While you purchase a set of ND filters in your motion digicam or FPV digicam, you’ll typically discover it comes with extra UV and CPL filters. In case you’re questioning what these filters do, and whether or not you really want them, you’ve come to the appropriate place. On this submit, we’ll break down what every sort of filter is for, when to make use of them, and the way they might help you get better-looking FPV footage.
UV Filter
UV (Ultraviolet) filters had been initially utilized in movie images to dam ultraviolet gentle that would trigger haze and scale back picture readability. Within the digital age, digicam sensors aren’t as delicate to UV gentle, so UV filters not serve a robust optical objective.
For FPV cameras and motion digicam, UV filters largely simply act as a protector in your digicam lens, particularly when flying particles or crashes are frequent. It’s additionally simpler to switch or clear a UV filter than your precise lens. They give the impression of being clear and doesn’t influence video high quality a lot. When you find yourself not utilizing an ND filter, you possibly can simply depart the UV filter on as safety.
CPL Filter
CPL (Round Polarizing Filter) helps scale back reflections and glare from any shiny surfaces like water, glass, snow, or automobile our bodies. It additionally enhances colour distinction, making skies look bluer and foliage richer. They’re nice for outside capturing on sunny days while you need to eradicate glare from surfaces or punch up the colours in your scene.
CPL filters use polarization to selectively block sure gentle waves. Some dearer filters even lets you rotate and discover the angle the place reflections are diminished essentially the most.
Nevertheless, CPL filters are usually not generally used for FPV flying since FPV cameras solely enable one filter to be put in, and ND filter is normally extra vital. However once more, like UV filters, it’s possible you’ll use CPL filter as lens protector if an ND filter isn’t wanted.
ND Filters
ND (Impartial Density) filters are like sun shades in your digicam. They scale back the quantity of sunshine coming into the lens with out altering colour steadiness. ND filters are essential for movement blur and controlling publicity in shiny situations. In shiny daylight, your digicam could default to a quick shutter velocity, leading to footage that appears too sharp or jittery. ND filters decelerate the shutter velocity, creating pure movement blur—important for easy, cinematic footage.
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Last Ideas
Whereas all three filter sorts have their makes use of, ND filters are essentially the most essential for FPV and motion digicam filming. UV filters are nice for lens safety, and CPLs can work wonders in particular cinematic eventualities however are finest suited to static or slow-moving photographs.
When shopping for a filter set in your DJI O3/O4 or motion cam, getting a equipment that features ND4 to ND32, a UV, and a CPL provides you the pliability to deal with virtually any lighting situation.
