ND - filters question

[trisen1981]

Hello everyone.

I was using my mavic 3 pro for a while that came with original DJi filters and all seems good.

However I bought used mini 4 pro as well recently in order to fly in the city where mavic is really hard to get permission everytime.

M4P came with a set of ND filters from NEEWER (adjustable one - Amazon.ca)

Today I started testing ob both drones side by side and I noticed one odd thing - ND filters from NEEWER produced different color/brightness distribution versus image without filter or the result coming from mavic 3 pro with filter

Image attached. That is extreme grading

So should I just drop those filters in the garbage and buy OEM DJi one or fixed non adjustable from same brand or anything else ?

Thank you

 

[brett8883]

Hello everyone.

I was using my mavic 3 pro for a while that came with original DJi filters and all seems good.

However I bought used mini 4 pro as well recently in order to fly in the city where mavic is really hard to get permission everytime.

M4P came with a set of ND filters from NEEWER (adjustable one - Amazon.ca)

Today I started testing ob both drones side by side and I noticed one odd thing - ND filters from NEEWER produced different color/brightness distribution versus image without filter or the result coming from mavic 3 pro with filter

Image attached. That is extreme grading

So should I just drop those filters in the garbage and buy OEM DJi one or fixed non adjustable from same brand or anything else ?

Thank you

Upload the images with unmodified color. Additionally, put in the exposure setting (shutter, aperture, ISO frame rate) on all of them so we can rule out it isn’t just noise or noise reduction that you are seeing. Frankly, the M4P with the stronger ND filter looks the cleanest of all these images which is interesting.

Also, are you using manual white balance set to the same kelvin value on all tests? Or auto white balance?

Adjustable ND filters are just two polarizing filters put together so we would expect some difference in color saturation and brightness due to the polarization filter. blue skys tend to be darker, it will affect the greens and yellows in foliage and it will also reduce light from reflections. So some amount of differences are expected and often that is desirable.

Lower grade ND filters do have a higher chance of color shifts happening. Although, you’ll have to decide if it actually looks bad. Not totally understanding what you are talking about with the brightness distribution though.

 

[trisen1981]

Color temperature was same for all of them manual 6300
Shutter speed was different not 1/60 on all of them not sure exactly what was the value.

The fact that this ND filters make all look warm is obvious - my worry here that inconsistent luminance across the frame - and I tend to trust Mavic 3 pro more with OEM filter regarding luminance distribution

So it seems like all these Variable ND filters will always have this luminance or color distribution issue , obviously the cheapest one will have it more obvious that more expensive one.

Is any one used NEEWER NON variable set and can confirm they don't have this issues ? Those one - Amazon.ca

 

[Cymruflyer]

Assuming you are using these for video, right? If you are using them for still images, there is absolutely no need to use an ND filter for still images, unless you want to slow down the shutter speed to get the effect of flowing water, or smooth streaking clouds in an image.

If you are using these for still images, what are you trying to achieve in your image, that you don't think you can achieve with using manual camera settings? If this is the case, possibly you don't know why you use an ND filter.

As for a variable ND filter, they are, as has been said, simply two polarizing filter that turn in opposite directions and not really the most practical things to use. Variables will always give you those lighter and darker areas in your image, even the very expensive ones. I've used them in still photography, for years

 

[trisen1981]

Assuming you are using these for video, right? If you are using them for still images, there is absolutely no need to use an ND filter for still images, unless you want to slow down the shutter speed to get the effect of flowing water, or smooth streaking clouds in an image.

If you are using these for still images, what are you trying to achieve in your image, that you don't think you can achieve with using manual camera settings? If this is the case, possibly you don't know why you use an ND filter.

As for a variable ND filter, they are, as has been said, simply two polarizing filter that turn in opposite directions and not really the most practical things to use. Variables will always give you those lighter and darker areas in your image, even the very expensive ones. I've used them in still photography, for years

Thanks for your reply, Yes I am using them for video as for still I can just play with the shutter.

So I think the nonvariable that I mentioned in the link (https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0...?smid=AJY4P6899LZIE&th=1&tag=profoundinter-20) from the same company would work better even though they are not from top companies,

 

[Cymruflyer]

Variable NDs are fun to play with but of course, like all polarizing filters, they work best in sunshine and only at particular angles to the sun. Outside of these parameters they don't work well at all, and you'd be better off buying an ND to the value that you need at that particular time and for the conditions you wish to fly in. That will give you a more even light diffusion, compared to a variable type set up. As mentioned, even very good variables have their limits and are very expense too.