When to use ND filters

Questions & Answers
61

Just to add, ND filters not really required for photos (yes I know I know, there are exceptions but I can’t get any of my drones to hold steady in the sky for usable milky waterfalls or car light trails). Generally NDs are used for video, and then only when fast moving action in frame.

Polarizers can benefit video and photography, for more vivid colours, reduced haze and reflections, but do watch out for stripey skies, which is more likely to occur with wide angle lenses such as the 24mm equivalent most of us have on our drones, and especially with panoramas.

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62

This :point_up: :point_up: :point_up: :point_up:

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63

Cheers. That very helpful. Thanks :+1:

64

Mini 3 pro has a lens about 1.5 stops faster than previous drones so anywhere where a ND16 or 32 worked before will now need a 64 for the same effect.

FWIW i use a ND32 and 64 pretty much 50/50 in the UK for video. Maybe in winter the 32 will get more use.
Abroad in sunnier locations the 64 is used.

Note this is video only. I’d never ever use an ND for stills as it works against all im trying to achieve. I do use a CPL at times though.

(non drone based photography i DO sometimes use NDs or VNDs for various reasons. Not applicable to drones though)

65

Thats not a useful guide overall. Depends on the lens aperture.
Mini 3 Pro needs 1-2 stop stronger ND than the other models they based this on.

66

I wish this app was available for iOS in the UK! :frowning:

67

Try this link

68

It is. I have it on my phone. Search Nisi nd calculator on the App Store.

69
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70

Thank you, but I couldn’t find the download button on this page. This website seems to provide a download link for only 7 days after the iOS app (file format .ipa) is uploaded.

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The “Nisi ND Calculator” app(suggested by other members in this thread) has a different UI but gets the job done. A benefit of the “Nisi ND Calculator” app is the ability to add exposure compensation to find the ND filter needed for the optimum settings.

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71

Or just spent 30 seconds reading about it and doing it in your head? Its literally just doubling or halving things.