GoPro 13 filters: Perfect shots in any lighting conditions.
K&F Concept offers a wide range of filter solutions and other accessories for GoPro action cameras, including the new Hero 13 Black. In this review, I will examine their six-filter combo, which includes five ND and one CPL filter.
Using filters with GoPro action cameras offers several benefits, enhancing footage quality and versatility in various lighting and environmental conditions. Neutral Density (ND) filters (e.g., ND8, ND64, ND1000) control the amount of light entering the lens, enabling a slower shutter speed. This is particularly useful in bright daylight, helping to prevent overexposure and maintain proper exposure levels. They’re also a must-have for capturing smooth, milky waterfall effects. On the other hand, the Circular Polarizer (CPL) filter reduces glare from reflective surfaces like water, snow, and glass, which helps to boost color and contrast, giving more vibrant and clear footage.
ND filters are a critical tool for FPV drone pilots looking to enhance video quality by balancing exposure, smoothing motion, and creating cinematic effects in dynamic, fast-paced environments.
The GoPro Hero 9 through Hero 13 models share a high level of accessory compatibility, making many accessories, including filters, interchangeable between these versions — this saves you money when upgrading to a new generation of cameras.
K&F Concept GoPro 13/12/11/10/9 filter review
Disclosure: I received these K&F Concept filters as part of a product review collaboration with Kentfaith. Although the filters were offered for free, all opinions stated in this review remain my own!
They sent me two sets of three filters: one kit with ND32, ND64, and ND1000 and another kit with ND8, ND16, and CPL. Both filter kits come in the same transparent storage box with foam padding. All six filters are made from ultra-light aluminum and have an o-ring seal to maintain the camera’s water resistance. The filters are not stackable, so you can’t use two or more at the same time.
To install one of these Kentfaith GoPro filters, remove the stock lens protector by rotating it 45° counterclockwise. The Hero 13’s new HB-SERIES lens mount has a blue dot (see photo above) to align with the lens before securing it by rotating 45° clockwise. K&F Concept filters do not have such a mark, but installing them was still straightforward.
The filter’s frame is black with stylish red design lines along the edges. The optical glass has a 28-layer anti-scratch coating to minimize reflections and flares. The CPL filter can be rotated easily with one finger from the top. There is a center mark on both the frame and the rotating element.
Using ND or CPL filters with your GoPro works best in manual mode, as this prevents the camera from automatically increasing the ISO to compensate for reduced light—avoiding grainy footage. Also, a tripod is essential for stability and sharper results when using a low shutter speed.
While testing, I did not notice color shifts or loss of sharpness when using the filters. The ND1000 (which reduces light by ten stops) will probably stay mostly in your photo bag, as only a few shooting scenarios require such high light reductions. The CPL filter helped to reduce unwanted reflections and glare when flying over a beautiful lake. None of the filters blocked the field of view in the corners, even in the widest angle mode.
Recommended settings for FPV drone cinematic shots with GoPro & ND filters
- Resolution and Frame Rate
- 4K at 30fps: Provides high resolution with a natural look.
- 4K at 120fps: Ideal for capturing high-speed movement and allows for slow-motion effects in post-processing.
- Shutter Speed
- Follow the 180-degree rule: For natural motion blur, set the shutter speed to double the frame rate (e.g., for 30fps, set the shutter speed to 1/60s).
- ND filters are essential to achieve this slower shutter speed in bright conditions, especially for outdoor shots.
- ISO Settings
- ISO Min and Max: Set both to 100 for the best quality in daylight. If conditions change, a higher ISO (e.g., max of 400) can be considered, but it may introduce noise.
- White Balance
- Set the white balance manually to match the environment (e.g., 5500K for sunny conditions, 6500K for cloudy).
- Color Profile
- Use Flat Color or Natural for more flexibility in post-production. The Flat profile maintains a dynamic range, allowing more control in color grading.
If the GoPro is not installed on a gimbal, turning on HyperSmooth for stabilization is important, as it helps smooth out minor vibrations during flight.
ND Filter Strength Recommendations:
- ND8: For partly cloudy conditions
- ND16: For normal daylight
- ND32: For bright, sunny daylight
- ND64: For extremely bright daylight
Price and availability
The combo pack of these two GoPro filter kits, including three cleaning clothes, can be ordered for $62.99 directly from KentFaith or their Amazon store. They have another GoPro 9-13 filter kit for $52.99 that contains ND8/PL, ND16/PL, ND32/PL, and ND64/PL. For those who enjoy snorkeling and diving, the company offers a kit dedicated to underwater activities that includes 21 GoPro accessories.
They are having a giveaway campaign during this Black Friday, where you can win free photo gear. The participation rules are here.
Key features
- All-day-long filter set that includes ND8, ND16, ND32, ND64, ND1000, and a CPL
- Compatible with GoPro HERO 9 to 13
- Lightweight aviation-grade aluminum alloy frame
- 8K Ultra High-Definition AGC Optical Glass
- 28 layers of nano-coating to minimize reflections and flares and improve image quality
- Anti-scratch surface
- Waterproof
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Since 2014, FirstQuadcopter has reviewed, thoroughly tested, and rated hundreds of products, including drones, gimbals, power stations, action cameras, 3D printers, video lights, and other high-tech gear to help you make better buying decisions. As always, if you found this review helpful, don’t forget to like, share, comment, and bookmark for more content like this!
