CPL question

[hedbonker]

When I use a CPL on my camera outside I typically frame my shot and then rotate the CPL while I am looking through the finder until I get my desired result. Simple. I just bought a Freewell CPL for my Air 3. I tested it today and it works fine but setting it might be a bit of a challenge. For my test I just looked through the CPL at the scene I was going to shoot with the drone and rotated the CPL to the spot I wanted and put it on the drone and did the shot.

This worked OK but I was wondering is this the typical way folks use the CPL on the drone? It would be a bit cumbersome to to hold the drone up and rotate the CPL while I look at the display on the remote to get the correct setting.

What do you folks do to set your CPL?

 

[Meta4]

This worked OK but I was wondering is this the typical way folks use the CPL on the drone? It would be a bit cumbersome to to hold the drone up and rotate the CPL while I look at the display on the remote to get the correct setting.

Polarising filters are more trouble than they are worth for use with drones.
Most folks that use them are unaware of how to use them properly.

 

[slup]

...a bit cumbersome to to hold the drone up and rotate the CPL while I look at the display on the remote

You don't need to have the CPL on the drone when figuring out the setting... just look through the filter directly when you pointing it in the same direction as you later will take the shoot, there adjust it until you have the strength you desire.

 

[hedbonker]

You don't need to have the CPL on the drone when figuring out the setting... just look through the filter directly when you pointing it in the same direction as you later will take the shoot, there adjust it until you have the strength you desire.

Yeah that seems to be the most reasonable approach. Thanks

 

[Cymruflyer]

As correctly stated, most people have no idea how to use a CPL and they are wasting their money. It was designed for manual rotation by the photographer, to get the desired look required for the angle of the sun to the subject.

You just can't do this while flying a drone. Now, if you had a system that could rotate that filter as you flew, then that would be great, and the use of a CPL would then be justified.

However, we have no such device, therefore, as has been suggested, work out the angle you will approach the subject matter and do a ground adjustment and hope it does not shift in flight. There is no easy way to adjust it, it is going to be fiddly and probably not worth the bother. It is more a sales gimmick, a CPL for drone use.

 

[Capt KO]

As stated, setting the polarizing lens before flight is required. I use a CPL every time I fly over water, which is most of the time. Simply rotate the lens with drone level in hand but camera angled 45 degree down, now look at the water from above through the screen. When reflections disappear and visibility underwater improves..it's set. Go fly. Enjoy

 

[GadgetGuy]

As stated, setting the polarizing lens before flight is required. I use a CPL every time I fly over water, which is most of the time. Simply rotate the lens with drone level in hand but camera angled 45 degree down, now look at the water from above through the screen. When reflections disappear and visibility underwater improves..it's set. Go fly. Enjoy

You still have to fly in only one direction for it to work though, right?

 

[MS Coast]

The only case where a CPL works conveniently on a drone is when the camera is pointed straight down. You can rotate the drone to find the effect you want.

 

[hedbonker]

You still have to fly in only one direction for it to work though, right?

Yes. If you were to orbit a structure for example, the CPL would be effective only 50% of the time.

 

[Capt KO]

Yes. If you were to orbit a structure for example, the CPL would be effective only 50% of the time.

It's effective 100% of the time but most effective at the highly reflective angles. My setting up at 45degree gives me suitable results at most down angles, not perfect but goog nuff.

 

[Vic Moss]

The problem with CPL filters is they change intensity depending on the angle to the sun. So if you're shooting video, and panning at all, the sky changes. Very annoying. I don't use (or even own) a CPL filter for any of my drones. Or any of my land cameras for that matter. If you're wanting to deepen the sky, just do it in post. For reflections, just use them to your advantage.

 

[cmunozs]

Just to add to what everyone has said already: usually there are some markings on the filters itself. Align those markings and the effect will be the same as looking at the controller screen while doing it. It usually affects the upper part of the image, meaning the sky. If you want a different result, just rotate it by looking at the screen as you have been doing.