DJI Fly Quick Tip - Auto Exposure Lock - Improve Your Video Quality with One Simple Technique

In this video I explain and show examples of why using auto exposure (AE) is a poor choice for shooting video. I also show you just how easy it is to lock your exposure and how auto exposure sometimes (many times?) gets it wrong. Lock your auto exposure and start shooting more consistent, better looking footage right away!
As always, thanks for watching!
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#DJI #DJIFly #AutoExposureLock

[@XBKLYN]

Finally, someone who understands DJI exposure. I use Auto exposure for 2 purposes....one, it's great if you're only doing stills and two it's a good tool to initially calibrate the sensor when you're airborne. After that switch over to manual-pro and select your EV to center the histogram, then you're good to start shooting without having to use the annoying lock feature. Thanks for the video, you've discussed the single most important issue in drone photography that everyone else just doesn't seem to understand.

[@SteveCoutts]

Thanks, I appreciate it! AE would be more useful for video if it had a better locking mechanism. It's a good stepping stone for folks who aren't ready to go Pro mode, although as you point out, it's pretty simple to use manual using EV as your guide for good exposure. Happy, safe flying!

[@Aerosnapper]

Excellent demonstration with very clear explanations - this will help a great many newcomers to drone photography / videography

[@SteveCoutts]

I appreciate the view and the kind words.

[@RonaldBrown59]

Great tutorial on how to use auto exposure correctly, and locking it down. And I agree with you about not liking the method of double tapping the screen to lock it. When I'm in auto I use the histogram to constantly monitor my exposure. Thanks for sharing Steve.

[@SteveCoutts]

Thanks Ron! I thought about including some info on the histogram but that would have turned a “quick tip” in to a 15 minute video - haha! Just like manual exposure, I think the histogram will need it’s own video. Thanks for watching and happy, safe flying!

[@DonJoyce]

Oh, that's where the exposure lock disappeared to! I just use manual/pro mode all the time. Great demo of the perils of auto exposure, Steve!

[@SteveCoutts]

Yup. Thanks Don. I would probably use AE + EV for video more if there was a reliable method to lock the exposure. The "lock" icon was that method. The current AE lock implementation is just bad design. Cheers!

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

Wonderful information Steve! Thank you for these simple tips to improve my videos!

[@SteveCoutts]

Cheers Marcus! Thanks for stopping by for a visit.

[@discoverthekootenays]

Great tips Steve thanks.

[@SteveCoutts]

Thanks and thanks for watching, cheers!

[@colinread1159]

Many thanks for the AE explanation - just what I was looking for on KZbin!

[@SteveCoutts]

Happy to hear it was helpful. Thanks for watching!

[@frejow]

Really helpful video! Just what I was looking for, thank you!

[@SteveCoutts]

Thanks for the view and the kind words, I am happy the hear the video was helpful. Cheers!

[@bobwhitewo3b]

Thank you Steve. Great explanation of auto exposure and EV. I am looking forward to your Pro mode video.

[@SteveCoutts]

Thanks Bob. Pro mode coming soon, cheers!

[@CsabiKremser]

Great video Steve, but let me tell you it is really hard flying a drone around a building and manually adjusting the exposure while looking at the surroundings. (one round means facing the Sun and turning away from the Sun) The light conditions change constantly, and the drone needs to be watched constantly, while in pro mode you need to watch exposure changes. To me, not locking auto exposure just does the job I need (mini 3 pro)

[@SteveCoutts]

Thank you! You describe a tricky lighting situation and yes, you’re correct, auto exposure may do a better job in that scenario but really it depends on what you are trying to achieve. Auto exposure lock is more suited to getting consistent results in static lighting situations. Ultimately though, it’s your art so use whatever matches your vision. Happy, safe flying - cheers!

[@iham1]

Nice to see you back. Haven’t seen you in awhile.

[@SteveCoutts]

Thanks! I took a bit of a break but back at it. Cheers!

