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Need Help Picking Correct ND Filters

Mavic_Pete

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Hello all,

Going to Hawaii in 2 weeks and I want to get a either a 1 or 3 pack of polar pro filters. I do all of my flying in sunny Arizona when I am not traveling on vacation. My question is what 1 or 3 should I get for sunny AZ and sun/water reflections in Hawaii. Should I get all 1-3 polarized or just one? I'm thinking ND 8, 16, and 32, or recommendations??

Mavic Pro / Platinum - Custom 3-Pack
 
Hello all,

Going to Hawaii in 2 weeks and I want to get a either a 1 or 3 pack of polar pro filters. I do all of my flying in sunny Arizona when I am not traveling on vacation. My question is what 1 or 3 should I get for sunny AZ and sun/water reflections in Hawaii. Should I get all 1-3 polarized or just one? I'm thinking ND 8, 16, and 32, or recommendations??

What would you need a plain ND filter for?
 
I'm thinking ND 8, 16, and 32, or recommendations?
Those are the most commonly used filters. If you need an ND 4 (for flying around sunrise/sunset) or an ND 64 (for super bright conditions), you could always buy them later separately.

There are a lot of good filter Mavic Pro brands available. Any of these brands would be a good choice. If you decide to stray from that list, make sure you check out the reviews.
 
Just make sure to choose a filter that you can leave on the drone during startup...so you don't have to keep taking it off and putting it on. My Polapro Cineseries (4, 8, 16) kit does that.
 
Those are the most commonly used filters. If you need an ND 4 (for flying around sunrise/sunset) or an ND 64 (for super bright conditions), you could always buy them later separately.

There are a lot of good filter Mavic Pro brands available. Any of these brands would be a good choice. If you decide to stray from that list, make sure you check out the reviews.

Thanks for the replies.

Would you recomend getting all polarized or non polarized? Basically I'm wondering if I am flying in an area that doesn' require polarization will it effect the look of my pictures/video as opposed to a non polarized lens? Or is there 1 filter I should get polarized? 16 or 32? Any help is appreciated. I thought I had this figured out until I saw they make the same filter polarized and non polarized.
 
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Would you recomend getting all polarized or non polarized? Basically I'm wondering if I am flying in an area that doesn' require polarization will it effect the look of my pictures/video as opposed to a non polarized lens?
It depends on where you're flying. See this video for some examples of where polarized filters would be helpful:

 
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The only time I could think that polarization would not apply, would be a very cloudy day, with no water.

Polarization on water IMO is very important as it will cut the glare, and you can get glare on cloudy days also.

Issues:

1. Polarization is less effect on wide lenses and the Mavic has a wide lens, so you need to make sure the filter has been placed on the gimbal to give the best effect. You can easily check this by just holding the filter and looking through it, and rotate it.

2. Polarization will also tend to create a lighter to darker effect on pure blue skies again mainly due to the wide lens, as it's very hard to completely polarize the entire scene the same. You may also see this as you pan across a scene. As you pan, across the sky, you will also see the polarization increase and decrease.

3. Polarization will work best with the sun at your back or 90 degrees away. As you move towards the sun, the effect will not be as strong.

4. Any Polarizer add a bit of light reduction, but all the Polar pro filters I know of include the PL and ND. Be aware of the light you are working in.

5. Polarization also has a huge effect tree leaves, anything green and fall colors. Bright light on tree leaves IMO really cuts down on the colors and adding the PL, will make a huge difference, allowing more of the natural colors to come out.

I use the Polar Pro cinema series, the 3 that are PL and ND. Mainly use just the PLND4, as I am more interested in stills over video. The larger number filters will help however on video as you are attempting to hold the shutter speed to 120/Fps to 60/fps depending on your video settings.
NOTE, if you use these, make sure you have adjusted the noise reduction way down. For some reason on the Mavic, PP, at least on mine, there is more noise reduction added thus plastic looking blurring. I personally HATE this, and really wish DJI would allow video without any noise reduction. However you can change the settings to under the custom styles. Once you add the filter, play around with all three settings as you can make changes and see the effect on screen.

Paul Caldwell
 
The only time I could think that polarization would not apply, would be a very cloudy day, with no water.

