Getting Started: Drone Anamorphic

WELCOME TO MOMENT AIR

Thank you for flying with us, please read these instructions before takeoff.

Update 7/17/20

If using DJI’s recent update (Aircraft Firmware v01.00.0670 released 7/7/20), disregard 7:10 - 8:10 in the video below. Instead follow the written steps of 14A and 14B.

What’s in the Box?

Drone Anamorphic Lens - Aerial cinematic goodness at your fingertips.

Counterweight - Necessary to fly with the Drone Anamorphic Lens, just heavy enough to get the job done and provide perfect balance.

Lens Cap - Keep both sides of that glass clean and looking fresh.

Lens Cloth - Perfect for cleaning the lens and any smudges that may occur.

Insert Card - A link to the instructions that you need to read. We really mean it, you need to read these before you fly.

Getting Started and Flying with the Moment Drone Anamorphic

Unpack Mavic 2 Pro: remove gimbal cover then camera cover glass and store in a secure location.
Unpack Drone Anamorphic Lens: remove front and rear lens cap, DO NOT ATTACH LENS TO DRONE YET.
Power on drone (no lens attached).
Allow drone to run through startup sequence (lights flash, propellers turn a few partial rotations, gimbal runs through full range of motion).
Turn drone over onto its back and brace camera module with hand.
Rotate camera module (in hand) so that camera is facing back in towards body of drone,
In this position, place counterweight onto the back of the camera module. The hinged mechanism will make it easier to bend and maneuver it on. Make sure that the small alignment nubs end up in the grooves of the back of the camera module. Also double check that the weight is centered on the camera module.
Keeping the module in hand and holding onto the counterweight, flip the module back to the front. In your other hand grab the anamorphic lens (lens cap removed).
Rotate the drone anamorphic lens so that the fixed arm (side that doesn’t hinge) is facing the same way as the top of the drone. Keeping this orientation place this end into the corresponding side of counterweight ensuring the lens sits in that groove/notch.
Keeping this end of the lens in contact with the weight, rotate the lens towards the back of the drone (this will move the back of the lens closer to the camera module).
While doing the above, squeeze the button on the lens to lift up the locking flap (there will be just enough clearance for the lens to rotate on and not hit anything, but the button must be pressed to do so).
Once the locking flap has cleared the edge of the camera module, and the back of the lens is sitting against the camera module, you can release the locking flap button allowing the flap to lock onto the counterweight in the corresponding groove.

NOTE: Your drone will likely get a GIMBAL OVERLOAD error. Don’t worry, this is normal and is not harming your drone. This warning is put in as a fail safe to ensure the drone or gimbal does not get damaged. The next steps will remove this error.
With lens and counterweight on drone initiate and perform COMPASS CALIBRATION. While doing this calibration sequence keep one finger on the gimbal to help support the module since it has not been fully calibrated.
Once compass calibration is complete place drone on flat level ground (or hold steady in hand if flat ground is not available) and initiate GIMBAL AUTO CALIBRATION.
1. If using DJI’s recent update (Aircraft Firmware v01.00.0670 released 7/7/20), follow Steps 14A - 14B instead of step 14, then proceed to Step 15.
2. 14A. Once compass calibration is complete, flip the drone over and place the drone on its feet on flat/level ground and let it sit for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
3. 14B. After this time has elapsed check the status menu of the drone within the app. Now the gimbal status will have returned to normal and the gimbal is calibrated. Check gimbal function by rotating the angle wheel on the controller moving the camera angle up and down slightly.
Once gimbal calibration is complete, check that the horizon line is acceptable. If it is not navigate to the gimbal settings menu and adjust roll to achieve a level horizon.
Ensure the gimbal angle (controlled by left scroll wheel on Mavic 2 Pro controller) is at 0 degrees or below zero degrees (negative numbers) and take off.
Before landing ensure the lens is not pointed fully downwards. If the lens is fully downward pointing it will hit the glass on the ground when landing.
Every time the drone is powered off, steps 3-16 will need to be repeated to start the drone back up and film again.
Once the drone is safely on the ground and powered off off remove the lens by reversing steps 12 - 5, ensure that the lens is rotated on and off, not pulled, pushed, or forced.

Storage

After removing the lens and counterweight from the drone, place the lens cap onto the lens, and place both the counterweight and lens back into their case. DO NOT STORE THE DRONE WITH LENS ATTACHED FOR EXTENDED PERIODS. This can cause damage to the drone and lens from unexpected movements during transit.

Best Practices

Less wind is better: The calmer the air the more stable the drone is, and the longer flight time you will have.
Video Resolution & Color Profiles: The Drone Anamorphic Lens was optimized for shooting in the Mavic 2 Pro’s 4k HQ mode: this gives you the cleanest anamorphic look out of all of the video settings on the Mavic 2 Pro and works great with all color profiles. You can also shoot in 4K Full FOV or 2.7K with the drone anamorphic lens. If using either of these settings, you’ll get best results in the standard color profiles as DJI has done the barrel distortion and vignette correction already within their outputs. If you choose to film in any of the log color profiles you’ll need to correct for this barrel distortion and slight vignette in post. Follow this link for a free download (note you’ll still need to then desqueeze this footage for the correct anamorphic look after barrel and vignette correction).
High(er) Winds: If winds are higher and gimbal/drone performance is becoming hindered one strategy we have found to work well is flying the drone backwards to break the wind with the butt of the drone and letting the camera work under less load. The highest winds the setup is rated for is 18mph or 4 on the Beaufort wind scale. At these wind speeds there will be drop offs in performance though.
Gimbal Drops: If the gimbal drops during flight don’t worry, this can happen, give the drone a second letting it hover and flick the gimbal angle dial to wake the gimbal back up.
Low battery levels: As the battery levels go down so does the amount of voltage coming out of the battery decreases too. At the lowest flyable battery levels motor power will stay consistent but gimbal power decreases, thus gimbal performance can also decrease at these low battery levels.
Sport Mode: This lens was not designed to be used in sport mode, if you fly in sport mode the gimbal will drop. It might not be right away but it will happen soon. Even for commuting to and from a shot location we do not endorse flying in this mode with our lens attached.
Landing: When landing ensure the gimbal is pointed parallel to the horizon or at least not down towards the ground. If pointed down towards the ground the glass can scrape on the ground when it lands.

Warnings

Precipitation/Fog: Flying in heavy fog, clouds, rain, or near environments giving off significant precipitation (waterfall spray) is not recommended. The drone anamorphic lens is not a waterproof product, and although it has a hydrophobic coating it can spot or retain water in the air.

Gimbal Drops: We are adding weight and aerodynamic drag to an existing gimbal system, which does increase the strain on the gimbal during flight. If overloaded (by continuous rapid movement, high winds, etc) the gimbal can drop causing the lens to point down to the ground mid-flight. To remedy this, slow to a hover and flick the gimbal degree wheel, after a few seconds the gimbal will pick back up and be ready to go. If the issue persists, it’s advised to adjust flying maneuvers and speed.

Sport Mode: This lens system was not designed for use in sport mode. The added weight and space that the lens takes up are not rated for flying at these increased speeds and forces. Doing so can cause frequent gimbal drops and could endanger your drone.

High Winds: This system is approved for flight at up to a level 4 on the Beaufort wind scale (13-18mph winds). Note that this is not as high as the Mavic 2 Pro is rated for level 5 on the Beaufort scale (22mph+). This is because of the aerodynamic affect the lens has on the overall airframe.