For those who’re flying the DJI O4 Professional Air Unit on a custom-built FPV drone, the BetaFPV ND Filter Set is a stable selection for bettering your footage and defending your lens—with out breaking the financial institution. On this assessment 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 cut back the quantity of sunshine hitting your digital camera sensor, serving to you keep cinematic movement blur by maintaining your shutter velocity low. For those who’re new to ND filters, try this tutorial on find out how to use them successfully: https://oscarliang.com/nd-filter-fpv/
The place to Purchase
Get the Betaflight ND filters from:
BetaFPV provides a filter equipment that features UV, ND8, ND16, and ND32 filters for the O4 Professional digital camera. You can even purchase every filter individually for $5.99, which is nice if you happen to regularly use one particular ND power and occur to lose or harm it. This flexibility makes BetaFPV’s filters one of the vital reasonably priced and handy choices at present accessible.
The included UV filter doesn’t have an effect on publicity however acts as an ideal lens protector when an ND filter isn’t essential. Be taught extra about these various kinds 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 huge 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 huge to suit):
The BetaFPV filters, in contrast, match snugly on almost 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 due to their prime and backside pinch tabs. Nonetheless, they’re additionally extra liable to falling off in crashes and even transportation. BetaFPV filters connect extra securely, however you’ll must 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 huge FOV of the DJI O4 Professional digital camera. Nonetheless, in follow, this isn’t actually a difficulty for my part. Firstly, the black corners are minimal in order that they don’t really have an effect on flying. Secondly, with recording video, we nearly at all times apply stabilization utilizing Gyroflow or RockSteady, the picture will get cropped barely, which typically eliminates the darkish corners.
Closing Ideas
In order for you an reasonably priced, compact, and useful set of ND filters to your DJI O4 Professional digital camera or Avata 2, the BetaFPV ND filter set is a good 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 motive to not refill.
Professionals:
- Low profile – helps a variety of frames
- Cheap ($5.99 per filter, or $19.99 for 4)
- Appropriate with DJI O4 Professional and Avata 2
- UV filter included as lens protector
- Safe match; much less prone to fall off in crashes
Cons:
- More durable to put in and take away
- Minor black corners on account of huge digital camera FOV
For those who’re trying to step up your video high quality or simply need primary lens safety to your O4 Professional, BetaFPV’s ND filters ship wonderful worth and sensible efficiency.