Drone ND filters, ND8, ND16, ND32 and ND64: learn which ND filter to use in different lighting conditions, how ND filters affect shutter speed, and how to choose the right filter for smoother, more cinematic aerial video in 2026.
Introduction
If you've ever filmed your drone on a bright sunny day and noticed that the footage looks unusually sharp or unnatural, your shutter speed may be the reason.
Drone cameras can capture excellent video, but bright sunlight creates a problem. Without additional light control, the camera may need to use a very fast shutter speed to prevent overexposure. While the image may be correctly exposed, movement can look harsh and lack the natural motion blur associated with cinematic video.
An ND filter reduces the amount of light entering the camera, giving you more freedom to use a slower shutter speed while keeping ISO under control.
But what ND filter should you use for your drone?
The answer depends on the available light, frame rate, shutter speed, aperture and the type of footage you're trying to capture.
If you're building a complete drone setup, our guide to the best drone accessories for every pilot is a useful starting point for understanding which equipment is genuinely worth carrying.
For most drone videographers, the purpose of an ND filter isn't simply to make the image darker. It's to give the camera greater control over exposure and shutter speed.
What Is an ND Filter?
ND stands for neutral density.
An ND filter is placed over the drone's camera lens to reduce the amount of light reaching the sensor.
You can think of it as sunglasses for your camera.
A good ND filter should reduce light without significantly changing the color of the scene.
Common strengths include:
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ND8 — 3 stops of light reduction
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ND16 — 4 stops
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ND32 — 5 stops
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ND64 — 6 stops
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ND128 and higher — for exceptionally bright conditions
The larger the ND number, the more light the filter blocks.
Why Do Drone Pilots Use ND Filters?
ND filters are particularly useful for drone video.
Imagine you're recording at 30 fps on a bright afternoon. Without an ND filter, your camera might need to use a shutter speed of 1/1000 second or faster to maintain correct exposure.
The footage may not be overexposed, but movement can appear unnaturally sharp.
Adding an ND filter reduces the incoming light and allows you to use a slower shutter speed.
This can create smoother and more natural-looking motion blur.
The 180-Degree Shutter Rule
A useful starting point for drone video is the 180-degree shutter rule.
It generally means using a shutter speed approximately twice your frame rate.
| Frame Rate | Approximate Shutter Speed |
|---|---|
| 24 fps | 1/50 sec |
| 25 fps | 1/50 sec |
| 30 fps | 1/60 sec |
| 50 fps | 1/100 sec |
| 60 fps | 1/120 sec |
| 120 fps | 1/240 sec |
These aren't mandatory settings.
You can intentionally use a faster shutter for a sharper action-oriented look, for example.
But if your objective is natural-looking motion blur, they provide an excellent starting point.
ND8: Best for Lower-Light Daytime Conditions
ND8 provides three stops of light reduction.
It's one of the lighter filters and works well when sunlight isn't particularly intense.
Consider ND8 for:
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Sunrise
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Sunset
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Golden hour
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Overcast conditions
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Light cloud
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Shaded environments
An ND8 is particularly useful when an ND16 or stronger filter would make your exposure unnecessarily dark.
ND16: The Versatile Everyday Option
ND16 provides four stops of light reduction.
For many drone pilots, ND16 is one of the most versatile options.
It can work well during:
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Moderate daylight
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Morning flights
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Afternoon flights
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Partly cloudy weather
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Normal outdoor conditions
If you want to carry a relatively small filter kit, ND16 is an excellent starting point.
ND32: Best for Bright Sunny Conditions
ND32 provides five stops of light reduction.
It's designed for stronger sunlight and is particularly useful when ND16 still leaves your shutter speed too high.
ND32 can be a good choice for:
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Bright sunny afternoons
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Open landscapes
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Coastal locations
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Summer daylight
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Bright city environments
For pilots shooting 24 or 30 fps in strong sunlight, ND32 can provide the additional control needed to approach the desired shutter speed.
