ND Filters for Quadcopters: How to Pick the Right Strength
Flying your quadcopter on a bright sunny day can make your videos look washed out and overexposed. This happens because too much light enters your camera, making everything look pale and hard to watch. ND filters are special pieces of glass that solve this problem by blocking some light from reaching your camera sensor. Think of them like sunglasses for your drone – they help you get smooth, cinematic footage even when the sun is blazing overhead. Picking the right ND filter strength can seem tricky at first, but once you understand the basics, you’ll know exactly which one to use for any flying situation.
What Are ND Filters and Why Do You Need Them?
ND stands for “Neutral Density,” which means these filters cut down light without changing the colors in your footage. When you fly your quadcopter during the day, your camera tries to handle all that bright light by making everything look darker automatically. But this often creates jerky, stuttering video that looks unnatural.
Professional filmmakers always use the 180-degree rule: your shutter speed should be double your frame rate for natural-looking motion blur.
Here’s where ND filters become your best friend. They let you keep your camera settings perfect while still handling bright sunlight. Without them, your quadcopter footage might look like a cheap home movie instead of the smooth, professional videos you see online.
How ND Filters Work on Quadcopters
Your quadcopter’s camera needs to balance three main things: ISO (how sensitive it is to light), aperture (how wide the lens opens), and shutter speed (how long the sensor collects light). Most drone cameras have fixed apertures, so you can only control ISO and shutter speed.
When it’s super bright outside, your camera wants to use a really fast shutter speed to avoid overexposure. But fast shutter speeds make motion look choppy and unnatural. ND filters solve this by blocking light, letting you use slower shutter speeds that create smooth, flowing motion in your videos.
Understanding ND Filter Strength Numbers
ND filters come with different strength numbers that tell you how much light they block. The most common system uses numbers like ND4, ND8, ND16, ND32, and ND64. These numbers show how many times less light gets through the filter.
The ND Number System Explained
- ND4: Blocks 75% of light (lets 1/4 through)
- ND8: Blocks 87.5% of light (lets 1/8 through)
- ND16: Blocks 93.75% of light (lets 1/16 through)
- ND32: Blocks 96.875% of light (lets 1/32 through)
- ND64: Blocks 98.4% of light (lets 1/64 through)
Some companies also use f-stop numbers instead. An ND4 equals 2 f-stops of light reduction, ND8 equals 3 f-stops, and so on. Don’t worry too much about memorizing all these numbers – what matters is understanding which strength works best for your flying conditions.
| ND Filter Strength | Light Conditions | Best Time to Use | Shutter Speed Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| ND4 | Cloudy/Overcast | Early morning, late evening | 1/60 – 1/120 |
| ND8 | Partly cloudy | Mid-morning, late afternoon | 1/60 – 1/120 |
| ND16 | Bright sun | Most daytime flying | 1/60 – 1/120 |
| ND32 | Very bright sun | Midday, snow/beach | 1/60 – 1/120 |
| ND64 | Extremely bright | Desert, snow, water reflections | 1/60 – 1/120 |
Choosing the Right ND Filter for Different Flying Conditions
The key to picking the perfect ND filter is matching it to your lighting conditions and what kind of footage you want to create. Different situations call for different filter strengths, and having the right one can make the difference between amateur-looking footage and professional results.
Sunny Day Flying
When the sun is high and bright, you’ll typically need ND16 or ND32 filters. These stronger filters handle intense sunlight while letting you maintain that cinematic 1/60 second shutter speed (if shooting at 30fps) or 1/120 second (if shooting at 60fps).
Start with ND16 for most bright conditions. If your footage still looks overexposed or you can’t get your shutter speed slow enough, step up to ND32. Beach and snow flying often require ND32 or even ND64 because of all the reflected light bouncing around.
Cloudy and Overcast Conditions
ND4 or ND8 filters work great when clouds cover the sun. These lighter filters provide just enough light reduction without making your footage too dark. Overcast days actually give you some of the best lighting for drone photography because the clouds act like a giant softbox, spreading light evenly.
