Episodes
Sunday Jan 14, 2024
Fotobug Episode 356 - Hover Air X1 Beyond the Selfie Mode
Sunday Jan 14, 2024
Sunday Jan 14, 2024
A couple episodes back we Jim and Fred reviewed the Hover Air X1 and labeled as a 'selfie drone'. However, since Jim and Fred tend to discourage selfies they wondered if the Drone could be useful for an actual video for Vloggers or YouTubers. Check out this podcast to see how to do just that! The wireless microphones they are using is from Amazon - The PQRQP 2 Pack Wireless Lavalier Microphone for iPhone or iPad - there is likely a version available for Android as well! Amazon Microphone Link
Be sure to subscribe now to the Fotobug Youtube Channel!
Sunday Dec 03, 2023
Fotobug Episode 353 - Hover Air X1 Drone Review
Sunday Dec 03, 2023
Sunday Dec 03, 2023
The Zero Zero Robotics little Hover Air X1 drone has been getting a lot of attention so The Fotobug guys decided to give it a look and see if it lives up to the hype. This little drone only weighs 125 grams and yet is full autonomous and can record video up to 2.7k at 30fps.
If you would like to buy one of your own use the following link:
Also, Jim tested out the Supertone Clear audio plugin to reduce or eliminate background noise (formerly known as Goyo). You can obtain a trail version here:
Sunday Feb 16, 2020
Fotobug - Episode 254- FAA: No Drone for You!
Sunday Feb 16, 2020
Sunday Feb 16, 2020
If you are a drone owner (or fly any RC aircraft) or if you intend to purchase one, you MUST watch this podcast. The FAA has proposed new rules which will ground all current drones and make it nearly impossible to capture interesting photos or videos with our drones. The FAA is taking public comments up until March 2nd, so it is very important to register your concern!!
In recent news, Yuneec has launched a 30x optical zoom drone, the E30Z. Sony's image sensor business has been impacted by the coronavirus outbreak which has disrupted their supply chain. Sigma indicates it is starting over with its development of a full-frame Foveon-based camera which was first announced back in 2018. Fujifilm will discontinue its Fujicolor film packs by the end of March.
Please check out and register your concerns about the new FAA proposed rules for UAS (drones and RC unmanned aircraft) - but you must do so before March 2nd! If these rules go into effect, you might as well throw your drone away and that will be the end of the hobby!
To register your concern to the FAA:
Sunday Feb 17, 2019
Fotobug - Episode 228 - Drone Review - Yuneec Mantis Q
Sunday Feb 17, 2019
Sunday Feb 17, 2019
Jim and Fred check out the Yuneec Mantis Q drone.
But first, the latest photography news!
Bowens is back! Aurelius has purchased the brand which went into liquidation after 94 years in business. If you have the free Flickr account - only 1000 images are allowed and the rest will be removed! Trend Micro claims 29 camera apps were removed from Google Play for malicious ads and storing customer's images without permission. Some Macbook users have complained that the update to Adobe Premiere has caused serious issues with their speakers. A working USB thumb drive was found frozen in seal poop! Check the podcast for more details!
Fred recently picked up a Yuneec Mantis Q and shares his experience. Fred had some issues when applying the latest firmware - it kept failing. Yuneec couldn't figure out a solution by phone, so Fred sent the Mantis to New York and waited. New York couldn't get it to update and ended up sending it to their California repair office. Fred waited some more - after a few weeks, he received notice that the Mantis was repaired and he would be getting it back. He did - without the firmware upgrade and it still won't upgrade. He re-opened the support ticket and is still waiting for a reply. Needless to say, the Fotobug guys are NOT impressed with Yuneec customer support. Check out the podcast for a complete review!
Sunday Dec 23, 2018
Fotobug - Episode 224 - Mavic 2 Zoom review
Sunday Dec 23, 2018
Sunday Dec 23, 2018
Jim and Fred are eager to review the new Mavic Phantom 2 Zoom, but first, recent photo news!
The Jackson Hole Travel and Tourism Board is now asking visitors not to geotag specific locations when visiting Wyoming's National Parks to keep everyone from going to the same spots. The Colorado Tripod Company has released the first titanium tripod system. The hollow ball and tripod are now on Kickstarter for a support price of $399. GoPro has announced it may be bringing its production back the the United States due to the tariff concerns. A drone may have struck a 737 and damaged the nose of the plane. In addition, a number of drones flying near an England airport caused the airport to be shut down. At least two people have been arrested. DJI has also announced a new Mavic Enterprise drone with twin cameras - one is an Infrared camera - release price is $2699, For these stories and more, tune in to the podcast!
