How to do Long Exposures for Mavic 2 Hyperlapses (and other new firmware features!)

With the latest firmware update for the DJI Mavic 2 Pro and Zoom, the ability to do long exposures in hyperlapse mode has been removed from the app, but here's the workaround so you can still do long shutter speeds.
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[@BlueMantleFilms]

I forgot to mention: I did this with an iOS device. If anyone is on Android or a different device (CrystalSky?) can you let me know if it works with those?

[@agm-foto]

The problem with the shutter speed was already on Android with the first firmware. however, the settings that were set before enabling Hyperlapse will be applied.

[@BlueMantleFilms]

@Andreas G.M. Thanks! So even with the new firmware on your Android you’re still able to use the 5-d joystick to lower shutter speed below 1/30?

[@andrewdowis110]

I Tried several time last Sunday and twice this week to do firmware update with my large crystal sky ultra bright it would start update and quit so I hooked up the iPhone this morning and did update and it worked fine who know why the update didn't work with the crystal sky big surprise withe DJI and the way they do things, I called tech support and that was a waste of time as well

[@speakerdamage736]

I'm on Android v4.3.2 you cannot change shutter from 5D. You can do it from Android app, switch to picture mode (manual shutter), iso100, 1/4 shutter I hit AE lock then I can go into Hyperlapse all modes 1/4 shutter is saved. I coudn't do this in video mode.

[@mframestudio]

@@speakerdamage736 no luck for me. i'm still trying to figure out how to lock the shutter speed before go to hyperlapse mode. i'm on mavic 2 zoom.

[@ClutcherClayt]

You’re my hero for this one mate I realised when I took it out last night that you could no longer do slow shutter speeds in hyperlapse mode thought I was gonna have to start looking into ways to downgrade so you’ve saved me a lot of effort cheers! Why on earth would they do this hopefully it’s fixed in the next firmware thanks again

[@BlueMantleFilms]

Thanks James! At this point I’ve come to expect weird things like this from DJI. Generally I prefer to not update firmware when they release a new one, because there’s almost always something that’s strange. In this case I was excited about the ability to change the speed of the drone, so I was hoping there would be a way to work around not being able to do long exposures in the app.

[@kettd007]

I just wanted to say, your Miami video was just stunning! I was so impressed that I shared the link with family and friends (I don't normally do that). Thank you!

[@BlueMantleFilms]

Thanks! I’m pretty happy with how that one turned out, too! Thank you for watching and sharing!

[@olodum111]

Your videos are always short & sweet with the info shared in a cool,professional way. Would like to see what your cinematic settings turn out to be for the Magic 2.

[@BlueMantleFilms]

Thanks. I've said on other videos: my approach to tutorials is to make them the way that I would like to consume them. I don't like long drawn-out tutorials (unless they're continually giving me new information throughout) so I try to make mine, as you say, short and sweet. Thanks for watching!

[@marcelolagos8273]

Hi Matt, incredible material and tutorials! Thank you for sharing your great talent and tips. You mention in this video that you would make a video for best settings for real time footage. I was just wondering if you already made it.. Please let me know. Much respect man!

[@bruzzofilms6834]

Greetings from Paraguay, you are my new teacher! I would like you to make a video explaining the total configuration of the camera for normal video, especially at night! Since thanks to you I was practicing making my own hyperlapses in raw, without using the automatic mode of the application, but unfortunately I think that even the application was better than mine edited step by step (at night) hahaha

[@BlueMantleFilms]

Thanks for watching, Rodrigo! Greetings from Ohio :-) I'm happy these videos are helpful. Yes, I'm working on a video of my recommendations for settings to use for realtime video footage. At this point I don't think it will include much info on filming at night, because so far I haven't been impressed with my nighttime realtime footage. I love what I'm able to do with hyperlapses, but those turn out so well because I can do long exposures...with realtime footage I'm limited to 1/30 (in 30fps) or 1/25 (in 24fps), and even at f2.8 that doesn't allow enough light onto the sensor for it to look good, in my opinion. What *might* be possible, because I have seen some pretty good-looking night footage, is that by bumping the ISO pretty high, and then using noise reduction software, that the footage could look good. If I do make a video on that, though, that's something that I want to do a bunch of tests before I would try to recommend a process. So that video would be further down the line.

