AACY Posted at 2017-3-6 03:29
Thank you very much for the article, it is of great help.

Excuse my ignorance, but any of you knows anything about G-MRC CPL filter and it's function? Thanks in advance

CPL = Circular polarising filter.
You need to experiment by rotating the filter 0, 90, 180, 270. This acts like polarised coated glasses allowing you to see less reflection in the water. It will also then make the skies more gradient.

Heavysledz Posted at 2017-3-8 12:40
So I am pretty sure I know the answer already but wanted to hear what your thoughts are about ND filters for still photos vs video. Do you really want to use an ND filter and slow the shutter speed down so slow that any moving object (i.e. car, animal, person running etc...) will end up as a blur on the screen?

That is correct.
But in saying that, ND filters are NOT that important unless you are trying to achieve what many call the 24fps cinematic footage (motion blurring). The mavic's gimbal is so stabilised that jello is no longer present. To many untrained eyes, many dont know the difference. Only use ND filters if you have some sort of idea as you may degrade your video by using the incorrect filter.

So back on topic.. in manual mode at 24fps, you want to use 2x the shutter speed which is 1/50th shutter speeds (or there abouts). The exposure should sit around -0.7 to 0. Remember - if over exposed, then you will lose details and cant be corrected in post. You can use the zebra overexposure feature to assist with choosing the right ND filter for the correct lighting conditions.
The only time you should be using ND filters for photos is to create a sense of time in stills. Eg, motion in waterfalls and waves or foggy skies above the clouds..

as much as i agree ND filters are needed, on the Mavic I would not even bother. The gimbal setup is just to small and fragile, taking lens on and off can damage the gimbal if you're not extremely careful

QuanthonyTrang Posted at 2017-3-12 20:41
CPL = Circular polarising filter.
You need to experiment by rotating the filter 0, 90, 180, 270. This acts like polarised coated glasses allowing you to see less reflection in the water. It will also then make the skies more gradient.

Woahhh thank you very much for your great explanation. Cheers!

very usefull article , I wished I had seen this last week as I was trying to explain the same but in less clear terms, hahah. One comment, is that in your summary table to pick the filters, you can add, that actually all those filters can be polarized, (I got polarized  ND4, ND 8 and ND 16 from polarpro)

Boenaparte Posted at 2017-3-12 21:43
very usefull article , I wished I had seen this last week as I was trying to explain the same but in less clear terms, hahah. One comment, is that in your summary table to pick the filters, you can add, that actually all those filters can be polarized, (I got polarized  ND4, ND 8 and ND 16 from polarpro)

thanks for that suggestion, how is your experience with the extra PL?

UnlimiteDrone@g Posted at 2017-3-15 12:47
thanks for that suggestion, how is your experience with the extra PL?

Nothing yet, as the weather has been horrible lately.....

Thanks, very informative, have since bookmark it in case i need to refresh my mind   

PolarPro Posted at 2017-3-7 09:27
We have a filter calculator app which will help determine which filter to use for each flight:
PolarPro Filter Calculator App

Looks like the app URL changed and no redirect is in place... I found it moved to  https://www.polarprofilters.com/pages/filter-calculator-app

water Posted at 2017-3-16 11:47
Looks like the app URL changed and no redirect is in place... I found it moved to  https://www.polarprofilters.com/pages/filter-calculator-app

I already thought they took it down.

water Posted at 2017-3-16 11:47
Looks like the app URL changed and no redirect is in place... I found it moved to  https://www.polarprofilters.com/pages/filter-calculator-app

We made the page a little cleaner and less confusing:
https://www.polarprofilters.com/pages/filter-calculator-app

-Jeff from PolarPro

Blu Crystal Posted at 2017-3-16 13:00
I already thought they took it down.

The App's new landing page can be found here:
https://www.polarprofilters.com/pages/filter-calculator-app

Thanks!
-Jeff from PolarPro

PolarPro Posted at 2017-3-16 21:38
The App's new landing page can be found here:
https://www.polarprofilters.com/pages/filter-calculator-app

Thank you Jeff

Boenaparte Posted at 2017-3-15 19:21
Nothing yet, as the weather has been horrible lately.....

It´s getting better where I live, should be fine soon Can´t wait to fly again

UnlimiteDrone@g Posted at 2017-3-17 10:13
It´s getting better where I live, should be fine soon  Can´t wait to fly again

Ahhw rainy weekend again... I will share a video with my new filter as soon there is some sunshine

Great Info !!!  Thanks!

rbruz Posted at 2017-3-18 12:49
Great Info !!!  Thanks!

