I’ve been flying for years and always did that awkward pinch-to-zoom move on the screen mid-flight. Nearly dropped my controller more than once. Just realized today that if you hold the Fn button and spin the upper-left gimbal dial, it gives you super smooth zoom control!
No idea how I missed this. Posting it here so no one else has to go through screen-pinching misery.
Which controller are you using?
Finnick said:
Which controller are you using?
RC-N2, but the manual says it also works with the N1, N1C, and N3. Might be common knowledge for some, but I totally missed it.
Yeah, I figured that out when I first got my Mini 2 years ago. What took me time was getting used to doing it naturally without thinking.
Another thing I use a lot is the shutter button on the back of the RCN1 for still shots. At first, I always tapped the screen, which honestly gave me a bit of anxiety during flights.
@Francis
Totally get that. The shutter button is nice, but it’s only for recording. The Fn button is customizable, but I never realized it could be used together with other buttons like that. Makes me wonder why there aren’t more combo shortcuts—like Fn + shutter to switch from landscape to portrait instantly. That would be awesome. Hope someone from DJI sees this…
I didn’t even know you could zoom using the screen.
If it’s just digital zoom, it doesn’t really matter. You can clean it up later in editing.
River said:
If it’s just digital zoom, it doesn’t really matter. You can clean it up later in editing.
Yeah, totally. But sometimes you’re just out flying and want to get a quick shot for friends without going into editing. Still, you’re right.
@Fallon
Only thing is, that zoom could mess up the clip quality. Like, you go back to the footage months later and realize it looks bad because of the zoom.
What drone are you using?
Brady said:
What drone are you using?
Mavic 4 Pro, but I think this trick is tied more to the controller than the drone—RC-N1, N2, N1C, and N3 should all work.
Had no clue about this—thanks for sharing!
Indigo said:
Had no clue about this—thanks for sharing!
Appreciate it. I seriously thought I was the only one who missed this. Good to know I’m not alone!
Indigo said:
Had no clue about this—thanks for sharing!
Appreciate it. I seriously thought I was the only one who missed this. Good to know I’m not alone!
Never heard of this either—thanks a lot!
If this actually works with the Air 3’s optical zoom, I might owe you a hug.
I’ve been annoyed forever that every demo shows zoom tricks using the RC-2 controller with the two dials. Thought I was out of luck with my RC-N3.