I'm looking to up my cinematic-game for my videos & allegedly ND filters can do the trick. Should I go with DJI's or someone else's (Polar Pro, Bower, Freewell, iKan....OTHERS).

What are your thoughts & also can someone give me a quick line or 2 on how/why these filters make footage & photos look more cinematic. I know it has to do with shutter speed, but I'm not well rehearsed in-depth with it.


THANK YOU!
PS: Sub to my YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChfExWmqUEKKwqTe9v7S88g - if you post your aerial films there too. I'd love to check them out & we can all give each other feedback!

I just bought polar pro 3 pack $79.00 on Amazon with these you can keep them on and no need to remove because of gimbal movement

40buickcoupe Posted at 2017-11-28 10:55
I just bought polar pro 3 pack $79.00 on Amazon with these you can keep them on and no need to remove because of gimbal movement

you'd recommend? Any videos you've posted with the use of the filters I can see?

Matthew Chirico Posted at 2017-11-28 11:04
you'd recommend? Any videos you've posted with the use of the filters I can see?

I bought the 6-PCK Polar Pro DJI Mavic Cinema Series 6-pack after watching a lot of reviews.
They were on sale at the shop where I bought my Mavic, so I got them before really needing them.
(first I need to get to know my bird more before focussing on the cinematic part. )

Montfrooij Posted at 2017-11-28 11:44
I bought the 6-PCK Polar Pro DJI Mavic Cinema Series 6-pack after watching a lot of reviews.
They were on sale at the shop where I bought my Mavic, so I got them before really needing them.
(first I need to get to know my bird more  before focussing on the cinematic part. )

Wanna send me the reviews you saw? Thanks!

Wow guys, nothing?!

Matthew Chirico Posted at 2017-11-29 10:07
Wow guys, nothing?!

I'd guess that you aren't getting much of a response because there are already many threads on this topic, including this one and this one.

I bought the DJI ones when I first got the Mavic. Then I upped the game with the Polar Pro (the ND + polarizer ones), I like them better (easier to set up and looks so good!). Used them for the first time in my latest video : https://forum.dji.com/thread-121387-1-1.html
Hope that helps!

I'm most curious to know if there is any difference between polar pros ($90) , DJI's ($60) and cheap ones on amazon ($40). All of which look and attach the same and all pass gimbal tests.

Why not just using the search function instead of starting a new thread with lots of !!... and ??? ...

DroneFlying Posted at 2017-11-29 10:11
I'd guess that you aren't getting much of a response because there are already many threads on this topic, including this one and this one.

THANK YOU!

Bastien Flies Posted at 2017-11-29 10:30
I bought the DJI ones when I first got the Mavic. Then I upped the game with the Polar Pro (the ND + polarizer ones), I like them better (easier to set up and looks so good!). Used them for the first time in my latest video : https://forum.dji.com/thread-121387-1-1.html
Hope that helps!

Thanks a lot! Exactly what I was looking for! Looking to make some dope videos in the snow and you hit the nail on the head with that video!

ny300z Posted at 2017-11-29 10:47
I'm most curious to know if there is any difference between polar pros ($90) , DJI's ($60) and cheap ones on amazon ($40). All of which look and attach the same and all pass gimbal tests.

Cheap ones from ebay - avoid they invariably don't calibrate on switch on which means install after power which in turn can damage the motors.  Optically I'm not sure there is any different between the DJI filters and PolarPro neither have colour cast.

Advantage of the DJI set is they are extremely light and low profile they will by far have the least cumulative damaging effect on the motors.  The disadvantage is their size.  They can be a bit fiddly to put on and take off - many seem to snap the plastic lugs if they don't take their time.

Polar Pro are much easier to handle and have a much more rigid construction and feel in the hand.  They feel like they'd be more durable and last longer.  Also the set contains an ND32 which is lacking from DJI's.

Andy Uk Posted at 2017-11-29 13:29
Cheap ones from ebay - avoid they invariably don't calibrate on switch on which means install after power which in turn can damage the motors.  Optically I'm not sure there is any different between the DJI filters and PolarPro neither have colour cast.

Advantage of the DJI set is they are extremely light and low profile they will by far have the least cumulative damaging effect on the motors.  The disadvantage is their size.  They can be a bit fiddly to put on and take off - many seem to snap the plastic lugs if they don't take their time.

Advantage of the DJI set is they are extremely light and low profile they will by far have the least cumulative damaging effect on the motors.

None of the major brands of filter will have a noticeable effect on flight time. For example, the Taco-RC ones I use weight a negligible 0.7 grams, and others like the Polar Pros are similarly lightweight.

Matthew Chirico Posted at 2017-11-29 13:24
Thanks a lot! Exactly what I was looking for! Looking to make some dope videos in the snow and you hit the nail on the head with that video!

You're welcome! And in case you want to shoot at noon and it's very sunny, make sure you get the ND32 too as you might easily get over exposed otherwise ;)

Some folks mentioned that they keep their PolarPro ND8 on all the times without taking it down. Why's that? I just ordered my set yesterday (3 ND with PL) and wondering..

Andy Uk Posted at 2017-11-29 13:29
Cheap ones from ebay - avoid they invariably don't calibrate on switch on which means install after power which in turn can damage the motors.  Optically I'm not sure there is any different between the DJI filters and PolarPro neither have colour cast.

