I also like using graduated ones, especially if I plan to capture sky with ground or close to horizon. Give good results with dark subject like a dark forest and bright blue sky.
Don't know how I JUST discovered you and your channel...so glad I did! Clear, structured, delivery of info. Objective tests and studies. I appreciate your work👌
Glad you found the channel, lee! Appreciate your kind words and feedback! I try to be as structured as possible but it’s tough sometimes! Haha. Thanks for watching
Glad it was helpful! It can be a tricky topic to understand but they are a great addition to your kit for filming cinematic video in bright environments. Thanks for the kind words and watching, Zilver.
the line on the filter indicates the direction of the polarizing lines. Polarizing is done by a series of very small lines in the filter that run parallel to each other. Changing the filter from the line in the 12 oclock to 6 oclock will not change anything (because the lines are parallel and run the entire length of the lens.) The polarizing doesn't work horizontally because the phase of reflected light is perpendicular to the surface. Most of the light is vertical and gets reflected horizontally and is why the up and down lines will cancel it out.
For drone footage, only during mid day. Any other time, it's a hassle especially if you are shooting multiple locations with different exposures. A filter maybe perfect for awesome sunsets but once you turn around it maybe too dark.
Definitely location and weather dependent, but I agree. Sometimes in the morning in ohio if it's overcast, I don't need to use a filter at all. Sometimes I have to use an ND8 at sunrise because it's so bring. Thanks for watching, Chris!
If you want to eliminate glare off a horizontal surface, (like water), align the filter vertically, (12 o'clock or 6 o'clock)- If you want to eliminate glare off a vertical surface, (like a glass building), align the filter horizontally, (3 o'clock or 9 o'clock)- 6 o'clock and 12 o'clock are physically IDENTICAL. Ditto 3 and 9
First I saw the not great Jeven Dovey video and then I'm so glad I found this video showing an actual comparison of ND vs no ND. Great work on showing the difference - super helpful to have the subject and lighting conditions the same so we can tell the difference.
From my experience in Photography using circular polarizing filter, it is a biased filter! I mean no matter with position you adjust it to, it'll cut off some glare in the scene. For example you can make the sky that is 90 degrees from the sun's position looks super blue and dark or make it look slightly brighter compared to the surrounding scene. It's a tricky filter but very enjoyable to use. I highly recommend it if you're shooting a bald guy with shinny head! You can cut the glare for your portraits quite a bit! It's also great for shooting through glass or clear water in nature.
It's a tough filter to use, and it changes with how you point your camera at the object. There is a fair bit of changing angles in the air while using one with a drone. It can be done, but it's definitely not a "set it an forget it" type of filter! Thanks for watching
Sitting here in north Carolina watching UA-cam and your video was recommended to me... And you started off with a shot from lakewood park and Bradstreet landing. Wasn't expecting my hometown! Nice work, subscribed
Glad I could give you a look at your home town! It's a great area and love it (other than the weather right now - you have it a little warmer in NC right now!) They are doing some construction on bradstreet and that's my go-to testing spot, so I've had to look elsewhere for my videos lately! Thanks for watching and hello from NE Ohio!
Very well presented, easy to understand, truly enlightening (since we are talking about filters...). Thank you for this really useful video. I was able to understand filters much better and do away with all ambiguity related to the visual effect of ND and polarizing filters. Thank you so much for this upload! Great job! I will go ahead and buy the PolarPro ND filter set that you recommended (8,16,32).
Glad you enjoyed it! Filters can have some big impacts on your footage - hope you have fun using them! Thanks again for the kind words and watching, Jason!
"if you don't like the video, share it to some one you don't like" ahah I love it. Thanks for this video ! It is very interesting with details, I was looking for some informations about ND/PL filters and you gave me the answer I was looking for. Many thanks !
Well explained. Kinda wonder, why DJI decided to put in a f2.8, fixed aperture lens on this drone.They probably saved 2 dollars, but made us to deal with ND filters, lots of guessing, and high probability of ending up with overexposed footage. I would rather pay $100.00 more to have few more f-stops. Don't think that was a good design decision.
Hey there El Mono, some of the DJI drones (like the Mavic 2 Pro) has a variable aperture, but still needs ND filters to properly expose your footage. A non-fixed aperture definitely helps in those times where you need to swap ND filters to a stronger filter, adjusting the aperture can definitely save you there but ND filters are a pretty common tool to have for shooting natural-looking motion blur with your footage during the day. Totally see where you're coming from though. When flying the Mavic Air or mini series, I definitely find myself wishing there was a variable aperture.
Filters are tough, since they go in front of your lens, cheaper ones can have a color cast or blur the image when you just want it darker. I’ve been really happy with the polar pro filters so far!
Yeah, just how polarization works - decided to test it out just to make sure the lines on the filter were correct (and I've known that, but I never actually tested it before now). Thanks for the kind words and watching, JC
Wow thanks this is the 3rd video I watched and finally you just flat out explained it and didn't jump around! Thank you so much again it just clicked to me half way through I was like this guy is awesome!
Glad to help, ND filters can be tricky at first - but they are awesome for making natural-looking footage. Congrats on your new Mini 2 and thanks for watching.
I agree! This video is meant to be an introduction to the different kinds of filters, so I thought showing a few examples would help drive the point of PL filters a little more. Just be aware that not all polarized filters are created equal, and some filters may have a cross-polarization effect if you move the polarizing filters too far. This is less of an issue on filters with markings or hard stops but still something to be aware of. Sorry for the late response - thanks for watching and pointing that out
Very informative tut. Not too technical at all. Actually explained everything to a T. Love the mathematics involved and love the trickery with bumping the shutter speed and frame rate. Liked and subscribed for sure. 👍
Glad it was helpful! I'm far from the first person to use this concept, but have been using it for years. You can also break this too! If you're shooting something fast like a car, and don't want as much motion blur, you can slightly bump up the shutter for less blur. Removing the motion blur might not be a good idea - but experiment around with your settings! It sounds nerdy, but it can separate your footage from everyone elses! Sorry for the rant and glad you enjoyed the video enough to like and sub.