Thank you

I just read that PL Filter is 1.66 Stops , is that right?

devGOD Posted at 2017-3-12 21:05
as much as i agree ND filters are needed, on the Mavic I would not even bother. The gimbal setup is just to small and fragile, taking lens on and off can damage the gimbal if you're not extremely careful

Does someone agree with that?

RenaudFR Posted at 2017-3-19 11:29
Does someone agree with that?

No not really, you always should be careful with gimbal and camera but it´s easy to change without any damage even if you are clumsy. If you like to be on the very safe side you can use a pair of disposable gloves for a better grip while changing the filter.

UnlimiteDrone@g Posted at 2017-3-4 06:53
Kudos?????

There... How come no one knows about this?!?!

HowNotToDrone Posted at 2017-3-23 12:31
[view_image]
There... How come no one knows about this?!?!

How is that related to the topic?

HowNotToDrone Posted at 2017-3-23 12:31
[view_image]
There... How come no one knows about this?!?!

To gain kudos is to earn respect and recognition.
Ohhh ... it´s a commendation.

What a good article! Thanks and keep it up

Thank you for posting this. I new I needed a filter to at least protect the lens but this article explained the real importance of using one

reliablemavic Posted at 2017-3-27 16:17
Thank you for posting this. I new I needed a filter to at least protect the lens but this article explained the real importance of using one

You are right! Filter are very important , not just for the lens protection but for good looking footage. In many situation they make the difference between okay or good looking footage and great cinematic looking footage.

  Thank you for the explanation on nd  filters I have a p3s and just ordered some

Brum Ken Posted at 2017-3-29 10:35
Thank you for the explanation on nd  filters I have a p3s and just ordered some

Thank you which filter did you choose?

The polarised, nd4,nd8,nd16 for my p3s
as hope to upgrade to a mavic in the near future so this
will be for me to play and try out.

Brum Ken Posted at 2017-3-30 11:11
The polarised, nd4,nd8,nd16 for my p3s
as hope to upgrade to a mavic in the near future so this
will be for me to play and try out.

Is that a deer or goat in your avatar? Or black phillip

thehippoz Posted at 2017-3-30 11:13
Is that a deer or goat in your avatar? Or black phillip

looks scary

Brum Ken Posted at 2017-3-30 11:11
The polarised, nd4,nd8,nd16 for my p3s
as hope to upgrade to a mavic in the near future so this
will be for me to play and try out.

Ahh okay, you will be fine with these four filter. Also the upgrade to a mavic is a great choice

its a roe buck taken on my friends trail cam as I do deer management I hope to get deer footage by using my p3s

cluc Posted at 2017-1-26 16:36
Thanks for that, was trying to look for some simple explanation about why ND filters are required and when to use them.
That is a good check list.

Here is one I made a while ago for the P4 using PolarPro filters.

PolarPro just sent me their whole collection and I will be doing a video on using them.



It will be shorter.

ArtistFirst Posted at 2017-3-31 11:46
Here is one I made a while ago for the P4 using PolarPro filters.

PolarPro just sent me their whole collection and I will be doing a video on using them.

wow very nice ! love the location

ArtistFirst Posted at 2017-3-31 11:46
Here is one I made a while ago for the P4 using PolarPro filters.

PolarPro just sent me their whole collection and I will be doing a video on using them.

Have you found any downsides to using polarised filters? I'm debating whether to get normal ND or polarised ND; with DSLRs, you can see the effect before shooting, and can change the degree, but that is obviously not possible on a drone.

PHL Posted at 2017-3-31 19:27
Have you found any downsides to using polarised filters? I'm debating whether to get normal ND or polarised ND; with DSLRs, you can see the effect before shooting, and can change the degree, but that is obviously not possible on a drone.

It's possible on a UAS.

If I am over water, I set the more reflective part on the ground. with the cinema series you can turn the filter to set it how you want it.

It's not like a DSLR but if you are water and sky it's pretty much the horizon so you set it straight down the middle.

Watch the video.

But it depends what I am doing if I want polarizers. I like lens flares but if I don't want them, I'l use a polarizer, etc.

UnlimiteDrone@g Posted at 2017-3-31 18:06
wow very nice ! love the location

Cheers for that. Always nice to hear.

SoCal it's hard to find bad locales.

Wow man those could come in handy!!!

PHL Posted at 2017-3-31 19:27
Have you found any downsides to using polarised filters? I'm debating whether to get normal ND or polarised ND; with DSLRs, you can see the effect before shooting, and can change the degree, but that is obviously not possible on a drone.

Exactly! It´s better to get normal ND Filter because there is no need for polarised Filter for a drone.