You have probably been wondering why you need a neutral density (ND) filter when filming with a drone?
When shooting aerial videos, especially during the day, drone photographers often encounter bright light that washes out their footage. An ND filter reduces glare in bright light and reflective conditions for stunning colour saturation. It also reduces lens flare, which is when light scatters for undesirable artefacts in the image.
Another reason is that when shooting aerial videos, an ND filter reduces the amount of light entering the camera, which allows you to use a slower shutter speed than you would normally need for shooting moving subjects. At a slower shutter speed, you are able to create subtle blur in the foreground for a more cinematic look.
The best ND filters for your drone
PolarPro designs premium DJI accessories, including ND filters for drone photographers who demand the best. For Mavic Air, Mavic 2 Pro and Mavic 2 Zoom owners, we recommend the Cine Series – Vivid Collection for consistently sharp and colourful footage. Made of the highest-grade glass and reinforced with strong frames, these filters are built not only to last, but reduce shutter speed, remove glare, and increase colour saturation for an effortlessly cinematic shooting experience.
When should you use a drone filter?
The PolarPro Vivid Collection includes three hybrid ND/PL filters for a 2-, 3- and 4-stop light reduction with increased colour saturation.
- ND4/PL: 2-stop light reduction for sunrise and sunset conditions
- ND8/PL: 3-stop light reduction for partly-cloudy conditions
- ND16/PL: 4-stop light reduction for mid-day and mid-sun conditions
It is always best to adjust the polarisation setting to match the available light for each scene, but when you cannot, simply put the marker in the top of the frame for a generic setting.
The benefits of using PolarPro’s Vivid Collection ND filters
Easy to install: The PolarPro Vivid filter collection threads on in place of the stock DJI UV filters ensuring seamless compatibility. Simply unscrew the lens bezel and thread the filter on in place.
Custom design: Each filter within the collected is designed specifically for use with the Mavic Air, Mavic 2 Zoom or Mavic 2 Pro, respectively.
Lightweight design: The robust, aircraft-grade AirFrame aluminium construction reduces the total filter weight to 0.59 g for fluid capability with the Mavic system. This enhances gimbal balance without putting any weight strain on the gimbal.
Perfectly neutral colour profiles: The flat colour neutrality makes grading in post-production easier.
Multi-coated glass: Production-grade glass with eight coating on each side that feature a low reflective index for sharper images even in reflective conditions.
Polarisation marker: It is always best to adjust the polarisation setting to match the available light for each scene, but when you cannot, simply put the marker in the top of the frame for a generic setting. This marks the linear polarisation, which is a broad polarisation setting.
Easy to keep clean: Softly push against the lens with a lens pen to clean. Even though the contruction is solid, do not apply too much torque without lying the lens flat against a non-abrasive surface.
Easy storage: Magnetic case to store your drone ND/PL lens filters.
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