DJI’s Mavic 3 is a great drone, but DJI’s prices for their filters aren’t so great. Luckily, companies like PGYTECH have created a wide range of filters that are compatible with the Mavic 3’s unique mount and camera setup. They’re well worth pairing with high-performance drones. Is the driver equipped? I ordered PGYTECH’s Mavic 3 . filter series to check out in this review.
Filter range
PGYTECH manufactures a wide range of accessories, including things like camera bags, tripods, and accessories for action cameras, but I first learned about them through their line of drone filters. Unlike conventional lenses, most drones are not compatible with standard screw-in filters. Instead, they feature unique form factors and mounting systems, and this is where a manufacturer like PGYTECH steps in.
The filter from PGYTECH mounts in a similar manner to DJI’s and offers an equal degree of fit and finish. I like the red anode ring, though I’d love to see it orange to match the accent colors of the Mavic 3 props. Overall, that ring is easy to handle and makes for a good buying experience on the set. filter. The UV filter, which looks similar to the standard DJI filter, is easier to fit than the original filter, thanks to larger serrations on the sides.
The range of filters available for the Mavic 3 includes Standard UV filterOne circular polarizerND filters transform in two ranges and one ND/polarity combiner, consisting of three to six stops. All filters are compatible with both the standard and telephoto cameras on the Mavic 3, not including the small crossbar that DJI has on the stock filter. The filters are all built around German SCHOTT optical glass, with a CNC aluminum frame. The glass itself has a double-sided, multi-layer coating to help repel water, oil, and dust and improve scratch resistance – a big plus for a filter that’s both small and in contact with the elements, like that of an airplane Driverless.
The retail packaging is simple and clean, with a cardboard box showing the filter on the front and a brief list of specifications. Inside, the filter has a very nice quality hard plastic case, with a thick foam inner lining that is cut to the shape of the filter. These cases are great to put in your trouser pocket or camera bag. They are durable, easy to open, and a perfect way to store these filters, as any typical camera filter case would be too large for the Mavic 3 filter form factor.
UV filter
UV filters are pretty simple to look at: as long as they don’t negatively affect image quality, they’re doing their job. Most digital sensors are not UV sensitive, so blocking UV rays has no effect. Instead, the UV filter functions as a protective filter, in this case, a much cheaper alternative to the scratches and dust that occurs with our more expensive camera module. Mavic 3.
On conventional cameras, I only use a UV filter or clear filter if I know I’m shooting in particularly bad conditions, such as during a monsoon or near the ocean. On drones, however, cameras frequently travel at more than 30 mph, and so even some airborne dust can quickly become gritty.
In the end, I’m really satisfied with the performance of PGYTECH’s UV filter. I’ve had several hours of flying with it so far, in varying conditions and weather, and it’s still clean. The coating holds well, as far as I know I’ve touched the glass, thanks to the Mavic 3’s unfortunate filter attachment mechanism. I still don’t see any uncoated microfiber marks. Testing with this filter against a pre-existing DJI filter showed no discernible difference in sharpness, coloration, or flare. Overall, the available DJI filter replacements are a great value if your filter is damaged or lost, or even just worth buying thanks to the easier-to-fit handle.
Circular polarizer
Circular polarizing filters are very interesting. I feel like they’re one of the few filters that can’t be easily replicated in software, thanks to their unique ability to alter the way the scene is rendered. By filtering out some light that has become unpolarized when reflected from a surface, they can reduce reflections from water and darken the appearance of blue skies, among other things. The challenge is that you have to twist the filter to change the level of polarization in use. That’s not a problem for camera lenses, but can be more difficult for drones at 300 feet.
Overall, PGYTECH’s circular polarizer works pretty well. As with any wide-angle polarizer, with a large portion of the sky in the frame you will have to observe an unevenly dark sky. When in use, the filter worked well to reduce glare caused by snow, and it nicely amplified the blue of the sky. Also, like all polarizing filters, you will lose some light. In the case of this filter, it’s a breakpoint. Not a big deal, but a few things to keep in mind if you’re trying to maintain shutter speed. For some photos, there’s no substitute for polarized glasses, and I’m happy to have this in my bag.
ND Polarizer
Combining a neutral density and a polarizing filter, which both reduces the amount of light that passes through and blocks the previously mentioned unpolarized rays, is an interesting option. I’ve used ND Polarizer At least, since the Mavic 3’s adjustable aperture and wide ISO range mean I can usually get a workable shutter speed for any given shot.
However, for video use, the ND filter is very important. To get a pleasant motion blur for video, the rule of thumb is that shutter speed is a reciprocal factor of twice your frame rate. With 30fps video, lowering the shutter to 1/60th of a second in bright daylight can be a challenge. This is where ND filters come in handy. This set includes 3, 4 – 5, and 6-stop filters, allowing you to reduce the exact amount of light. In my testing, they delivered the expected amount of light reduction, without affecting image quality, like the rest of the line.
The only thing I’m not sure about is including the polarization aspect. A polarizer is not required for each shot, as previously mentioned in the section circular polarizers, but these filters force some degree of polarization into the image. If you are going to record a video, PGYTECH’s VND line may be a better choice, as they will not lead to a polarizing effect.
What I like
- Excellent picture quality without noticeable impact on image quality overload
- Great value, especially compared to DJI brand filters
- Nice carrying case and thoughtful design make them easy to use
What can be improved
- Adding a polarizer to an ND filter may not be necessary for many uses
