Air 3S ND filters
Why a filter for a single-lens aircraft does not suit the Air 3S, which densities are useful, and how to set them.
The trap specific to this model
The Air 3S carries two lenses on the same gimbal: a wide angle and a telephoto. A filter fitted to the gimbal must therefore cover both, and a filter designed for a single-lens aircraft does not suit, even if the diameter looks close.
⛔ This is the most frequent buying mistake on this model: a set of filters bought on the brand name alone partially masks the second lens, producing a dark corner visible only when you change focal length, and so discovered in the edit.
Check that the filter is explicitly stated for a dual-lens aircraft.
The useful densities
The Air 3S is more often used for composed video than for short sequences. The useful range is therefore wider than on a Mini.
| Density | When |
|---|---|
| ND8 | Overcast, end of day |
| ND16 | Hazy sky, low sun |
| ND32 | Full sun |
| ND64 | Full sun over snow, sand or water |
ND64 is justified here more than elsewhere, because the telephoto is often used to frame distant subjects above reflective surfaces.
The setting, and one point that matters to both focal lengths
- Manual mode
- Speed fixed at 1/50 at 25 frames per second, 1/60 at 30 frames
- Sensitivity at its minimum
- Density chosen to reach correct exposure at that speed
⚠️ The two lenses do not share the same aperture. An exposure set on the wide angle does not stay correct when you switch to the telephoto: check exposure after changing focal length, not only before taking off.
Filter weight matters less here
Unlike an aircraft under 250 g, the Air 3S has a comfortable payload margin. The criterion therefore becomes the quality of the glass rather than its lightness: poor coating introduces a colour cast that the second lens often reveals more than the first.