Is the DJI Mavic 3 Wide-Angle Lens worth the cost?
Wide-Angle Lens for Mavic 3
When it was first released I tried many times to purchase it from the DJI website but it was sold out (you can be notified when more are available). Eventually it became available and I purchased it. At $179.00 it’s not a cheap lens by any means.
I’ve seen a couple of reviews since along with their pros and cons. I agree with most of them. This is a lens you would only need if what your trying to photograph or video but cannot get the everything in the frame. For the most part moving your drone back or to a different angle will get you what you need without this lens but I can see situations where it may be useful. Here is a YouTube video using the lens in Columbus Ohio; not really a need for it for what I was shooting but wanted to test the quality and usefulness:
Here is the the DJI description and specs for the lens:
Precise optical design increases Mavic 3's FOV to 108° with a 15.5mm equivalent focal length, offering wider camera angles. Provides a 108° FOV and 15.5mm-equivalent focal length.
Specifications:
Weight (single lens): 13.0 g
FOV: 108°
Equivalent focal length: 15.5 mm
My quick pros and cons from using it:
Pros:
Easy to put on the gimble (just like the ND filters)
I like having the wider angle when needed
The quality of the lens is really good
Cons:
The horizon is warped (to be expected I guess)
Photo quality seems diminished (I sharpened the ones in the video)
Cannot use ND filters while using this lens
Should I have bought it?
In the end the $179 is pricey. The lens will have it’s uses but rarely. If I put more thought into it before purchasing it I probably would not have bought it. My initial thought process when buying it is it would give me more options and abilities using the drone but in the end it was not really needed for me.