For choosing an ND, I can actually recommend to point your camera roughtly in the direction showing the situation you want to be shooting in, set ISO to auto, choose the shutter speed you want and then try out different ND filters. Choose one that gives you exposure that looks right just from the image, an look for the ISO to not be at the total minimum but also not at the total maximum. If the minimum is 100, you want to choose a filter that allows you to be close to that but not straight on. You will want some buffer in case the area suddenly gets brighter mid flight. At least, that is for drones, which have fixed aperture. If you have variable aperture with a minimum of lets say f1.4, set the aperture to f4, ISO to the native ISO (lets assume its 800) and then attatch an ND-filter that gives you proper exposure. If the lighting conditions change, you optimally want to change the ND filter - that shouldnt be possible mid flight, so you will have to change the aperture instead. There is a clear right and wrong in this. The right ND filter is the one that gives you proper exposure.
I just recently bought a drone and am researching the accessories needed to get the most out of it. Tonight, I have been researching filters for a few hours and can say without question, this is the most helpful video that I have seen. Thank you for making this video, sir!
@Keith Knittel i dont understand what the advantage of a normal ND Filter is. ?? Why not just use ND-PL all the time. if there is water reflections great, if not it would just work like a normal ndfilter. But obvs, i must be wrong .
There are some advantages to normal ND filters, one is cost. A set of ND/PL filters will cost more on average than single ND filters. Another, more common reason is ND filters are less complicated than ND/PL. They arent that complicated but many beginners don't take the time to figure out which is the proper polarization that they need, so they arent happy with the results when using a polarizer on a drone and don't get great results. I love ND/PL filters, and use them anytime I'm around reflections, although there have been a set of VND+Mist filters I've been using lately. Next I'm hoping for an ND+Mist+PL! Haha. Great question and thanks for asking, Matt!
@@keith-knittel yeah i had a choice of a set of ND or a set of ND-PL they dont have the wheel that allows you to change anything . but i went with the ND-PL seems like can probably get away with just using those
A polarized filter at 12 o'clock vs 6 o'clock is the same thing. Light bouncing off surfaces is polarized parallel to that surface. Filters remove light polarized in a certain plane.
Very impressed with this my friend. Off on a trip to Wales, UK on Sunday to get some footage. Just bought the polar pro shutter collection filters. Hopefully do a good job 😁
Many thanks! I have looked high and low for an explanatory video on ND and NDPL filters and you have just made it so clear and to the point. Couldn't help giving a big Like (am already subscribed!). Just one question. I have an Osmo Pocket 2 and was looking for directions on ND and NDPL filters. All that you touched upon in this video will, I assume, be just as relevant for non-drone (the Pocket 2, in my case) videography too, right?
Great informative video! Just bought PolarPro Vivid collection and this was truly helpful. Thank you :) You got yourself a new subscriber. Also, kudos for the super crisp mic sound! Keep it up
Thanks for the kinds words! You can rotate the filters 360 degrees unless it's a "hard stop" filter. I just used the common 12, 6 and 9 as common positions
Me with a newly bought Mavic Air 2: keep watching those amazing footages! I can totally do this! Me after unboxing: how do you assemble this thing? Let alone how filters and frame rates and exposure work hahaha. But thank you so much for this video! I will need to come back to this after I’ve learned how to fly it.
Haha totally understand what you mean. There is a learning curve, but if gets easier the more you do it. Most all cameras (and DJI) drones are pretty similar, so if you know how to use one - you'll be able to pick another one up pretty quickly. Just the initial learning curve is tough - and I still learn new things all the time! Congrats on your new drone and thanks for watching
A Polarising filter, by virtue of it's theory of operation, has also an overall filtering effect. On a clear sunny day, a blue sky provides the best example. Turn the filter and see through it , the sky/ cloud contrast change. The orientation of the filter {12 oclock} is invariably towards the sun. The effect extends to any surface that reflects light as would a mirror. ie water. Hence the reduction of the glare from sunlight over water. The effect is dependent on the orientation of the filter toward the sun, Fly fishers use polaroid shades to see their prey. Of course an actual mirror, being a metallized surface, reflects light; while reintegrating and removing the polarization. You will see no reduction in glare off a metallic surface. I don't think a polariser would necessarily be also a neutral density filter. It doesn't matter for B/W photography. But then I think back to the colourblind photographic plates of the past, with nary a cloud to be seen.
Interesting video, but I still have a question: why not shoot with maximum clarity / no motion blur and get that in post? I am hesitant to waste permanently frame quality, I might need the non-blurry frames in the future..
Very good explanation - thanks! One question - what are the best settings and filter for eliminating jitteriness from med speed sideways panning motions on a normal sunny day at noon?
Hello Thanks for such a informative and easy to understand explanation. I just recently bought dji mini 4 pro i was thinking of buying a set of nd filter but then i saw that there and two choices ndpl and ND …. Which should i buy as i will not buy these again.
Hello, thanks for your interesting video and thanks to share it. I need to ask a question please. I only make documentaries in 4K 50p on sunny days. Since it doesn't make much sense to use an ND filter with high framerate and Automatic Exposure, I was thinking to buy a CPL filter and always leave it on, without removing it. I like an image that is a little more contrasted, crispier and with more colour. I use D-Log M, do you think I'll get what I want with CPL filter? Thanks
I would look into using manual exposure if you're using filters of any kind - adding filters will typically darken the image and your camera may try to boost ISO or jump around. Locking your shutter to 1/100th shooting at 50p, you'll probably need an ND filter on sunny days to bring your exposure down. If you like the saturated and contrasty look, you'll probably want to use single ND filters (ND4, ND8 ND16, etc) and a CPL to get the best exposure and remove glare/increase colors. Unless you can find an ND+PL for your camera, what are you shooting on?
