Mavic 2 Pro Filter Connection

[noosaguy]

I started a thread recently about the difficulty getting filters on and off the M2P. Quite a few others joined in to say they were having problems too.

 

[eukaryote]

Yes i've heard reports there are 2 versions of the M2P camera case assembly which has made manufacturing difficult. Skyreat may have worked around this by making slight alterations to their filter assembly i.e. more rounded and smaller prongs that attach to the camera case. However, they have not specified this. This is what i've deduced by reviewing both revisions of their filters.

 

[fstop.labs]

There are actually quite a few different versions - the newer mavics dont have the 2 dimples in the lens element but instead 1. Also some legs are more "square" than others.

 

[eukaryote]

Sounds plausible. I wouldn't be surprised that there are many revisions as DJI encountered issues reported by users that they fixed quietly

 

[fstop.labs]

Sounds plausible. I wouldn't be surprised that there are many revisions as DJI encountered issues reported by users that they fixed quietly

They also have a bunch of different suppliers, each one will be slightly different

 

[Lon Denard]

I started a thread recently about the difficulty getting filters on and off the M2P. Quite a few others joined in to say they were having problems too.
My Freewell filters were a problem as were those from other manufacturers.
Freewell claimed early on it was a user problem but they have recently conceded it is a manufacture problem.
Apparently, they claim the issue is with the M2P camera casing being made by more than one manufacturer.
They have 2 M2P drones where the filter (filter) system varies. See the video here

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Mmmm maybe but I had zero problems with the fitment of the 1st gen Skyreats except the gimbal cover. Then the 2nd gen Skyreats and Fstops gave me fitment problems because the tabs were too big. I put a caliper on them myself. If they had made them the same size as DJI's, which fit perfectly, there wouldn't have been a problem. If you're telling me that they got the drone and instead of sizing the filters the same as the lens cover OFF THE DRONE, they measured the holes on the camera. Well that's just plain stupid. Besides, aren't all of these companies claiming that their filters are made in the same factory as DJI's and Polar Pro's using the same glass and specs? They make it sound as if the only difference is the name stamped on the front.

 

[noosaguy]

Mmmm maybe but I had zero problems with the fitment of the 1st gen Skyreats except the gimbal cover. Then the 2nd gen Skyreats and Fstops gave me fitment problems because the tabs were too big. I put a caliper on them myself. If they had made them the same size as DJI's, which fit perfectly, there wouldn't have been a problem. If you're telling me that they got the drone and instead of sizing the filters the same as the lens cover OFF THE DRONE, they measured the holes on the camera. Well that's just plain stupid. Besides, aren't all of these companies claiming that their filters are made in the same factory as DJI's and Polar Pro's using the same glass and specs? They make it sound as if the only difference is the name stamped on the front.

Perhaps there's good reason but I'm amazed DJI didn't go for a screw on (round) housing to simplify things. They could have done it because almost all makers produce ND/CPL filters that have rotatable round PL filter.
There's no knowing how the filter manufacturers might design their filters. As you say, the smart thing would have been to copy precisely the Mavic filters but the makers might have used a drone as their template. There's no knowing if the DJI filters fit ALL iterations of the camera housing either. I'm no expert but I suspect that it's ******** that all the filters on the market come from one or two manufacturers. It sound much more like cheaper companies riding off the market leaders reputation in the market.

 

[zocalo]

They also have a bunch of different suppliers, each one will be slightly different

Not to this extent though, if they are all using CAD models provided by DJI and DJI's acceptance tolerances are reasonable enough. A few fractions of a mm that don't make any practical difference, sure, but not to the point that you run into problems like this. Ultimately this is going to bite DJI as well when it comes time to do repairs as they'll either need to replace entire major units like the camera/gimbal in one go, or make sure they have matched up sub-components from the same supplier to replace a scratched front filter.

This is poor engineering practice from DJI and their manufacturers, plain and simple.

 

[Lon Denard]

Perhaps there's good reason but I'm amazed DJI didn't go for a screw on (round) housing to simplify things. They could have done it because almost all makers produce ND/CPL filters that have rotatable round PL filter.
There's no knowing how the filter manufacturers might design their filters. As you say, the smart thing would have been to copy precisely the Mavic filters but the makers might have used a drone as their template. There's no knowing if the DJI filters fit ALL iterations of the camera housing either. I'm no expert but I suspect that it's ******** that all the filters on the market come from one or two manufacturers. It sound much more like cheaper companies riding off the market leaders reputation in the market.

*BOOM* as you drop the mic!

BTW if they had the drone, they had the original lens cover that comes with it...

 

[Lon Denard]

Not to this extent though, if they are all using CAD models provided by DJI and DJI's acceptance tolerances are reasonable enough. A few fractions of a mm that don't make any practical difference, sure, but not to the point that you run into problems like this. Ultimately this is going to bite DJI as well when it comes time to do repairs as they'll either need to replace entire major units like the camera/gimbal in one go, or make sure they have matched up sub-components from the same supplier to replace a scratched front filter.

This is poor engineering practice from DJI and their manufacturers, plain and simple.

OMG have we found a way to blame DJI for this too? If there is a "weird" camera, I have it since none of the cheap filters fit mine but the DJI filters fit perfectly. Remember, the story is some of the cameras have smaller slots. I must have one of those supposed aberrations, yet DJI and Polar Pro filters fit. Why? Because they match the stock lens cover perfectly.

 

[zocalo]

OMG have we found a way to blame DJI for this too? If there is a "weird" camera, I have it since none of the cheap filters fit mine but the DJI filters fit perfectly. Remember, the story is some of the cameras have smaller slots. I must have one of those supposed aberrations, yet DJI and Polar Pro filters fit. Why? Because they match the stock lens cover perfectly.

