It feels like just yesterday I was wrestling with blown-out highlights and overly fast shutter speeds on my drone footage. The frustrating part was knowing the potential was there, but the bright Canadian sun was constantly sabotaging my efforts to capture smooth, cinematic video. Without a way to control the light hitting the sensor, my creative options felt severely limited, leading to choppy motion blur and washed-out colours. Finding a reliable solution was essential to unlock the full capabilities of my drone’s camera and avoid the pitfalls of unusable footage.
So, you’ve got a drone, likely a fantastic piece of kit like the DJI Mini 4 Pro, and you’re finding that sunny days are giving you overly bright photos and choppy video motion. This is a common problem inherent to drone cameras, which often have fixed apertures. Without the ability to physically change how much light enters the lens, you’re left with adjusting shutter speed and ISO. While ISO adjustments can introduce noise, drastically changing shutter speed makes your video look unnatural and jerky, failing the crucial “180-degree rule” for cinematic motion blur.
Anyone serious about getting the best possible photos and videos from their drone, especially in bright conditions, should absolutely consider drone lens filters. These filters act like sunglasses for your camera, reducing the amount of light and allowing you to maintain a cinematic shutter speed or achieve longer exposures for photography.
Who is this product category *not* for? If you only fly indoors, exclusively at dusk or dawn, or are perfectly happy with the look of automatic camera settings, you probably don’t need filters. However, if you shoot outdoors during the day and care about image quality and video aesthetics, filters are a game-changer. Before buying, consider the types of light you typically shoot in (bright sun, cloudy, golden hour), whether you prioritize video (NDs for shutter speed) or photography (NDs for long exposures, CPL for reflections), and if you prefer the convenience of variable filters or the potential optical purity of fixed ones. Also, always double-check compatibility with your specific drone model.
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Introducing the NEEWER Filter Kit for DJI Mini 4 Pro
The NEEWER Variable ND Filter Set Compatible with DJI Mini 4 Pro is a comprehensive package designed to give drone pilots greater creative control over their footage and photos. This set isn’t just a single filter; it’s a four-pack offering a range of light control options tailored specifically for the Mini 4 Pro lens. When you invest in this kit, you get two Variable Neutral Density (VND) filters (ND2-32 and ND64-512), a Circular Polarizer (CPL) filter, and a UV filter. It promises precise fit, minimal impact on the drone’s performance, and enhanced image quality across various lighting conditions. Compared to relying solely on the drone’s built-in capabilities or opting for individual, fixed ND filters which require constant swapping, this set offers versatility and efficiency. While DJI offers its own filter kits, they can often come at a higher price point, making aftermarket options like this NEEWER Variable ND Filter Set an attractive alternative for value-conscious creators.
This specific set is designed for owners of the DJI Mini 4 Pro who want to elevate their aerial videography and photography beyond standard settings. It’s less suited for those who only fly in low light or are brand new to drone videography and haven’t yet learned about the ‘180-degree rule’ or the benefits of polarization.
Here’s a quick look at the pros and cons based on my experience:
Pros:
* Excellent value for a 4-filter set
* Includes both VND and CPL/UV options
* Lightweight design doesn’t affect drone balance or calibration
* Easy to attach and remove from the lens
* Comes with a protective case and cleaning cloth
Cons:
* Variable NDs can exhibit some vignetting or colour shift at extreme ends or angles
* The adjustment ring on the VNDs can feel a little loose over time
* Early batches reportedly had minor fitment issues for some users (though mine fit fine)
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Getting Down to the Details: Performance and Advantages
After spending considerable time using the NEEWER Variable ND Filter Set with my DJI Mini 4 Pro, I can confidently say it’s become an indispensable part of my drone gear. The kit comes neatly packaged in a small, durable case that easily fits into my drone bag, which is a minor but significant plus compared to some bulkier filter cases I’ve seen. Attaching and removing the filters is straightforward – it requires a gentle twist and pull to remove the stock lens protector and the same motion to secure the new filter. They feel secure once in place, which is crucial when sending your drone hundreds of feet into the air.
Variable ND2-ND32 (1-5 Stops) Filter
The first variable ND filter in the set covers a range from ND2 to ND32, equating to 1 to 5 stops of light reduction. This filter is my go-to for moderate lighting conditions, like slightly overcast days, golden hour, or shooting in shaded areas during the day. The beauty of a variable ND is the ability to fine-tune your exposure by simply rotating the ring on the filter. This means I can keep my shutter speed locked at, say, 1/50th or 1/60th of a second (for 24 or 30 fps video, respectively) and simply dial in the necessary light reduction to achieve correct exposure, rather than fiddling with ISO or aperture (which isn’t an option anyway).
In practice, the rotation is smooth, allowing for subtle adjustments. The markings on the filter help indicate the rough ND strength, though I tend to adjust while watching the live feed on my controller until the exposure looks just right. The benefit here is efficiency – instead of landing, swapping a filter, and relaunching, I can make quick adjustments on the fly as lighting conditions change slightly, like moving from shadow to sun. This variability greatly speeds up the process and reduces downtime. This variable ND filter is incredibly useful for maintaining that sought-after cinematic motion blur in video.
Variable ND64-ND512 (6-9 Stops) Filter
When the sun is high and bright, the ND2-32 simply isn’t enough. That’s where the second variable ND filter, the ND64-512 (6 to 9 stops), comes into play. This is the heavy-hitter for intense light. Flying at midday, especially over bright surfaces like water or sand, can easily lead to severe overexposure. With the ND64-512, I can significantly cut down the incoming light while still adhering to the 180-degree rule for smooth video.
