Hello djiers again!
As last week I did a tutorial on some of the different cinematic shots you can do with your drone, I've made now a video about ND filters, what they do, how they work,...
Hope you like it!

It's very useful! Thanks for sharing!

Really interesting! Thank you very much

Mauro Pagliai Posted at 2016-3-14 09:22
Really interesting! Thank you very much

Thanks guys. The good thing about making tutorials is that you always learn a lot by doing them

Good explanation, thanks!

Many thanks, one question how can avoid the shadow efect of the props in the movi?.

Anyone have a DIY way to cut 37mm perfect circles out of ND Filter Film?  I have a lot of LEE Filter film but don't want to hack at it. Have not had the best of luck finding something the right size to use as a template.. Just wondering if anyone had any tips or tricks...

Well done! Thanks so much!

Very good way to describe the subject for us noobies. Thanks

WillBapta Posted at 2016-3-16 04:07
Very good way to describe the subject for us noobies. Thanks

Thanks all guys! Hope you learn a lot!

Fermin Posted at 2016-3-15 05:13
Many thanks, one question how can avoid the shadow efect of the props in the movi?.

Get a petal hat for the camera. I cant guarantee it as it can still happen depending on where the sun is.
Maybe reposition the Phantom and pre-plan the shot, no different to the rule of taking normal photos with the sun behind the subject.

Fermin Posted at 2016-3-15 02:13
Many thanks, one question how can avoid the shadow efect of the props in the movi?.

Yes. Get a hood for the lens. I have one and it helps, but like the man says, it can't completely get rid of it but this certainly helps. Try gimbalguard.com. I think that's where I got mine.

Barney

Thank you for the information. Very helpful! I guess I missed the ISO/fSTOP/Aperture/Shutter Speed episodes.

Barney

Great piece of information, thanks.

What are the best ND filters for the P4 please?

Nice video. I have been a professional photographer for nearly 30 years now (wow, that sounds like a long time. LOL) and have always used ND filters for many different reasons. When I film with my drone, I like to use a Variable ND filter. It makes it fast and easy to change the saturation as the lighting changes. I find that I can quickly land, adjust the filter, verses having to remove one hard stop filter for another. It is a time saver, plus it gives me the ability to custom dial in the exact about of light I want. Which ever you choose, I highly recommend ND filters for all Phantoms, the X3 camera or even the OSMO handheld devise.

Cutting gel filters to fit inside of a UV filter --
First, unscrew the ring that holds the glass to the UV filter frame.  With an X-acto #11 blade for cutting -- use the glass as a template -- had an extra 'cheap' UV just for this purpose.  The Kodak 3" gels are tough cutting -- take your time.  Use micro cloths to protect the template and the gels.  Mount the gel behind the glass before screwing on -- or -- use the ring over both to secure.  If you use the ring be aware the filter will extend the thickness of the ring and moisture more likely will form.  The gel filter must lay flat against the glass.  Its tedious but worth trying -- particularly if you've got a bunch of old gel packs sitting in a drawer.

The Explorograp Posted at 2016-3-15 18:29
Anyone have a DIY way to cut 37mm perfect circles out of ND Filter Film?  I have a lot of LEE Filter ...

I have used the inner plastic reel of £1 shop insulation tape.  I took all the tape off and was able to insert glass I/R filters of 750nm and 950nm.  The plastic reel fits slides exactly over the camera lens.

martinpamor Posted at 2016-3-22 06:22
I have used the inner plastic reel of £1 shop insulation tape.  I took all the tape off and was a ...

Thanks all!
By the way, a few interesting things showed up here.

@ martinpamor, do you have any footage with that last thing you're talking?

@ BG69 you should definitely do a video with that you're saying!!

@ skylight I definitely want to try one of those variable filters!!

alexassenmacher Posted at 2016-3-24 22:40
Thanks all!
By the way, a few interesting things showed up here.

