Hey Everyone!

In this video I explain what ND (Neutral Density) filters are, what they do and how they affect the look of your footage. I also try to break down some misconceptions to help you decide if you need them for your drone. Although this was done exclusively with my DJI Spark, the information is relevant to any drone or even a DSLR as all the same photography principals apply.

I hope it's useful.

Hi there Captain. Thank you for sharing your video and sharing some idea as well that may help the other members here. Well done and Fly safely. Cheers!

Great video and very well explained!  Thanks for making it.

Another great, informational video...thanks!!!

Very informative. Thanks for sharing

Keep these videos coming.......I am always picking up small pointers from them.

Cool vid - thanks for sharing

A very informative video Steve. Thanks for making this.

I'm very sorry but I personally see the ND filters for drones more as a waste of time and money than something useful. And I'll say why I think this. Today I flew with my Mavic Air. Sunny day, the settings of the camera in manual mode, 4k 30fps and dcinelike. In a single flight I changed the view several times, with the sun in front, with the sun behind, in shaded areas ... I have obtained very different shutter speeds in a single flight, from 1/160 to 1/2000. To be able to use the 180 rule, according to the PolarPro application, I have to use 4 ND filters on a single flight, ND4, ND8, ND16 and ND32. Practically every time I change the angle to record another perspective, as the shutter speed varies a lot, I have to land the drone and put a new filter. I practically have to spend more time changing filters than record my videos. That's why I do not see ND filters very useful. They can be useful only if you fly in only one direction.

Very nice explain of the ND Filter.

I would rather go for Shutter collection with ND 8/16/32 than with Vivid collection.
PL can't be adjusted mid flight anyways and lightning conditions and reflections change so I see almost no value with PL filter except making videos inconsistent and so more of the hassle for post.

DJI Gamora Posted at 3-22 11:46
Hi there Captain. Thank you for sharing your video and sharing some idea as well that may help the other members here. Well done and Fly safely. Cheers!

Thank you!

MccloudSpark Posted at 3-22 12:22
Great video and very well explained!  Thanks for making it.

Thanks and thanks for watching! :-)

Rustic17 Posted at 3-22 12:29
Another great, informational video...thanks!!!

Thanks, I appreciate that.

Woe Posted at 3-22 18:00
Very informative. Thanks for sharing

Thanks for watching!

Arnie R Posted at 3-22 18:32
Keep these videos coming.......I am always picking up small pointers from them.

Thanks Arnie!

nilanjan118 Posted at 3-23 02:48
A very informative video Steve. Thanks for making this.

Thanks for watching!

A J Posted at 3-23 00:33
Cool vid - thanks for sharing

Thank you!

Aurelian Irimia Posted at 3-23 11:39
I'm very sorry but I personally see the ND filters for drones more as a waste of time and money than something useful. And I'll say why I think this. Today I flew with my Mavic Air. Sunny day, the settings of the camera in manual mode, 4k 30fps and dcinelike. In a single flight I changed the view several times, with the sun in front, with the sun behind, in shaded areas ... I have obtained very different shutter speeds in a single flight, from 1/160 to 1/2000. To be able to use the 180 rule, according to the PolarPro application, I have to use 4 ND filters on a single flight, ND4, ND8, ND16 and ND32. Practically every time I change the angle to record another perspective, as the shutter speed varies a lot, I have to land the drone and put a new filter. I practically have to spend more time changing filters than record my videos. That's why I do not see ND filters very useful. They can be useful only if you fly in only one direction.

I made the video to explain exactly what ND filters do and why you *may* want to use them. My desire was present enough information so people could decide whether or not they would be useful. I agree, they can be a hassle, especially in changing lighting conditions. Really, it comes down to how you shoot and what you are trying to achieve. They won't be right for everyone and that's ok.

eYeSkYeYe Posted at 3-25 07:42
I would rather go for Shutter collection with ND 8/16/32 than with Vivid collection.
PL can't be adjusted mid flight anyways and lightning conditions and reflections change so I see almost no value with PL filter except making videos inconsistent and so more of the hassle for post.

Yeah, I do miss not having a ND32 but I really like the polarization. PL isn't perfect but generally I like the results. :-)

SCoutts Posted at 3-25 07:42
Thank you!

It's my pleasure and keep on sharing. Cheers!

SCoutts Posted at 3-25 07:45
Thank you!

You're welcome

SCoutts Posted at 3-25 07:53
I made the video to explain exactly what ND filters do and why you *may* want to use them. My desire was present enough information so people could decide whether or not they would be useful. I agree, they can be a hassle, especially in changing lighting conditions. Really, it comes down to how you shoot and what you are trying to achieve. They won't be right for everyone and that's ok.

Congratulations for the video and for you good content. What I have commented is only my personal experience. I do not encourage anyone to buy or not filters ND. everyone spends their money as they want.

Aurelian Irimia Posted at 3-25 10:03
Congratulations for the video and for you good content. What I have commented is only my personal experience. I do not encourage anyone to buy or not filters ND. everyone spends their money as they want.

Thank you. I am the same. I like to share my experiences, present information and let people make their own decisions.

Happy, safe flying!

SCoutts Posted at 3-25 07:43
Thanks for watching!

You're welcome

Great information, nice video

Aurelian Irimia Posted at 3-23 11:39
I'm very sorry but I personally see the ND filters for drones more as a waste of time and money than something useful. And I'll say why I think this. Today I flew with my Mavic Air. Sunny day, the settings of the camera in manual mode, 4k 30fps and dcinelike. In a single flight I changed the view several times, with the sun in front, with the sun behind, in shaded areas ... I have obtained very different shutter speeds in a single flight, from 1/160 to 1/2000. To be able to use the 180 rule, according to the PolarPro application, I have to use 4 ND filters on a single flight, ND4, ND8, ND16 and ND32. Practically every time I change the angle to record another perspective, as the shutter speed varies a lot, I have to land the drone and put a new filter. I practically have to spend more time changing filters than record my videos. That's why I do not see ND filters very useful. They can be useful only if you fly in only one direction.

Would it work to set the exposure for 1/60 sec, put on the appropriate ND, and set the ISO to Auto?

Seemed to work for me . . .

RohdeScholar Posted at 3-26 11:17
Would it work to set the exposure for 1/60 sec, put on the appropriate ND, and set the ISO to Auto?

Seemed to work for me . . .

The ISO It has to be at the lowest possible level. More ISO, more image noise, this is something basic in photography and videography.

Am following you on YouTube as always great work man and thanks for sharing  

Do you need nd filters answer on https://forum.dji.com/forum.php? ... p;extra=#pid1810963

Do you need nd filters? answer on https://forum.dji.com/forum.php? ... 1&extra=#pid1810963

Oh wow, thanks so much for the information.