How does it compare to our footage without?

Beautiful footage.
What is a variable ND filter?

Rnfaust Posted at 2016-4-18 17:46
Beautiful footage.
What is a variable ND filter?

Simple explanation variable ND filters cover multiple ND stops depending on how it's set up by turning the first part of the filter
Edit: longer explanation

phantom-four.co Posted at 2016-4-18 17:29
Simple explanation variable ND filters cover multiple ND stops depending on how it's set up by turn ...

So it's a polarised filter, which is not an ND filter.

Aardvark Posted at 2016-4-19 01:41
So it's a polarised filter, which is not an ND filter.

Sounds like you might be able to tell me what's the best setup for a ND8 /CP filter P3series?

I don't have sufficient experience regarding the Phantom filters, I have never bought filters for the P3. Only based on previous use many years ago on SLR.

If you do a search (click on magnifying glass at top of page ) there are many threads advising choices.

Aardvark Posted at 2016-4-19 01:41
So it's a polarised filter, which is not an ND filter.

I was thinking the exact same thing .     I am of the belief that a ND filter is fixed and a Circular Polarizer can be rotated .     I read a long time ago that the best effects from a Polarizer come at a 90 degree angle from the sun .   So  use your thumb and pointer finger  , make an "L" with them  ,Point at the sun with your finger and whichever direction your thumb is pointing would be the greatest effect of it ( The polarizing filter )

That's good someone else in Sheffield you have just given me some great places I can go when my p4 arrives

Aardvark Posted at 2016-4-18 19:41
So it's a polarised filter, which is not an ND filter.

It's two polarised filters. One circular (front) and one linear (rear)

stalked-buddha Posted at 2016-4-18 19:20
No its a neutral density filter which limmits the light hitting the sensor a polariser reduces the ...

It seems I'm missing something, but OP had posted a link to an explanation of what a 'variable ND' filter is, and there it quite clearly states :-

"How does it work? This method uses the properties of polarised light, specifically that two parallel polarisers will block very little light but two at 90 to each other will block nearly all light travelling through them. Find out more about polarisation, including in photography, here. This variable neutral density filter is far from perfect, but great if you want to make one cheaply!"

Actually, it was not OP that posted

And although I accidentally posted the wrong link (too many photography bookmarks), yes. 2 Polarizing filters are used to make a variable ND filter. Does that make it a polarizing filter? No, the end result is different. Kinda like "a house is made of bricks but a house is not a brick" (for lack of a better analogy)

Yes, and apologies for detracting from that, but the term  'variable ND filter'  irked me a bit. Do you have a link to filter you are using ?

Regarding the video, was the camera on auto exposure ? I noticed one or two moments where the exposure values switched suddenly.

Aardvark Posted at 2016-4-19 00:26
Yes, and apologies for detracting from that, but the term  'variable ND filter'  irked me a bit. Do  ...

Variable nd filter is a standard industry term for a standard industry bit of kit. Some vari-ND's are expensive and have little effect on color balance. Some cheapies cause nasty shifts to green and introduce 'cross hatching' patterns. I think this one looks pretty good in terms of color rendition.
@stalked Buddha - would you say the general sharpness of your footage is unaffected?

stalked-buddha Posted at 2016-4-18 22:46
Give me a shout mark I'm always about for a meet up and a flight

I will mate when I'm ready
I'm new to all this so it may be a while till I get used to all the controls etc lol

mrbillgill1 Posted at 2016-4-19 00:54
Variable nd filter is a standard industry term for a standard industry bit of kit. Some vari-ND's a ...

Thank you for the clarification.

Aardvark Posted at 2016-4-19 10:03
Thank you for the clarification.

No problem

Whose Filter are you using?

Rnfaust Posted at 2016-4-18 11:46
Beautiful footage.
What is a variable ND filter?

Very essential. Do some research. You will have to use it in manual mode, the camera that is. I am speaking about still photography. I am not that familar with Video.

I did some shots yesterday in bright sunlight and the DJI camera did an excellent job without a ND Filter.

Rnfaust Posted at 2016-4-18 11:46
Beautiful footage.
What is a variable ND filter?

I just noticed that there is a ND Filter Tutorial from a forum member here on the home page.

rodger Posted at 2016-4-19 20:07
Very essential. Do some research. You will have to use it in manual mode, the camera that is. I am ...

I keep the DJI ND4 filter on all the time. Of course I'm no pro and I don't fly too early or late. It seems to keep values in line for better videos. I've read that  the filters aren't necessary for stills. I just extract my stills from the videos while editing in Pinnacle. As I said, I'm no pro, just having fun.
The snow can be challenging.

Rnfaust Posted at 2016-4-19 12:10
I keep the DJI ND4 filter on all the time. Of course I'm no pro and I don't fly too early or late. ...

We all enjoy flying and photography. Great relaxation aid.

stalked-buddha Posted at 2016-4-19 16:57
Hi ya Rodger
Like yourself I've had great results from the camera both with and without any filte ...

True on the variable filter. The amount of light passing through changes with the angle. I prefer incident light readings. I use a light meter and put the filter over the meter sensor with the meter and sensor at the same angle that the light is coming from. Of course that is when it is possible.

stalked-buddha Posted at 2016-4-19 16:59
Cheap and cheerful neewer filters off of eBay nothing fancy but works a treat

Thanks. Your post was the first that I had heard of a variable ND Filter for the DJI Camera. Now all I have to do  is find a Skylight Filter that fits.

I almost got me a variable ND 2-400 filter, but for now went with nd4 nd8 and polarized, 3 filters....  I wonder if I will end up with variable as well.. it sounds tempting.... can u tell roughly what value u were dialed in, or u just do a visual check on how you like the video? It does bring out the color and tone in the videos! Not something you could achieve quite as easily in a video editing software, not a free or cheap one, anyhow....
GT

stalked-buddha Posted at 2016-4-21 08:15
I generaly set the camera settings by getting the ambient light readings then work from there !
Th ...

If you don't mind the comment, you footage looks to me to be a bit on the dark side. I think you could increase the exposure a little, and perhaps boost the darker areas in post using a good colour grader like Resolve. Being in a northern part of the globe, the sunlight does not impact the ground as directly, so you could help it out a little.