Advantage of the DJI set is they are extremely light and low profile they will by far have the least cumulative damaging effect on the motors.  The disadvantage is their size.  They can be a bit fiddly to put on and take off - many seem to snap the plastic lugs if they don't take their time.

thanks a lot for explaining that, it helps. Now I need to buy some!

Bastien Flies Posted at 2017-11-29 14:58
You're welcome! And in case you want to shoot at noon and it's very sunny, make sure you get the ND32 too as you might easily get over exposed otherwise ;)

looks like i'm going with polar pro then, thanks a lot!

Matthew Chirico Posted at 2017-11-30 07:31
looks like i'm going with polar pro then, thanks a lot!

You're welcome! looking forward to seeing your snow videos ;)

Matthew Chirico Posted at 2017-11-30 07:31
looks like i'm going with polar pro then, thanks a lot!

Hi, Matthew. Here is the filters from our website: https://store.dji.com/product/ma ... om=search-result-v2 . Hope you have some nice pictures in polar pole.

Polar Pro Vivid...great results!

Polar pro is the best I have tried so far.

Here is an example.



I like the fact that you don't have to remove them and they are giving much better result compared to DJI's.

Good luck and happy flying what ever you choose

Flybee Posted at 2017-12-3 12:51
Polar pro is the best I have tried so far.

Here is an example.

I ordered the Polar Pro Shutter series!

Matthew Chirico Posted at 2017-12-4 07:14
I ordered the Polar Pro Shutter series!

Then you will be happy.

Good luck

DJI Elektra Posted at 2017-12-3 01:42
Hi, Matthew. Here is the filters from our website: https://store.dji.com/product/mavic-nd-filters-set-new. Hope you have some nice pictures in polar pole.

Hi 404 page not found. thanks

I think is very difficult to have a benchmark because people didn't have different kind of filters to use in the same time same place same light etc.
I use DJI ND kit filters cheaper and lighter than polar pro and with a good result.

DJI ones do the job - they have a new design ND set for the Mavic now too which are as good and cheaper than PP

Polarpro is popular at the same time expensive nothing becasue of quality as they claim , Freewell is the best filter at resonable price you won't regret.

Guido-Italy Posted at 2018-1-5 02:48
Hi 404 page not found. thanks

Sorry about that. Please check it again. Thanks for your patience.

The rule of thumb is to film with yr shutter speed set to  twice the frame rate. However without lense filters the video clip will mostly be over exposed (if sticking to the rule) or too dark if using yr shutter speed dial to find the sweet spot for image/video taking. ND filters go from light (low numbers) to dark (high numbers).

For some months i flew without filters - most clips were over exposed (not good clips but i published anyway)
other clips were too dark and useless.
Eventually I bought a 4 pack (cpl, nd4, nd 8, nd 16) and it has improved my image quality tremendously.
Using an ND 16 as my highest light filter for the brighter days my image quality improved



Better but still not right.

Just recently i flew in the late afternoon with the sun soon to go behind a hill and decided to keep my ND16 on.
I believe that to date this footage is the best quality that i have managed to achieve s far.


My conclusion has been that i need to get a nd 32 cause the nd 16 just does not do enough on the brighter days.
i noticed a pack that has a 64 filter - might help on bright sun shining snow play days?

Hi, I ended up getting the Polar Pro DJI Mavic Pro Filters - Cinema Series 6-Pack.
Looks great so far.

I bought some cheaper ones from Amazon and they appear to be ok so far. The one thing to look out for is colour cast and imperfections in the filter. Mine appear to be okay but I know if you go branded you are paying for the quality control of the filter itself. Thats not saying more expensive ones are better than the cheaper ones but QC on cheaper ones may not be as good.

Matthew Chirico Posted at 2017-12-4 07:14
I ordered the Polar Pro Shutter series!

Hey Mat. Did you get your filters? If yes, could you share the results as I’m going to get them if you’re happy and there is no issues with them. Many people recommend this brand so I hope they’re quality and worth to get them.
Many thanks

fansf87a4431 Posted at 2018-2-13 16:05
Hey Mat. Did you get your filters? If yes, could you share the results as I’m going to get them if you’re happy and there is no issues with them. Many people recommend this brand so I hope they’re quality and worth to get them.
Many thanks

Very pleased

fansf87a4431 Posted at 2018-2-13 16:05
Hey Mat. Did you get your filters? If yes, could you share the results as I’m going to get them if you’re happy and there is no issues with them. Many people recommend this brand so I hope they’re quality and worth to get them.
Many thanks

And these photos too https://instagram.com/p/Bdsr_XXBhDn/

Flybee Posted at 2017-12-3 12:51
Polar pro is the best I have tried so far.

Here is an example.

What ND filter did you use? Nice place and nice footage

Guido-Italy Posted at 2018-2-14 07:10
What ND filter did you use? Nice place and nice footage

I don't think I posted any photos related to this post but I use Polar Pro filter 8, 16 and 32.
Here is a link to a video using this filters.

https://forum.dji.com/thread-127068-1-1.html

Some photos from Sardinia here

https://forum.dji.com/thread-96715-1-1.html

And some more photos with them on.

https://forum.dji.com/thread-89512-1-1.html

Flybee Posted at 2018-2-14 10:27
I don't think I posted any photos related to this post but I use Polar Pro filter 8, 16 and 32.
Here is a link to a video using this filters.

Thanks for reply. Very nice works

Guido-Italy Posted at 2018-2-14 13:08
Thanks for reply. Very nice works

Thank you very kind of you to say so.

Happy flying.