Luminous Landscape Forum

Raw & Post Processing, Printing => Digital Image Processing => Topic started by: Paul2660 on April 03, 2019, 10:37:39 am

Title: Topaz AI Sharpen, on DJI Mavic Pro 2 and Phantom 4 Pro files
Post by: Paul2660 on April 03, 2019, 10:37:39 am
Having given up on Sharpen AI on a mac for larger D850 multi shot panos or Phase One files due to the huge amount of time to process, I wanted to see what the same software would do for the DJI 20MP images. 

Overall, the results were very good. 

Good results from both the sharpen and focus settings, a bit of mazing with the Stabilize but it still would most likely work. 

These are all dng straight from the Drones and pretty limited due to the poor lens quality of DJI. 

The files even a base ISO of 100 still suffer from noise when pushed, and the best raw conversion for me is C1 over LR. 

Adding in the AI sharpen routine helps a lot, so if anyone else is using a DJI 20MP drone, give this software a try. 

The Mac was able to handle the processing much faster and on my 15" MacBook Pro I was still able to access other apps while the sharpening was running in the background. 

On a 20Mp single image, "sharpen" runs in about 2 minutes, "stabilize" takes about 4 to 5 minutes and "focus" takes 3 to 4 minutes.  All times from MacBook Pro.  All within a normal tolerance for me. 

Paul C
Title: Re: Topaz AI Sharpen, on DJI Mavic Pro 2 and Phantom 4 Pro files
Post by: John E on April 04, 2019, 11:02:52 am
Paul, I have received good results working on some older 12mp files, but haven't tried AI on any D850 shots yet. However, I have a different question for you (and I apologize if I'm hijacking the thread). What's your overall impression of the Mavic Pro drone? I've never flown drones before, and didn't really see a use for them in my photo hobby, but I've recently been bitten by GAS and may look to purchase one. You say the lens of the 20mp camera is of fairly poor quality. Do you regret having purchased the drone?

I live in Colorado, and frequently travel to BLM lands in New Mexico and Utah, where using a drone is feasible. However, the $1500 price tag is a bit daunting, if it's just gonna be a glorified toy (not trying to be too harsh here, but I'm reluctant to jump in feet first without a bit more info from experienced drone users). Thanks.

John
Title: Re: Topaz AI Sharpen, on DJI Mavic Pro 2 and Phantom 4 Pro files
Post by: Paul2660 on April 04, 2019, 03:05:29 pm
Hi John,

The 20MP sensor in the Phantom 4 Pro and Mavic Pro 2 is in the same family as the Sony RX100.  1" sensor, 20MP.  Limited DR.

The camera can handle a bit of highlights, (pull down), but really can't take much shadow push, so you need to bracket.  But the DNG's are small and you can fit a ton on a 64GB card.

Other options, in the line are the Inspire 2 where you pick a gimbal and camera, and can get to 24MP in a larger sensor.  However cost of the Inspire, weight of the Inspire, and noise have all kept me at the Phantom and or Mavic Pro line

The flight technology is amazing, camera, is a considerably lacking, but you can still get a very nice file with the sensor. 

I use 5 shot AEB for all series, will often use a 6 set of bracketed shots.  30 in all.  You won't need all of them but unlike a DSLR on the ground where you have unlimited time, you need to maximize your flight time. 

Capture One 12 does a wonderful job on both Phantom and Mavic raw, LR, IMO is going to get too noisy too fast, but does have a good lens correction. 

I find the Phantom 4 camera/lens to be a better performer but it's loud (even the P4 Vr 2.) and tends to attract attention.  A MP2, is almost a stealth drone, it's so quiet.  I use both iOS and Android devices to control them. 

Right now the Mavic Pro 2 is about the reasonable option since the Phantoms have been pretty much withdrawn from marketing.  Mavic Pro 2 is great for distance, control, weight (packs into a space the size of the Nikon 24-70VR and weighs less.  Camera lens is really the main issue for me as the quality is just not there, the Hasselblad logo is just that, and has fooled quite a few folks who thing Hasselblad really developed the lens,  No way.  Well if they did, they did not make a lens up to their standards.  Actually Hasselblad just helped out on the raw and video processing. 

You can fly in all the National forest land in Colorado also, just can't fly in National Parks, so you have a ton of remote airspace to consider.  I envy you.

You can get a OK 24 x 36 out of a MP2 multi shot series, lot of work, but it's a very unique aspect (aerial) and one I did not appreciate until recently. 

With the Topaz suite, for sharpening and Gigapixel, you can get a very nice overall image. 

I would give the MP2 a try.  The Zoom is the same old 1 2/3's sensor that was in the Mavic Pro Platinum, very limited in DR. 

Paul C


Title: Re: Topaz AI Sharpen, on DJI Mavic Pro 2 and Phantom 4 Pro files
Post by: John E on April 04, 2019, 03:52:41 pm
Paul, thanks so much for the detailed reply. You've given me better info than I've received on a bevy of internet sites.

Re: Colorado, yeah, it's great to live here (for 32 years now). I was actually born and raised in Arkansas, but I managed to escape (joke).

Thanks again.

John
Title: Re: Topaz AI Sharpen, on DJI Mavic Pro 2 and Phantom 4 Pro files
Post by: Paul2660 on April 04, 2019, 06:39:58 pm
Beautiful state you have.

Paul