ND64: For Extremely Bright Conditions
ND64 provides six stops of light reduction.
It's designed for particularly bright environments.
Consider ND64 when flying over:
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Beaches
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Snow
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Bright reflective surfaces
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Open landscapes under intense sunlight
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Strong midday sun
However, don't use ND64 simply because the weather is sunny.
If the filter is too strong, you may have to increase ISO or otherwise compromise exposure.
The best filter is the lightest filter that allows you to achieve your desired settings.
ND Filter Guide by Weather
Weather provides a useful starting point when choosing an ND filter.
| Lighting Condition | Suggested Starting Point |
|---|---|
| Sunrise / Sunset | ND8 |
| Heavy Overcast | ND8 |
| Light Cloud | ND8–ND16 |
| Normal Daylight | ND16 |
| Sunny | ND16–ND32 |
| Bright Midday | ND32–ND64 |
| Snow / Extremely Bright | ND64+ |
These recommendations aren't absolute.
Your drone camera, aperture, ISO, frame rate and desired shutter speed all affect the final decision.
Always check your actual exposure.
What ND Filter Should I Use at 24 FPS?
At 24 fps, approximately 1/50 second is a common shutter-speed target.
In moderate daylight, ND16 may be sufficient.
In stronger sunlight, ND32 may be more appropriate.
At sunset or under heavy cloud, ND8 may provide enough light reduction.
The important point is that your target shutter speed should influence your final filter choice.
What ND Filter Should I Use at 30 FPS?
At 30 fps, approximately 1/60 second is a common target.
A practical starting point is:
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Overcast: ND8
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Moderate daylight: ND16
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Bright sunlight: ND32
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Very bright sunlight: ND64
Use these as starting points rather than fixed rules.
What ND Filter Should I Use at 60 FPS?
At 60 fps, a common target is approximately 1/120 second.
Because this is already faster than the typical target for 24 or 30 fps, you may need less filtration under identical lighting.
However, intense sunlight can still require ND32 or ND64.
If you're recording 60 fps specifically for slow motion, also consider the final playback frame rate.
Should You Use an ND Filter for Drone Photography?
Not always.
ND filters are particularly useful for video, where shutter speed affects motion blur.
For ordinary still photography, you may want a fast shutter speed to freeze movement and reduce camera shake.
In that situation, an ND filter isn't automatically beneficial.
There is one important exception: long-exposure aerial photography.
A strong ND filter can allow you to deliberately slow the shutter speed and create creative effects with:
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Moving water
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Clouds
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Boats
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Roads
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Vehicles
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Coastal scenes
If you're primarily interested in aerial photography, choosing the right aircraft is equally important. MidronePro's Best Camera Drones – 2026 Buyer's Guide provides a broader comparison of camera-focused aircraft.
Fixed ND vs Variable ND Filters
There are two main types of ND filters.
Fixed ND Filters
Fixed filters have a specific strength, such as ND8, ND16, ND32 or ND64.
They're predictable and easy to understand.
For most drone users, a quality fixed-filter kit is the simplest option.
Variable ND Filters
Variable ND filters allow you to adjust the amount of light reduction.
The main advantage is convenience because you may need fewer individual filters.
However, variable filters can introduce optical compromises depending on their construction and quality.
For demanding aerial video, fixed ND filters remain a popular choice.
How Many ND Filters Do You Need?
You don't need to purchase every ND strength available.
For most drone videographers, an:
ND8 + ND16 + ND32 + ND64
combination provides excellent coverage.
If you mostly fly during normal daylight, ND16 and ND32 may cover most situations.
If you frequently shoot sunrise or sunset, ND8 is useful.
If you regularly fly in very bright environments, ND64 adds flexibility.
How to Choose the Right ND Filter in the Field
Instead of guessing based only on the weather, use your camera settings.
