Camera Lenses For Phantom 4: A Comprehensive Guide

The Phantom 4 drone series by DJI has been a popular choice for drone photographers. The Phantom 4 Pro is known for its image quality, with photographers experimenting with different aperture, ISO, and shutter speed settings to achieve the best results. The camera is fixed at f/2.8, and while DJI does not sell replacement lenses, photographers have been known to swap out the entire camera or use additional filters to enhance their shots. The Phantom 5, DJI's first prosumer drone, offers interchangeable lenses, including a 50mm lens, and is expected to have high-quality optics thanks to DJI's collaboration with Hasselblad.

Aperture settings for the Phantom 4 Pro

The Phantom 4 Pro has a range of aperture settings, which are measured in 'F-stops' and written as f/2.8, f/4.0, f/5.6, etc. The aperture setting you choose will depend on the lighting conditions and the desired depth of field for your image.

Aperture refers to the physical diaphragm made of overlapping blades that light passes through when entering the lens. By adjusting the aperture, you can control the amount of light that reaches the sensor. A wider aperture allows more light to pass through, while a smaller aperture reduces the amount of light. For example, f/2.8 is a standard wide limit, while f/22 is typically the smallest limit.

It's important to note that aperture also affects the depth of field, which is the amount of area in your image that is in focus. A wider aperture results in a shallower depth of field, while a smaller aperture increases the depth of field. However, as you decrease the aperture to let in less light, the sharpness of the image may also be reduced due to lens diffraction.

According to tests conducted by Jamen Percy, the sharpest image on the Phantom 4 Pro camera is achieved at F/5.6. Therefore, if you are in bright lighting conditions, it is recommended to set your aperture to F/5.6 to maintain image quality.

Additionally, it is suggested to keep the ISO setting at 100 on the Phantom 4 Pro, as higher ISO values can introduce noticeable noise. For shutter speed, a minimum of 400th of a second is recommended to eliminate motion blur when shooting moving subjects or when the drone is in flight.

In conclusion, the ideal settings for the Phantom 4 Pro in bright lighting conditions would be: ISO100, F/5.6, 1/400. However, if you require more light or a faster shutter speed, you can adjust the aperture to F/3.5 or higher, depending on your specific needs.

Zoom lens options for the Phantom 4

The Phantom 4 drone series by DJI has proven to be a popular and recognisable series of quadcopters. However, zoom lens options for the Phantom 4 are limited. The Phantom 4 Pro camera utilises a larger sensor than any other iteration of the Phantom line, but it does not support interchangeable lenses.

DJI does not sell a replacement lens for the Phantom 4. One option is to buy a used camera and swap it out or swap out the entire camera. However, this option may be challenging as the camera is fixed at f/2.8, and attaching a conversion lens may unbalance the gimbal.

There are third-party lens options available for the Phantom 4, such as those offered by Peau Productions. These lenses only work with the original Phantom 4 camera and will not work with the Phantom 4 Pro or Phantom 4 Advanced cameras, which use a 1" sensor. Peau Productions offers the following lens options:

• 3.37mm f/2.8 87d HFOV 16MP (No Distortion)
• 3.97mm f/2.8 82d HFOV 16MP (No Distortion)
• 4.35mm f/2.8 72d HFOV 10MP (No Distortion)
• 8.25mm f/3.0 41d HFOV 16MP (No Distortion)

The 3.37mm lens is recommended if you are looking for something similar to the stock original Phantom 3 lens, while the 8.25mm lens will provide more than a 2X zoom over the stock lens.

It is important to note that attaching third-party lenses to your Phantom 4 may void your warranty and could potentially damage your drone. Additionally, the weight of the lens and the stability of the gimbal are crucial factors to consider when choosing a zoom lens for your Phantom 4.

Lens options for the Phantom 5

The Phantom 5 is DJI's first prosumer drone with interchangeable lenses. While the Phantom 4 does not have interchangeable lenses, there are third-party lenses available for it. These lenses, however, are not compatible with the Phantom 4 Pro or Phantom 4 Advanced cameras, which use a 1" sensor.

