The LR1 (Learn More) features a lightweight, compact, durable and agile design that makes a perfect combination for capturing cinematic drone footage. Just ask First Person View (FPV) drone pilot and filmmaker Paddy Mack, who creates high-end work for brands and says the camera now lives on his drones. Watch the video and read below as he breaks down why he chooses the LR1 camera to capture stunning video footage.
The FPV Mindset: Add What No One Else Can
Paddy says he builds every flight to complement, not duplicate, what the production is already capturing. He studies the ground and aerial cameras on set, then flies for angles no other rig can reach. The hard work, he says, happens before takeoff. “It’s all about the scouting, tuning and coordinating beforehand, so that once I’m in the air – the flying is the easy, fun part.”
Like skateboarding, he sees FPV as deeply stylistic. “There is a lot of individual style that each pilot brings to their work,” he says. “You could give two pilots the same line to fly and capture, and you’ll get two entirely different interpretations.”
Why The LR1 Lives On His Drones
The LR1 hits a rare size‑to‑sensor sweet spot for FPV: a compact, mount‑friendly body with a full‑frame look. “I’ve tried other cameras, but as soon as I put the LR1 on top of my drone, I can see the full frame difference,” he says. “The way that it handles light, the way that it handles color. It’s night and day compared to others.” Its stripped design with no viewfinder and fewer protrusions adds real‑world toughness. After one sudden van‑brake incident sent a rig to the floor, the LR1 came up unscathed. Running an external monitor has also become an on‑set advantage, letting clients review takes on a bright seven‑inch display.
Why “No IBIS” Is Actually A Win
In FPV, a floating sensor can cause more trouble than it solves. High‑frequency harmonics from multiple propellers reach the sensor even with careful isolation, and IBIS can misread those micro‑vibrations as shake, producing jello or rhythmic artifacts – especially during aggressive flight. A rigid sensor paired with gyro data and post stabilization is more predictable and cleaner for FPV than in‑body stabilization.
Prep, Tuning & Collaboration
Much of Paddy’s workflow is dedicated to diagnosing vibration paths, dialing PID tunes, and testing lens‑camera combinations to minimize artifacts. On set, he flies to enhance the A‑camera and provides immediate, client‑friendly playback. He also coordinates titles and assets with brand teams to ensure the final deliverables align with guidelines.
Paddy’s path started on the ground with early Sony bodies and evolved into a practice defined by aerial originality. Collaborating around the LR1 is personal: “It’s a dream‑come‑true, full‑circle moment. I’ve always wanted to work with Sony – and this is at the top of my accomplishments.”
See more of Paddy Mack’s work on Instagram @paddymackk.
To capture the world from new angles, purchase the LR1.
