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Best GoPro Filters For Cinematic Videos and Better Photos | ArboursAbroad
Finding the best GoPro filters for cinematic videos and better photos may be a daunting subject to tackle. That is why I put together this best GoPro filters blog post–to help you out! In addition, I want to dispel some confusion, while providing key information before you click buy!
I want to give you a general overview of what GoPro filters are, what filter(s) GoPro users should get, and for what reasons. Clear up the need for a GoPro filter or a whole filter kit. Provide a general GoPro filter review under each filter category. And give an overall winner for each GoPro shooting scenario based on price, quality, reviews, and my own subjective opinions.
Then I will walk you through how to set up your GoPro action camera when using the best GoPro filters for your designated GoPro activity! And finally, give an overall final thought to the post!
Stick with me as I dive deep into the post on best GoPro filters for cinematic videos and better photos by ArboursAbroad!
Hint:
Save this post to your pinterest board using the link on left or the photos below! All so you can use the GoPro Filter Settings Guide as a reference when setting your GoPro camera up for each shooting scenario!
**Note: My Picks For Best GoPro Filters Review Will Only Be For GoPro Hero 9 Black Edition or GoPro Hero 8 Black Edition Unless Otherwise Noted!
Know What You’re Looking For? – Jump to it Here!
- GoPro Filters (Camera Filters) – What Are They?
- GoPro Filters – Do You Really Need ‘EM?
- Choosing The Right GoPro For Filters
- GoPro Filter Review
- Best GoPro ND Filters For Cinematic Videos and Better Photos
- Best GoPro Circular Polarizer Filters or CPL Filters
- The Best GoPro Filters For Underwater
- The Best Settings to Use With Your GoPro Filters
- Final Thoughts
GoPro Filters (Camera Filters) – What Are They?
A filter serves as a tool to complete a specific job. Just like any other tool, there are many different lens filters to help get a job done. So what filter does what job? And which filter is right for your specific job.
There are many different filters to know about…so let’s dive right in.
Neutral Density Filters or ND Filters For Short
ND filters act by reducing the amount of light coming into the camera’s sensor. Depending on the brightness or amount of light, you can choose from different strengths of neutral density filters. Usually, you will see ND4, ND8, ND16, ND32, ND64, or even ND1000. ND64 and higher is usually reserved for DSLRs and Mirrorless cameras as they can keep their shutters ‘open’ longer than an action camera can or ever needs to be. However, sometimes you’ll come across filters in these ranges for GoPros like this one here.
When To Use an ND Filter
When you learn and understand the 180˚ shutter rule of videography. Which is basically putting your shutter speed to two times the frame rate. You will start playing with the settings of your GoPro and learn to adjust the shutter speed–manually–based on the frame rate you are shooting in. And therefore, you may find that you’ll be bringing in too much light to your sensor. Thus forcing you to introduce a GoPro ND filter to help compensate for a more equally balanced and composed shot. Giving the camera the most similar output or feel that your human eye perceives real life. That’s how the big-time movies do it.
Example: If you want to film at 24FPS (that is what you see all the blockbusters filmed at to give that nice motion blur effect) then you’ll need to have your shutter speed set to 1/50 of a second. But what if it’s mid-day and full sun? You’ll either have to raise the shutter speed to something like 1/800, which will cause your image to look too crisp and unrealistic. Or you can add an ND16, ND32, or some other neutral density filter to your GoPro, and voila. You’ll have a perfectly exposed image set to a cinematic framerate that looks smooth with nice motion blur!
Note: if this is just all too over your head and you don’t mind it looking too crisp–non-cinematic, then just leave everything on auto on your GoPro and don’t worry about anything!
Circular Polarizers or Polarizing Filters
Simply put, polarizing filters CUT GLARE!
When To Use Polarizing Filters
First Reason: If you ever find yourself with your GoPro in a situation where there is a bunch of unwanted glare reflecting off literally anything. Mostly water; like a river, lake, stream, or puddle; or a reflection or sun flare coming off a window and glass.
Second Reason: If you want to produce vivid colors in the sky and make the clouds POP off the blue backdrop of a sky, then you’ll definitely want to make sure you add a polarizer to your kit.
Last Reason: It is multi-purposed. If you need an ND filter (for the reasons listed above) but forgot one. And all you have available is the polarizer. You can use the GoPro polarizer in a pinch to help reduce the light coming into the sensor. The polarizer is naturally a darker filter and can act as an ND8 or ND16 depending on the one you purchase!
UV Lens Protector
This one is basically just a clear lens to protect the real lens. But can also remove atmospheric haze from your composition. An easy one for if you think you’ll be one to scratch up your outer lens!