The Phantom 5 will likely have a 50mm lens, and we know that the lenses will be removable. There are 12 pins between the body of the camera and the lens, suggesting that DJI is planning for more than just autofocus and aperture adjustment.

It is expected that there will be one or two additional lenses for the Phantom 5, probably with a 2X magnification (~18mm) and another with a 3X magnification (~30mm). With the popularity of DJI drones, it is likely that high-end brands like Zeiss will also develop lenses for the Phantom 5.

The Phantom 5 will likely be positioned as a "professional" drone, and its price is expected to be over $2000, making it less accessible to casual users.

While there is no official confirmation on the focal lengths of the lenses, it is speculated that the 50mm lens will offer a 2X or 5X magnification from the standard DJI 9mm lens. The Z3 lens available for the Inspire 1 had a 3.5X optical zoom and a 2X digital zoom, resulting in a total zoom of 7X.

The additional pins on the Phantom 5 camera suggest that DJI is planning for more advanced features and that zoom functionality is a possibility, even if it is not available at the initial launch.

Lens calculator for the Phantom 4

The Phantom 4 camera has a fixed aperture of f/2.8. The Phantom 4 Pro and Phantom 4 Advanced cameras use a 1" sensor, whereas the original Phantom 4 camera uses a 1/2.3" sensor.

Lens calculators are available online to help you select the right lens for your Phantom camera. To use a lens calculator, you will need to input certain details about your shot, such as the camera model, horizontal and vertical resolution, measurement unit, distance from the subject, and the length of the horizontal and vertical field of view.

• Choose your sensor size from the drop-down menu. The Phantom 4 uses a 1/2.3" sensor.
• Enter the lens f-stop. Start with a value of 2.8 as that is the most common for the Phantom 4.
• Choose one of the three columns below the "Calculate" button and fill in the details.
• Click the "Calculate" button.
• Make adjustments in any column and click "Calculate" again to see the recalculated results.

You can also use a lens calculator to determine the lens you need for your Phantom 4. For example, if you want a lens that is the closest to the stock original Phantom 3 lens, you can choose the 3.37mm lens. If you want more than a 2X zoom over the stock lens, you can choose the 8.25mm lens.

In addition to using lens calculators, you can also refer to field of view (FOV) calculators to determine the dimensions of the area you can capture at various altitudes. The FOV of the Phantom 4 camera is 94°. By inputting this value and the altitude into a FOV calculator, you can determine the coverage area on the ground that you will be able to see in your photos or videos.

Lens filters for the Phantom 4

The Phantom 4 drone has a fixed camera lens with an aperture of f/2.8. This means that the Phantom 4's lens cannot be replaced with a different lens with a different focal length. However, there are lens filters available that can enhance your photography and videography.

Neutral Density (ND) Filters

Neutral Density filters, or ND filters, are used to reduce the amount of light that enters the camera lens. This is particularly useful when shooting in bright sunlight to avoid overexposure. ND filters come in different strengths, which are indicated by a number that shows how much light enters the lens as a fraction. For example, an ND4 filter reduces light by 1/4, allowing you to slow the shutter speed from 1/100s to 1/25s.

Polarizing Filters

Polarizing filters can also be used to reduce the amount of light entering the lens. They are particularly useful when filming over water, as they can enhance the footage quality and bring out the colours in your shots.

Multi-Coated Glass

Some lens filters feature multi-coated glass for pristine optics. This feature is useful for enhancing image quality and avoiding distortion.

AirFrame Construction

Some lens filters are designed with an ultra-light AirFrame construction to ensure smooth gimbal operation.

Compatibility

It is important to note that lens filters are not always compatible with all models of the Phantom 4. For example, some filters are designed specifically for the Phantom 4 Pro or Phantom 4 Advanced, while others are designed for the original Phantom 4 camera. Additionally, some filters may not fit properly, so it is important to check the specifications before purchasing.

Official DJI Filters

DJI recommends using only official DJI ND filters, as they are specially designed to work well with the gimbal camera's centre of gravity.

Installation

Lens filters typically screw onto the camera lens, replacing the factory UV lens. It is important to be careful when installing and removing filters to avoid cross-threading.

Frequently asked questions