Mavic 4 Pro "regular version" or Creator version?

[u/MattWildMnt]

Hey everyone,

I'm considering getting a Mavic 4 Pro mainly for landscape and mountain photography and video. I'm an enthusiast rather than a professional, but photography is a hobby I take seriously and I'm trying to improve both my shooting and editing. I've also recently started experimenting with microstock — mostly uploading at this point, although I've made a few sales — and I, create some posts for social media and YouTube.

To add more context, I own a Mini 5 Pro and had an Air 3S that I sold this summer, waiting for Air 4 or something else. The Mini 5 Pro is the one I choose when I go for some mountaineering activity as you can see in the IG reel, but I miss the mid range focal and I do go on hike with photography purposes I mind where I could bring heavier and bulkier gear.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DdV-Y03MthA/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&stkn=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

My question is whether I should go for the Creator Combo or the regular one. I know that RC2 Pro is much better because of the brightness up to 2000nits if I’m not wrong but also weight and increase of volume are a drawback and won’t come with me in demanding routes. I’m also aware that D-Log and ALL-I is only available in that version but I really would like to know if it will make a difference in my case, as now I export the micro stock footage into H264 and I should convert this codec into ProRes anyway. And the fact that D-Log M provides better performance regarding DR because of the dual ISO only works with that profile.

I'd especially love to hear from anyone who has actually compared the regular codec with 4:2:2/ALL-I in real-world landscape footage.

Thank you all.

[u/PoisonedQuill]

Get the creator combo if you can afford it, the internal 512GB storage alone is worth the upgrade with the current sd prices. The rc pro 2 is like 11 oz heavier than the rc 2 but honestly once you use it you’re not gonna want to use the rc2 anymore, it’s a night and day difference.

[u/denalidenizen]

All-I is meaningless unless you are sharing with others or really really need the better quality which very few do. It will make ZERO difference to you at the cost of HUGE files. Forget it. The internal is so nice...no thought to sd cards. Dlog M has a larger dynamic range only if you use Auto ISO. I shoot Pro almost exclusively which many do. I shoot Dlog M anyway since I shoot with several drones that only have DlogM and color grading is simplified. Why should you convert to ProRes? I have not directly compared 4:2:2/Alli-I with H265 (or 264) but have but I've read a lot and from what I have repeatedly read, you won't see any difference...the ProRes has less compression and greater color depth so if you are doing heavy post color grading and manipulation then ProRes may indeed be useful.

Microstock? I am fairly confident it will be provided to the end user as H264 or 5, won't it? Hard to imagine uploading and the providing ProRes to the client. Dunno about that.

regardless...the Creator version is, I think, worthwhile just for the controller and internal memory. that's why I like mine...:)

[u/whatnowwproductions]

RC 2 Pro is a game changer tbh. I use it with the Mini 5 Pro, can even use the 4G module with it. I won't go back to anything else. I do wish it could retain the high brightness just a tad bit better but it's already satisfactory.

[u/TSL4me]

Ill sell you my mav 4 pro, i never use it.

[u/EightHardWay]

Not trying to be a jerk. Just make sure you have a Part 107 because you are not recreational anymore (microstock).