RunCam Thumb Pro | ND Filter Comparisons

This video compares RunCam Thumb Pro footage with no ND filter, a ND 8 Filter, a ND 16 filter and a ND 32 filter.

[@Quadtastrophe]

You have to Choose ISO and shutterspeed to See the different .

[@arkdronesfpv]

I love your name Quadtastrophe! Differences in video still occur when an ND filter is used with auto shutter and iso. When you put a ND filter on and the shutter and iso set to auto, the camera has less light coming in, so it will “automatically” either decrease shutter speed, increase iso, or some combination of both in order to get back to an ideal exposure. If the shutter speed is decreased, motion blur is increased. Setting the iso and/or shutter speed could definitely be the way to accentuate what the videographer is looking to accomplish. However, for many FPV drone pilots, including myself, the risk of having the video be over exposed or under exposed due to the environmental changes that we are flying in (flying in a dark building then out a window into the sun) is not worth it some of the time.

[@MichelangeloFPV]

Nice video mate. You could also try locking iso and shuter speed to see biger difference in motion blur.!!!

[@arkdronesfpv]

Thank you! Agreed! When shooting a specific scene locking iso and shutter is the goal. When I I am flying freestyle in a constantly changing environment (in a dark room and then out a window into bright light) leaving me shutter and iso on auto can help with over or under exposure.

[@Jacey2001]

awesome liked subbed, thanks, i just got mine on the explorer LR. getting a bit of jello on certain rpms with stock printed mount. not sure how to solve that.

[@arkdronesfpv]

Thanks for the sub and am glad you got something out of the video. Targeting Jello can be frustrating! I usually start with replacing the propellers (brand new), making sure all frame screws are tight, tightening up all motor mounting screws, checking to ensure there are no micro fractures in the frame and setting up RPM filtering in Betaflight. Good luck!

[@doko979]

You showed the difference very well that even the smallest ND 8 helps. And is this material stabilized with Gyroflow?

[@arkdronesfpv]

Thank you. I did not stabilize or color grade as I wanted to show the effect of ND filters on raw footage.

[@graywoulf]

I just got one of these cams and it came with 16, 32 and 64 ND filters. Why is it that motion blur is a desirable thing for quad pilots? Thanks for this demonstration! I really like your mailbox post too.

[@arkdronesfpv]

Nice! Have you had a chance to use the camera yet? Motion blur could be viewed as how natural movement looks to humans through video recording. Too little and the movement looks choppy and too much everything becomes blurry. However, how much motion blur is desirable depends on what you are looking to accomplish along with other variables: artistic effect, natural, speed of the movement, lighting, slowing down video in post production, frames per sec, etc.

[@terracoon9882]

thanks, difference is very clear! Bought a set too.

[@arkdronesfpv]

Thank you for the comment! Great to hear! Hope you enjoy it!

[@jons858]

What mount do you use for the RunCam 4k Pro? Also, what do you find to be the best option/settings for normal sunlight?

[@arkdronesfpv]

I mount the Thumb Pro on my smaller quads like the Micro Apex. The mount I 3D printed: the STL file was similar to this from Thingiverse (link below). If I am flying in sunlight exclusively for the shot I use: either anmND8 or ND 16 filter, ISO 100, 4k30fps, 1/60 shutter, sunny white balance…the rest of the settings I will change depending on how much or how little I want to edit in post production. www.thingiverse.com/thing:5524879

[@DrFrantic77]

Looks nice bro

[@arkdronesfpv]

Thank you!!

[@droneengage4366]

What sd card are u using????

[@arkdronesfpv]

I believe I used the Sandisk Ultra.

[@damiviptutorsco4660]

how much would that cost?

[@arkdronesfpv]

Cost of the drone or of the camera? Camera is about $80. Digital drone with controller and goggles could be obtained used for around $550. If you go analog (not digital), maybe around $375 used (with goggles and controller).

[@TorontoFPV]

great video!

[@arkdronesfpv]

Thanks!

[@naveennishad]

seems I need only nd8, cant handle 16 or 32

[@arkdronesfpv]

If I am leaving shutter and iso set to auto I do like the ND8 filter!

[@waimalao]

Sorry but, if you don't fix shutter speed this comparative is useless.

[@arkdronesfpv]

That is NOT an accurate statement! I would encourage you to watch the video again at the highest resolution and then look at the center of the screen compared to the edges when the ND 32 filter is on: there is much more motion blur then compared to no ND filter. Do you fly FPV freestyle? Setting the iso and/or shutter speed could definitely be the way to accentuate what the videographer is looking to accomplish. However, for many FPV drone pilots, including myself, the risk of having the video be over exposed or under exposed due to the environmental changes that we are flying in (flying in a dark building then out a window into the sun) is not worth it some of the time.

[@waimalao]

@@arkdronesfpv I speak from photographer perspective. Maybe I don't extended my explanation. My fault! Maybe I pick rude words. You are right, many FPV pilots doesn't know about photography and it's more easy let the camera do the job for them and even more so when they are going to fly anywhere without taking into account the dark places.

[@mfrfpv9079]

no more jello LOLz

[@arkdronesfpv]

🎉🎉

[@pixonification]

Sorry, but it doesnt show anything. You should have fixed shutter and ISO, then you will see the difference.

[@arkdronesfpv]

No apology needed. I would encourage you to watch the video again at the highest resolution and then look at the center of the screen compared to the edges when the ND 32 filter is on: there is much more motion blur then compared to no ND filter. Do you fly FPV freestyle? Setting the iso and/or shutter speed could definitely be the way to accentuate what the videographer is looking to accomplish. However, for many FPV drone pilots, including myself, the risk of having the video be over exposed or under exposed due to the environmental changes that we are flying in (flying in a dark building then out a window into the sun) is not worth it some of the time.

[@AdventureFPV]

Cool video man, dropped a sub, stop by the channel sometime.

[@arkdronesfpv]

Thanks! On my way over to your channel now!

[@AdventureFPV]

@@arkdronesfpv Do you feel that the ND 32 is not actually an ND 32... It seems way to dark to me.

[@arkdronesfpv]

Agreed. The ND32 filter was a touch darker than I anticipated.