Capturing stunning aerial footage with a drone is a fantastic experience, but anyone who has flown in bright, sunny conditions knows the struggle. Blown-out skies, washed-out colours, and jerky video due to fast shutter speeds can quickly ruin what would otherwise be a perfect shot. I faced this exact problem frequently, and honestly, it was frustrating. Leaving these issues unaddressed meant compromising on image quality and creative intent, which is not ideal when you’re trying to produce professional-looking drone videos and photos. Getting the exposure right and achieving smooth motion blur felt impossible without some help. If only I had a set of quality NEEWER ND/PL filters from the start, it would have saved me a lot of headaches and subpar footage.
Before you invest in accessories for your drone camera, it’s crucial to understand why filters are even necessary. Drone cameras, much like traditional cameras, face challenges in bright lighting. They often have fixed apertures or limited control over shutter speed while maintaining desired frame rates for video. This leads to overexposure or requires very fast shutter speeds, resulting in unnatural-looking video with no motion blur (the “jello effect”). ND filters (Neutral Density) act like sunglasses for your camera, reducing the amount of light entering the lens. This allows you to use slower shutter speeds, achieving cinematic motion blur, and larger apertures for better depth of field control, even in bright sunlight. PL filters (Polarizer) tackle reflections from surfaces like water, glass, and even foliage, while also boosting colour saturation and contrast, particularly in the sky, making blues richer and clouds pop.
An ideal candidate for drone filters is anyone who flies outdoors frequently, particularly during daylight hours or near reflective surfaces. If you’re shooting video and aiming for that smooth, cinematic look, or if you want your photos to have vibrant colours and detail without blown highlights, filters are essential. Who shouldn’t buy them? If you only fly indoors, at night, or exclusively shoot in flat, overcast conditions, you might not need the light reduction or polarization benefits. Also, these specific drone accessories are compatible with the DJI NEO drone, so if you own a different model, these won’t work for you.
When considering filters, think about compatibility with your specific drone, the types of filters you need (ND, PL, or both combined), the range of light reduction (different ND strengths), the optical quality of the glass (poor quality can degrade image sharpness), the ease and security of attachment, and whether they are lightweight enough not to affect the gimbal’s performance or cause vignetting.
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Introducing the NEEWER ND/PL Filter Set
This is where the NEEWER ND/PL Filter Set Compatible with DJI NEO comes into play. This specific set is designed as a comprehensive solution for common aerial photography lighting challenges when flying the DJI NEO. It’s a 4-pack of combined Neutral Density and Polarizing filters, including ND8/PL, ND16/PL, ND32/PL, and ND64/PL. The promise here is straightforward: providing the tools to gain control over exposure, reduce glare, and enhance your footage in bright conditions, directly addressing the problems I mentioned earlier.
When you purchase the set, you receive the four individual NEEWER filters – ND8/PL, ND16/PL, ND32/PL, and ND64/PL – neatly packaged in a small storage case, along with a cleaning cloth. This set is clearly targeted at DJI NEO owners who are looking to elevate the quality of their photos and videos by managing light and reflections effectively. It’s not for users of other drone models, as the snap-on design is specific to the NEO. Compared to potentially buying separate ND and PL filters or sets with fewer options, this NEEWER set offers a good range of densities and the convenience of the combined filter type in a single package.
Here’s a quick look at the pros and cons based on my experience:
Pros:
* Combines ND and PL functions into single filters, simplifying use.
* Includes a useful range of densities (ND8, 16, 32, 64) for various bright conditions.
* Made with high-quality HD optical glass for clarity.
* Multicoated surfaces resist water, fingerprints, and scratches.
* Secure and easy snap-on installation specific to the DJI NEO.
* Slim design avoids vignetting and doesn’t interfere with the gimbal protector.
Cons:
* Requires landing the drone to swap filters when lighting conditions change significantly.
* Choosing the absolute best filter density for dynamic conditions can take some trial and error.
* The filters are small and require careful handling to avoid loss.
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In-Depth Look at Performance and Advantages
Diving into the specifics of how these NEEWER filters perform reveals why they are such valuable tools for DJI NEO pilots. The core functionality lies in the combination of Neutral Density (ND) and Polarizing (PL) effects within a single filter. This two-in-one design is incredibly practical for drone use. Traditionally, you might use an ND filter for exposure control and then stack a PL filter on top for polarization. However, stacking filters can introduce image degradation, vignetting (darkening of corners), and add weight that might stress the drone’s delicate gimbal mechanism. NEEWER cleverly integrates both functions into one lightweight piece of glass.
Combined ND and PL Functionality:
The genius of these ND/PL filters is how they simultaneously manage light and reflections. The ND component reduces the amount of light hitting the sensor, measured in “stops.” An ND8/PL filter reduces light by 3 stops, an ND16/PL by 4 stops, an ND32/PL by 5 stops, and an ND64/PL by 6 stops. This is crucial for video shooting, where you typically want your shutter speed to be roughly twice your frame rate (e.g., 1/50s for 25fps video) to achieve natural motion blur. In bright sunlight, without an ND filter, the camera’s automatic settings would likely push the shutter speed much higher (like 1/1000s or faster), resulting in choppy-looking video where each frame is too sharp and distinct. By adding an ND filter, you force the camera to slow down the shutter speed, bringing it closer to that ideal setting, even under intense sun. The effect is immediately noticeable in video playback – smoother motion, especially when panning or capturing moving subjects like cars or water.
