DJI Mavic Pro 2.0: The Best ND Filters (And Polarizers)
You have just brought one of the best consumer drones on the market, with an awesome Hasselblad or Zoom camera. Now it’s time to get the best ND or Polariser filters.
At A Glance: Our Top Picks
After all, without the best ND or Polariser filters on your drone, your video is not going to be as top-notch as you had hoped.
Although it is still early days, there are a couple of options for filters for the new Mavic Pro 2.0.
I have collected all the options I could find and give you my recommendations below to help speed up your purchase decision.
Just keep in mind a few important things (more details on all this at the bottom of the review, this is just a summary:
1. ND Filters enable you to get the perfect shutter speed for natural motion blur, just like the pros. On very sunny days an ND32 is ideal, for a little more cloud you want to go ND16 or ND8 (they come in multiples of 2, starting at 4, usually up to 32 or 64)
2. Polarisers really help remove reflection off of anything wet (including rivers, lakes, waterfalls, oceans/seas) and glass. Most manufacturers produce them in combination with ND filters or on their own. So you can use them with or without ND.
3. UV filters are another option to help protect your camera when you have no other filter. For UV they are (these days) more or less pointless.
Top Product Overview
Polar Pro Filters - Mavic Pro 2.0 (NOT Zoom)
Polar Pro are on the top of the heap when it comes to drone gear. They have been making DJI related products since the early days of the Phantom (yes, a long time). And they specialize in camera filters. That means, their glass is top notch and they work closely with DJI to get the fit of the filters right. They are also usually the first ones to release filters when a drone is released, so it is no surprise they are one of the few on this page :>
I own a set of their ND filters for my Mavic Pro and they are super-high quality. They are always improving on the designs as they learn more about the drones, so don’t be afraid to give them feedback.
NOTE: So far, PolarPro seem to be the only ones making filters with the Mavic Pro 2.0. The Zoom has a lot more options (below).
They like to give you options when it comes to filters. So here are the main things to watch out for
- What type of filters you need – ND, Polariser or both in one filter
- What range of ND (sunlight) you want – ND 32/64 are for very bright conditions, ND 8 a lot less light (Polar pro even have a 128, 256 for very very bright conditions)
- Standard or Cinema – Their Standard (Black) are fine for most of us, but their Cinema (Gold) uses better glass
The main difference whether they are ND or ND/Polarizer combination filters. They also have a plain UV filter (great for protecting the lens) or a higher stop (32/64) set called Limited, if you work in brighter conditions (water, snow, beaches etc).
Polar Pro ND Filter 3 Pack (Cinema Series)
Product Information
- ND Filters: 4/8/16
- Polarisers: ✗
- Glass Quality: Cinema Series production Grade multi-coated glass
- Case: ✓
Product Information
- ND Filters: 4/8/16 (Combined with Polariser)
- Polarisers: ND/PL - 4/8/16
- Glass Quality: Cinema Series production Grade multi-coated glass
- Case: ✓
Product Information
- ND Filters: 128, 256, 1000
- Polarisers: ✗
- Glass Quality: Standard Series Optical HD glass
- Case: ✓
Product Information
- ND Filters: 4/8/16
- Polarisers: ND/PL - 4, 8, 16
- Glass Quality: Cinema Series production Grade multi-coated glass
- Case: ✓
Product Information
- ND Filters: 32/64
- Polarisers: ND/PL - 32/64
- Glass Quality: Cinema Series production Grade multi-coated glass
- Case: ✓
Polar Pro - Mavic Pro 2.0 Zoom
The following are Polar Pros filters for the Mavic Pro 2.0 Zoom.
Polar Pro ND Filter 3 Pack (Cinema Series)
Product Information
- ND Filters: 4/8/16
- Polarisers: ✗
- Glass Quality: Cinema Series production Grade multi-coated glass
- Case: ✓
Product Information
- Polarisers: ND/PL - 4/8/16 (With ND)
- Glass Quality: Cinema Series production Grade multi-coated glass
- Case: ✓
Product Information
- ND Filters: 4/8/16
- Polarisers: ND/PL - 4, 8, 16 (With ND)
- Glass Quality: Cinema Series production Grade multi-coated glass
- Case: ✓
Product Information
- ND Filters: 32/64
- Polarisers: ND/PL - 32/64 (With ND)
- Glass Quality: Cinema Series production Grade multi-coated glass
- Case: ✓
Skyreat Mavic 2.0 Zoom Filters
Skyreat has also been producing filters for all of the Mavic series. So, by now they are able to create some quality filters. They don’t have the same brand name as Polar Pro, but most people seem to be happy with them.
Note: While researching these filters, I noticed one set had a one-star review because they did not fit the drone (had a thread) so please read the reviews on Amazon before buying!!!!
ND Filter Set ND32 ND64
Product Information
- ND Filters: 32/64
- Polarisers: ✗
- Glass Quality: Multi-coated glass for pristine Optics, reduced lens flaring
- Case: ✓
Product Information
- Polarisers: ND/PL - 4/8/16 (With ND)
- Glass Quality: Multi-coated glass for pristine Optics, reduced lens flaring
- Case: ✓
Product Information
- ND Filters: 4/8/16
- Polarisers: ND/PL - 4, 8, 16
- Glass Quality: Multi-coated glass for pristine Optics, reduced lens flaring
- Case: ✓
Product Information
- ND Filters: 32/64
- Polarisers: ND/PL - 32/64
- Glass Quality: Multi-coated glass for pristine Optics, reduced lens flaring
- Case: ✓
FStop Labs Mavic 2.0 Zoom Filters
Another option is FStop Labs. They have also made filters for the Mavics from the start.