Thank you! I think I FINALLY understand the benefits and reasons behind using these filters. Great job. Well done. I have a Mini 2. I realize it’s limitations but I’d like to get a polarizing filter for it. I don’t find an offering from Polar Pro Filters. Do you have a recommendation?
Filters are tricky at first but they can give you some great results! Freewell has some polarized Nd filters. There is a link in the description to them on my “mini 2 accessories” video. I’d link you here but I’m on my phone. Thanks for watching and glad it was helpful!
The question comes into play; is trying to get *some* motion blur worth giving up exposure adjustments with fixed aperture lenses with the only tool, the shutter speed? And with the ND filter the exposure still has to be dead on. So to some extent you're stuck anyway, having to depend on post production to fix minor exposure issues. And motion blur only occurs when you're closer to objects. So, IMO those pilots/filmers who are sensitive to motion blur, a better drone would be one with variable aperture like the Mavic 2 Pro, Mavic 3 or Autel Evo II or Evo Lite Plus. With variable aperture, if you think you need motion blur, you can throw on your best guess of ND filter set the shutter speed, and then dial in the correct exposure. And should the light change during the same sortie, just adjust the aperture again.
That does come into play, however cranking up your shutter speed on a sunny day to something high like 1/1000+ will start to introduce some stuttery-looking footage as well. With the filters, I can still adjust lower or higher than the 180 degree shutter rule. Like you mentioned, if you want more motion blur, you can "fake" that by slowing down your shutter to something even slower than you typically would if you're far away from your subject to "simulate" some motion blur. The beauty (and the frustrating part) is that there is no right or wrong answer. The guidelines are a good starting point to use most of the time but there are always situations where you can "break" the rules and get great results. Understanding the rules is the first part of knowing when to break them and you definitely seem like you know the 180 degree shutter rule pretty well. I agree that having aperture control is easier. I should make an update video to this using a mirrorless/DSLR and go deeper into how aperture plays a part in this. Thanks for the great comment and watching
Nice subbed! Just a side note, if you double the frame rate say to 60 and then use the 120 shutter angle that will give the 180 degree shutter if you slow it down, but if you don't slow it down then it will be a bit more staccato
Hey there David, thanks for the sub! I was under the impression that the shutter angle was determined at the time of recording. So filming at 24 fps / 48 shutter speed would be a shutter angle of 180, but also 60 fps / 120 shutter speed would also be a shutter angle of 180, regardless if you slowed it down or not. You can slow it down, but the motion blur will remain the same (more drawn out if you slow the footage down, but it would be the blur would be the same). I think the stuttering may occur if you're putting the native 60 fps footage into a 24fps timeline. Interpreting that 60fps footage to the 24fps timeline would eliminate those stutters, but you'd have to slow down the footage. I could be wrong here, but let me know what you think. Very good question and thanks for bringing it up!
@@keith-knittel Oh no, I read what I said and worded it terribly haha, it's because most people edit in a 30p timeline even with 60p footage, so you're right if they slow it down it'll be fine, but if they edit in a 30p timeline with the 60p footage and don't slow down the footage to keep all the frames then 1/2 frames will be missing which will make the shutter angle for those shots at a 90degree angle instead of a 180 degree angle.
With 30fps you need less motion blur and with 60fps it is even less important for smooth playback. This is why I prefer higher fps, but it requires more pc power.
They're awesome for the MA2 since the camera is so good! If you're filming a lot in bright environments they will give you great video if you're using the 180 degree shutter rule. Thanks again for watching so many of my videos, Texas Family Camping!
It really depends on how bright of an environment you're filming in. I live in Ohio, so my ND filters are typically pretty mild, but when I was in Mexico when the sun was closer to the equator, I had to use some serious ND filters to battle the sun. Thanks for watching, Bojan
If your lens has markings on it, check out the markings - typically lining up the markings or using it at the top of the lens will give you the best polarization. If not, it will take some experimenting. Thanks for watching
I am using MOMENT AIR ND filters on M2P. I also have PL filter from MOMENT but never had a chance to use it so far. Thank you for your detailed informative video. I”d like to find an opportunity to try my PL filter!
Glad you found the video useful! How do you like your Moment filters? I've never used any but would like to try them out in the future. So many filters to try! Thanks for watching and commenting
When I go out in bright sunshine, my eye need filters so I grab my sunglasses. Out in the gulf, in need polarized and darker filters......sunglasses 😄👋🏼😄
I think PL filters on a drone are pretty useless. I suggest to do some experiments with an SLR camera with a pol filter on a tripod. Make a photo of a car and try to remove the glare in the windshield to get a picture of the driver inside the car. You will notice the adjustment of the filter needs to be accurate but you'll also find out the angle of the camera towards the car is important. Move the tripod a bit and you'll have to adjust the filter again. In my opinion with a moving drone this is an impossible job.....
Polarizing filters are tough to work with for sure. I like using them because I film around water a lot, and it will help take some of the glare away so it doesn't just look like a giant sheet of reflections. That being said, it doesn't take all of the reflections away, and if it's not aligned properly you could get some weird dark cross-polarization. They are finicky filters - and sometimes if I don't feel like dealing with them on a quick shoot, I'll opt for regular ND filters. Thanks for your take and watching, Mark
So when would I use an ND filter for a mirrorless camera? I use them to slow the shutter speed when filming but with a camera I can change the shutter speed and aperture to match the light... and still feel like I get good quality photos with a fast camera shutter speed. I find using an ND filter almost vignettes my photos and turns them a bit yellow...