[@grahamniven]

There will be times when locking exposure will be required, there will be times when its better to have the exposure auto adjust. There is no one size fits all solution.

[@SteveCoutts]

For tricky or fluctuating lighting situations, yeah, auto exposure may do a better job. Auto exposure lock is best suited for static lighting situations where you don’t want the exposure fluctuating because the camera systems “thinks” the scene is brighter or darker. Ultimately, though, it’s your art so it’s up to you. Cheers!

[@susanstebila8707]

GREAT VIDEO❤

[@SteveCoutts]

Thanks Susan, I appreciate it! Happy, safe flying!

[@AlanHunt73]

Thanks Steve 👍

[@SteveCoutts]

Cheers Alan, thanks for watching!

[@AlanHunt73]

@SteveCoutts I always watch your videos mate.

[@julioayalapuertoricodroner]

Great video Steve. I recently went to Santorini, Greece and totally forgot to set the camera exposure. Needless to say, the footage was washed out.😢 I tried fixing it in post but not much I could do. .

[@SteveCoutts]

Oh no! It's so easy to get caught up in the moment and miss a setting or two isn't it? I've been shooting photos and video for years and years and I'll still forget *something* on occasion. Oh well, I guess that's why we practice. 😀 Thanks for the comment and happy, safe flying! Cheers!

[@MrAdiPetcu]

Nice video. I recently switch to the DJI Fly app from the DJI Go 4 app, because I retired my good old DJI Mavic 2 Zoom. To my surprise, I find the DJI Fly app to lack a lot of the features the DJI Go 4 app had, including the SPOT metering feature. In the new app, in the VIDEO mode, there is no spot metering (or if there is, I don't know how to access it)

[@SteveCoutts]

I still miss a lot of features and design from DJI Go 4. DJI Fly started with a clean, simple interface but has gotten far too complicated over the years. Definitely could use some rethinking in my opinion. Anyhow, spot metering is there but it ONLY works in auto exposure AND ONLY in photo mode. In video mode, tapping the screen focuses instead of setting exposure. You can however click and drag the little sun icon to set your exposure in video mode. Spot metering is not available in video mode. Same with the DJI Go 4 app though. Spot metering was only available in photo mode. I don't know if that was different for the Mavic 2 Zoom though, I only had the Spark. Hope that helps, cheers!

[@espedale]

Great video, Steve! I am wondering where the EV slider control is on the Mini 3 Pro? I see the MM value, but it appears there is no way to control the EV manually in Pro mode. Am I missing something? Is it hidden?

[@SteveCoutts]

Thanks so much! There hasn't been a slider for EV in manual mode since as far back as I remember, which is back to the Spark days and the DJI Go 4 app. When you switch over from Auto Exposure (AE) to Manual, the text for that adjustment changes from EV to MM (Manual Mode). The value displayed under MM is the difference between your settings and what the camera system thinks is the "correct" exposure value. I guess the thinking there is when you're in manual mode, you can adjust the exposure value with ISO, Shutter Speed and Aperture (if available) so an additional adjustment is unnecessary. Cheers and thanks for watching!

[@espedale]

@@SteveCoutts Thank you for your response. An EV slider seems totally necessary to me on the mini 3 pro in manual mode. I have my ISO set to the lowest setting (100) and my shutter speed is set for the 180 degree rule (1/2x, x = frame rate). A faster shutter speed will blow my image out even more! Am I crazy in thinking an EV slider is not only a "nice to have", but also totally necessary to have to get the image exposure perfectly dialed in?

