How to use ND Filters on FPV Drones: Creating Cinematic FPV Videos

Using ND filters correctly on GoPro cameras or other action cameras can significantly enhance your FPV videos, making them appear more professional and cinematic by introducing the optimal amount of motion blur. In this guide, I will explain what ND filters are and how to utilize them effectively to elevate your image quality to the next level.

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ND Filter Recommendations

Get your ND filters for the GoPro here. A set of ND32, ND16 and ND8 will get you pretty much all covered:

• Hero 12: https://bit.ly/46MEi8v
• Hero 11 and 11 mini: https://amzn.to/3VkEsiF
• Hero 9, 10, 11 and 11 mini: https://oscarliang.com/product-gm8h
• GoPro 8 – https://amzn.to/2MiJzxq
• GoPro 6 and 7 – https://amzn.to/2TUAKxU

What are ND Filters?

ND stands for “Neutral Density.” An ND filter reduces image exposure without altering the color of the image. In drone photography, these filters are particularly significant due to the unique nature of drone cameras. Unlike traditional cameras with multiple light control mechanisms, drone cameras primarily rely on ISO and shutter speed. On bright days, achieving the desired shutter speed becomes challenging. This is where ND filters come in, helping maintain optimal exposure and shutter speed.

For cinematic FPV shots, we typically aim to set the shutter speed to a fixed value relative to the frame rate we are using, adhering to something called “the 180-degree rule” (which I will explain shortly). This technique creates realistic motion blur, making the video appear “more cinematic.” However, when we do this, the image might inevitably be overexposed in bright environments, which is when ND filters come into play (to reduce exposure).

Here’s a video comparing high shutter speed without an ND filter to lower shutter speed (fixed) with an ND filter. The latter has more motion blur, giving the video a distinct feel.

Shutter Speed and Motion Blur

Before diving into the specific settings to use on your GoPro, it’s helpful to understand the basics of photography if you’re new to the subject.

Three factors control the exposure of an image:

1. Aperture
2. ISO
3. Shutter speed

Aperture determines how much light reaches the image sensor. As you decrease the aperture, more light enters, and the image becomes brighter.

ISO refers to the digital gain applied to the brightness of an image. However, it’s the last setting we want to adjust, as increasing ISO also makes the image noisier.

Shutter speed indicates how long the camera’s shutter remains open to let light in. Digital cameras like the GoPro don’t have mechanical shutters, so the term refers to the duration the image sensor samples the frame.

Shutter speed affects motion blur in our FPV videos. As you decrease shutter speed, the shutter is open for longer, causing movements within that frame to blur together, creating motion blur.

Here is an example: from left to right, the shutter speed is progressively lowered while using a higher ND filter to maintain the same exposure level. There’s more motion blur on the right.

Keep in mind that too much motion blur isn’t always a good idea, as it can make your video appear out of focus. That’s why it’s crucial to know the optimal amount of motion blur needed. It’s best to follow the 180-degree rule, which I will explain below.

The 180-Degree Rule

The 180-degree rule is simple: set your shutter speed to one over twice the frame rate. For example, for 30 fps, set the shutter speed to 1/60, or for 60fps, set shutter speed to 1/120. This is referred to as a shutter angle of 180 degrees, as to why, is beyond the scope of this post.

Following this rule should provide an appropriate amount of motion blur. If you desire even more motion blur, you can try a shutter angle of 360 degrees (the maximum limit), which means setting the shutter speed equal to the inverse of the frame rate. For example, at 30 fps, set the shutter speed to 1/30. However, some people may consider this to be “too much motion blur.” You can also experiment with shutter angles between 180 and 360 degrees, but most individuals will likely be satisfied with the 180-degree rule.

The same principle applies to high frame rate or slow-motion shots. For example, for 240 fps, you’ll want to increase the shutter speed to achieve the same amount of motion blur, e.g., to 1/480.

Why Use an ND Filter?

With a fixed shutter speed, you can only use aperture and ISO to change image exposure. However, GoPro cameras don’t have an aperture setting, which leaves us with ISO – the last parameter we want to increase due to the increased image noise it introduces.

When shooting outdoors with a GoPro, you might find that even when the ISO is set to its lowest value (at 100), the image is still too bright and overexposed. This is when an ND filter comes in handy, as it reduces the amount of light entering the camera.

How to Use an ND Filter?

I highly recommend using ND filters on your GoPro. They not only improve video quality by introducing the right amount of motion blur but also act as a lens protector in the event of a crash.

ND filters come in various strengths: ND2, ND4, ND8, ND16, ND32, ND64, or even higher. The strength number indicates the amount of light reduction, with a larger number signifying greater reduction.

Your choice of ND filter depends heavily on the environment and lighting conditions. Here are my personal recommendations:

• ND32: Snowy day
• ND16: Sunny day
• ND8: Cloudy day, or early morning and late afternoon in sunny conditions
• ND2 and ND4: rarely used
• No ND: Just after sunset

It’s important to actually check your image exposure (preview) before shooting to avoid surprises.

Here are my full GoPro settings for optimal results.

Get your ND filters for the GoPro here. A set of ND32, ND16 and ND8 will get you pretty much all covered:

• Hero 11 and 11 mini: https://amzn.to/3VkEsiF
• Hero 9, 10, 11 and 11 mini: https://oscarliang.com/product-gm8h
• GoPro 8 – https://amzn.to/2MiJzxq
• GoPro 6 and 7 – https://amzn.to/2TUAKxU

Some ND filters can be stacked on top of one another to increase the reduction. While this isn’t always possible, it’s useful to know. For example:

• ND2 + ND4 = ND8
• ND4 + ND4 = ND16
• ND4 + ND8 = ND32

Can ND Filters Remove Jello?

“Jello” is a phenomenon that appears when the camera vibrates. Jello in FPV videos can be caused by various factors, such as poor PID tuning, damaged frames or propellers, and faulty motor bearings.

In my experience, ND filters can reduce jello to some extent. However, if there are significant vibrations in your drone, instead of displaying up-down or left-right motions, the ND filter blurs the movements together, making everything appear soft and out of focus. This property can be beneficial to FPV videos in some situations, but I would not rely on an ND filter solely for the purpose of reducing jello. It is crucial to address the vibration issues in your drone when experiencing jello and not just “apply a Band-Aid to the root problem.

Auto Shutter Speed and ISO?

Avoid setting Shutter Speed and ISO to auto when using ND filters.

Why? With ND filter, the camera will automatically slow down the shutter speed to compensate for reduced light coming in and, worse, it might increase ISO. This leads to a noisier image, degrading the quality of your video.

If you intend to rely on Auto settings, it’s best to avoid using an ND filter altogether to ensure your footage remains as noise-free as possible.

Edit History

• Apr 2018 – post created
• Dec 2022 – updated