What ND filters are you guys using for the Osmo Pocket 3 that wont fall off or mess up the gimbal calibration? Ive been doing video work for like ten years now so I totally get the math behind shutter speed and keeping that 180 degree rule but man this little camera is picky. I bought the standard DJI set and honestly they feel kinda flimsy and I'm paranoid about the magnets not holding up when the gimbal does its little startup dance. I'm taking this thing to Tokyo in three weeks for a big solo trip and I really dont want to be chasing a tiny piece of glass across a busy intersection in Shibuya because the magnet failed. I need something that stays put but also doesnt cause that annoying color shift towards green or magenta which I've seen on some cheaper brands. I was looking at the Freewell ones because I use them on my drones and they seem solid but then I saw some K&F ones that were cheaper. My budget is around 120 bucks for a full set of ND8 through ND64 maybe a PL filter too. Has anyone noticed if the weight of the heavier filters messes with the motors over time? Looking for something that can handle a lot of movement...
Unfortunately, I had issues with budget filters falling off.
Honestly, I went with the PGYTECH Osmo Pocket 3 Filter Set ND-PL (ND8 16 32 64) because I was terrified of something falling off and jamming the gimbal. I am a pretty cautious user and these have been great for me. They are thin enough that the gimbal closes properly and the magnets feel really secure during that initial startup spin. No color issues either, which was my biggest worry. It works well and I am really satisfied with how they fit after a few months of use. If you want to spend a bit more for total peace of mind, the PolarPro DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Shutter Collection is also fantastic but the PGYTECH ones are perfectly safe and reliable for daily use. Just make sure you snap them on straight and you'll be fine. They don't seem to stress the motors at all because they are so lightweight, so no complaints here.
Re: "Unfortunately, I had issues with budget filters falling..."
Like someone mentioned, magnet strength is the biggest deal here because of how fast that gimbal head spins during the startup sequence. I've been doing this a long time and seen people fry their motors because they used filters that were too heavy or sat too high off the lens. You really have to be careful with the stacking effect. If the filter isn't perfectly flush, it hits the gimbal housing during calibration. That constant resistance eventually leads to motor fatigue or just a flat-out gimbal error message right when you're trying to film something cool in Shibuya. I would suggest checking out the Skyreat ND Filter Set 6-Pack for Osmo Pocket 3 if you want something reliable that wont break the bank. I've used their stuff for a while and the magnets are actually quite beefy compared to the stock DJI ones. The color stays neutral too, no weird shifts. Another solid option if you want to use that whole 120 dollar budget is the PolarPro ND Filter 3-Pack Vivid Collection for Pocket 3. They are super light, which is great for the motors, but you get fewer filters for the price. Just a heads up... always wait until the gimbal finishes its little dance before you snap the filter on. It saves the hardware a lot of stress over time. Don't risk the calibration error by leaving them on during power-up if you can help it.
Saw this earlier but just now responding. While the brands already mentioned are popular, I would suggest being very careful with heavier filters on such a small gimbal. People often focus on magnet strength but ignore weight distribution. Even a fraction of a gram can cause micro-jitters or overheat the motors during a long day of shooting in Tokyo. ^ This. Also, you really need to make sure you arent using anything that sits too high off the lens. I would look into the Kase Magnetic ND Filter Set for DJI Osmo Pocket 3 because they use extremely thin tempered glass. The thinner profile is crucial because the clearance between the lens and the gimbal arm is tiny... if the filter is even slightly bulky, it can catch during the startup calibration and ruin a motor. If the gimbal detects resistance during that initial spin, it can throw off the sensor alignment permanently. I would actually avoid the hybrid ND/PL combos for your trip too. They are usually thicker and heavier than standard NDs. For a solo trip where you cant easily get repairs, staying conservative with the weight is basically the only way to protect your gear long-term.