Hello Everyone,

Tell me about your drone gear, do you use ND filters? Please explain why and when... Does it make the footage more smoother? Thanks

PolarPro filters, used all the time for cinematic effect. Exceptional filters

ND filters are mainly used to lower the shutterspeed (because the amount that hits the sensor of light is reduced)
This is in most cases ONLY needed for video to get close to the 'best' shutterspeed.
That can be calculated by double the framerate.
So if you film 25fps you would want a shutterspeed of 1/50s.
That appears to be the most pleasing to the eye.

BUT

This is only needed when you fly pretty fast and/or low. So when the whole frame changes every frame.
That causes for 'stuttering' in your motion (you notice the changes between the frames).
So if you fly slow and cinematic, not many people will notice the high shutterspeed.

AND

ND's are not very helpful for stills (photography) since you want a fast shutterspeed to get sharp pictures.
And have low ISO to reduce the noise.
So in general, if you put a ND filter on a drone, you will focus on video and not on photography.

My best advice would be: take footage without ND filters, learn to fly and create the shots you want.
If your footage looks stuttery, consider flying more slowly.
If that still does not work: you need a good set of ND filters.

Montfrooij Posted at 2018-5-15 13:27
ND filters are mainly used to lower the shutterspeed (because the amount that hits the sensor of light is reduced)
This is in most cases ONLY needed for video to get close to the 'best' shutterspeed.
That can be calculated by double the framerate.

Nice, Thanks for all the info

M2Wair Posted at 2018-5-15 13:18
PolarPro filters, used all the time for cinematic effect. Exceptional filters

Exactly, that's what I see everywhere. Thanks for all the info ))

umadbrv Posted at 2018-5-16 11:23
Nice, Thanks for all the info

You're welcome

If you are not sure I suggest buying cheaper filters. My set of 5 Neewer filters work great and cost $30 instead of over $100 for the polar pros. I fly with people who own both and there is no difference from what we can tell.

ny300z Posted at 2018-5-16 12:24
If you are not sure I suggest buying cheaper filters. My set of 5 Neewer filters work great and cost $30 instead of over $100 for the polar pros. I fly with people who own both and there is no difference from what we can tell.

Honestly I think polarpro just charge for their branding

umadbrv Posted at 2018-5-16 16:24
Honestly I think polarpro just charge for their branding

Thats how the world usually works. I am sure they are better quality and maybe even better and if i had money to burn I would have gotten them for sure but I am happy with the ones I have. Maybe one day I will get Polar Pro ones and compare.