@@EDSC_CANADA you are right. In general a ND filter isn't useful when you have control over shutterspeed and aperture. But in case there is a lot of light and you want to make a picture with a very slow shutterspeed by purpose ( i.e. 1 second) because you want movement in a floating river or something like that, you might run out of aperture possibilities. In that case a ND filter might help
I'm using gopro 11. I see a lot of videos commenting on motion blur: but I am more interested in reducinh the extreme brightness of the Florida sun and I am going to Puerto Rico in two weeks. I haven't purchased the filters yet. I always wear polarized sunglasses and from my point of view its perfect. I was think to get ND CPL filters. I don't want motion blur, what happens if i leave shutter speed on auto? I like using the hypersmooth feature.
If you don't want motion blur, use less aggressive ND PL filters, so you can keep your shutter higher, but not 1/1000 or something so it's not "jittery". I'd say shooting at 24 fps, keeping the shutter around 1/100 would eliminate most motion blur, but still keep the video from looking too choppy. 1/200 or 1/250 would start to look choppy to me, but do some tests before you go to Puerto Rico and see what kind of footage fits your taste
Hey man I got a question. I'm a beginner and use Davinci Resolve 17 (free) and calibrated my monitor using downloaded ICC profile from internet. Does Davinci Resolve support it out right or do I have to install 3D lut in Resolve for it to match the calibration ? If yes then how to do that ? Please guide.
so many misconceptions on how polarizers work. BTW 6 and 12 o clock are both allowing vertically polarized light. there's no up or down. the results are exactly the same
Hey there Jacopo, this wasn't meant to be an exhaustive resource on how polarizers work. This is more of a visual representation of how different filters work in relation to your camera settings. I totally understand where you're coming from and maybe I can do a video on how polarizers work with your camera in the future. Would love to deep dive into how reflections and light works (not just with cameras, but in real life)
That is a great place to start and what I use most often. In the future I’d pick up an nd4 file golden hour if you film at 24fps a lot but that’s a good setup!
Which filters are you guys using most? ND or ND/PL? I find myself using a mix of both. Thanks for watching!
I also like using graduated ones, especially if I plan to capture sky with ground or close to horizon. Give good results with dark subject like a dark forest and bright blue sky.
My guess is I will be using ND a lot, but I live on a lake and have a boat, so I’ll be needing a polarizing filter also.
Depend situation, i use more ND-PL I think they correct the images better.
Bought a set of 5 ND/PL Skyreat, I can tell how the color is improved by a lot! My advise is the PL are way much better then the ND only.
I like to do over the water low shots, so definitely Polarized. Comes out so much better in post.
Don't know how I JUST discovered you and your channel...so glad I did! Clear, structured, delivery of info. Objective tests and studies. I appreciate your work👌
Glad you found the channel, lee! Appreciate your kind words and feedback! I try to be as structured as possible but it’s tough sometimes! Haha. Thanks for watching
Okay, this was a really good explanation. As an amateur, I always struggled with ND filters. Going to save this video for future reference. Thanks!
Glad it was helpful! It can be a tricky topic to understand but they are a great addition to your kit for filming cinematic video in bright environments. Thanks for the kind words and watching, Zilver.
Best video I've seen explaining NDPL filters. Thanks Keith!
This is probably the best explanation I've come across. Thank you.
Thanks for the kind words and glad it was helpful!
“If you don’t like, share with the one you don’t like.” Wowww! i like this sentence.😎😎😎
Haha just having fun with the outro!
the line on the filter indicates the direction of the polarizing lines. Polarizing is done by a series of very small lines in the filter that run parallel to each other. Changing the filter from the line in the 12 oclock to 6 oclock will not change anything (because the lines are parallel and run the entire length of the lens.)
The polarizing doesn't work horizontally because the phase of reflected light is perpendicular to the surface. Most of the light is vertical and gets reflected horizontally and is why the up and down lines will cancel it out.
Very true and sometimes frustrating (especially with a drone) to get the polarization wrong. Thanks for watching
Хоть один умный человек нашелся, который понимает как устроен поляризатор ))) А автор ребенок с игрушками... ))
@@maximgoodvin6519 Спасибо
For drone footage, only during mid day. Any other time, it's a hassle especially if you are shooting multiple locations with different exposures. A filter maybe perfect for awesome sunsets but once you turn around it maybe too dark.
Definitely location and weather dependent, but I agree. Sometimes in the morning in ohio if it's overcast, I don't need to use a filter at all. Sometimes I have to use an ND8 at sunrise because it's so bring. Thanks for watching, Chris!
i watched a lot of chanel talking of ND Filter but you are the BEST! Short - Clear - Simple. Thank you so much. Now i know what i need
If you want to eliminate glare off a horizontal surface, (like water), align the filter vertically, (12 o'clock or 6 o'clock)- If you want to eliminate glare off a vertical surface, (like a glass building), align the filter horizontally, (3 o'clock or 9 o'clock)- 6 o'clock and 12 o'clock are physically IDENTICAL. Ditto 3 and 9
exactly .. i dont think he knows how polarization works :D
Great explanation, one of the best I've seen on UA-cam so far. Thanks for putting this together!
Thanks for the kind words, Ryan! Enjoyed making it - thanks for watching and your support!
First I saw the not great Jeven Dovey video and then I'm so glad I found this video showing an actual comparison of ND vs no ND. Great work on showing the difference - super helpful to have the subject and lighting conditions the same so we can tell the difference.
Thank you for the kind words, glad it was helpful!
Thanks, I felt this was a well explained subject. I'm just starting with filters so I'm look for reference material and this helped.
Glad it was helpful! Have fun filming and thanks for watching
From my experience in Photography using circular polarizing filter, it is a biased filter!
I mean no matter with position you adjust it to, it'll cut off some glare in the scene.
For example you can make the sky that is 90 degrees from the sun's position looks super blue and dark or make it look slightly brighter compared to the surrounding scene.