Start with:
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Your desired frame rate
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Your target shutter speed
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Your lowest practical ISO
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Your aperture, if your drone camera provides aperture control
Then choose the ND filter that allows you to achieve the exposure you want.
If the shutter speed remains too fast, move to a stronger filter.
If the image becomes too dark, use a weaker filter.
This method is much more reliable than automatically choosing ND64 whenever the sun is shining.
Common ND Filter Mistakes
Using the Darkest Filter Every Time
A stronger ND filter isn't automatically better.
Forgetting to Change Filters
Clouds can move quickly, changing the available light significantly.
Increasing ISO Because the Filter Is Too Strong
If the ND filter is unnecessarily dark, the camera may compensate by increasing ISO.
That can reduce image quality.
Buying Poor-Quality Filters
Low-quality filters can introduce:
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Color shifts
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Reflections
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Reduced sharpness
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Uneven optical performance
Modern high-resolution drone cameras can reveal these problems easily.
ND Filters and Cinematic Drone Footage
An ND filter should be viewed as part of a broader video workflow.
For the best results, combine appropriate filtration with:
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Smooth flight movements
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Controlled camera movement
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Good composition
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Correct exposure
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Appropriate frame rates
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Consistent color settings
After filming, editing also plays an important role. A good drone video editing workflow can turn technically strong aerial footage into a polished final production.
Final Verdict
So, what ND filter should you use for your drone?
There isn't one universal answer.
ND8 is ideal for sunrise, sunset and lower-light daytime conditions.
ND16 is a versatile choice for moderate daylight.
ND32 is useful in bright sunny conditions.
ND64 is better suited to extremely bright environments.
For most drone videographers, an ND8/16/32/64 kit offers excellent flexibility.
The most important principle is to choose the filter according to your actual lighting conditions and desired shutter speed, rather than simply selecting the darkest filter available.
The goal isn't to make your footage darker.
The goal is to give your drone camera better control over exposure, shutter speed and motion blur.
FAQ
What ND filter should I use for my drone?
ND8, ND16, ND32 and ND64 cover most daylight situations. Your final choice depends on lighting, frame rate, ISO, aperture and desired shutter speed.
Is ND16 good for drone video?
Yes. ND16 is a versatile choice for moderate daylight and is useful for many outdoor filming situations.
When should I use ND32?
ND32 is useful when sunlight is strong and ND16 doesn't provide enough light reduction to achieve your desired shutter speed.
When should I use ND64?
ND64 is useful for extremely bright conditions, including strong midday sunlight, beaches and highly reflective environments.
What ND filter should I use at sunset?
ND8 is often a good starting point because light levels are much lower around sunset.
Do I need an ND filter when it's cloudy?
Possibly. ND8 or ND16 can be useful depending on the actual brightness and the shutter speed you want to achieve.
Should I use an ND filter for drone photography?
Not necessarily. ND filters are particularly useful for video, although stronger filters can be valuable for creative long-exposure photography.
How many ND filters should a drone pilot own?
For most pilots, ND8, ND16, ND32 and ND64 provide a practical range for daytime video.
Does an ND filter make drone footage cinematic?
An ND filter can help create more natural motion blur by controlling shutter speed, but cinematic footage also depends on flight movement, composition, exposure and editing.
Are expensive ND filters worth it?
Quality matters. Poor filters can affect sharpness, color and reflections, particularly when used with high-resolution drone cameras.
See More Related Topics at MidronePro Academy
→ Learn how to choose the right equipment for a first aircraft with the best camera drones for beginners.
→ If portability matters, compare the best drones under 250g for lightweight flying and travel.
→ Before your next long filming session, learn how to get more from your aircraft with the Drone Batteries Guide.
→ Keep your aircraft ready for every shoot with this practical Drone Maintenance Guide.
→ Planning to take your drone abroad? Use the Drone Travel Guide to prepare your equipment and flight plans.
→ If you're looking for a capable drone in challenging weather, see the best drones for windy conditions in 2026.