[@johnbroman3660]

Great video!!! Keep the info coming!!! Still haven’t upgraded from my mavic yet. Just unsure! Thanks again

[@BlueMantleFilms]

I was torn about updating: I wanted to because I do want to be able to change the speed of the drone for Circle and CourseLock hyperlapses, but I had heard that you couldn't do long exposures anymore with the new firmware. I confirmed ahead of time that I could revert back to the old firmware if I needed to, so that gave me the peace of mind to change and test it out. So far (with maybe 3-4 flights on the new firmware) I haven't found anything terribly wrong with it.

[@RickaB]

FAB work. Gives me something to aspire to!

[@BlueMantleFilms]

Thanks, Richard! Happy that it can inspire. :-)

[@patrickzeller8273]

Great information, thank you so much! Can`t wait to see your live footage settings....!

[@BlueMantleFilms]

Thanks! It’s been fun to have the motivator of doing a video to actually figure out the settings as a sort of “yes, I definitely like these settings for these specific reasons” instead of just thinking “well, I’m getting pretty good shots, so the settings are probably fine.” I do have most of my preferred settings figured out, but I want to test them more with my new ND filters, and I still have a few settings that I haven’t tested yet.

[@DavidWesson]

Hey, Matt great work love the tutorials. I wanted to know what happened to the two videos you mentioned here? 1. The polar Pro ND filters review and the best settings for real-time footage. Maybe I missed them?

[@ExploreUSAMade]

Thanks Matt! I couldn’t figure out how to get slower than the 1/30 in hyperlapse. Strange that DJI doesn’t just let you in the app

[@jasongutwin]

Great information as usual :) !!!

[@BlueMantleFilms]

Thanks, Jason!

[@BauJAhr78Television]

*_Great Video Bro_*

[@copisetic1104]

Screw the long exposures, Dji needs to add some code to their quick modes like the Slow Shutter app for iPhones. It does a better job than my Nikon on. Tripod with a stack of ND filters.

[@chrisdeantonio1498]

You da man. Thanks for sharing this.

[@BlueMantleFilms]

Thanks Chris! Yeah I saw you followed up on that FB post again, so I’m glad you got the answer! Obviously I’m also very happy that this hack works, because I would have had to revert back to the old firmware otherwise.

[@HiethGeorge]

Hey Matt thanks for this learnt loads and will hopefully help me to improve my channel and footage of Surf Rescue and fitness - cheers n gone H

[@flowerarranging-daffodilse8245]

Thanks for sharing hieth this was really helpful

[@xxxxxx-vz3kv]

Which microSD card do you use for mavic Pro 2

[@SlotCat]

Hello, I have a question I can't seem to get an answer too. I am a graphic designer and website designer. Amateur photographer and been into drone now for 4 years. With all these new laws I decided to start studying for my 107 license. In the meat time I want to fly around Orlando. According to the AirMap app there is 1 airport and 13 heliports within 5 miles. Now my question: Do I have to notify ALL 13 heliports for for flying to say 150 ft? That is a lot of phone calls.

[@BlueMantleFilms]

That's one of the advantages for Part 107, for sure! I *think*, according to hobby rules, that you are supposed to notify all of them, yes. But with Part 107 it's the airspace classification that matters, not distance to airports or heliports. So I do recommend getting that, if for no other reason than so that you can make your life easier with flying. Of course, that said, Orlando is actually mostly covered in the controlled airspace of the two airports, so under Part 107 you'd need an airspace authorization. That used to be a process that took months to clear (they said "request at least 90 days out") but now there a system called LAANC, which allows for near-instant authorizations in certain areas.

[@checkeredflagfilms]

Hey Matt, have you updated to the latest firmware with the new hyperlapse functionality?

[@BlueMantleFilms]

I haven't done anything with my drone for the last week and a half...was taking some time off to spend with family for Thanksgiving. To be honest I haven't even looked at what the new functionality is. Now you've got me curious.

[@checkeredflagfilms]

@@BlueMantleFilms With the new update...they lowered the shutter speed capability and on waypoint at least, included a new 'task library'(or maybe it was there before and just never noticed) where you can record the mission, save it and reload it to fly again. pretty cool. like a motion control option. couple a caveats though. 1.so far the task library doesn't work with android devices like my Crystal Sky (it does work with IOS devices/as we know DJI loves Apple) 2. its not spot on accurate according to one user which for mappers would definitely be a problem. Any case, I've created a thread on the DJI Forum "New Task Library" (so they're aware of it and hopefully will fix it for android users. (it requires updating firmware/RC/Batteries/Go4app).

[@MetronFilms]

tested with joystick(iOS) and got some solid results wih 1/5s and 1/2s, so the real question is why are they trying to kill this option?