It's a tricky filter but very enjoyable to use. I highly recommend it if you're shooting a bald guy with shinny head! You can cut the glare for your portraits quite a bit! It's also great for shooting through glass or clear water in nature.
It's a tough filter to use, and it changes with how you point your camera at the object. There is a fair bit of changing angles in the air while using one with a drone. It can be done, but it's definitely not a "set it an forget it" type of filter! Thanks for watching
Sitting here in north Carolina watching UA-cam and your video was recommended to me... And you started off with a shot from lakewood park and Bradstreet landing. Wasn't expecting my hometown! Nice work, subscribed
Glad I could give you a look at your home town! It's a great area and love it (other than the weather right now - you have it a little warmer in NC right now!) They are doing some construction on bradstreet and that's my go-to testing spot, so I've had to look elsewhere for my videos lately! Thanks for watching and hello from NE Ohio!
Very well presented, easy to understand, truly enlightening (since we are talking about filters...). Thank you for this really useful video. I was able to understand filters much better and do away with all ambiguity related to the visual effect of ND and polarizing filters. Thank you so much for this upload! Great job!
I will go ahead and buy the PolarPro ND filter set that you recommended (8,16,32).
Glad you enjoyed it! Filters can have some big impacts on your footage - hope you have fun using them! Thanks again for the kind words and watching, Jason!
Love the comparison between the filters. Great work as always!
Thanks for the kind words and support, Cody! 👍
"if you don't like the video, share it to some one you don't like" ahah I love it. Thanks for this video ! It is very interesting with details, I was looking for some informations about ND/PL filters and you gave me the answer I was looking for. Many thanks !
Glad you found the video helpful and thanks for the kind words!
Well explained. Kinda wonder, why DJI decided to put in a f2.8, fixed aperture lens on this drone.They probably saved 2 dollars, but made us to deal with ND filters, lots of guessing, and high probability of ending up with overexposed footage. I would rather pay $100.00 more to have few more f-stops. Don't think that was a good design decision.
Hey there El Mono, some of the DJI drones (like the Mavic 2 Pro) has a variable aperture, but still needs ND filters to properly expose your footage. A non-fixed aperture definitely helps in those times where you need to swap ND filters to a stronger filter, adjusting the aperture can definitely save you there but ND filters are a pretty common tool to have for shooting natural-looking motion blur with your footage during the day. Totally see where you're coming from though. When flying the Mavic Air or mini series, I definitely find myself wishing there was a variable aperture.
Sold me on the polar pro filters. Was going to get a cheaper set but I love the quality of the polar pro’s.
Filters are tough, since they go in front of your lens, cheaper ones can have a color cast or blur the image when you just want it darker. I’ve been really happy with the polar pro filters so far!
Polarization works better when it’s at a 90 degree. Great video thanks for posting
Yeah, just how polarization works - decided to test it out just to make sure the lines on the filter were correct (and I've known that, but I never actually tested it before now). Thanks for the kind words and watching, JC
Wow thanks this is the 3rd video I watched and finally you just flat out explained it and didn't jump around! Thank you so much again it just clicked to me half way through I was like this guy is awesome!
Thanks for the video bro Ive watched a few videos on ND filters but yours was the best
Thanks for the kind words, Denis ! Glad it was helpful
Great video. I've watched a lot of videos about ND filters and this was the best. Straight to the point. Cheers :)
Wow - glad I could help! Thanks for the kind words and watching!
I agrre here after watching countless videos on the topic this one made me understand it all !
Clear and simple great job
@@floriannoel362 Thanks, glad the video was able to help!
Thank you for this clear explanation. I’m just getting into nd filters for my mini 2 and your video was extremely helpful.
Glad to help, ND filters can be tricky at first - but they are awesome for making natural-looking footage. Congrats on your new Mini 2 and thanks for watching.
A pol filter is the same at 12 o'clock an 6 o'clock (or 3/9, 1/7, etc).
I agree! This video is meant to be an introduction to the different kinds of filters, so I thought showing a few examples would help drive the point of PL filters a little more. Just be aware that not all polarized filters are created equal, and some filters may have a cross-polarization effect if you move the polarizing filters too far. This is less of an issue on filters with markings or hard stops but still something to be aware of. Sorry for the late response - thanks for watching and pointing that out
You really helped a bloody beginner to understand when to use which filter. Thanks a lot!
Glad to help!
bro thanks I finally understand the difference of ND filters & ND filters with PL
Very informative tut. Not too technical at all. Actually explained everything to a T. Love the mathematics involved and love the trickery with bumping the shutter speed and frame rate. Liked and subscribed for sure. 👍
Glad it was helpful! I'm far from the first person to use this concept, but have been using it for years. You can also break this too! If you're shooting something fast like a car, and don't want as much motion blur, you can slightly bump up the shutter for less blur. Removing the motion blur might not be a good idea - but experiment around with your settings! It sounds nerdy, but it can separate your footage from everyone elses! Sorry for the rant and glad you enjoyed the video enough to like and sub.
"we don't have time for that", "Hello Cleveland, Helloooo Cleveland!"- Derek Smalls
Great video!! Thank you very much Keith!!
I bought the Skyreat ND filters and I’m pretty happy with them. Thanks for taking the time to share your expertise.
You're welcome and hope you found the video useful. Thanks for watching
For choosing an ND, I can actually recommend to point your camera roughtly in the direction showing the situation you want to be shooting in, set ISO to auto, choose the shutter speed you want and then try out different ND filters. Choose one that gives you exposure that looks right just from the image, an look for the ISO to not be at the total minimum but also not at the total maximum. If the minimum is 100, you want to choose a filter that allows you to be close to that but not straight on. You will want some buffer in case the area suddenly gets brighter mid flight.
