Best ND Filters for DJI Mini 3 Pro

It’s true what people say about great things coming in small packages. As the newest and best so far, the DJI Mini 3 Pro is a compact, lightweight drone exploding with excellent features, especially the camera.

However, you may need to use ND filters to get the most out of it.

Why? The DJI Mini 3 Pro has an f/1.7 aperture, making it necessary to use an ND filter to lower the shutter speed for some shots.

So, which are the best ND filters for the DJI Mini 3 Pro?

The best ND filters for the DJI Mini 3 Pro include the Freewell Gear, YETEECH, Skytreat, GardTok, and Polar Pro ND filters. These brands provide the best ranges of ND filters and produce the best footage for most lighting conditions.

Please keep reading to learn more about the filters you need and the brands selling these filters.

The Best ND Filters For the DJI Mini 3 Pro #

Before discussing other models, it’s important to mention that DJI has ND filters specific to the DJI Mini 3 Pro, but they are ND16, ND64, and ND256.

The ND16 is okay for most applications, but ND64 and ND256 may be overkill unless you are in extreme lighting conditions, such as in deserts.

For the Mini 3 Pro, you more realistically need ND8, N16, and N32, which you can interchange based on the environmental conditions.

A combination of PL filters is also necessary to reduce polarized light from bouncing back on the shots.

Luckily, other brands have the ND filters within these smaller ranges. And below are some of the best ones.

1. Freewell All Day – 6Pack ND Filters #

Freewell Gear is a renowned manufacturer of camera accessories, including ND filters.

And when the DJI Mini 3 Pro was finally released, photographers who’ve used any of Freewell Gear products were looking forward to their version of ND filters for the DJI Mini 3 Pro.

Well, they are now available, and the quality is what you’d expect from Freewell Gear. Freewell Gear has a 6-pack of ND filters for the DJI Mini 3 Pro.

This pack includes ND4, ND8, ND16, ND32, ND64, and ND1000.

If you add the ND256 from DJI, you have the perfect range of ND filters to test and come up with the best shot possible.

They’ve also been made to be of high quality but light enough to keep your drone still under 250 grams.

And if you’d like a UV filter to block the extra UV rays, they have that too for the Mini 3 Pro.

2. YETEETH CPL/ND Filters Set for DJI Mini 3 Pro #

This set of filters is designed specifically for the DJI Mini 3 Pro drone.

The 3-piece filters help reduce glare and reflections, improve colors and decrease light entering the lens.

Also, every lens filter has a specific role in delivering a particular effect that enhances the ultimate look of an image.

The filter frame is made of soft Aircraft aluminum alloy. Each side of the filter contains grooves that enable easy holding for removal and installation.

Even better, these filters are resistant to water, dust, oil, fingerprints, and scratches.

Most importantly, the ND filters reduce the intensity of light entering the camera. This way, you can easily control the shutter speed and aperture.

So, the wide aperture helps you achieve a shallow depth of field from sharper shots. Subsequently, the reduced shutter speed blurs any unnecessary movement in your photo.

Additionally, adding the CPL Filter in this set eliminates polarized light so you can end up with a fantastic image you couldn’t get any other way.

3. Skyreat ND Filters Set for DJI Mini 3 Pro #

As a specific make and fit for the DJI Mini 3 Pro, this filter set helps you capture clear footage and images in extreme sunlight situations.

This three-pack features ND/PL filters 8, 16, and 32.

The aircraft aluminum alloy construction is not only sturdy but also lightweight to match the weight of the tiny DJI Mini 3 Pro.

Also, the installation and removal process is easy, quick, and non-destructive, thanks to the high-quality inserts.

As a photographer, exploring all possibilities helps in obtaining great footage. Thus, this filter set’s double-sided and multi-layered coatings offer protection against water, dust, oil, and scratches.

Furthermore, it’s an adjustable filter set with ND and PL advantages that help to meet your requirements.

The Neutral Density mainly helps achieve an excellent shallow depth of field for focussed images and reduces shutter speed for extended exposure time. The PL removes unwanted polarized light.

4. GardTok ND Filters for DJI Mini 3 Pro #

This three-pack filter comprises PL, ND8, and ND16. It has a dual filter function of PL and ND.

The Polarizer filter reduces polarized or non-metallic surface glare like glass and water. It is best used to improve the color disparity and saturation found in blue skies and white clouds.

In addition, these ND filters cut back extreme light reaching the camera. Consequently, you maintain the wider aperture and achieve an excellent shallow depth of field without overexposing your photos.

The construction of GardTok ND filters features Ultralight Plastic which is lightweight and stable for a prolonged flight period.

