Drone with 1-inch sensor and dissected Leicas: photo news of the week

Contents

Drones are not just toys or professional tools for film production. In addition to filming, they are also suitable as a flying tripod for photographers. However, such flying devices with large sensors are often so expensive that they are hardly worthwhile as an occasional camera. The DJI Mini 5 Pro could change this, as it costs just 800 euros with remote control. In the Fly More package, typical for DJI, with three batteries and other accessories, it costs just 1000 euros.

The special feature: instead of the usual 1/1.3-inch sensors in this class of drones, the Mini 5 Pro has a 1-inch sensor, which only some better smartphones have, for example. Fortunately, DJI has refrained from squeezing a lot more pixels onto it; instead of 48 megapixels on its predecessor, it now has 50 megapixels. 4K videos with 120 fps are included, as well as raw photos, which is nothing new per se. Nevertheless, the still images from the drone are likely to achieve a greater dynamic range and more detail than other devices, well under 1000 euros.

The limits of C0 drones

The only problem is that DJI has sewn the Mini so close to the edge that it may reach a take-off weight of 250 grams or slightly more . However, this is particularly important in the EU because, according to the rule, "under 250 grams" no proof of competence alias drone license is required. This is why these small drones in the "C0" class are also the most popular devices – for manufacturers and users alike. As our detailed report on the matter shows, even the legally required sticker with the pilot's contact details can push the weight above 250 grams. Or an ND filter.

According to DJI, however, the Mini 5 Pro has a "construction weight of 249.9 grams" and is certified as a C0 drone. This applies to the European Union, but when traveling, you should be very, cautious with this device and others. Regulations abroad, even within the EU, can vary greatly. Here, we should recall the case of a man who was threatened with a €225,000 fine in Tenerife in 2025 – and thus within the EU. Not only was the drone too heavy, but he also flew it over an event and disregarded other rules.

Excire 2025 also for Lightroom Classic

Back to Germany. Lübeck is home to the Pattern Recognition Company and its AI-powered photo tool Excire Search. It is fully GDPR-compliant, does not require the cloud, and works locally on your computer. Excire is popular with some photographers because it handles tagging, grouping, and other sorting functions with its own suggestions, among other things.

For example, you don't have to say, "That's an elephant." The index is already there and has found all the elephants when you search for the keyword. It is also possible to search for similar images with a high hit rate. The standalone version Excire Search 2025 was released last year, and the tool is now also available as a plugin for Lightroom Classic, currently for a one-time payment of €179. There is also a demo version to try out.

Leicas made of wood and cut in half

Like every company, Leica has tried out a few things in the design of its devices in the 100 years since it invented the 35mm camera. Until 3D printing and rapid prototyping became commonplace in every industry, the concept of the "wooden model" was used to make a useful object tangible. How does it feel? Does it fit in terms of size? Is it too heavy? Are the controls, um, operable? Such models from Leica, actually made of wood, will now go under the hammer at the Wetzlar Camera Auction on October 11, 2025. And also Leicas that have been cut open, as they were probably created to demonstrate all the technology inside.

Simply sawing them open was certainly not an option, as this would cause the lenses to burst. The correct term, used in other industries, is therefore "cutaway model". In the case of the Leica M6 from the cover photo of this column, the lenses were probably treated individually by hand. The starting price for the model is €2,400, making the M6 from 1995 one of the more affordable offers. The entire catalog, beautifully designed for browsing like a book, is our recommendation for a long click on Sunday evening.

(nie)