[@BlueMantleFilms]

Here's what a DJI rep said on one of the forums: "Currently, the Circle, Course Lock, and Waypoint Hyperlapse modes’ slowest shutter speed is 1/30. As the optical measurement technology used by the Mavic 2 requires continuous image information, so if the shutter speed is too low the video bitrate will stop, causing the visual measurement to fail; therefore the minimum shutter speed is limited to 1/30." I don't know enough about the technology to say how legitimate or illegitimate that explanation is (though it sounds like BS to me!), but we do know that long shutter speeds work, so for those of us who would prefer long exposures over "visual measurement", they should continue to leave it as an option for us.

[@MetronFilms]

Blue Mantle Films thanks!! yeah sounds like a BS, I am getting fantastic results with 1/5. I also did plenty of timelapsing with P4P before, where I could set any shutter speed I want and was flying in Waypoints or in Tripod mode by going 1m/s and it was not an issue with P4P

[@checkeredflagfilms]

yes, when I launch hyperlapse it instantly reverts back to 1/30. I move the joystick and the gimbal goes up and down but does NOT change the shutter speed. What am I doing wrong? Thanks. Btw...I'm using a 5.5" Crystal Sky monitor...please confirm if its possible or NOT with this config?

[@BlueMantleFilms]

Are you moving it side-to-side, not up and down? I believe the joystick is one of the things that's customizable, so have you changed the default settings at all on it? I haven't customized it myself, so I don't know exactly how it's done, but I've seen others do it and it looked pretty easy. I'm sure there's a KZbin video for that.

[@checkeredflagfilms]

@@BlueMantleFilms I just went through the c1/c2-joystick options and unlike with the original MP...I did NOT see an option to change the shutter speed...I check w/my iphone & w/my Crystal Sky. You mention a German chap that found a way? I like to hear how/what he did to be able to slow the shutter speed. I guess I must be missing something.

[@checkeredflagfilms]

@@BlueMantleFilms I downgraded to the previous firmware and only now the shutter speeds stays put. Btw...in your 'settings' menu...do you set the image ratio at 3:2 or 16:9?

[@checkeredflagfilms]

Hey Matt, looks like DJI has been listening to all my whining about the inability to lower shutter speeds below default 1/30. At least according to today's firmware update, as I understand it, we can now lower it down to 2 seconds! (circle/course lock)...no sure about waypoint...but I would think yes...(I sent a inquiry to DJI...FB page but the guy didn't know). Plus, there's a Task Library added to record flights and then repeat them...which should be cool! Are you going to upgrade?

[@bruzzofilms6834]

Hey matt! New fimeware up! Need New video haha

[@BlueMantleFilms]

Rodrigo Bruzzone Hey Rodrigo! I’m on a client shoot this week which includes a lot of drone work, so I wasn’t about to update the firmware right before a shoot without knowing how it would affect my drone (you know the whole mantra, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it). I’ll update next week after the shoot is over, then can put together my thoughts on it. I’m excited about being able to save missions.

[@bruzzofilms6834]

Blue Mantle Films you will take many surprises teacher! We will wait for u! 🤣🤣🤣👍👍

[@JKJK]

There is a bug in the update. Spotlight mode turns off all obstacle sensors :-(

[@BlueMantleFilms]

I haven't tried that myself...and admittedly I don't really pay attention to obstacle sensors much. I learned to fly on a Phantom 2, which had no obstacle avoidance, and I think OA should be more of an emergency feature. I prefer to have control of my drone as much as possible.

[@ANDJVisuals]

Great update man, I still have my Mavic 2 Pro in 0 miles odometer lol, waiting to get some ND filters. Trying to find the best/good/low cost if possible. I’m between the Skyreat or Freewell brands... and also undecided if I might need more than the 4, 8 and 16...

[@BlueMantleFilms]

I bought the PolarPro ones because I knew what to expect for quality. I've heard there are definitely cheaper options that are still good, but I didn't want to risk it. I actually might get one or two of the cheaper brands to compare with Polar Pro, so that I can really see for myself if the quality difference is noticeable. As far as filters, I didn't even get the ND4 because I NEVER used it with my Mavic (1) Pro. When I went flying two days ago it was a bright day, and I put an ND32 on because I wanted to do a relatively low shutter speed (1/60 for filming in 30fps) and also have my aperture mostly open (between 2.8 and 4.5) so the ND32 was necessary. I doubt I'll even be using the ND8 much...except maybe at dawn and dusk. I'm definitely going to be doing some tests on the NDs soon, to figure out which ones are my go-to's.