Golden Hour and Sunrise/Sunset Flying
The magic hours right after sunrise and before sunset often don’t need any ND filter at all, or maybe just a light ND4. The natural light is already soft and warm during these times. However, if you’re flying toward the sun or capturing bright sky reflections, an ND8 might help balance the exposure.
Variable ND Filters vs Fixed Strength Filters
You have two main choices when buying ND filters: fixed strength filters or variable ND filters. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks for quadcopter use.
Fixed Strength ND Filters
Fixed filters give you exactly one strength level, like ND16 or ND32. They’re usually sharper and don’t add any color tints to your footage. Most professional drone pilots prefer fixed filters because they know exactly what they’re getting every time.
The downside is you need to carry multiple filters and swap them out as lighting changes throughout your flying session. But this isn’t really a big problem since most drone flights happen under similar light conditions.
Variable ND Filters
Variable ND filters let you adjust the strength by rotating the front ring, typically covering a range like ND2 to ND32. This sounds super convenient, but variable filters often create problems for quadcopters.
They can make your footage look cross-hatched or create weird color shifts at certain settings. They’re also usually thicker and heavier than fixed filters, which might throw off your quadcopter’s gimbal balance.
Popular ND Filter Brands for Quadcopters
Several companies make high-quality ND filters specifically designed for popular quadcopter models like the DJI Mini, Air, and Mavic series.
Top Filter Manufacturers
PolarPro makes some of the most popular drone ND filters. Their Cinema Series filters are lightweight and create great image quality. They offer sets with multiple strengths so you’re ready for any lighting condition.
Freewell is another excellent choice, especially their “All Day” filter sets that include multiple ND strengths plus polarizing filters. Their filters are well-built and reasonably priced.
PGYTECH and Neewer offer budget-friendly options that still deliver good results. While they might not match the absolute best filters in terms of color accuracy, they’re perfect for beginners or casual flyers.
Installation Tips and Care Instructions
Installing ND filters on your quadcopter is usually straightforward, but there are some important things to keep in mind to avoid damage and get the best results.
Proper Installation Steps
- Turn off your quadcopter before installing any filter
- Remove the gimbal cover carefully without touching the camera
- Align the filter with your camera’s lens threads
- Twist gently until snug – don’t overtighten
- Check gimbal movement before powering on
Never force an ND filter onto your camera. If it doesn’t twist on easily, double-check that you have the right size and that nothing is blocking the threads.
Maintaining Your ND Filters
Keep your filters clean using a microfiber cloth and lens cleaning solution. Dirty filters will make your footage look hazy and reduce sharpness. Store them in protective cases when not in use – even small scratches can show up in your videos.
Check your filters regularly for chips or cracks. Damaged filters should be replaced immediately since they can affect your footage quality and potentially fall off during flight.
FAQ Section
Q: Can I use multiple ND filters stacked together? A: While technically possible, stacking ND filters isn’t recommended for quadcopters. It adds weight that can affect gimbal performance and may cause vignetting (dark corners) in your footage. It’s better to buy the right strength filter for your conditions.
Q: Do I need different ND filters for photo and video? A: ND filters are mainly for video work. For photos, your quadcopter can use fast shutter speeds without creating motion blur issues. However, ND filters can help with long exposure photos if your drone supports manual camera controls.
Q: How do I know if my ND filter is too strong or too weak? A: If your footage looks too dark even with high ISO settings, your filter is too strong. If you can’t achieve slow enough shutter speeds without overexposing, you need a stronger filter. Aim to keep ISO as low as possible while maintaining proper exposure.
Q: Will ND filters affect my quadcopter’s flight time? A: Good quality ND filters are very lightweight and won’t noticeably affect flight time. However, cheap, heavy filters might reduce flight time by a minute or two and can interfere with gimbal stabilization.
Q: Can I leave an ND filter on my quadcopter when storing it? A: It’s better to remove ND filters before storage to prevent any chance of the filter getting stuck or damaged. Always store your quadcopter with the gimbal cover in place to protect the camera and gimbal mechanism.
Q: Do expensive ND filters really make a difference? A: High-quality filters do provide better color accuracy and sharpness, but the difference might not be huge for casual users. If you’re just starting out, mid-range filters will serve you well. Upgrade to premium filters as your skills and requirements grow.
