the weeks ahead, which is the footage we really need.
What is everyone else's experience of filming clouds? It would be good to know, to help accelerate our learning curve.
Early to mid-morning today was as forecast: dense cloud cover (which isn't common here). Previously, we hadn't flown higher than 120m or 390ft. We took off from one of our higher points, about 1,700m or 5,500ft above sea level.
At approximately 400m above ground level, we passed through lower cloud. Unfortunately, we couldn't get above the higher cloud before reaching the 500m maximum.
We made a second flight about 45 minutes later from a different spot on our nature reserve, again going through lower cloud.
Although we failed to get the desired footage of sunlight cloud from just above the main cloud layer, we nevertheless made a pleasing start and got some usable footage.
There was no real sign of moisture on the drone or ND/PL filter when back on the ground, and the film was unimpaired. It was "just" cloud - i.e. it didn't rain.
If anyone else is thinking "Can I go through cloud without the drone being adversely affected?" then our initial experience suggests "Yes".
We hope to film building thunderstorm clouds at some point in the weeks ahead, which is the footage we really need.
What is everyone else's experience of filming clouds? It would be good to know, to help accelerate our learning curve.