Aqua Filters
Before Aqua Filter Being Added
After Aqua Filter Being Added
Aqua filters are used for underwater capturing activities like swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving when in blue, green, or shallow waters. They provide a much deeper vibrancy and clarity to your pictures and videos without having to do extensive post-production work to your final product.
When To Use Aqua Filters and Which Aqua Filter to Choose
Anytime you plan on taking your GoPro underwater to capture some pictures or videos! They prevent your shots from looking murky and muddy.
But which color should you get/use?
Most packs come in 3 colors. Red. Magenta. Orangish-tint.
You choose which one to use depending on the color of water you will be in and the depth you plan on going to.
Red is for blue water at depths of 15-75 feet.
Magenta is for green water at depths of 15-75 feet.
Light-red or orange is for snorkeling and shallow water of 2-15 feet.
//Curious about using your GoPro for scuba diving? Read about all the accessories needed to get amazing shot when diving with your GoPro here!
The Best GoPro Filters – Do You Really Need ‘EM?
There are many conflicting blog posts and youtube videos surrounding the subject. Some people believe there is no need for putting filters on your GoPro. Other’s say it’s absolutely necessary!
It just depends on you, the results you’re trying to achieve, the style you’re looking for, and ultimately the situation and conditions you’ll be shooting in.
So, do you need ND filters for GoPro? Yes!
**In my opinion, I think it’s best to have all the tools available for that just in case situation. I hate getting to a spot and wishing I had something else that would have gotten the job done better and more efficiently. All while saving myself from a headache in post-production.
If you are not interested in post-production. Like editing what you shot in a photo or video processing app. Then getting filters will dramatically help you out by cutting glare, reducing overly blown-out shots, or bring the color of the water to a more natural look and feel.
All without a great deal of post-processing (if you choose to do some). However, still placing a filter on your GoPro and doing some post-production work will give your images that extra touch to help make it look and feel like a professionally made image straight from GoPro. Just make sure to jump down to the best settings to use with your GoPro filters section to help guide you through setting up your GoPro correctly while using the different filters of your GoPro!
**Note: My Picks For Best GoPro Filters Review Will Only Be For GoPro Hero 9 Black Edition or GoPro Hero 8 Black Edition Unless Otherwise Noted!
Choosing The Best GoPro For Filters
You are here because you want to know what the best GoPro filters are, right? Well, before we can dive into that…you will need to have or have decided on a GoPro Hero model. If you are unsure which one to buy, make sure to head on over to our other post on GoPro Hero 8 vs 9. You’ll see all the newly added features of the Hero9 and if they’re worth the upgrade. Because the best GoPro filters you decide on will be differently fitted to each action camera. And if you decide on buying the GoPro Hero 9, definitely know these 9 things before buying!
Something else to note before buying a Hero8 or Hero9. The filters for GoPro hero 9 will be dramatically more secure and safe than the GoPro hero 8 lens filters are. This is because GoPro did away with the replaceable lens when they made the Hero 8. Then they decided to reintroduce the replaceable lens on the recently released GoPro Hero 9!
However, if the Hero 9 is out of your league and you do not want to buy the GoPro Hero 8, then maybe consider the GoPro Hero 7 Black Edition. It will have decent image stabilization, good picture and video quality, and that replaceable lens. Which will be giving you that added sense of security when doing your given action sports activity! Just make sure to buy the right lens filters for your GoPro 7 or earlier model.
Get Your GoPro Camera Today!
GoPro Hero 9
GoPro Hero 8
GoPro Hero 7
Know The Difference
There are many iterations of the GoPro since they first became a company. There are nine main releases of the GoPro Hero action camera and many more sub-categories that go along with the release. The company is currently on number 11, and it doesn’t seem like they will be slowing down anytime soon.
With any new release of a camera, something ALWAYS changes! And with each model, the body is bigger, smaller, lighter, thicker. The geometry changes–giving it a boxier look or rounded edges. The lens size evolves. Or a feature will be added, removed, then added again in the following release.
So what does that all mean??
Make sure to get the right GoPro filter that fits YOUR GoPro model!!!
GoPro Hero 7 filters will not fit on a GoPro Hero 9 Black. And same goes for a GoPro Hero 8 ND filter or GoPro 8 filters, in general, will not fit on a HERO5 Black!
So whatever GoPro camera you have, get the right filters for the camera you have!
**If ND filters or underwater filters are essential to the way you shoot, but you have yet to purchase a GoPro camera. Make sure to let the way filters attach to the action camera influence the decision on which GoPro model you purchase. This is because not only do the filters not fit the same on each model, but the way they attach to the cameras varies as well. So keep that in mind!
