Whenever you purchase a set of ND filters on your motion digital camera or FPV digital camera, you’ll typically discover it comes with extra UV and CPL filters. In case 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 may also help you get better-looking FPV footage.
UV Filter
UV (Ultraviolet) filters had been initially utilized in movie pictures to dam ultraviolet gentle that would trigger haze and scale back picture readability. Within the digital age, digital camera sensors aren’t as delicate to UV gentle, so UV filters not serve a powerful optical goal.
For FPV cameras and motion digital camera, UV filters principally simply act as a protector on your digital camera lens, particularly when flying particles or crashes are widespread. It’s additionally simpler to exchange or clear a UV filter than your precise lens. They appear clear and doesn’t affect video high quality a lot. If you find yourself not utilizing an ND filter, you possibly can simply go away the UV filter on as safety.
CPL Filter
CPL (Round Polarizing Filter) helps scale back reflections and glare from any shiny surfaces like water, glass, snow, or automobile our bodies. It additionally enhances coloration distinction, making skies look bluer and foliage richer. They’re nice for out of doors taking pictures on sunny days whenever you wish to get rid of glare from surfaces or punch up the colours in your scene.
CPL filters use polarization to selectively block sure gentle waves. Some costlier filters even lets you rotate and discover the angle the place reflections are diminished probably the most.
Nonetheless, CPL filters usually are not generally used for FPV flying since FPV cameras solely permit 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 on your digital camera. They scale back the quantity of sunshine getting into the lens with out altering coloration steadiness. ND filters are essential for movement blur and controlling publicity in vibrant situations. In vibrant daylight, your digital camera could default to a quick shutter velocity, leading to footage that appears too sharp or jittery. ND filters decelerate the shutter velocity, creating pure movement blur—important for easy, cinematic footage.
Take a look at my detailed information on the way to choose and use ND filters: https://oscarliang.com/nd-filter-fpv/
Remaining 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 eventualities however are finest fitted to static or slow-moving photographs.
When shopping for a filter set on your DJI O3/O4 or motion cam, getting a equipment that features ND4 to ND32, a UV, and a CPL offers you the flexibleness to deal with virtually any lighting situation.