If you purchase a set of ND filters in your motion digital camera or FPV digital camera, you’ll usually discover it comes with further UV and CPL filters. For those who’re questioning what these filters do, and whether or not you actually need them, you’ve come to the proper place. On this submit, we’ll break down what every kind of filter is for, when to make use of them, and the way they may also help you get better-looking FPV footage.
UV Filter
UV (Ultraviolet) filters had been initially utilized in movie images to dam ultraviolet mild that would trigger haze and scale back picture readability. Within the digital age, digital camera sensors aren’t as delicate to UV mild, so UV filters not serve a robust optical function.
For FPV cameras and motion digital camera, UV filters principally simply act as a protector in your digital camera lens, particularly when flying particles or crashes are widespread. 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 affect video high quality a lot. When you’re not utilizing an ND filter, you may 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 automotive our bodies. It additionally enhances coloration distinction, making skies look bluer and foliage richer. They’re nice for out of doors taking pictures on sunny days whenever you need to eradicate glare from surfaces or punch up the colours in your scene.
CPL filters use polarization to selectively block sure mild waves. Some costlier filters even means that you can rotate and discover the angle the place reflections are lowered essentially the most.
Nonetheless, CPL filters aren’t 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, you could 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 digital camera. They scale back the quantity of sunshine coming into the lens with out altering coloration steadiness. ND filters are essential for movement blur and controlling publicity in vivid circumstances. In vivid daylight, your digital camera could default to a quick shutter pace, leading to footage that appears too sharp or jittery. ND filters decelerate the shutter pace, creating pure movement blur—important for easy, cinematic footage.
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Remaining Ideas
Whereas all three filter varieties have their makes use of, ND filters are essentially the most vital for FPV and motion digital camera 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 pictures.
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.
