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. In the event you’re questioning what these filters do, and whether or not you really want them, you’ve come to the correct place. On this put up, we’ll break down what every sort of filter is for, when to make use of them, and the way they can assist you get better-looking FPV footage.
UV Filter
UV (Ultraviolet) filters had been initially utilized in movie pictures to dam ultraviolet mild that would trigger haze and cut back picture readability. Within the digital age, digital camera sensors aren’t as delicate to UV mild, so UV filters now not serve a robust optical goal.
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 frequent. It’s additionally simpler to interchange 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’re not utilizing an ND filter, you possibly can simply depart the UV filter on as safety.
CPL Filter
CPL (Round Polarizing Filter) helps cut back reflections and glare from any shiny surfaces like water, glass, snow, or automobile our bodies. It additionally enhances shade distinction, making skies look bluer and foliage richer. They’re nice for outside taking pictures on sunny days once you need to get rid of 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 permits you to rotate and discover the angle the place reflections are diminished probably the most.
Nonetheless, CPL filters will not be 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 cut back the quantity of sunshine coming into the lens with out altering shade steadiness. ND filters are essential for movement blur and controlling publicity in vibrant situations. In vibrant daylight, your digital camera might 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 clean, cinematic footage.
Take a look at my detailed information on choose and use ND filters: https://oscarliang.com/nd-filter-fpv/
Closing Ideas
Whereas all three filter sorts have their makes use of, ND filters are probably the most important for FPV and motion digital camera filming. UV filters are nice for lens safety, and CPLs can work wonders in particular cinematic situations however are greatest fitted to static or slow-moving pictures.
When shopping for a filter set in your DJI O3/O4 or motion cam, getting a package that features ND4 to ND32, a UV, and a CPL provides you the pliability to deal with virtually any lighting situation.