I find some issue with the way I used ND filter and like to note an update to the post.
In the video, I sticked ND filter at the back of the gimbal to temporarily store it while not using. However I later find out that sticking magnetic filter near the gimbal motor while it is turned on will affect its horizontal balance.
So if you want to keep your gimbal leveled, don’t stick the magnetic filter at the back while OP is turned on. But if you want to tilt the horizon by your creative choice, this might be a little trick. You can also control how much and which direction the horizon to tilt with the way you stick the filter at certain angle.
I somehow bought ND filters from two different brand.
Many people already use Freewell.
Sunnylife is a cheap one I ordered from AliExpress. (Took me over a month to get it.)
Freewell is about $19.99 per filter and Sunnylife is about $7 per filter.
Interestingly thay are quite different in size.
Hardly imagine they both are same OP filters.
The reason that Sunnylife is big is it cups around the gimbal head.
Because of it, Sunnylife filter is quite easier to put it on and off and rotate the CPL ring.
However their build quality is not so fancy.
Not that it is rough enough to scratch something but has glue stain here and there.
Freewell is much more quality build compair to Sunnylife.
Also very small but a bit tricky to handle.
It also has interesing choice.
Like this ND1000. Great for daytime long exposure time-lapse.
And their interesitng clear night filter.
This one cuts down the light wave-length from the street lamp and gives sharp night shot.
Tried few nights but still need to figure things out where it would be the best use for.
So I went out to test which ND number should I use for bright daylight.
Here is my choice.
For 24P shooting,
1 filter choice : ND-PL32
2 filter choice : ND-PL64 as main, 16 for shadows
For 30P shooting,
1 filter choice : ND-PL32
2 filter choice : ND-PL16 as main, 32 for brights
For 60P shooting,
1 filter choice : ND-PL16
2 filter choice : ND-PL8 as main, 32 for brights
I usually bring only 1 filter sticked on OP without filter case.
Unless I plan to shooting specifically difficult light condition.
As an optical quality, I don't really notice much difference.
But Freewell is more well made for sure.
djiuser_3PbFsVin0SFQ Posted at 2-10 17:01
So which brand do you use more?
I like the better build quality of Freewell more but bringing Sunnylife more often.
I guess because its bigger size makes me confident not to drop or lose it.
I will definetely avoid cheap filters. You spend 360€ or 1.500€ on a drone to get amazing 4K video and then put a crappy quality glass in front of athe lens and save 30€... does it worth it?
El Diabolico Posted at 2-11 07:33
I will definetely avoid cheap filters. You spend 360€ or 1.500€ on a drone to get amazing 4K video and then put a crappy quality glass in front of athe lens and save 30€... does it worth it?
Haha, I have drones, cameras ... buuuut I use pol filters for $ 3.99 - $ 5.99 (for each one)
Noone can tell if my photos were made with an expensive or cheap cpl filter.
IMAGINATION is the heaven of many people ...
If someone drives a luxury car for $ 1.200.000,00 - he needs gasoline for $ 999 per gallon ?
BeterBan Posted at 2-11 11:33
Haha, I have drones, cameras ... buuuut I use pol filters for $ 3.99 - $ 5.99 (for each one)
Noone can tell if my photos were made with an expensive or cheap cpl filter.
IMAGINATION is the heaven of many people ...
Well from your avatar I can see that the one that is living in phantasy land is you... ;)
I've been shooting professionaly for +20 years and I can GUARANTEE that you will see many differences using a cheap filter compared to an expensive one. Flaring and ghosting, oleophobic and hydrophobic properties, color casting, fitting, coating or multicoating vs non-coating, etc. it seems that you have very low standards for whatever images you produce.
And the answer to the weird car analogy is yes, if you have a 1.200.000€ Supercar and you want the best performance out of it, you will have to use special fuel. Actually you don't even need to go that expensive, the new Dodge Demon has a High Octane fuel mode that does exactly that. The cost varies from 85$ to 120$ compared to your average unleaded.
I found some issue with the way I shared using ND filter and like to make an update on it.
In the video, I sticked ND filter at the back of the gimbal to temporarily store it while not using. However I find out that sticking magnetic filter near the gimbal motor while it is turned on will affect its horizontal balance.