Ill have a go when the weather gets better

Thanks very helpfull

Thanks for this. I film in an area which has quite a lot of white rooves, so the sunlight simply reflects off them and it seriously affects the quality. Do you reccommend getting an ND filter for this issue? Should I get the full set, or just one?

MattG Posted at 2016-3-27 22:31
Thanks for this. I film in an area which has quite a lot of white rooves, so the sunlight simply ref ...

You're welcome!
Hmm, good question. First of all, having ND filters is basic. It should be as important as propellers, for example. It's just that people usually don't know it.
If just one or a set, this will depend entirely on how much money you want / can spend. If you are short on money, buy just one, for example ND 8 or ND 16 a filter  you can't be wrong with, and then see how good it works for you, and depending on your needs you can buy others more specifically.
On the other hand, if you can afford a whole set, just do it .

Alex
in your ND tut you mention about other films you have made about frame rates , ISO etc etc.
Can you post a link as to where they are?
Peter

alexassenmacher Posted at 2016-3-27 21:47
You're welcome!
Hmm, good question. First of all, having ND filters is basic. It should be as impo ...

Yeah, I get the feeling that if the sun is out, or you're filming above white buildings, then the ND filters should pretty much be a given. Is there much difference between the 8 and 16, or should I literally just get either and see how it turns out?
Also - would a polarising filter work better, or will they all achieve the same effect to similar degrees? Any reccommendations on where to buy! Thanks so much for your help.

Has any found a good carrying case for these small ND filters?

l hope you don't mind if I share this by embedding it to my blog!

Is the lens cover that comes stock on the Phantom 4 a UV filter? Same as the one you can buy in the DJI store?

thanks for the video, super useful!

Great video. Thanks!


Dave

Great job. Thanks

patrash1 Posted at 2016-4-1 05:27
Is the lens cover that comes stock on the Phantom 4 a UV filter? Same as the one you can buy in the ...

Thanks to all!

patrash, yes as the official dji website says, the original lens cover is a UV filter .

@MattG , yes, I'd do that, however you'll probably need something around 16-32. Especially if you have a lot of whites on your fields .

@DadDog , please if somebody answers to that, it would be veeeery useful to us. I'm currently using the original soft boxes and transporting it in a small plastic bag.

Very good information thank you for posting it.

Thank you for taking the time to explain ND filters and settings. This was very helpful

Rich

Hi im really excited about trying ND filters. Great  infomation. So i bought a set of ND filters but i cant get the original lens cover iff my Phantom 4. I have tried as hard as i could but i dont eant to damage it.is there a tric km i dont know.

Hi - can you tell me if these filters will fit the Phantom 4?  Also is there a polarizing filter available?  This would be really useful,

Thanks

Jeremy

Jay Jay Posted at 2016-4-13 17:53
Hi im really excited about trying ND filters. Great  infomation. So i bought a set of ND filters but ...

This has been discussed many times, you would find it if you searched. But, anyhow, the trick is not to grab the outside of the ring too hard. If you do, it just squeezes it onto the threads and makes it harder to unscrew. Get yourself a wide rubber band, wrap it around the outer end of the ring, pinch it together and then use it to unscrew the ring.

Great basic Tutorial.

DadDog Posted at 2016-3-31 04:23
Has any found a good carrying case for these small ND filters?

hello,
I've bought 3 nd filter on amazon. They Have been delivered in some small boxes (one box per filter). I can easily put them in compartment of my Phantom 3 Bag.
I've found on aliexpress website a special bag for (at least) 3 filter. The brand name is Sunny life (maybe you can use this "Filter Storage Bag ND Filter Graduated Filter Star Filter Bag Dustproof Waterproof Bag for DJI Phantom 3/4" to find the product).
I haven't bought the lens bag yet anyway.

Eric

ps : if my message is not conform to dji forum rules, please delete it (instead of my account ). I don't sell the product and will not win money if someone buy it ;)

I would NOT recommend resin/jel/plastic filters! When you buy a drone that costs over £500/1000 sure it is important to match the quality of the glass. After all, it is hours of labour to put together a video. Why waste time when they are sold at DJI store for £21!