DJI is now the leading manufacturer of drones for consumers. Jim and Fred review the latest version of the Mavic 2, which comes in two models - The Zoom and the Pro. This review covers the Zoom model. Both drones are identical except for the cameras. The Zoom features a 1/2.3" sensor but the camera is fitted with a 2x optical zoom. The Pro model has a Hasselblad branded camera with a 1" sensor and a variable aperture, but no zoom. Both models features 360 Obstacle avoidance in some flight modes, 31 minute flight time, low-noise props, 44 mph in sport mode, and Occusync 2.0 Wifi for sending HD video to the transmitter from up to 5 miles away. The Mavic 2 Zoom has a MSRP of $1249 and the Mavic 2 Pro is listed at $1499.
Be sure to check out and subscribe to our new Fotobug YouTube channel featuring a free Photo course!
Sunday May 13, 2018
Fotobug - Episode 208 - DJI Mavic Air Review
Sunday May 13, 2018
Sunday May 13, 2018
Jim and Fred have spent the last couple months working with the new Mavic Air from DJI and are now ready to reveal their opinions!
In recent news, Rollei has revived its iconic Rolleiflex twin lens reflex lineup with the new Rolleiflex Instant Kamera. Rollei will shortly seek funding for the nwe camera on Kickstarter. The winner of the Environment category of the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition has been disqualified after the competition’s organizers discovered the anteater starring in the dramatic nighttime image is actually stuffed. led for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, but says the move 'will not affect customers.' In fact, DxO teased updates to the Nik Software Collection and DxO PhotoLab in the same press release. The hotel chain Days Inn is looking for a photographer who wants to spend one month this summer shooting sunsets all over the United States. The gig pays $10,000, covers all travel expenses, and more. A man in India was mauled to death by an injured bear when he attempted to take a selfie with it. Even worse - The Hindustan Times also reported the bystanders "were busy shooting the incident on their mobile phones instead of trying to rescue him." DJI has released a new(ish) drone: the Phantom 4 Pro V2.0. The updated P4P features almost all of the same internal specs of the original, but integrates a new high-res low-latency 'OcuSync' transmission system and decreases flight noise by 60%.
Jim has been building UAVs (drones) for many years and these drones have been featured on past episodes. Recently, Jim picked up the new DJI Mavic Air and he and Fred have been checking it out and are now ready to give their opinion on this new offering from DJI. Is this the perfect travel drone? It folds into a nice compact size and has a number of new filming modes as well as 12MP still captures and even a 32MP panorama mode. Jim and Fred demonstrate some of the capture cinematic modes and offer their opinioins on the pros and cons of this new drone.
Our friend, Maurice Ribble, is currently running a Kickstarter project to raise funds to update the Camera Axe which we have featured in the past for water drop photography and even capturing a pellet gun shooting water balloons and crackers. Please go to Kickstarter and consider back this project!
Early registration is now open for the Black Hills Photo Shootout in Rapid City, SD - go to www.thephotoshootout.com to register!
Coming up on the podcast in 2 weeks - why a pro photographer dropped Nikon for Sony!
Sunday Mar 22, 2015
Fotobug - Episode 126 - Introduction to UAVs
Sunday Mar 22, 2015
Sunday Mar 22, 2015
Welcome to podcast number 126. In recent news, World Press Photo has stripped Giovanni Troilo of his prize for indicating the winning photo was taken elsewhere than indicated, a team at Harvard School of Engineering has developed a method for making flat lenses that could dramatically reduce the size and weight of camera lenses in the future, a new platform called Defrozo has launched on Kickstarter offering photographers online services needed to market and run a photography business, and the developers behind Facetune have created a new app called Enlight, a general purpose image editor currently only available for iPhones running IOS 8.1 or later. Android and iPad versions coming soon.
As promised, Jim and Fred present a brief introduction to UAV photography - and give some tips on learning to fly. Jim built his first 3 UAVs (don't call them drones!), several years ago and has used them for photography. The FAA has recently posted some new guidelines for the use of UAVs and Jim and Fred discuss safety issues as well as the new guidelines. In a future podcast, Jim is going to discuss tips for setting up your cameras to optimize aerial images and to minimize issues with this type of photography. As always, please send us your questions and comments!
Coming up April 10, 11 and 12 is the Tampa Bay Photo Shootout (www.thephotoshootout.com) - so this is your last chance to sign up! Also check out Vanelli's photography cruise with Vanelli, Mike Moats and Vincent Versace at www.vanelliandfriends.com/cruise (and Jim will be there too!). Also check out the photo workshops at www.outdoorphotoworkshops.com.
See you next time!