Possibly, yes. I'd say there are two potential scenarios here:

If, as f.stop labs is intimating, DJI has multiple suppliers of Mavic 2 components that are not building within tolerances sufficient to enable filters from different vendors to fit, or have tweaked the design enough to cause the issue, then yes, that's 100% DJI's problem.

If it's just cheap filter manufacturers that can't use a micrometer properly then DJI is off the hook. However, that doesn't align with the information about changing designs, both of the filters themselves and of the mounts on the camera. Some more data points would be useful here, but I wouldn't class f.stop as one of the cheaper / knock-off accessory vendors, and if they're having compatibility issues then there's almost certainly something not quite 100%.

 

[noosaguy]

*BOOM* as you drop the mic!

BTW if they had the drone, they had the original lens cover that comes with it...

True but they may have chosen to tool up based on the camera housing instead of the Mavic 2 filter itself. I don't see why that would be so 'stupid' as you claim?

 

[noosaguy]

OMG have we found a way to blame DJI for this too? If there is a "weird" camera, I have it since none of the cheap filters fit mine but the DJI filters fit perfectly. Remember, the story is some of the cameras have smaller slots. I must have one of those supposed aberrations, yet DJI and Polar Pro filters fit. Why? Because they match the stock lens cover perfectly.

 

[Lon Denard]

Possibly, yes. I'd say there are two potential scenarios here:

If, as f.stop labs is intimating, DJI has multiple suppliers of Mavic 2 components that are not building within tolerances sufficient to enable filters from different vendors to fit, or have tweaked the design enough to cause the issue, then yes, that's 100% DJI's problem.

If it's just cheap filter manufacturers that can't use a micrometer properly then DJI is off the hook. However, that doesn't align with the information about changing designs, both of the filters themselves and of the mounts on the camera. Some more data points would be useful here, but I wouldn't class f.stop as one of the cheaper / knock-off accessory vendors, and if they're having compatibility issues then there's almost certainly something not quite 100%.

Nope, I'm going to the mat on this one. The DJI lens cover fits EVERY Mavic 2 Pro. I've seen zero complaints that the stock lens cover doesn't fit. So whatever tolerances there may be, the stock DJI pieces fit. I'm not sure why anyone would think that DJI is somehow obligated to make their equipment easier for F Stop to make filters for. Again, my camera wouldn't accept F Stop or Skyreat filters but will accept DJI and Polar Pro. So DJI has somehow managed to make it work, as has Polar Pro. I measured them myself, the Skyreats were .003 too big and the shape of the pin/clip was different. This is on them.

 

[Lon Denard]

True but they may have chosen to tool up based on the camera housing instead of the Mavic 2 filter itself. I don't see why that would be so 'stupid' as you claim?

Simple. Instead of designing something from scratch, you take what already works and modify it cosmetically. If they would have made the exact same housing as DJI, we wouldn't be having this conversation. I measured them and they are not the same. Period. Their pins are thicker and shaped differently. Like I mentioned before, I took a micro file and worked the pins to make them operate, no problem. This is exactly why I started using DJI's filters back in the day. I went through three sets that wouldn't work on my Mavic Pro before I bought the DJI ND filters.

 

[Lon Denard]

To be honest none of this matters really. What matters is that there is a level of consistency from DJI's suppliers and after market suppliers. Things need to work.
As mentioned, I didn't make my filter purchase purely on price, that was a factor of course but not the only criteria.
Based on Freewell's video and the comments F-Stop labs made, there is little doubt there are variations in the M2P's camera housing. (And in regard to Polar Pro, if they fit so well, why do they supply a filter removal tool?)
If all the 'cheap' filter manufacturers tooled up based on the first iteration of the M2P, with subsequent variations to the camera housing it's no wonder there have been issues.

The tool is AWESOME and works with the DJI filters as well. It helps you get a grip on that slippery devil and "locks" onto it so you don't drop it. It also keeps your finger prints off the lens, which is nice.

Again, have you seen complaints that the stock DJI lens cover doesn't fit? No? So apparently it's not a problem for them. They've somehow managed to overcome the injustices of the variable camera housing.

 

[kilomikebravo]

Why? Because they match the stock lens cover perfectly.

FTR, the PolarPro filters all fit perfectly as well.

 

[Lon Denard]

In fact the Freewell filters already have knurled edges to make fitting and removal easier. That was another small piece of the puzzle that pointed me towards them. Freewell have sent me a new set of ND/PL filters that includes an ND1000 to test. I received them yesterday so I'll post the results later. Every other aspect of the original set of filters is good. They are obviously well made with no introduction of distortion.

View attachment 51869

Nice! I like the idea of the edge. I'm just leery of fitment issues with the gimbal guard. I think that Skyreat made their first filters wide on purpose, to make them easier to install and remove but the extra side piece precluded using the guard. Those are good looking filters btw!

 

[noosaguy]

Nice! I like the idea of the edge. I'm just leery of fitment issues with the gimbal guard. I think that Skyreat made their first filters wide on purpose, to make them easier to install and remove but the extra side piece precluded using the guard. Those are good looking filters btw!

Gimbal guard isn't an issue with these. They fit just fine and don't touch the guard. I will do a complete test later and post my results.

 

[FiShBuRn]

Nice! I like the idea of the edge. I'm just leery of fitment issues with the gimbal guard. I think that Skyreat made their first filters wide on purpose, to make them easier to install and remove but the extra side piece precluded using the guard. Those are good looking filters btw!

That was the old version of @Skyreat filters...the new ones are easy to install and you can put the gimbal guard without any problem.