Best GoPro Filters Review
Would you spend a week in the desert plains with sunglasses sold from the dollar store and expect beautiful true tone colors and your eyes to feel good afterward? Probably not.
The same goes for putting a good lens filter or good ‘optical glass’ in front of your camera’s sensor to allow it to pick up the right colors and tones. While letting the camera operate at its best.
So make sure to get the higher grade glass for your videography and photography! However, a higher-quality usually means a higher price tag! So if the cost is an issue for you, then try to find the best quality to price ratio you can get! Might be harder than you thought.
That’s why I am here.
There are a few main companies that are the main go-to’s for this kind of product. But they are pricier than the ‘Joe Blow’s’ selling knock-off products who are just dropshipping from China through Amazon! But not all lower quality glass is bad!
You will see three main conclusions under each heading below. One is the best overall quality, irrespective of price. Two is the best quality to price ratio or best value. And third will be the best-reviewed, my opinion, and general overall suggestion to you. Basically the one I would buy and think you should too. Kind of like an editor’s choice! All three may be the same product, or each of the three could all be different.
Let’s finally cut to the chase and see what we find!
**Note: My Picks For Best GoPro Filters Review Will Only Be For GoPro Hero 9 Black Edition or GoPro Hero 8 Black Edition Unless Otherwise Noted!
Best GoPro ND Filters For Cinematic Videos and Better Photos
For Hero 8
Top Pick
Best Value
Buy This
For Hero 9
Top Pick
Best Value
Buy This
Overview of The Best GoPro ND Filters
These picks will be exactly the same for both forms of shooting as the filters are multipurpose and provide the same value for the photographer or videographer!
So, these neutral density filters are usually reserved for videography when really trying to stick to that 180 degree rule to get that lovely motion blur in any lighting situation. Therefore, they will be on your camera more often than not when in that scenario.
So when it comes to photography, you won’t always need them on, or you will need to switch between your set depending on your end goal.
Accordingly, having GoPro Hero 9 ND filters or GoPro Hero 8 ND filters at hand can really up your ‘GoPro street photography and GoPro landscape photography’ game by allowing you to slow down the shutter speed. Thus allowing you to do some long explore shots. Example shots include getting a car streaking by without it being totally at night time, getting some buttery smooth stream shots, or even some beautiful cloud trails.
Review of The Best GoPro ND Filters
The set of three ND filters from PolarPro is a great high-end product. The glass they use is outstanding and will produce incredible pictures without messing with your colors. They will be true. However, with the Fstop Labs product, they provide four lenses and are more than half the price of PolarPro and that fourth lens is a GoPro hero 8 CPL filter! This is the one I ultimately purchased and have been happy with all four lenses. I have not seen any change in color or issues with how they perform.
One thing to note and this is not beef with either company, PolarPro or Fstop Labs, but rather GoPro. The main issue I have seen and many others who have reviewed these products online is that the filters can easily fall off if knocked into or vibrated too hard like when skiing or snowboarding. This is just because GoPro made it so difficult for third-party manufacturers to develop a product, such as these filters, that safely and sturdily attaches to the GoPro Hero 8. The only way these filters attach to the camera is by placing a plastic mount around the lens housing and exchange each filter via a magnetic clip around the lens mount. Definitely don’t use these mounts underwater as you will for sure lose them!
Things dramatically changed when GoPro redeveloped their camera and released the Hero9!
The top pic is still from PolarPro with their $79.99 Shutter Collection ND filters. However, it is the most expensive and comes with the least amount of filters. Just know these three filters will pack a punch with quality. So if you’re up for the price. Get these.
The four-set filter kit by Freewell is absolutely stunning. It’s a little pricier than I’d like but absolutely worth it! It comes with three neutral density filters for GoPro, the ND8, ND16, and ND32. But it also comes with a circular polarizer filter.
There aren’t a ton of reviews yet, as it’s still a fairly new product. But don’t let that deter you from getting these incredible filters.
However, there is a set from a company called Skyreat and you get 6 filters for 60 bucks. Sweet!
Please note, more for less isn’t always better. You do get an ND64 and an ND1000 in addition to what the Freewell set offers. But will you actually ever use an ND1000? Probably not and this is a fairly newer company with only 11 reviews on Amazon as of 11/23/20. They may be of just as good quality, however, when I see these few reviews I wonder if the company is involved in an Amazon review train; basically real purchases, but fake reviews. Ultimately it’s up to you.
Unfortunately, it would be nice to have a cheaper set for another option, but the company that hit the ball out of the park on the GoPro Hero 8 filter set didn’t quite deliver on this set. There is a weird reflection that occurs with this set that reflects back from the main GoPro lens, which renders an unusable clip or photo. So, save up and buy this slightly more expensive set!
