If you happen to’re flying the DJI O4 Professional Air Unit on a custom-built FPV drone, the BetaFPV ND Filter Set is a stable alternative for bettering your footage and defending your lens—with out breaking the financial institution. On this evaluate let’s break down the professionals and cons of those filters from BetaFPV and the way they in comparison with the official ones from DJI.
ND filters scale back the quantity of sunshine hitting your digital camera sensor, serving to you preserve cinematic movement blur by conserving your shutter velocity low. If you happen to’re new to ND filters, take a look at this tutorial on easy methods to use them successfully: https://oscarliang.com/nd-filter-fpv/
The place to Purchase
Get the Betaflight ND filters from:
BetaFPV presents a filter equipment that features UV, ND8, ND16, and ND32 filters for the O4 Professional digital camera. You too can purchase every filter individually for $5.99, which is nice in the event you regularly use one particular ND power and occur to lose or injury it. This flexibility makes BetaFPV’s filters one of the vital reasonably priced and handy choices at the moment obtainable.
The included UV filter doesn’t have an effect on publicity however acts as an important lens protector when an ND filter isn’t mandatory. Be taught extra about these several types of filters: https://oscarliang.com/uv-cpl-nd-filters/
BetaFPV vs DJI Filters
One of many standout benefits of the BetaFPV ND filters is their low profile.
Whereas DJI’s official ND filters are well-designed and work completely on the Avata 2, they are often too large for a lot of {custom} FPV drone frames.
Right here’s the DJI filter on the Avata 2:
Right here’s the DJI filter on an FPV drone (cinelog30 v3, too large to suit):
The BetaFPV filters, against this, match snugly on practically any body and nonetheless work nicely on the Avata 2—a win-win for versatility.
When it comes to usability, DJI filters are simpler to mount and take away because of their high and backside pinch tabs. Nevertheless, they’re additionally extra susceptible to falling off in crashes and even transportation. BetaFPV filters connect extra securely, however you’ll have to push them immediately onto the lens, which might make set up and elimination a bit more difficult. In some circumstances, I’ve needed to maintain the digital camera housing down whereas engaged on the filter.
Any Downsides?
The principle caveat with the BetaFPV filters is the black corners in video because of the extraordinarily large FOV of the DJI O4 Professional digital camera. Nevertheless, in observe, this isn’t actually a difficulty for my part. Firstly, the black corners are minimal in order that they don’t truly have an effect on flying. Secondly, with recording video, we virtually at all times apply stabilization utilizing Gyroflow or RockSteady, the picture will get cropped barely, which usually eliminates the darkish corners.
It’s a pity that the filter equipment doesn’t include a micro fibre material for cleansing the lens, possibly I’m asking an excessive amount of at this value level however it will be good it’s included.
Last Ideas
If you’d like an reasonably priced, compact, and practical set of ND filters on your DJI O4 Professional digital camera or Avata 2, the BetaFPV ND filter set is a superb purchase. The black corners is a minor trade-off for higher compatibility and safe mounting. Plus, at simply $5.99 per filter, there’s little purpose to not replenish.
Professionals:
- Low profile – helps a variety of frames
- Cheap ($5.99 per filter, or $19.99 for 4)
- Suitable with DJI O4 Professional and Avata 2
- UV filter included as lens protector
- Safe match; much less more likely to fall off in crashes
Cons:
- Tougher to put in and take away
- Minor black corners on account of large digital camera FOV
If you happen to’re seeking to step up your video high quality or simply need fundamental lens safety on your O4 Professional, BetaFPV’s ND filters ship wonderful worth and sensible efficiency.