Q&A, 6 Jun 2024: Log Over Normal, Mavic 3 Classic's Shared Camera, Litchi Waypoints Need an RC-N1, a Crashing RC Screen, Firmware Negligence, the Air 3 Upgrade Case, Quieter Props, Parks Control Take-off Not Overflight, and Fixed Apertures

Log lets you 'pull a lot more different color balances or different looks' in post; the Air 3 and Mini 4 Pro Normal profiles are now serviceable for quick clips. Mavic 3 Classic, Pro and standard share the main camera, so their log is more flexible than the Mini 3's and the Air 3 / Mini 4 Pro's; the Mavic is faster and better in wind; he still flies the Mini 3 where a loss would hurt less.

Litchi's list (checked live) covers Air 2S, Mini 3, Mini 3 Pro; the built-in-screen RC blocks third-party apps, so an eBay RC-N1 with Android runs it - less polished than DJI's app, more customisable; use real mapping software for mapping. The Air 3 has native waypoints, on RC2 or the cheaper RC-N2 (OcuSync 4), not the RC-N1. Trig's Mavic 3 Classic RC rebooted to Fly Now mid-flight, the three-dot menu by the right stick opens accidentally, and dry skin defeated the touchscreen - John has had neither RC nor RC2 crash and suspects firmware; a GPS drone hovers when you let go; an iPad mini on an RC-N1 worked 'spectacularly well'; a 'Triple Tech' 1200-1300-nit monitor exists at ~$600 for the 6-inch. Firmware: John is 'negligent' unless a feature draws him; recent updates added goggle support, fixes, and (a year earlier) gain/expo tuning - taught in the six-steps and Air 3 settings lessons.

The 3x tele (his favourite drone of 2023/24), 360 obstacle avoidance with the new picture-in-picture sensor view, and battery life 'a world of difference' over the Air 2S; the trade is a 12 MP / 4K main sensor against the Air 2S's 20 MP / 5.4K. Noise: louder than a Mini 3, similar volume to an Air 2S but lower-pitched and less irritating (a comparison video on his channel). Master Airscrew props claim -6-7 dB and +5 % flight time - untested, 'would make a good YouTube video'; he likes hearing the props to find the drone.

State, county and national parks generally regulate take-off and landing inside their boundaries, not overflight; launch and land away from people even where legal; New River Gorge's national-park status closed it to drones. Aperture: Air/Mini lines are fixed - ISO, shutter and ND only; stopping a small sensor down invites diffraction, sensor size limits resolution more than aperture does, and most shots sit at infinity focus - except the 3x teles, which can misfocus.