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What are the best ND filter sets for DJI Air 3 drones?

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Hey everyone! I recently bit the bullet and upgraded to the DJI Air 3, and I am absolutely blown away by the dual-camera system. That 70mm medium telephoto lens is a total game-changer for getting those compressed, cinematic shots that were impossible on my old Mini.

However, I ran into a bit of a hurdle during my first few flights this past weekend. It was a gorgeous, blue-sky day, but because the Air 3 has a fixed aperture (f/1.7 on the wide-angle and f/2.8 on the telephoto), my shutter speeds were hitting 1/2000 or higher just to keep the exposure under control. As you can imagine, the footage looked super choppy and lost all that beautiful, natural motion blur. To get back to the 180-degree shutter rule, I definitely need a solid set of ND filters.

I’ve been doing some research, but I’m feeling a little overwhelmed by the options. Since the filters have to cover both lenses simultaneously, I’m worried about finding a set that maintains consistent color and sharpness across both the wide and the telephoto sensors. I’ve been looking closely at the Freewell 'All Day' 6-pack because they seem to be the most popular, but I also saw the PolarPro Vivid collection. PolarPro is significantly more expensive—is the glass quality actually a noticeable step up, or are you just paying for the brand name?

I also do a lot of filming over the ocean and near lakes, so I’m debating whether I should go for straight NDs or an ND/PL (polarized) hybrid set to help cut through the water glare. My main concern is that some cheaper filters might cause vignetting or a weird color cast, which would be a nightmare to fix in post-production.

For those of you who have been flying the Air 3 for a while, what filter sets have worked best for you in terms of color accuracy and ease of use? Do you find yourself reaching for the polarized versions often, or should I just stick to a standard ND8 through ND64 set for general cinematic use?


5 Answers
12

Seconding the recommendation above. Freewell is solid, but I'm gonna add a safety-first perspective cuz ur gimbal is sooo fragile. Using heavy or off-balance filters can actually stress the motors over time or cause 'overload' errors during flight. Here is what I've found regarding reliability:
- NiSi DJI Air 3 Filter Kit (ND8, ND16, ND32, ND64): These use ultra-light aerospace aluminum. Honestly, the safest bet for gimbal health imo.
- Skyreat DJI Air 3 ND Filter Set 6-Pack: A great budget pick. They fit really snug with zero rattle.
- Tiffen DJI Air 3 Filter 3-Pack (ND4, ND8, ND16): Elite glass quality, though slightly heavier than NiSi. Quick tip: Always snap your filters on BEFORE powering up the drone. It helps the gimbal calibrate the weight properly from the jump. Honestly, I'm super satisfied with the NiSi set... no complaints at all! gl!


10

If you're watching your budget, I'd suggest these:
- K&F Concept DJI Air 3 ND Filter Set 6-Pack ND8-ND256: killer value, actually neutral glass imo.
- Neewer DJI Air 3 ND Filter Set 4-Pack ND8 ND16 ND32 ND64: super cheap but decent. Curious about one thing: are you shooting in D-Log M or standard? D-Log reveals color shifts way faster. Be careful with hybrids tho... lining up polarization on two lenses at once is... tricky lol.


2

Same setup here, love it


1

ok so i totally get the struggle with that fixed aperture... literally been there! i've tried both and basically: - Freewell DJI Air 3 Filters All Day 6-Pack: honestly the best bang for your buck. color is super consistent for about $50.
- PolarPro DJI Air 3 Vivid Collection: great glass but you're highkey paying for the name. i would suggest the freewell set. it's way more practical and quality is basically identical. maybe watch for vignetting on tele tho... gl!


1

Similar situation here - I spent weeks testing transmission rates cuz the dual sensors need perfect spectral neutrality. Basically, if the coatings differ, your 70mm will look warmer than the 24mm. Just sharing my results: 1. PGYTECH DJI Air 3 Professional ND/PL Filter Set (NDPL 8/16/32/64): Killer for water glare, though harder to calibrate.
2. K&F Concept DJI Air 3 ND Filter Set 4-Pack (ND8/16/32/64): Extremely neutral spectral profile across both lenses. Both are solid alternatives!


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