Simultaneously, the PL component works to cut down on unwanted glare. Think about flying over water on a sunny day; without a polarizer, the surface glare can be overwhelming, hiding what’s beneath. A PL filter minimizes this reflection, allowing you to see into the water, if it’s clear enough, or at least showing the texture of the water more clearly. Similarly, flying over forests or fields, sunlight reflecting off leaves can look harsh. A polarizer reduces this specular reflection, making the greens appear richer and more saturated. Blue skies become deeper and more vibrant, and clouds gain more definition because the filter reduces atmospheric haze caused by scattered light. The combination means you’re not just getting proper exposure; you’re also getting richer colours and better contrast straight out of the camera, reducing the need for heavy post-processing.
Multiple Stop Options (ND8/PL, ND16/PL, ND32/PL, ND64/PL):
Having a selection of four different filter strengths is key to adapting to varying lighting conditions throughout the day or in different environments. The NEEWER 4-pack provides filters that reduce light by 3, 4, 5, and 6 stops.
* ND8/PL (3 Stops): Ideal for slightly overcast but still bright days, or perhaps early morning/late afternoon sun when you still need some light reduction and polarization but not extreme darkness. It’s also useful if you’re trying to achieve only slight motion blur.
* ND16/PL (4 Stops): This is often the go-to filter for standard sunny conditions. It provides enough light reduction to get your shutter speed into that cinematic range (e.g., 1/50s or 1/60s) in typical midday sun, while also offering polarization benefits.
* ND32/PL (5 Stops): For brighter sunny days, especially around noon when the sun is highest and most intense, or perhaps when flying over snow or sand which reflects a lot of light. This filter gives you the extra stops needed to maintain a slow shutter speed.
* ND64/PL (6 Stops): Reserved for extremely bright conditions, like intense sun on a cloudless day, or when you want to achieve very long exposures for dramatic motion blur effects (like blurring waterfalls into a silky smooth flow, although this is less common in aerial videography but possible for photos). It provides the most significant light reduction in the set.
This range ensures that no matter how bright it is, you have a filter option that can help you achieve the desired exposure and motion look. It gives you creative control that you simply don’t have with the bare drone camera lens in bright light.
High-Quality Optical Glass and Multicoating:
The foundation of any good filter is the quality of the glass. The NEEWER ND/PL Filter Set uses HD optical glass, which is crucial for maintaining image sharpness and colour accuracy. Inferior filters can introduce unwanted colour casts or soften the image, undermining the whole point of using a filter. With quality glass, the light is reduced and polarized without negatively impacting the clarity or fidelity of your footage.
Adding to this is the multi-coating applied to both sides of the glass. These coatings serve multiple purposes. Firstly, they minimize reflections *within* the filter itself, reducing flare and ghosting, which can be problematic when shooting towards the sun or bright light sources. Secondly, they provide protection and make the filters easier to maintain. The coatings are resistant to water, fingerprints, smudges, and scratches. This is incredibly practical for drone filters, which are exposed to the elements and handled frequently. A water-resistant coating means raindrops or spray bead up and roll off, rather than smearing. Fingerprints are less likely to stick and are easier to wipe away. This helps keep the glass clean and clear, ensuring optimal image quality on every flight. The durability added by the scratch resistance is also a significant benefit for gear that is handled and potentially swapped out in the field.
Secure Snap-On Attachment:
Ease of installation is paramount for drone filters. You don’t want to be fumbling with tiny screw-on filters while standing in a field. The NEEWER filters feature a snap-on design specifically engineered for the DJI NEO gimbal. This means they attach quickly and securely over the camera lens. A key feature is the inclusion of a small hook that helps keep the filter firmly in place during flight. This provides peace of mind, knowing your filter isn’t going to vibrate loose or fall off mid-air, potentially causing damage or loss. Removing them is just as easy – a simple snap off. This user-friendly design means less time fiddling on the ground and more time flying and capturing content.
Slim Design and Gimbal Compatibility:
Drone gimbals are precision instruments, and any added weight or bulk can affect their balance and calibration, potentially leading to gimbal errors or shaky footage. The NEEWER ND/PL filters are designed to be slim and lightweight. This ensures they do not add significant weight that would negatively impact the gimbal’s performance. Crucially, their slim profile also prevents vignetting – the darkening of the corners of the image that can occur when a filter or hood is too thick and obstructs the sensor’s view. The design is also confirmed not to affect the use of the gimbal protector when the filters are attached, which is a thoughtful touch for storage and transport.
Feedback from Other Users
Beyond my own positive experiences, I’ve taken a look at what other users are saying about this filter set online, and the general consensus is very favourable. Many reviewers highlight how straightforward and convenient the snap-on installation is, noting that the filters feel secure once attached. The range of filters included is also a common point of praise, with users appreciating the flexibility it provides for different lighting situations, allowing them to consistently achieve better exposure and richer colours in their aerial footage.
Bringing It All Together
Ultimately, facing challenges with overexposure, harsh reflections, and a lack of cinematic motion blur in bright drone footage is a common hurdle for aerial photographers and videographers. Leaving these issues unaddressed means settling for less than optimal quality. The NEEWER ND/PL Filter Set Compatible with DJI NEO provides a robust and effective solution. This set is a great fit because it combines two essential filter types, offers a versatile range of densities, and utilizes high-quality optical glass with protective coatings. Plus, the secure and easy snap-on attachment tailored for the DJI NEO makes them practical for regular use. To take your DJI NEO footage to the next level and gain creative control in bright conditions, these filters are a worthwhile investment. Click here to check them out for yourself.
Last update on 2025-07-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API