However, be aware that until a lot of people review and buy the filters, it is hard to know what the quality or fit on the camera is really like.
They have only a couple of options: the ND4 – 16 range (3 filters), and the ND 32 & 64. Only the ND32 & 64 comes without the PL combination in the pack.
They also have a seemingly crazy ND1000. This is super useful for photographers who want a slow shutter speed. I am interested to see if anyone uses one, as you would almost not be able to focus with such a dark ND.
Personally, I would go with the ND4 – 16 range and see if you really need a 32 or 64. If you shoot often in very sunny/bright conditions, then yes. But not all of us live in such places.
These filters are usually quite cheap compared to Polar Pro (the best in my opinion). But, if you just want to get a set to try them out, they are a good option to start with.
Best Value SetFStop Labs ND4, ND8, ND16, ND4/CPL, ND8/CPL, ND16/CPL
Product Information
- ND Filters: 4/8/16
- Polarisers: 4/8/16
- Case: ✓
Product Information
- ND Filters: 32, 64
- Polarisers: ✗
- Case: ✓
Product Information
- ND Filters: 32, 64
- Polarisers: 32, 64 (With ND)
- Case: ✓
Product Information
- ND Filters: 32, 64
- Polarisers: 32, 64 (With ND)
- Case: ✓
Product Information
- ND Filters: 1000
- Polarisers: 1000 (With ND)
- Case: ✓
Other Mavic Pro Zoom Filters
DJI has a single set that I can find online, with ND4/8/16/32. Again, this is a good option for anyone just wanting a decent range of NDs and don’t care about polariser. 32 is usually the max you will need unless you shoot in snow or at the beach a lot.
Mavic Pro 2.0 Filter Buying Guide & Info
First off, make sure you get the right filters because there are ALOT of Mavic Pro versions (Pro, Pro 2.0, Pro Platinum, and Pro 2.0 Zoom). Filters from one do not fit the other. At all.
If you are new to video and drones in general, you may have no clue what all this ND and polarising filter business is all about.
So, this section is here to help you come to grips with all the special terms, ideas, and reasons why they are so useful.
Camera Filter Types
There are two main types of filter you will see online:
- ND – Neutral Density Filter
- CP or PL – Circular Polarizer Filter
The most common and perhaps useful one you should grab is the ND. Below are details on why you should care.
Neutral Density Filters (ND Filters)
A neutral density filter is like a pair of dark glasses for the camera on your drone. It is designed to only do that. Nothing more.
Why would you want your image or video darker? Because of how video cameras work.
Video takes single frames, many per second. But, the camera also has a separate shutter that opens and closes at a certain speed.
Sometimes, when they get out of sync, you get weird effects (flicker) or your video does NOT look natural. Great looking video has a certain amount of what is called “motion blur” which is how we normally perceive things when they are moving. Without it, or with a different blur, things look weird.
The Rule For Video: When you are shooting a video you want to have a shutter speed that is about double your frame rate.
So, if your frame rate is 24 fps on the drone, you want around 1/48 shutter (which on a camera normally translates to 1/50)
And likewise, if you have a framerate of 30fps, then you would go for 1/60.
The challenge for you is, when it is bright outside it is not possible to get these settings on your drone. Try it and you will see :>
Even if you reduce the ISO (one way to fix it), you won’t be able to get the shutter speed and frame rate correct.
The Solution: A Neutral Density Filter (or ND filter for short).
This allows you, once you have enough experience, to know what ND you need in what situation to get the perfect shutter speed and frame rate.
For photographers, it also allows them to play with the light. But that is another blog post :>
Circular Polarizer Filters (PL/CPL Filters)
These filters are a little bit different because they are useful in specific situations and have nothing to do with motion blur or shutter speed directly.
A circular polarizer is helpful to reduce reflections (in water or glass) or make things like the sky bluer.
Circular polarizers block light not aligned in a specific way and the result can be really nice, especially when it is very sunny out.
- Around water (where there is lots of reflection)
- Around buildings (again lots of reflections)
- With a lot of skies (Landscape shots look way bluer with these filters)
There are loads of reasons to have and use a polarizer and it is something you want to consider when buying your Mavic Pro filters. Some sets come with them. Others have them with the ND filter itself. Others don’t have them at all.
POLARIZER TIP: Because the polarizer has to be correctly aligned in order to block out the light (block reflections or make the sky bluer) you usually need to add them after the drone is turned on so that you are sure that it is correctly aligned.
What To Look For In A Filter / Filter Set
Of course, you want a good quality filter (the best glass, like in the Polar Pro series) but also be on the lookout for positive reviews on Amazon.
Some things I have found are important for a drone filter from my experience with the Mavic Pro:
- Easy to attach and remove
- The filter set has all the range you need (figure out what kind of light you want to shoot in)
- It allows the gimbal to calibrate (usually these days this is not a problem, DJI has this sorted, but check the reviews).