[@SteveCoutts]

​@@espedale I think I understand where you're coming from on this issue. When I think about my mirrorless camera in manual mode (M) I can adjust shutter speed, aperture and ISO. Each one of those adjustments can be moved in one-third stop increments, which gives you decently granular control over exposure. There is no EV or exposure compensation in manual because it's irrelevant. You dial in your exposure in exactly how want it using shutter, aperture and ISO. On the Mini 3 Pro you only have two adjustments - shutter speed and ISO. Even worse, ISO only moves in FULL stops - 100, 200, 400, etc. Each ISO bump doubles the light so there is absolutely no granularity. Shutter speed moves in one-third stops, which is better and more typical but on its own, it is not enough. The 180 degree shutter speed is a good starting point but not essential for motion blur, which is really its whole purpose nowadays. As long as you have a decently "slow" shutter speed, you will get the desired motion blur. It does not have to be exactly twice the frame rate. Most of this could be solved by having ISO move in one-third stop increments. It's something I have quietly grumbled about since the DJI Spark days, about 7 years ago. I keep thinking DJI will fix it some day but they don't. Having that extra bit of granularity would be so helpful in obtaining a better exposure. What's really interesting though is if you put ISO in to AUTO it will actually move in one-tenth stop increments! That tells me DJI CAN do it, the question is why don't they? I don't have an answer for that one. ISO moving in one-third increments would solve your problem I believe. I honestly never count on DJI doing anything but they have been known to give in with enough community pressure. I should make a video on it when I have some time. Maybe it would help give the issue some traction. Cheers!

[@0oo033]

Hi, i don't know why but it doesn't work no more for me. Now when i tap on the screen to lock the exposure, instead i have the gimbal angle!

[@SteveCoutts]

Weird. I have seen it break sometimes with an update. Make sure you have the latest firmware first. Then, make sure it's a quick tap to bring up the yellow box, then tap and hold inside the yellow box to lock it. If you just hold your finger without tapping to bring up the yellow box first, you get the gimbal control. If you ask me, it's kind of a quirky mechanism. I wish DJI would bring back the simple lock control. Cheers!

[@WildLiveMedia]

That was helpful but is there a way to fully manually set the exposure as you might on a normal camera in the Pro mode on Mavic 3 ? Also like your thoughts on exposure setting when using DLOG ? Thanks in advance

[@SteveCoutts]

I don't have a Mavic 3 but I believe it uses the DJI Fly app and should have the same basic capability in Pro mode as my Mini 4 Pro. In Pro mode on the Mavic 3 you should be able to manually adjust aperture (the Mini 4 Pro has a fixed aperture lens), shutter speed and ISO. There were several DJI Fly software updates over the years that changed the behaviour of Pro mode though. I believe by default all Pro mode settings are in Auto and you have to tap "Auto" for each - aperture, shutter, ISO - to put them in manual mode. Your settings are retained from flight to flight. This works more like a SLR or mirrorless camera in P (Program) mode. Did that answer your question or am I not understanding correctly? As for D-LOG, I don't have that functionality on the Mini 4 Pro but it does have D-LOG M, which is pretty close. Honestly, I don't treat exposure settings any different when using D-LOG M or the normal colour profile. It can be more difficult to see over/under exposure in D-LOG however, so if anything, I will flip on overexposure warning and "color display assistant". Both of those can help you make sure your exposure looks good. D-LOG (or M) has expanded dynamic range, so there is more latitude for making corrections, in post, if your exposure isn't quite to your liking. Cheers!

[@aeroshotlife]

@@SteveCoutts Thanks Steve. Yep you are right on all those points. I guess what I wanted to know is if I "set" all the exposure setting based say on a gray card, the EV seems then to automatically vary based on the scene. How can I lock it all down ? ie Like setting an SLR to fully manual control.

[@aeroshotlife]

@@SteveCoutts In my case I am often dealing with literally explosions of white while filming whales and while I can retain detail on say the belly of humpbacks by under exposing the normal metering by a full stop ie. ( -1.0) it often means the surrounding areas are plunged into darkness even when using DLOG. If I follow common advice to expose to the right and over-expose I lose all the detail in the white water and whaley bits

[@SteveCoutts]

​@@aeroshotlife What I would do is expose to keep detail in my subject, the whales, and then try and pull up the shadows in post. It's really all you can do, right? You're ultimately limited by the dynamic range of the sensor. Some of the newer drones, like the Mini 4 Pro and Air 3, have camera sensors with "dual native ISO". This gives them the ability to shoot HDR video natively. In the Mini 4 Pro's case, 4K up to 60fps. It's not Earth-shatteringly better but you can definitely see improvement in dynamic range. Happy flying!

