Aerial Imaging through drones reveals spectacular views that would have been unimaginable even a few years back. Drones themselves are now capable of capturing high definition videos and images, but with a good wide angle lens the results are even better. In this blog post, we will first define what wide angle lens are, why one may need them, what to consider when purchasing a wide angle lens, what type of shots one can achieve with a wide angle lens, and finally, what is the best wide angle lens for drones.
Advantages of a Wide Angle Lens
There are several key reasons why you may want to use a wide angle lens with your drone:
- Take the same area of view using fewer pictures instead of having to fly at a higher altitude. This helps to evade what may be put in place in terms of maximum altitude that a plane is allowed to fly.
- Add more elements in the foreground and background close to the camera in order to achieve a better sense of depth.
- Cause drama and scale, making subjects that are farther away appear even larger than they really are.
- When shooting from close range try to frame tall structures such as buildings appropriately.
- To add variation, take a close up while at the same time capturing a view of the general context.
Things to look for in a wide angle lens
When choosing a wide angle lens, key factors to consider include:
- Angle of view – Generally ranged between 10-35mm to obtain wide-angle views. Lower is wider.
- Distortion – The images may twist at the edge of the photo when shot using ultra wide lenses. Try to minimise.
- Size/weight – To the best of my knowledge, it could be argued that the larger lenses could in fact shorten flight times. But most importantly, it’s best to use one designed for your particular drone model.
- Compatibility – Make sure that the lens fits correctly into your exact make and model of a drone.
- Price – This service is fairly cheap, with some as low as $100 while others can go as high as $500+. You need to ensure that your budget matches the requirements that you will be facing in the future, hence making it easier for you to spend the cash.
Capturing Stunning Shots
Equipped with a wide angle lens, you can capture unique aerial perspectives perfect for:
- Wide-angle sights – Paint broad scenes in their entirety with precision and immediacy.
- Monolithic structures – Capture incomplete high rise buildings to make the building look even bigger and monumental.
- Inside spaces – Capture beautiful photographs of indoors, especially in large halls like stadiums and theatres.
- Festivals/ outdoor concerts – Capture and portray the vigour and size of the festivals, races, and attendees.
- Landscape shots – Make the audiences go closer to the feel of the forests, lakes and other wildlife regions.
Conclusion
Wide angle drone lenses are a unique piece of equipment as they can give you a whole new perspective on a scene due to the wider field of view. They allow you to obtain wide-angle scenes, tall buildings and structures, inviting interior designs and structures, active activities, and vast geographical regions. But, remember to ask for a lens that is compatible with your drone model to avoid compatibility issues. From a simple perception point of view, scale, and depth of field, wide angle lenses will simply add more value to aerial photography!