This filter range also opens up creative possibilities for photography. While less common with drones due to wind stability challenges, you could potentially use the higher ND values for slightly longer exposures to add motion blur to water or clouds in photos, although the Mini 4 Pro’s inherent movement might limit this. The primary benefit for this filter, for me, remains achieving proper video exposure in the brightest conditions. Just like the ND2-32, the variable nature is key for quick adjustments. However, it’s important to be aware that variable ND filters, especially at their highest settings, can sometimes introduce a slight “X” pattern or vignetting, particularly in wide shots or at certain angles. While I haven’t found it severe with this NEEWER filter set on the Mini 4 Pro, it’s a general characteristic of VND technology to keep in mind. There have also been occasional reports from users noticing a colour cast, leaning towards yellowish, at certain settings or angles, which is another known potential limitation of VNDs.
CPL (Circular Polarizer) Filter
Beyond controlling light intensity with the NDs, managing reflections and enhancing colours is crucial for professional-looking results. The included CPL filter does exactly this. A polarizer works by filtering out light waves travelling on certain planes. When you rotate the filter, you can selectively reduce reflections from non-metallic surfaces like water, glass, wet roads, or even foliage.
Using the CPL filter dramatically improves shots over lakes, rivers, or cities with many windows, cutting through the glare and allowing you to see details beneath the surface of the water or inside buildings through glass. It also has the effect of making the sky appear deeper and more saturated, and boosting the vibrancy of green foliage. The CPL filter is adjusted by rotating the outer ring, similar to the VNDs, until the desired level of polarization is achieved. This is invaluable for adding punch and contrast to your aerial landscapes, making colours pop without heavy post-processing. It’s particularly effective on bright, sunny days when reflections are most prominent.
UV Filter
The UV filter might seem less exciting than the NDs or CPL, but it serves two important purposes. Firstly, it blocks ultraviolet light, which can sometimes cause a slight bluish cast or haze, particularly when flying at higher altitudes or over bodies of water. While modern digital sensors are less susceptible to UV haze than film, filtering UV light can still result in slightly cleaner images.
More importantly, the UV filter acts as a clear protective element for your drone’s valuable lens. Since you’re flying outdoors, the lens is exposed to dust, dirt, fingerprints, and even accidental bumps or scratches. Having the UV filter on provides a physical barrier, protecting the actual drone lens from damage. It’s essentially a low-cost insurance policy for the most critical part of your camera system. I often keep the UV filter on when I’m not using an ND or CPL filter, just for this added layer of protection. The multi-coating on all the filters, including the UV, makes them easy to clean if they do get dirty.
Multi Coated HD Optical Glass & Aluminum Frame
The quality of the glass and frame is paramount for drone filters. You don’t want something heavy that will interfere with the drone’s gimbal calibration or flight stability, nor do you want subpar glass that degrades image quality. The NEEWER filters in this set feature HD optical glass with multi-layer coatings on both sides. These coatings are designed to be water-repellent, scratch-resistant, and oil-proof, which is essential for outdoor use in various conditions. I’ve found them relatively easy to clean, and they seem durable. The aluminum frame, precision CNC machined, is ultra-slim and lightweight, weighing in at just 0.11oz (3.2g) per filter. This minimal weight is critical, as excess weight on the gimbal can cause calibration errors or even motor strain. I’ve had no issues with gimbal calibration or flight performance with these DJI Mini 4 Pro filters attached. The construction feels solid enough for their intended purpose, though they are, of course, small and require careful handling.
What Others Are Saying
Having scoured the internet for other users’ experiences with the NEEWER Variable ND Filter Set Compatible with DJI Mini 4 Pro, the general sentiment appears quite positive, aligning closely with my own long-term use. Many users appreciate the convenience of variable ND filters over fixed ones, praising the ease of attachment and removal from the Mini 4 Pro lens. The quality of the optical glass and the lightweight aluminum frame are frequently highlighted as strong points, especially considering the price. The compact carrying case is also a popular feature. While the filters are generally well-received for their effectiveness in controlling light and enhancing images for cinematic video, a few reviews did mention potential drawbacks. Some users experienced a minor fitment issue initially, although this seems uncommon. Others noted that the variable adjustment ring could feel a bit loose, and more significantly, some reported issues with uneven exposure (vignetting) or colour shifts, particularly at the highest ND settings or when viewing certain angles, which is a known characteristic limitation of variable ND technology. Despite these occasional points of criticism, the overall consensus is that this filter set for the Mini 4 Pro offers excellent value and significantly improves the ability to capture high-quality aerial content in bright conditions.
Summing Things Up
Struggling with overexposed footage and a lack of creative control on sunny days is a common pain point for drone pilots, and left unaddressed, it means you’re missing out on the full potential of your drone’s camera. The NEEWER Variable ND Filter Set Compatible with DJI Mini 4 Pro is a fantastic solution to this problem. It provides versatile light control with the convenience of variable NDs, the image-enhancing power of a CPL, and lens protection with a UV filter. The lightweight, quality construction ensures they won’t hinder your flight. If you want to achieve that smooth, cinematic motion blur in your videos and capture vibrant, reflection-free photos, this set is a worthwhile investment. Don’t let harsh sunlight limit your creativity. To check out the product and see current pricing, Click here.
Last update on 2025-07-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API