Short On Time? Why Not Save It For Later?
Best GoPro Filters – Circular Polarizer Filters or CPL Filters
For Hero 8
Top Pick
Best Value
Buy This
For Hero 9
Top Pick
Best Value
Buy This
Overview of The Best GoPro Polarizer Filters
As you read above, circular polarizing filters add a punch of vividness to your image while cutting glare reflected off water and objects. So getting yourself a CPL for your GoPro is key when in situations where you can’t control that glare on your own. But knowing which is the best GoPro polarizer filter for you and your camera is tough.
Review of The Best GoPro Polarizer Filters
If PolarPro made a dedicated GoPro circular polarizer filter, I’d bet money it would be the best around. However, they do not and we are left looking elsewhere to fill our need.
Same as above in the previous section, the clear winners are the Fstop labs 4-pack for Hero8 and the Freewell 4-pack for Hero9. We are blessed by having both the GoPro ND filter Hero 8 kit and the GoPro filter Hero 9 kit include an additional lens filter: the polarizer filter.
Just like I said above, these two winners for their respective GoPro models are outstanding glass, for the price, and what you get. It is so nice that it is all stored away in a nice protective case for each. No need to worry about scratches when stowed away.
Best GoPro Filters For Underwater
For Hero 8
Top Pick
Best Value
Buy This
//Use your filters underwater when diving and learn about all the other accessories needed to get epic shots with your GoPro Hero camera!
For Hero 9
Top Pick
Best Value
Buy This
Overview of The Best GoPro Underwater Aqua Filters
GoPro color correction is an absolute must when it comes to taking pictures and videos underwater. And there is a specific way to color correct depending on the activity and depth you’re planning on doing.
For example, when diving in blue water, you will need a red lens for GoPro to compensate your images to a true tone before needing to do post-production work on it. However, when diving in green water, you will need to switch out your GoPro red filter for the magenta filter. As the red filter underwater will no longer appropriately compensate for a true underwater tone like your eyes see.
Now, if you are only planning on doing some snorkeling, you will need a GoPro underwater lens filter that fits the job. Luckily, when purchasing most underwater filters, they will come with this third option. It’s usually a cross between the red and magenta filter being able to reproduce the real to life colors at shallow depths.
Before you go and buy the best GoPro filters for diving or the best GoPro filters for snorkeling. You will need to make sure you have the appropriate dive housing for the given filters you choose to buy!
The dive filter doesn’t go on just the main body of the GoPro. It attaches directly to the GoPro dive housing. Without this, your filters will be useless.
If you choose to go with PolarPro, you will need to buy the actual GoPro Branded protective case. Whereas if you buy the filter set from Deyard for either the GoPro hero 8 dive filters or the GoPro hero 9 dive filters, it already comes with their respective dive cases which will be paired together perfectly.
Review of The Best GoPro Underwater Aqua Filters
The top pick for both the GoPro Hero 8 underwater filters and the GoPro Hero 9 underwater filters go to PolarPro. Some people are referencing the product is faulty, breaks after first use, or scratches easily. Even complaining about bubbles under the lens.
However, this company has a reputation for high quality and exceptional craftsmanship. And they don’t skimp on their underwater camera filter series either. They have amazing true-to-life color reproduction!
If you get that one in a thousand flaw, they will hook you up and make sure to treat you right! After all, they have their AdventureAssurance Guarantee–meaning be satisfied or your money back!
The one downer in addition to their high prices is that you have to buy the dive housing from GoPro as well. Otherwise, the PolarPro Dive Master underwater filters will not have a place to attach to. Thus, increasing your already expensive price tag. Check other options mentioned in this post to see if it’s worth the upgraded price tag!
If the price is a dealbreaker for you, consider getting the high quality to price ratio or best value, and my overall pick: the Deyard GoPro accessories diving kit!
They produce the same kit for both the Hero 8 and Hero 9! So depending on which camera you have, you will have the same underwater GoPro accessories! This includes the dive housing, the three filters for diving and snorkeling, tempered glass protectors, anti-fog inserts, rubber camera protector, and a travel case. Just for $20 bucks. Seems cheap, but after receiving nearly 3,000 reviews and more than 4.5 stars, this for me is the no-brainer one to buy!
Best GoPro Filters Settings to Use With Your GoPro Filters
There is a rule to follow in some scenarios. However, a lot of it comes down to your creative eye, what your end goal is, and how you ultimately want your cinematic videos and pictures to look/turn out! So take these settings as somewhat of a guide or starting point. Adjust as needed to fit you. Or keep them as you wish. After all, you’re going to be the final judge of what you produce.
