For the DJI Air 3, use DJI's ND filter set with ND8, ND16, ND32 and ND64. In sun or haze use ND64, under bright cloud ND32, on dull overcast days ND16, and around golden hour ND8, aiming for a shutter speed about double your frame rate at ISO 100. Each filter in the set covers both of the Air 3's cameras.
Why the Air 3 needs ND filters
The Air 3 has a fixed aperture: f/1.7 on the 24 mm wide camera and f/2.8 on the 70 mm medium tele. With no way to stop down, the only way to hold a slow shutter in daylight is to cut light with a neutral density (ND) filter.
A slower shutter adds natural motion blur. The common target is the 180-degree rule: shutter speed equals one over twice the frame rate.
| Frame rate | Target shutter |
|---|---|
| 24 or 25 fps | 1/50 |
| 30 fps | 1/60 |
| 60 fps | 1/120 |
| 100 fps slow motion | 1/200 |
Without ND, a sunny day at ISO 100 forces the wide camera to a shutter speed near 1/8000. Video then looks choppy, with crisp, stuttering motion in water, traffic and trees.
Which filter to use
ND numbers describe how much light they block. ND8 cuts 3 stops, ND16 cuts 4, ND32 cuts 5 and ND64 cuts 6.
| Light | Wide 24 mm (f/1.7) | Tele 70 mm (f/2.8) |
|---|---|---|
| Bright midday sun | ND64 | ND64 |
| Hazy sun | ND64 | ND32 |
| Bright overcast | ND32 | ND16 |
| Dull overcast | ND16 | ND8 |
| Golden hour | ND8 | None |
These are starting points, not rules. Two things to know:
- The tele camera is about 1.4 stops darker than the wide, because f/2.8 lets in less light than f/1.7. If you switch cameras mid-flight with the same filter, recheck exposure.
- ND64 may not be enough for the wide camera in harsh sun. You may land at 1/120 to 1/200 instead of 1/60. That still looks better than 1/2000. Shooting 60 fps at 1/120 is a good fit for those conditions.
How to set exposure with an ND filter
- Switch DJI Fly to Pro mode.
- Set ISO to 100 and white balance to a fixed value.
- Set the shutter to your target from the table above.
- Look at the exposure meter and histogram. If the image is too bright, use a stronger filter. If it's too dark, use a weaker one.
- Land, swap filters, and recheck.
Power the drone off before swapping filters, and hold the gimbal gently so you don't strain the motors. Keep the filters clean; a smudge shows up as haze in every shot.
Do you need ND filters for photos?
Usually not. For stills a fast shutter is fine and keeps images sharp. ND filters help for creative long exposures, like silky water or blurred traffic, and for hyperlapse shots where you want streaky clouds.
ND filters and D-Log M
If you shoot D-Log M, ND filters let you stay at ISO 100, which keeps noise low when you grade. See Air 3 LUTs and our best Air 3 settings.
The Air 3 and Air 3S use different filters, so check fit before you buy. Ask us through our contact page if you're unsure, or shop the DJI Air 3.
Related guides
- Which ND filters for the DJI Air 3S? Settings guide
- Best DJI Air 3 camera settings for photo and video
- Which ND filters for the DJI Avata 2? Settings guide
- Which ND filters for the DJI Flip? Settings guide
- Which ND filters for the DJI Mavic 3 Classic? Settings guide
- Which ND filters for the DJI Mavic 3 Pro? Settings guide
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