[@aeroshotlife]

@@SteveCoutts Thanks Yes that is what I am doing but as you say it is a very dynamic exposure scenario

[@IrfanUllah-nk1ee]

Hello sir is it possible to connect a drone with a different remote control?

[@SteveCoutts]

To things to keep in mind. DJI drones are only compatible with DJI controllers AND specific DJI controllers ONLY work with some DJI drones. For example, the Mini 3 Pro is only compatible with the DJI RC-N1 and the DJI RC, while the DJI Mini 4 Pro is only compatible with the DJI RC 2 and the DJI RC-N2. The DJI RC controller is only compatible with the Mini 3 Pro, Air 2S Mavic 3 including Classic and Cine versions. More details at DJI.com. Cheers!

[@checkeredflagfilms]

I program the EL to my C2 button. Judging exposure is easy with Histogram/Zebras.

[@SteveCoutts]

I don't use AE lock enough to justify assigning it to a custom button but great idea nonetheless! I should have added it. I considered talking about the histogram but it's a complex topic all on its own and the video would have no longer been a "quick tip" - haha. I just wanted to explain the main issue with using AE for video and the two most common scenarios where AE gets it wrong. Cheers!

[@checkeredflagfilms]

@@SteveCoutts Normally with a drone with aperture control, I'd use manual exposure settings. However, with this little M3P I find the 'auto' exposure setting actually gives me more flexibility in setting exposure. Like I mentioned previously, I program the C2 button to 'lock' the exposure but first I tilt down a few degrees from the sky and watch the zebra kick in slightly in the sky, I adjust the EV setting, refer to the histogram for a unified mid field reading then hit the exposure lock. I let the sky blow out a bit, not too much in deference for more detail on the ground. One caveat I've noticed is the 'exposure lock' can become disengaged under certain circumstances, so I have to keep an eye on it.

[@SteveCoutts]

@@checkeredflagfilms Sounds like you have it dialled in! If DJI went back to the old method of locking exposure, it feel it would be more useful for folks. Unintentional disengagement of AE is the primary reason I don't bother with it. Happy flying!

[@AussieAdventurer]

I am totally new to flying my first drone mini 3 pro. I use screen recording and when looking at the screen ( and the recorded footage 🥴) I get those black and white shading in my video in certain parts. How do I stop this from happening?

[@SteveCoutts]

Congratulations on your Mini 3 Pro, it's a great drone! I believe you're talking about "zebra stripes". They are there to tell you which parts of your image is overexposed. Go in to Settings, Camera, scroll down until you see "Overexposure Warning" and turn it off. Happy, safe flying!

[@AussieAdventurer]

@@SteveCoutts cheers Steve, It’s so simple if you know 😅😂 Thanks for the reply and love the Mini 3 and your videos 👏👏

[@SteveCoutts]

@@AussieAdventurer Thanks for the kind words and happy, safe flying!

[@christopherlyons7613]

You mentioned you would be doing a video on PRO mode. Are you still going to do that?

[@SteveCoutts]

I intend to follow up with a video on Pro mode. I have been taking a bit of a mental health break from KZbin but have recently been working my way back in to the fold. Stay tuned. 😀

[@gregklugiewicz5037]

You missed the entire point of your video. You did not show what you did to engage exposure lock. I wasted 5 minutes of my life to find how to lock the exposure and you were not specific on how to do it. Now I must look elsewhere.

[@SteveCoutts]

At 01:45 I demonstrate how to lock the exposure.

[@chrizzDT]

You either doing something else while watching the video or not paying attention. Just replay and you will not miss when he shows how to do exposure lock.

[@larrycoonrod5563]

He shows it at 1:50