Polarization on water IMO is very important as it will cut the glare, and you can get glare on cloudy days also.

Issues:

1. Polarization is less effect on wide lenses and the Mavic has a wide lens, so you need to make sure the filter has been placed on the gimbal to give the best effect. You can easily check this by just holding the filter and looking through it, and rotate it.

2. Polarization will also tend to create a lighter to darker effect on pure blue skies again mainly due to the wide lens, as it's very hard to completely polarize the entire scene the same. You may also see this as you pan across a scene. As you pan, across the sky, you will also see the polarization increase and decrease.

3. Polarization will work best with the sun at your back or 90 degrees away. As you move towards the sun, the effect will not be as strong.

4. Any Polarizer add a bit of light reduction, but all the Polar pro filters I know of include the PL and ND. Be aware of the light you are working in.

5. Polarization also has a huge effect tree leaves, anything green and fall colors. Bright light on tree leaves IMO really cuts down on the colors and adding the PL, will make a huge difference, allowing more of the natural colors to come out.

I use the Polar Pro cinema series, the 3 that are PL and ND. Mainly use just the PLND4, as I am more interested in stills over video. The larger number filters will help however on video as you are attempting to hold the shutter speed to 120/Fps to 60/fps depending on your video settings.
NOTE, if you use these, make sure you have adjusted the noise reduction way down. For some reason on the Mavic, PP, at least on mine, there is more noise reduction added thus plastic looking blurring. I personally HATE this, and really wish DJI would allow video without any noise reduction. However you can change the settings to under the custom styles. Once you add the filter, play around with all three settings as you can make changes and see the effect on screen.

Paul Caldwell

Great info here.. thanks Paul! I think i am gonna order 8,16,32 all ndpl. If I want to order a non polarized nd later on I will.
 
Hello all,

Going to Hawaii in 2 weeks and I want to get a either a 1 or 3 pack of polar pro filters. I do all of my flying in sunny Arizona when I am not traveling on vacation. My question is what 1 or 3 should I get for sunny AZ and sun/water reflections in Hawaii. Should I get all 1-3 polarized or just one? I'm thinking ND 8, 16, and 32, or recommendations??

Mavic Pro / Platinum - Custom 3-Pack

Here is a video we just made on the difference between our ND and ND/PL filters.
As far as densities, you can't go wrong with the ND8, ND16, ND32, that will give you coverage on a majority of lighting conditions with the Mavic Pro or Platinum. Happy to answer any other questions!
-Jeff from PolarPro
 
Here is a video we just made on the difference between our ND and ND/PL filters.
As far as densities, you can't go wrong with the ND8, ND16, ND32, that will give you coverage on a majority of lighting conditions with the Mavic Pro or Platinum. Happy to answer any other questions!
-Jeff from PolarPro


Jeff, Thanks for this! I am going to go 8,16,32 all ND/PL. How fast is shipping typically? I leave on the 27th. If I order today direct form polar pro website do you think they would arrive within a week?

Do you have any promo codes? :)
 
You might call Polarpro and ask about shipping estimates but I ordered mine on Amazon with Prime and I got them next day. They are really well designed and performing filters.
 
You can download an app called PolarPro, it will tell you when and what filter you need
 
Jeff, Thanks for this! I am going to go 8,16,32 all ND/PL. How fast is shipping typically? I leave on the 27th. If I order today direct form polar pro website do you think they would arrive within a week?

Do you have any promo codes? :)
Awesome! We typically ship same day :)
Thanks for supporting our brand!
-Jeff from PolarPro
 
For some reason on the Mavic, PP, at least on mine, there is more noise reduction added thus plastic looking blurring. I personally HATE this, and really wish DJI would allow video without any noise reduction.

I believe the Mavic's Noise Reduction is switched off at Sharpness +1 or above. Why sharpness is linked to noise reduction I don't know but there are plenty of analysis videos on YouTube discussing this.
 
Awesome! We typically ship same day :)
Thanks for supporting our brand!
-Jeff from PolarPro

Received my ND/PL filters today! Went with the 2 day shipping just to be sure. Love how it came with a case to hold all 3 filters. Also came with a little bag for single filter storage. I also downloaded the app already! Cant wait to try these out in Hawaii next week! Great company, 10/10 would recommend!