At least, that is for drones, which have fixed aperture. If you have variable aperture with a minimum of lets say f1.4, set the aperture to f4, ISO to the native ISO (lets assume its 800) and then attatch an ND-filter that gives you proper exposure. If the lighting conditions change, you optimally want to change the ND filter - that shouldnt be possible mid flight, so you will have to change the aperture instead.
There is a clear right and wrong in this. The right ND filter is the one that gives you proper exposure.
Many thanks for sharing.I'm relatively new to the topic and I found this video very informative and digestible.
I just recently bought a drone and am researching the accessories needed to get the most out of it. Tonight, I have been researching filters for a few hours and can say without question, this is the most helpful video that I have seen. Thank you for making this video, sir!
Wow, thank you for the kind words and glad to hear this was helpful!!
@Keith Knittel i dont understand what the advantage of a normal ND Filter is. ??
Why not just use ND-PL all the time. if there is water reflections great, if not it would just work like a normal ndfilter.
But obvs, i must be wrong .
There are some advantages to normal ND filters, one is cost. A set of ND/PL filters will cost more on average than single ND filters. Another, more common reason is ND filters are less complicated than ND/PL. They arent that complicated but many beginners don't take the time to figure out which is the proper polarization that they need, so they arent happy with the results when using a polarizer on a drone and don't get great results. I love ND/PL filters, and use them anytime I'm around reflections, although there have been a set of VND+Mist filters I've been using lately. Next I'm hoping for an ND+Mist+PL! Haha. Great question and thanks for asking, Matt!
@@keith-knittel yeah i had a choice of a set of ND or a set of ND-PL
they dont have the wheel that allows you to change anything .
but i went with the ND-PL seems like can probably get away with just using those
Great comparison, thanks. Also, loved you in Ferris Bueller's Day Off!
Glad you enjoyed it! ............Bueller...........
A polarized filter at 12 o'clock vs 6 o'clock is the same thing. Light bouncing off surfaces is polarized parallel to that surface. Filters remove light polarized in a certain plane.
Very impressed with this my friend. Off on a trip to Wales, UK on Sunday to get some footage. Just bought the polar pro shutter collection filters. Hopefully do a good job 😁
Have fun! That sounds like a great (and windy!) spot to film - good luck and thanks for watching
Many thanks! I have looked high and low for an explanatory video on ND and NDPL filters and you have just made it so clear and to the point. Couldn't help giving a big Like (am already subscribed!).
Just one question. I have an Osmo Pocket 2 and was looking for directions on ND and NDPL filters. All that you touched upon in this video will, I assume, be just as relevant for non-drone (the Pocket 2, in my case) videography too, right?
Great informative video! Just bought PolarPro Vivid collection and this was truly helpful. Thank you :) You got yourself a new subscriber. Also, kudos for the super crisp mic sound! Keep it up
Glad you enjoyed it, Roman! Those are great filters - thanks for the kind words, watching and subscribing!
Great video! I was super confused about the differences between them also all the numbers lol. You saved my money. Thanks!
Glad to hear you enjoyed the video, Soli! Thanks for watching and glad I could save you some money!
very informative was about to make a purchase of some set of filters and this video just saved me a few bucks. thanks again
Glad to help out!!
Super easy to understand and straight to the point. Thank you!
Thanks matt! Hope you found it useful. Thanks for watching
Nice tip about the frame rate mate. Not heard that one !!!
Great explanation of this rule. Just a question about the rotating pl filter. Is it only to be moved to 12, 3, 6 and 9 positions?
Thanks for the kinds words! You can rotate the filters 360 degrees unless it's a "hard stop" filter. I just used the common 12, 6 and 9 as common positions
8:29 - that little tip saved me money....
Me with a newly bought Mavic Air 2: keep watching those amazing footages! I can totally do this!
Me after unboxing: how do you assemble this thing? Let alone how filters and frame rates and exposure work hahaha.
But thank you so much for this video! I will need to come back to this after I’ve learned how to fly it.
Haha totally understand what you mean. There is a learning curve, but if gets easier the more you do it. Most all cameras (and DJI) drones are pretty similar, so if you know how to use one - you'll be able to pick another one up pretty quickly. Just the initial learning curve is tough - and I still learn new things all the time! Congrats on your new drone and thanks for watching
:))) ha-ha-ha
Thanks Keith for great video! What is still open for me, is following question - would you recommend using nd/pl filter on non-reflecting objects?
A Polarising filter, by virtue of it's theory of operation, has also an overall filtering effect. On a clear sunny day, a blue sky provides the best example. Turn the filter and see through it , the sky/ cloud contrast change. The orientation of the filter {12 oclock} is invariably towards the sun. The effect extends to any surface that reflects light as would a mirror. ie water. Hence the reduction of the glare from sunlight over water. The effect is dependent on the orientation of the filter toward the sun, Fly fishers use polaroid shades to see their prey. Of course an actual mirror, being a metallized surface, reflects light; while reintegrating and removing the polarization. You will see no reduction in glare off a metallic surface. I don't think a polariser would necessarily be also a neutral density filter. It doesn't matter for B/W photography. But then I think back to the colourblind photographic plates of the past, with nary a cloud to be seen.
Excellent explanation! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge, here! 👋
Interesting video, but I still have a question: why not shoot with maximum clarity / no motion blur and get that in post? I am hesitant to waste permanently frame quality, I might need the non-blurry frames in the future..
Very good explanation - thanks! One question - what are the best settings and filter for eliminating jitteriness from med speed sideways panning motions on a normal sunny day at noon?
Love your explanation ! Very clear !
Hello
Thanks for such a informative and easy to understand explanation.
I just recently bought dji mini 4 pro i was thinking of buying a set of nd filter but then i saw that there and two choices ndpl and ND ….
Which should i buy as i will not buy these again.
Awesome video! Great info! I am a motovlogger and use a gopro on my helmet. Having the motion blur helps to show my environment when I am at speed.