[@ANDJVisuals]

Blue Mantle Films Big thank you man... So following your advice, I'll get the PolarPro ND8, ND16 and ND32 pack from Best Buy for $39.99. Thank you man... And BTW I clicked on the Amazon link here in this video and apparently is not working (blank page). 👍🏻

[@BlueMantleFilms]

Are you sure those are the filters for the M2P? I thought those were more expensive than that. Thanks for the heads-up on the link. I just updated it...somehow the last few letters got cutoff.

[@ANDJVisuals]

Blue Mantle Films I thought that too about how pricey they were everywhere, $49.99 for 3-count and $99 for 6-count by PolarPro at Best Buy! SKU: 6287483 👍🏻

[@stilmotionpicture]

I was wondering about that!!! I though we can only shoot as slow as 1/30th shutter 😭 . Hey man! Thanks for the video again!

[@BlueMantleFilms]

Yeah! I was very excited when I realized that it was possible on the old firmware, then was disappointed when at first I thought it didn't work on the new firmware...then very excited again when I tried it myself and learned that it does still work! Since the new firmware allows changing the speed of a hyperlapse, I plan on keeping it on the new firmware.

[@MIMCKMedia]

two days ago new firmware was released to do long exposure in Hyperlapse mode

[@BlueMantleFilms]

Awesome! I haven't tried it yet...I was taking some time off from work for Thanksgiving to spend it with family. I'll be looking into the new firmware in the next couple of days, but today's a dull overcast day, so I wouldn't be able to get good hyperlapses from it anyway, so I'll probably wait until tomorrow or the next day.

[@andytan7450]

Tq for mentioning about the ability to control the shutterspeed. Solve my headache ☺️

[@BlueMantleFilms]

I was so happy when I figured out the joystick worked for it!

[@AleksandarKostovFilms]

The shot at 3:40 has a lot of noise and clipping in shadows. Have you noticed that? ps. I found on the mavic 2 pro that the normal style produces best picture quality in terms of noise in the shadows

[@ArtinFlight2]

Just tried this out on an Android device with no luck. No option to assign shutter speed to the 5D buttons. Only have option to increase/decrease EV which doesn't seem to do anything in manual. It's a shame because the slower shutter speed looks so much better than 1/30th. Is there an option somewhere I need to change to include SS in the 5D button options?

[@BlueMantleFilms]

Others have told me (haven't tried myself since I don't have an Android) that if you get your settings right before going into hyperlapse mode, then use Exposure Lock to lock exposure, that it will keep the settings once you switch into hyperlapse mode. Try that, let me know if it works for you.

[@ArtinFlight2]

@@BlueMantleFilms It worked! Just did a circle hyperlapse with 1" SS on an Android. AE Lock doesn't do anything in manual mode but if you set it to Shutter Priority, choose SS then lock AE before going into Intelligent Flight Modes it will hold that SS even though it will show as being 1/30th in the info bar once you select an active track target. Thank you for the help!!

[@Andreostudiophotocinema]

What is your go to Color Profile?

[@BlueMantleFilms]

DLog-M.

[@The-Northern]

So informative (even when I didn't learn something new) and sooooo PRO! I mean, this is your thing! Keep em coming

[@BlueMantleFilms]

Thanks for watching (even if you didn't learn something new! ;-))!

[@nathanmay3658]

Ok, just curious what version of the App you are running? I have the same firmware installed and I can adjust the shutter through the app in Hyperlapse no problem. In fact about the only Hyperlapses I have been trying are night/long exposure. (largely thanks to your excellent Miami video) Am I missing something or is this just a bug?

[@BlueMantleFilms]

I'm on the latest version of the app that came out about a month ago, and it's the version that was updated to include changing the speed of the drone in hyperlapse, but the firmware hadn't caught up with that until this latest firmware update. So it actually does make sense to me that if it worked with the old app, that that wouldn't change until you've update the app as well. What does surprise me, though, is that you're even able to use the new firmware with the old version of the app. It seems like DJI would have used it as a way to force us update the app. Can you confirm that there's no option in the app to change the speed of the hyperlapse? Like at 2:52, you can see there are three options at the bottom: Interval, Video Length, and Speed. On the old app it only had Interval and Video Length there.

[@nathanmay3658]

Just checked and I am running the most current version of the app. Just put the drone up to make sure I was not getting a different result by testing on the ground, but I seem to be able to still change the shutter speed at will. Grabbed a few screen shots just to make sure I am not losing it. Can email if you would like.

[@BlueMantleFilms]

So strange! But it is DJI, and they do tend to have bugs...including inconsistent bugs.