The multiple coatings prevent the filters from water, dust, oil, and scratch damage.

5. Polar Pro Filters For The DJI Mini 3 Pro #

The Polar Pro ND filters are another highly anticipated brand of ND filters for the DJI Mini 3 Pro.

They are not out yet, so I can’t speak much about them, but I’ve used Polar Pro filters for other drones, and they don’t disappoint.

Polar Pro is also currently accepting pre-orders on their ND filters, a 3-pack consisting of ND8, ND16, and ND32 filters.

You also have an option to get the BlueMorphic, GoldMorphic, and Mist filters.

What is an ND Filter, and why do you need them on the DJI Mini 3 Pro? #

The Neutral Density filter is the “sunglasses” of your camera lens, blocking excess and harmful light from entering the camera’s sensor.

A neutral density works like the light’s volume control. So, when the light entering is minimized, you can comfortably shoot in severe lighting conditions. This way, your shots attain artistic results.

Specifically, the ND filter:

1. Allows you to slow down the shutter speed: The photographer can capture lengthy exposures and motion blurs.
2. Allows you to maintain a wider aperture: With a wider aperture, capturing your image with striking effects of the shallow depth of field becomes easy. Besides, wider apertures work better when shooting portraits because you focus on the subject.

Usually, an f-stop determines the amount of aperture, which also affects the depth of field.

The smaller the f-stop, the wider the aperture and the shallower depth of field.

That’s why the small f/1.7 aperture of DJI Mini 3 Pro attains a better shallow field depth when you use ND filters.

When to use your ND filters for DJI Mini 3 Pro #

This drone features a design with the enthusiastic photographer in mind mainly because of the vertical photo and MasterShots features.

However, the higher MP and CMOS sensor makes it a preferable choice for professional photography since it comes with a camera with adjustable apertures.

This makes it easy to adjust exposure settings while flying, meaning less need for ND filters.

Nonetheless, there are environment settings where it is impossible to avoid the ND filters.

For instance:

1. Sunny and Harshly Lit Settings #

Undeniably, even the best camera drones find it hard to capture unique shots in harsh or highly bright conditions.

Therefore, the ND filter comes to the rescue. With your DJI Mini 3 Pro ND filters, you can use the wide aperture to obtain a shallow depth of field while not overexposing your image.

2. Video and Film #

When flying your DJI Mini 3 Pro for video footage, it would be best to use its ND filters. This way, you can accomplish a dramatic effect by shooting using a longer exposure or introducing a motion blur. 

3. Portrait Photography #

Usually, portraits require a complete focus on the subject. So, using the ND filters for the DJI Mini 3 Pro allows you to regulate the depth of field in extreme light conditions.

Better still, the ND filters allow you to blur the background and bring your focus image to the foreground with enhanced clarity.

4. Water and Motion #

You can use the ND filters for your DJI Mini 3 Pro to take perfect shots of water in motion, like battling ocean waves, trickling streams, and pouring waterfalls.

Remarkably, your ND filter captures any water effect you desire to have in your picture. This way, there’s an actual view without any overexposure.

5. Clouds and Fog #

ND filters for the DJI Mini 3 Pro also powerfully capture clouds and sky. Such filters blur the moving clouds to achieve a magical and dramatic visual intrigue.

ND4 and ND8 seem to work best for cloudy days too.

6. Foliage and Fields #

Landscape images are always in style. However, achieving the perfect image is a challenge, especially regarding foliage and field shots.

Fortunately, ND filters can block excess light. This way, you can easily add a visual appeal.

How to install ND Filters on the DJI Mini 3 Pro #

Below is an easy-to-follow process:

1. Choose the appropriate ND filter for the type of shot you’re going for.
2. Hold the camera with one hand, and twist the lens cap with the other hand counterclockwise to remove it.
3. Pick your ND filter and place it on the lens at the same angle it was on the package.
4. Twist it to lock it in.

Frequently Asked Questions #

Do ND Filters have any effect on the quality of an image? #

Not necessarily, but it all depends on your choice of ND filters. When using high-quality filters, you’ll barely notice any change in the original shot quality.

Can you use multiple ND Filters at the same time? #

Filter stacking is a photography technique that allows you to use more than one ND filter at once. This helps to achieve different photography needs for your shot.

Conclusion #

If you just got your DJI Mini 3 Pro, don’t forget to get one of these ND filters as one of the accessories for the drone.

However, don’t limit yourself to a small range of ND filters.

They are very affordable, so you should also test even the larger numbers (ND256 or higher) to see what gives you the best exposure for your shot.