For sure! That is a great use for the slight motion blur - and as you go faster, the blur increases. Thanks for watching, Eric!
Hello, thanks for your interesting video and thanks to share it. I need to ask a question please. I only make documentaries in 4K 50p on sunny days. Since it doesn't make much sense to use an ND filter with high framerate and Automatic Exposure, I was thinking to buy a CPL filter and always leave it on, without removing it. I like an image that is a little more contrasted, crispier and with more colour. I use D-Log M, do you think I'll get what I want with CPL filter? Thanks
I would look into using manual exposure if you're using filters of any kind - adding filters will typically darken the image and your camera may try to boost ISO or jump around. Locking your shutter to 1/100th shooting at 50p, you'll probably need an ND filter on sunny days to bring your exposure down. If you like the saturated and contrasty look, you'll probably want to use single ND filters (ND4, ND8 ND16, etc) and a CPL to get the best exposure and remove glare/increase colors. Unless you can find an ND+PL for your camera, what are you shooting on?
Thank you! I think I FINALLY understand the benefits and reasons behind using these filters. Great job. Well done.
I have a Mini 2. I realize it’s limitations but I’d like to get a polarizing filter for it. I don’t find an offering from Polar Pro Filters. Do you have a recommendation?
Filters are tricky at first but they can give you some great results! Freewell has some polarized Nd filters. There is a link in the description to them on my “mini 2 accessories” video. I’d link you here but I’m on my phone. Thanks for watching and glad it was helpful!
Dang dude, this was informative. Thank you for making this video :)
Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the kind words!
Thankyou. Was out and tried to fit. Not the same as Mini 2
The question comes into play; is trying to get *some* motion blur worth giving up exposure adjustments with fixed aperture lenses with the only tool, the shutter speed? And with the ND filter the exposure still has to be dead on. So to some extent you're stuck anyway, having to depend on post production to fix minor exposure issues. And motion blur only occurs when you're closer to objects. So, IMO those pilots/filmers who are sensitive to motion blur, a better drone would be one with variable aperture like the Mavic 2 Pro, Mavic 3 or Autel Evo II or Evo Lite Plus. With variable aperture, if you think you need motion blur, you can throw on your best guess of ND filter set the shutter speed, and then dial in the correct exposure. And should the light change during the same sortie, just adjust the aperture again.
That does come into play, however cranking up your shutter speed on a sunny day to something high like 1/1000+ will start to introduce some stuttery-looking footage as well. With the filters, I can still adjust lower or higher than the 180 degree shutter rule. Like you mentioned, if you want more motion blur, you can "fake" that by slowing down your shutter to something even slower than you typically would if you're far away from your subject to "simulate" some motion blur. The beauty (and the frustrating part) is that there is no right or wrong answer. The guidelines are a good starting point to use most of the time but there are always situations where you can "break" the rules and get great results. Understanding the rules is the first part of knowing when to break them and you definitely seem like you know the 180 degree shutter rule pretty well. I agree that having aperture control is easier. I should make an update video to this using a mirrorless/DSLR and go deeper into how aperture plays a part in this. Thanks for the great comment and watching
This is a great, simple video. Thanks!
Lakewood, nice. I've filmed at the Solstice Steps pretty often.
It's a great place to film (and take a walk/run)! Thanks for watching and commenting
Explained really well. Thank You !!
Glad it was helpful!
Nice tips! Good information.
Congratulations from Brasil 🇧🇷
Thanks for the kind words! Greetings from the us!
Hi Keith. Basically I’d say the best practise for Polar Pro filter is to set the line to 12 o’clock to get the maximum polarise effect. Correct?
Nice subbed!
Just a side note, if you double the frame rate say to 60 and then use the 120 shutter angle that will give the 180 degree shutter if you slow it down, but if you don't slow it down then it will be a bit more staccato
Hey there David, thanks for the sub! I was under the impression that the shutter angle was determined at the time of recording. So filming at 24 fps / 48 shutter speed would be a shutter angle of 180, but also 60 fps / 120 shutter speed would also be a shutter angle of 180, regardless if you slowed it down or not. You can slow it down, but the motion blur will remain the same (more drawn out if you slow the footage down, but it would be the blur would be the same). I think the stuttering may occur if you're putting the native 60 fps footage into a 24fps timeline. Interpreting that 60fps footage to the 24fps timeline would eliminate those stutters, but you'd have to slow down the footage. I could be wrong here, but let me know what you think. Very good question and thanks for bringing it up!
@@keith-knittel Oh no, I read what I said and worded it terribly haha, it's because most people edit in a 30p timeline even with 60p footage, so you're right if they slow it down it'll be fine, but if they edit in a 30p timeline with the 60p footage and don't slow down the footage to keep all the frames then 1/2 frames will be missing which will make the shutter angle for those shots at a 90degree angle instead of a 180 degree angle.
So what’s the point of buying solely ND filters? If you can basically just turn off the polarization from NDPL filters?
With 30fps you need less motion blur and with 60fps it is even less important for smooth playback. This is why I prefer higher fps, but it requires more pc power.
Great rundown. I've yet to explore the ND filters on our Air 2 drone. I'm excited to go out and try this out.
They're awesome for the MA2 since the camera is so good! If you're filming a lot in bright environments they will give you great video if you're using the 180 degree shutter rule. Thanks again for watching so many of my videos, Texas Family Camping!
I bought the dji filter the nd16 seems dark compared to other nd 16 filters i have. Had to up the iso in sunlight to get the right exposure.
Why we need filters if we can do color grading,brightness,contrast etc etc
Strange, never used anything above ND16, while being at ND4 most of the time.
It really depends on how bright of an environment you're filming in. I live in Ohio, so my ND filters are typically pretty mild, but when I was in Mexico when the sun was closer to the equator, I had to use some serious ND filters to battle the sun. Thanks for watching, Bojan
How do we get the right alignment with ND/PL to achieve no relection?
