For the DJI Air 3S, use DJI's ND8/32/128 filter set. On the 1-inch wide camera, start with ND128 in bright sun, ND32 on overcast days and ND8 at golden hour, aiming for a shutter speed about double your frame rate at ISO 100. Each filter covers both the wide and 70 mm tele cameras.
What's in the Air 3S ND filter set
The official DJI Air 3S ND Filter Set (ND8/32/128) includes three filters:
| Filter | Light reduction |
|---|---|
| ND8 | 3 stops |
| ND32 | 5 stops |
| ND128 | 7 stops |
Each filter weighs 2.84 g and is made for the Air 3S only. Air 3 filters are a different design.
Why use ND filters on the Air 3S
The Air 3S has fixed apertures: f/1.8 on the wide camera and f/2.8 on the tele. In daylight, the only way to slow the shutter is to cut light. A slower shutter gives natural motion blur, following the 180-degree rule:
| Frame rate | Target shutter |
|---|---|
| 24 or 25 fps | 1/50 |
| 30 fps | 1/60 |
| 60 fps | 1/120 |
| 4K/120 slow motion | 1/240 |
Which filter for which light
| Light | 1-inch wide (f/1.8) | 70 mm tele (f/2.8) |
|---|---|---|
| Bright sun | ND128 | ND32 at 60 fps, ND128 at 24 fps |
| Hazy sun | ND128 or ND32 | ND32 |
| Overcast | ND32 | ND8 |
| Golden hour | ND8 | None |
The set jumps two stops between filters, so you won't always land exactly on 1/50 or 1/60. When you fall between two filters, either pick the stronger one and raise ISO slightly, or use the weaker one and switch to 60 fps, where a faster 1/120 shutter is the target anyway.
The tele camera is about 1.3 stops darker than the wide because of its f/2.8 aperture. Recheck exposure every time you switch cameras.
How to set exposure
- Switch DJI Fly to Pro mode.
- Set ISO 100 and a fixed white balance.
- Set your target shutter.
- Check the exposure meter and histogram. Too bright: use a stronger filter. Too dark: use a weaker one.
How to change filters on the Air 3S
- Power off the drone.
- Hold the gimbal gently so you don't twist the motors.
- Remove the fitted filter and attach the new one as shown in DJI's instructions. Make sure it sits flat over both lenses.
- Power on and check the live view for vignetting or haze.
Keep spare filters in their case. Dust or a fingerprint on a filter shows up in every frame.
Do you need ND filters for photos?
Not usually. Stills benefit from fast shutter speeds. ND filters are useful for creative effects like smooth water and for hyperlapse frames with motion blur.
ND filters also help D-Log M shooters stay at ISO 100 for the cleanest grade; see Air 3S LUT. For the full settings list, read best Air 3S settings, or shop the DJI Air 3S.
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