I’m new to using ND filters, and I’ve got the Air 3 filters from ND8 to ND64. Could someone explain when to use these during the day or in different scenarios?
ND filters are great for controlling light. Here’s a quick breakdown for ND8 to ND64:
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ND8: For cloudy or sunrise/sunset conditions. It helps with motion blur in videos by allowing slower shutter speeds.
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ND16: Use this on bright sunny days. It lets you slow down the shutter speed, which is great for smooth video.
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ND32: For very sunny days or reflective surfaces like water or snow. It helps prevent overexposure.
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ND64: For super bright environments, like the beach or snowy conditions with intense sunlight. Perfect for long exposure shots or extremely slow shutter speeds.
Basically, they help you get smooth video without overexposing your footage.
@Shan
Why would you want motion blur in your footage? Doesn’t it defeat the purpose of having high FPS cameras?
Bailey said:
@Shan
Why would you want motion blur in your footage? Doesn’t it defeat the purpose of having high FPS cameras?
Good question! Check out this video for a side-by-side comparison of using an ND filter vs. not using one. Skip to 8:50 for the best part: Video Comparison
@Hayes
Thanks! That video cleared it up for me.
@Hayes
Do you think it’s better to add motion blur in post instead of using ND filters? I kind of prefer sharper footage nowadays.
@Hayes
Glad I watched that video. Definitely irrelevant for me personally. Would’ve been a waste of money to buy ND filters.
Bailey said:
@Shan
Why would you want motion blur in your footage? Doesn’t it defeat the purpose of having high FPS cameras?
A bit of motion blur makes footage look more natural. The ‘shutter speed twice the frame rate’ rule helps scenes like moving water or trees look more lifelike.
@Shan
Also, you’ll get the best results with ND filters when recording in Log or flat profile mode instead of automatic settings.
Vail said:
@Shan
Also, you’ll get the best results with ND filters when recording in Log or flat profile mode instead of automatic settings.
Do you use DJI LUTs when you record in Log?
@Morgan
I don’t use LUTs personally. I prefer to color correct manually.
Thanks, everyone!
Morgan said:
Thanks, everyone!
Just a tip—try to get separate ND filters for the telephoto and normal cameras on the Air 3 since they have different apertures.
I’ve been using the original DJI ND filters and they’ve worked great for me.
I recommend the Air 3 Freewell split ND filters. They’re pretty solid.
ND filters aren’t usually needed for photography—more for video. I’d suggest getting polarized filters to reduce unwanted reflections.
How much do these filters cost?
I’ve always been confused about ND filters. Some people say you need them, others say you don’t. I’m getting an Air 3 tomorrow, so should I get ND filters or not?
Hadley said:
I’ve always been confused about ND filters. Some people say you need them, others say you don’t. I’m getting an Air 3 tomorrow, so should I get ND filters or not?
For photography, you don’t really need ND filters unless you’re shooting in harsh sunlight. For video, they help with motion blur and preventing overexposure in bright conditions. They’re a must for FPV drones but might not be as necessary for a drone like the Air 3. Check out this video for a detailed explanation: Video on ND Filters
@Hayes
That video was super helpful! I think I’ll get them for my Avata 2. Now, what about for the Air 3?