Hey everyone — I just picked up a DJI Mini 4 Pro and I’m trying to get more consistent “cinematic” footage, especially in bright daylight. Right now I’m struggling to keep my shutter speed under control without blowing out highlights, and I’d like to stick to the 180-degree shutter rule when shooting 4K (usually 30fps, sometimes 60fps). I’ve been shooting mostly in Normal color, but I’m planning to experiment with D-Log M soon, so I’m not sure if that changes what strengths I should prioritize.
I’m seeing a bunch of ND sets marketed for the Mini 4 Pro (ND8/16/32/64, some with ND128, and some that include CPL combos), but I’m not sure what’s actually worth it vs just paying for a name. I’m also a bit worried about fit/weight on the gimbal and whether cheaper filters cause vignetting or weird color casts.
If you’ve used ND filters on the Mini 4 Pro, what brand/set would you recommend, and what specific ND strengths do you find yourself using most often for sunny midday vs golden hour?
> I’m seeing a bunch of ND sets… ND8/16/32/64… some with ND128… and some that include CPL combos… worried about fit/weight… vignetting… color casts.
Ok so, for Mini 4 Pro specifically, in my experience you dont need a million pieces… you need the *right* 4–6 and decent coatings.
**Option A (best value all-around):** Freewell All Day 6Pack ND Filters for DJI Mini 4 Pro (ND4/ND8/ND16/ND32/ND64/ND1000)
- Pros: solid fit, usually minimal color shift, coatings are legit for the price
- Cons: more $$ than “no-name”, and you might barely touch ND1000 unless you do long-exposure stills
**Option B (budget but still reliable):** K&F Concept ND Filter Set for DJI Mini 4 Pro (ND8/ND16/ND32/ND64)
- Pros: cheaper, covers the real-world range
- Cons: i’ve seen a tiny warm/green-ish cast sometimes (fixable), and coating durability is a step down
**Option C (mid-tier, nice coatings):** PGYTECH ND Filter Set for DJI Mini 4 Pro (ND8/ND16/ND32/ND64)
- Pros: good color, good machining, “set and forget” vibe
- Cons: usually priced close to Freewell depending on sales
**What you’ll use most:** sunny midday = ND32/ND64 (30fps wants ~1/60, 60fps wants ~1/120). Golden hour = ND8/ND16. ND128 is only for like beach/snow at noon or super bright days.
CPL/NDPL: honestly, only if you *know* you’re chasing glare on water/leaves… otherwise it’s extra fiddling and can look uneven with wide skies. Also, keep filter weight consistent and always do a quick hover check for gimbal twitch before flying off. gl!
Ok so I’m catching up—i feel u, ND choices get messy fast. Quick Qs:
- Are you locking ISO 100 + manual shutter, or letting auto ISO ride?
- Mostly harsh noon sun (beach/snow) or normal suburban light?
That’ll tell me if you’ll live on ND32/64 vs mostly ND16/32, and whether a CPL combo is even worth their weight.
Yo I feel u, been there… before I suggest a set, quick Qs: what kinda daylight are you mostly flying in—harsh beach/snow noon sun, or just regular suburban midday? And do you wanna run full manual exposure with fixed ISO (like 100/200), or are you letting auto ISO ride sometimes?
Unfortunately I’ve had issues with cheaper filters (tiny color cast + fit felt sketchy), so knowing ur budget range helps too.
Stumbled onto this thread while looking for some gimbal settings. Tbh I've been flying these things since the first Mavic Pro and I've learned that you dont always need to drop $100 on glass. I used to be a total gear snob, but lately Ive been super satisfied with some of the budget brands that actually hold up against the big names without that crazy mark-up. Quick question tho before I give you my full list—are you mostly focusing on video, or are you hoping to do some long exposure photography too? If you dont need those 2-second water-blur shots, you can save a bunch of cash by just getting a smaller kit. Heres what I've been using lately on my own Mini 4:
Seconded!
Pro tip: grab a decent set from PolarPro or Tiffen (avoid super-cheap casts). I live on ND16/32 midday, ND8-ish golden hour; ND128’s rare. Also check Photographylife ND guides + apps like PhotoPills to sanity-check shutter/ISO… wait no, exposure math lol. Make sure gimbal calibrates after mounting tho.