 
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Received my ND/PL filters today! Went with the 2 day shipping just to be sure. Love how it came with a case to hold all 3 filters. Also came with a little bag for single filter storage. I also downloaded the app already! Cant wait to try these out in Hawaii next week! Great company, 10/10 would recommend!

Awesome thanks for supporting our brand Pete!
-Jeff from PolarPro
 
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I was searching on Amazon for "Polarpro polarized mavic pro". Nada. Nothing. You can't get Polarpro polarized filters on Amazon - for anything. Lots of options for SANDMARC pop up though. And Neewer, Jinger, DJI, HDStars, and others.

Oh wait, the entire world uses the term polarized except for... Polarpro who uses Vivid. Seriously? Who does your marketing? Replace 'polarized' with 'vivid' and then some things pop up but nothing for the MP or MPP. Nada. Nothing.

But wait, there's more (RIP Billy Mays). Click on https://www.amazon.com/Polar-Filter...7351&sr=8-2&keywords=polarpro+vivid+mavic+pro for the Mavic (not MP or MPP) and the description says MP and MPP. So, do these work w/ the Mavic or Mavic Pro/Plat?

I wonder how many people wanted Polarpro products but couldn't find them because of inept marketing and so purchased Neewer, DJI, or something instead? I hope your product is better than your marketing.
 
I was searching on Amazon for "Polarpro polarized mavic pro". Nada. Nothing. You can't get Polarpro polarized filters on Amazon - for anything. Lots of options for SANDMARC pop up though. And Neewer, Jinger, DJI, HDStars, and others.

Oh wait, the entire world uses the term polarized except for... Polarpro who uses Vivid. Seriously? Who does your marketing? Replace 'polarized' with 'vivid' and then some things pop up but nothing for the MP or MPP. Nada. Nothing.

But wait, there's more (RIP Billy Mays). Click on https://www.amazon.com/Polar-Filter...7351&sr=8-2&keywords=polarpro+vivid+mavic+pro for the Mavic (not MP or MPP) and the description says MP and MPP. So, do these work w/ the Mavic or Mavic Pro/Plat?

I wonder how many people wanted Polarpro products but couldn't find them because of inept marketing and so purchased Neewer, DJI, or something instead? I hope your product is better than your marketing.

Thanks for the feedback, and I do our marketing :) Our filters are the #1 sellers on Amazon so I think most people are finding them, but I do appreciate your feedback. Also below you will find links, if you have any questions or need further clarification I would be happy to help

Mavic Air:
Gradient Set: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CW6169F
Vivid Collection (ND/PL's) : https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079C3BGFC
Shutter Collection (ND's) : https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079C2CQN2
6PK: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079BZQQ6Y

Mavic Pro / Mavic Platinum:
Gradient Set: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CW78M1N
Vivid Collection (ND/PL's) : https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MQUNS20
Shutter Collection: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MQULKJU
6PK: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MQUMIQ4

-Jeff from PolarPro
 
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Thanks for the feedback, and I do our marketing :) Our filters are the #1 sellers on Amazon so I think most people are finding them, but I do appreciate your feedback. Also below you will find links, if you have any questions or need further clarification I would be happy to help

Mavic Air:
Gradient Set: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CW6169F
Vivid Collection (ND/PL's) : https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079C3BGFC
Shutter Collection (ND's) : https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079C2CQN2
6PK: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079BZQQ6Y

Mavic Pro / Mavic Platinum:
Gradient Set: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CW78M1N
Vivid Collection (ND/PL's) : https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MQUNS20
Shutter Collection: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MQULKJU
6PK: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MQUMIQ4

-Jeff from PolarPro


Just read the whole post and watched the video. Went right to Amazon and bought the Vivid series and looking forward to some of my own comparisons! (after a few months of thinking about it)

In the video you were using a Phantom and it looked like you were adjusting the polarity or just screwing the filter on? I apologize if I missed the statement in the video - I had the closed captions on. (my students were testing and I was taking a 3-minute grading break). With that, do you need to turn the filter at all to adjust polarity for shooting? I am thinking when shooting anything (building with many windows, cars, etc.) that also have polarized glass do you ever take that into account? I haven't done much so far, but I assume this is something that comes up?
 
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