If your lens has markings on it, check out the markings - typically lining up the markings or using it at the top of the lens will give you the best polarization. If not, it will take some experimenting. Thanks for watching
Hey, that was the "money" shot of downtown...😎👍
Thanks! Hope you enjoyed the video!
Hey Keith,
Have you tested and compared DJI and Polarpro filters? Is there any difference?
Absolute concept clearing video Thanks :)
Hope you found it useful, akshay! Thanks for watching and the kind words
A lot of went into this presentation. 👍 Thanks.
This took a while to film, but hopefully you enjoyed it and found it helpful! Thanks for watching
Thanks for your video. Very useful!
Glad it was helpful!
I am using MOMENT AIR ND filters on M2P. I also have PL filter from MOMENT but never had a chance to use it so far. Thank you for your detailed informative video. I”d like to find an opportunity to try my PL filter!
Glad you found the video useful! How do you like your Moment filters? I've never used any but would like to try them out in the future. So many filters to try! Thanks for watching and commenting
Moment filters give me richer tones while controlling the light balance. I love them😃 Have a great weekend, my friend🌈
What if you use an ND filter in AUTO mode? Will it bring better quality over AUTO mode without ND? Is there a point in using ND filter in AUTO mode?
so very clear, thnaks so much
Glad it was helpful!
When I go out in bright sunshine, my eye need filters so I grab my sunglasses. Out in the gulf, in need polarized and darker filters......sunglasses 😄👋🏼😄
Can I use a ND8/PL filter but leave the setting AUTO for the drone?
Adding an nd filter and leaving your camera on auto will likely introduce more noise with a higher iso. Wouldnt recommend using auto settings
I think PL filters on a drone are pretty useless. I suggest to do some experiments with an SLR camera with a pol filter on a tripod. Make a photo of a car and try to remove the glare in the windshield to get a picture of the driver inside the car. You will notice the adjustment of the filter needs to be accurate but you'll also find out the angle of the camera towards the car is important. Move the tripod a bit and you'll have to adjust the filter again. In my opinion with a moving drone this is an impossible job.....
Polarizing filters are tough to work with for sure. I like using them because I film around water a lot, and it will help take some of the glare away so it doesn't just look like a giant sheet of reflections. That being said, it doesn't take all of the reflections away, and if it's not aligned properly you could get some weird dark cross-polarization. They are finicky filters - and sometimes if I don't feel like dealing with them on a quick shoot, I'll opt for regular ND filters. Thanks for your take and watching, Mark
So when would I use an ND filter for a mirrorless camera? I use them to slow the shutter speed when filming but with a camera I can change the shutter speed and aperture to match the light... and still feel like I get good quality photos with a fast camera shutter speed. I find using an ND filter almost vignettes my photos and turns them a bit yellow...
@@EDSC_CANADA you are right. In general a ND filter isn't useful when you have control over shutterspeed and aperture.
But in case there is a lot of light and you want to make a picture with a very slow shutterspeed by purpose ( i.e. 1 second) because you want movement in a floating river or something like that, you might run out of aperture possibilities. In that case a ND filter might help
If you film around water or at the beach, there is a big advantage about contrast and colour of the water. It‘s not only reflection.
I'm using gopro 11. I see a lot of videos commenting on motion blur: but I am more interested in reducinh the extreme brightness of the Florida sun and I am going to Puerto Rico in two weeks. I haven't purchased the filters yet. I always wear polarized sunglasses and from my point of view its perfect. I was think to get ND CPL filters. I don't want motion blur, what happens if i leave shutter speed on auto? I like using the hypersmooth feature.
If you don't want motion blur, use less aggressive ND PL filters, so you can keep your shutter higher, but not 1/1000 or something so it's not "jittery". I'd say shooting at 24 fps, keeping the shutter around 1/100 would eliminate most motion blur, but still keep the video from looking too choppy. 1/200 or 1/250 would start to look choppy to me, but do some tests before you go to Puerto Rico and see what kind of footage fits your taste
Are there any self adjusting variable ND filters that uses a clip or something similar to attach to Go size cameras?
So as I understand nd pl is best for any condition.
I just got and air2s still getting used to it but will like to know if this video sample are normal, D-log or HLG
Hey man I got a question. I'm a beginner and use Davinci Resolve 17 (free) and calibrated my monitor using downloaded ICC profile from internet. Does Davinci Resolve support it out right or do I have to install 3D lut in Resolve for it to match the calibration ? If yes then how to do that ? Please guide.
Thank for Your Prompt Explanation ,
You are welcome, hope it was helpful! Thanks for watching
Thank you!
And also if they were already edited post (the ND -VND comparisons)
What about a ND/UV Combo Filter for beach or ocean shots?
how to decide the allignment of the polarization?
Very nice explanation !
thanks, on-point what I was looking for.
Glad to hear that, thanks for watching!
Just to understand it correctly, do you adjust the polarisation depending on the scene? Or do you always stick to 12 o'clock for example?
so many misconceptions on how polarizers work. BTW 6 and 12 o clock are both allowing vertically polarized light. there's no up or down. the results are exactly the same
Hey there Jacopo, this wasn't meant to be an exhaustive resource on how polarizers work. This is more of a visual representation of how different filters work in relation to your camera settings. I totally understand where you're coming from and maybe I can do a video on how polarizers work with your camera in the future. Would love to deep dive into how reflections and light works (not just with cameras, but in real life)
Thanks 🙏 Best Buy : nd8/pl + nd16/pl+nd32/pl it’s correct ? In Europe not in California;)😊
That is a great place to start and what I use most often. In the future I’d pick up an nd4 file golden hour if you film at 24fps a lot but that’s a good setup!
Hey....great video. What if your filming in 30fps?