So if you want to keep your gimbal leveled, don’t stick the magnetic filter at the back while OP is turned on. But if you want to tilt the horizon by your creative choice, this might be a little heck. You can also control how much and which direction the horizon tilt with the way you stick the filter at certain angle.
Your description of what ND to use according to fps makes absolutely no sense, sorry. What was your Shutter Speed? That will be paramount in order to decide what filter to choose. What if you are in a heavilly cloudy day and want to shoot in 24fps...? Will you use an ND32 / ND64? As a rule of thumbs, these are the NDs one should use if shooting at different FPS (measure without any filter and check what the Shutter Speed is in order to get a proper exposure:
120fps
1/640sec ND4
1/1250sec ND8
1/2500sec ND16
1/5000sec ND32
ND64 will not be used as a normal camera will rarely shoot above 1/8000sec
So basically, lower fps means the Shutter Remains open for longer intervals within the same given time. the camera will take 24 frames for every second, so every frame will leave the sensor exposed for 0.041 seconds. At 120fps, 0.0083sec, that means that the lower your frame rate, the higher the ND filter you will need to compensate for the amount of light hitting the sensor. In practical applications, you might find yourself in a situation where the highest ND you have is not enough to bring the Shutter Speed to your required level, just bring the fps higher to cut some more light and you can later edit your footage in a 24fps timeline for that Cinematic look (if you don't mind slowing your footage!).
El Diabolico Posted at 2-12 03:53
Your description of what ND to use according to fps makes absolutely no sense, sorry. What was your Shutter Speed? That will be paramount in order to decide what filter to choose. What if you are in a heavilly cloudy day and want to shoot in 24fps...? Will you use an ND32 / ND64? As a rule of thumbs, these are the NDs one should use if shooting at different FPS:
You are right, Shutter speed shoud be a deciding facter not FPS.
In the video I showed the screen recording that I was setting shutter speed at the double of each FPS so I didn't metion it in the caption.
Also my choice of filter is for sunny day at its brightest as I tested.
I do use ND4 for cloudy or evening time (or didn't use at all and give up the 180 degree shutter) but I also interested to find a minimalist always carring set up that I can simply put in the inside pocket of my business suit and no one can notice. (Even small filter case is too much for some occations while work.)
I do carry tripod and camera bag when I go out just for shooting (usually at night after the work) but most of the day light, I usually capture in between the work.
So OP actually earn me a lot of shooting time that was not possible before.
Tide Posted at 2-12 04:18
You are right, Shutter speed shoud be a deciding facter not FPS.
In the video I showed the screen recording that I was setting shutter speed at the double of each FPS so I didn't metion it in the caption.
Good to know, hope it helped. I thing during Spring / Summer time you can get away with carrying only one filter on the OP (ND32) and having one spare on you (ND64).
El Diabolico Posted at 2-12 04:22
Good to know, hope it helped. I thing during Spring / Summer time you can get away with carrying only one filter on the OP (ND32) and having one spare on you (ND64).
Yes that is the idea. Thanks for the help.
Here in Korea, it is freezing winter and day is short. I can hardly wait for spring to come.
El Diabolico Posted at 2-12 03:53
Your description of what ND to use according to fps makes absolutely no sense, sorry. What was your Shutter Speed? That will be paramount in order to decide what filter to choose. What if you are in a heavilly cloudy day and want to shoot in 24fps...? Will you use an ND32 / ND64? As a rule of thumbs, these are the NDs one should use if shooting at different FPS (measure without any filter and check what the Shutter Speed is in order to get a proper exposure:
24fps
Not really understand the chart why higher shutter speed as the ND number goes up? Isn't the purpose of ND filter exactly the opposite?
djiuser_3PbFsVin0SFQ Posted at 2-14 08:31
Not really understand the chart why higher shutter speed as the ND number goes up? Isn't the purpose of ND filter exactly the opposite?
It depends on the fps. With faster frames per second the shutter remains open less time therefore the image will be darker. In photography when using ND filters we usually take 1 shot and adjust the Shutther Speed to get the proper exposure.
As I wrote before, at 24 fps every frame takes 0.041 of a second, at 120fps it is 0.0083sec for each frame so the video darkens.