This is a question the pops up a LOT in my GoPro Enthusiasts Facebook group: Do I need filters for my GoPro? And the answer is always “it depends”. The fine folks over at PolarPro recently sent me a goodie box full of fun new GoPro accessories. Today, I want to talk about the Venture 3-pack of Filters they sent for my Hero5 Black. I tried out all three that came in the pack, and also played with the Macro Lens a little bit as well. Wait until you see the difference! And although PolarPro did provide these products to me, my opinions here in this post and my YouTube video are all my own
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Do You Need Filters For Your GoPro?
So you guys know I love to try out new gear and accessories for my GoPros but I haven’t really played around much with products that are designed to actually improve the image quality of the videos. And I’ve said this before: I’m not a perfectionist when it comes to my GoPro videos. I shoot a lot of family and vacations and whatnot. I’m not a filmmaker or anything like that, so I don’t usually think too hard about the quality of the images. I just like to capture the moment, ya know?
But I had a chance to try out some PolarPro Filters. So today, I want to talk about filters–specifically the Polarizing, ND, and ND Gradient Filters.
Questions About PolarPro Filters
The first thing that comes to my mind with using filters with a GoPro is usually diving. PolarPro has become known for their diving filters, which you may have seen before–they have a red or magenta hue to them.
I’m NOT a diver, and I don’t live anywhere near tropical water so it won’t do any good to me to use them. However, PolarPro did send me this Venture Filters 3-Pack for my Hero 5 Black.
So we have a Polarizer Filter, a Neutral Density Filter, and a Neutral Density Gradient filter.
I took my camera over to the lake and drove around a little bit on a super sunny day. So use these GoPro Filters with the Hero 5 Black. You place them snugly over the lens cover and they come with tethers, so you can secure them to your handle or selfie stick. Or even whatever you’re using to mount them with.
Related: 5 Accessories Every GoPro Newbie Needs
GoPro Polarizing Filters
A polarizing filter is best used when you’re shooting something where there’s a lot of glare. It could be around water or snow–things, like that. The box says that also helps with color saturation and contrast. For me personally, I’d use this out on the lake, in the boat, or I suppose in the winter going sledding. But it’s May and I’m trying to THINK SUMMER. We do live near a lake so I can see using the polarizing filter often.
You can see above that the pavement is a little darker and the clouds in the sky are actually there. It doesn’t do much for my dirty windshield though! 🙂
You can also see in this example by the lake, that there is a significant amount of glare coming off the water. The Polarizing Filter reduces the glad quite a bit. I mentioned in my review video that I don’t really notice water glare enough to think it will ruin my footage. I think I’m just so accustomed to seeing it that way. So seeing the lake with the Polarizing Filter makes a huge difference, don’t you think?
Neutral Density Filter
The Neutral Density should soften or smooth your videos and is said to help give a more cinematic look.
For me personally, I’m not sure what the ND filter was or wasn’t doing for me. In this screenshot, it looks like it does pick up a lot more detail on the hood and where the windshield wipers are. Also, I suppose the grass on the ND side compared to the grass on the No Filter side looks smoother. But, it also looks blurry to me (and I’m driving here, so I would expect some blur). The verdict is still out for me with the ND filter.
ND Gradient Filter
The ND Gradient does the same thing as the filter but also compensates and helps balance exposure between the ground and the sky.
In fact, if you look at the gradient filter itself, you can see the gradient–dark on top to lighter on the bottom. I could have done a better job at testing this out, by finding somewhere where the lower part of the frame. Which is the ground, so it would be more under-exposed compared to the sky. But even here, you can see how the gradient filter adds a nice gradient to the sky. I love that. It looks rich and deep that way.
Macro Lens
PolarPro also sent me this neat Macro lens that goes over the top of the GoPro lens cover. It magnifies your image 3.8 times, so you can get some really unique close-up shots. What I notice, looking at my footage, is that typically the GoPro doesn’t do well with close-up shots. That is because it’s trying to focus on the overall frame, not just the “thing” that’s right in front of the camera. And you have no control over the focus on GoPro. So for up-close shots, the Macro Lens allows the background to blur. Moreover, the camera focuses on just that up-close object.
In fact, the footage I took (see screenshot) doesn’t even look like it was shot on a GoPro at all.
The Macro Lens comes with its own little pouch and it’s really hard not to smudge it up with your fingers. However, you can use the pouch to actually clean it up.
So to summarize, I give two thumbs up to the Polarizing Filter, ND Gradient Filter, and the Macro Lens. The jury is still out on the regular ND filter. I’ll have to play with that more to see if it’s something I’d find beneficial to the footage I’m normally capturing.
Thanks to PolarPro for sending me this stuff so I could do a review! They also sent a few other things which you may notice in this video. However, I will do a separate post and video on those, so make sure you are subscribed to my YouTube channel.
Related: What GoPro Settings to Use?
Which GoPro Filters Should You Buy?
Well, I always like to say try things out. For sure, I think the Polarizing Filter is a good addition to your gear bag. You can pick one up for $30 from polarpro.com. Even if you’re not trying to create cinematic videos, if you’re on (or near) water or snow, you may want to use it. The Venture 3-pack of filters is $50 from polarpro.com and comes with a protective case.
The Macro Lens may not be of use to you. However, if you’re thinking about getting some up-close shots as I did with the flowers, you will definitely want this! The Macro Lens is $30 from polarpro.com.
Related: What GoPro Settings Should You Use?