I will be choosing the settings based on the newest released GoPro Hero 9 Black action camera. However, the settings can be easily adapted and modified to the GoPro Hero 8 Black Edition and under.
Best GoPro Filters – ND Filter Settings For Hero8 or Hero9
Settings For Cinematic Video Footage
*Example of using ND filters to film a little vlog…
•Resolution
Now, setting up your GoPro Hero9 Black for cinematic footage with your new ND Filters should begin with the highest resolution possible and that is 5k. I like to shoot at this high of resolution because it allows me to get the most amount of information and resolution possible. This allows me to punch in (or crop) if needed to without losing the quality of the image. If you are shooting on the Hero8, then the highest resolution you’ll be able to go to is 4k!
•Frame Rate
Next, you should decide on the framerate that is right for you. Do you want to produce a nice motion blur as the movies do? Then shoot in 24fps (frames per second). If you’re looking to slow down your footage in post, then you’ll need to film in 60fps or 120fps. Just note that when you’re in the highest resolution you will need to bump down to 4k or 2.7k to be able to film at the higher frame rates on the Hero9 and Hero8, respectively.
•Lens Size
You can shoot in Ultra-Wide, wide, linear, linear with horizon leveling, or narrow. Depending on the settings you chose above, you may not have all these available to you. But a safe bet is wide or linear. Choosing linear will still give you a good image with plenty of information to work with. All without having that fish-eye look GoPro is famous for.
•Stabilization
Depending on your activity, choose the amount of stabilization you need. A safe bet is just hypersmooth set to on.
Protune Settings
•Bit-rate
Make sure your set to high bit-rate as you want to get the highest quality footage for your cinematic videos.
•Shutter Speed
Remember that 180 degree rule. This is where that comes in to play heavily. Depending on your frame rate you chose above, you will want to set your shutter to double whatever it is.
For Example | |
---|---|
Frame Rate | Shutter Speed |
24FPS | 1/50th |
30FPS | 1/60th |
48FPS | 1/100th |
50FPS | 1/100th |
60FPS | 1/120th |
120FPS | 1/240th |
This is where you might start to see your 1/50th of second exposure bringing in too much light. Here is where your ND filters start to come in! It’s hard to say from here what ND filter you will need for your given shooting scenario. But play with it. Apply the ND8. Ask yourself, does this provide the right exposure I want to see, or do I need a stronger ND filter. If you’re needing a stronger one, bump up to the next and see, and so on.
•White Balance
A nice rule of thumb is to set it to 5500K when filming outdoors. If you need it warmer, then raise the kelvin degrees. If you need it cooler, then lower the kelvin degrees.
•ISO
This is the artificial light that is being added to your image from the camera. The higher the ISO number the grainier an image will look. So it’s nice to keep it low and not allow the camera to add in too much of this fake light if it’s not totally necessary! So keep it to 100 minimum and 200 maximum.
•Sharpening
Have this set to low as GoPro always overdoes it and it can’t be undone in post-production!
•Color
Choose the flat color as this is the most neutral color, the greatest dynamic range (the most amount of information available in the darks and highlights). And gives you the most overall control of the color grading in post-production.
Now if you follow these best GoPro filter settings on your Hero8 or Hero9, you are sure to get cinematic footage in all situations!
Settings For Better Pictures Using a GoPro ND filter
The settings will mostly be the same here as they are for the cinematic footage. However, when wanting to capture a picture on your GoPro, the main things you want to focus on are shutter speed, lens size, white balance, ISO, sharpening, and color.
If you are trying to capture a long exposure image, you will want to slow your shutter speed down to less than 1/30th of a second. Then you will be adding in your GoPro ND filters. Here you’ll probably want to darkest ND filter you have and then play with the shutter speed to get the composition you desire.
As I said above, many settings will be the same.
•Shutter Speed
The longer you choose, the smoother a river or stream will be. Or the longer a light trail will be from a moving car or flashlight at night. But then this will mean the stronger the ND filter you will need. So maybe that ND1000 from Skyreat may come in handy after all?
•Lens Size
I like to go wide on this one. But that’s up to you.
•White Balance
Stick with 5500k when outdoors and adjust appropriately when needed. You can always change in post if need be.
•ISO
Set the min and max to 100. You do not want to allow extra artificial light when doing long exposure shots.
•Sharpening
Low as GoPro adds in too much and once it’s there you can’t take it away.
•Color
Flat, so you have the most freedom to adjust the image in post.
Best GoPro Filters – Polarizer Filter Settings
If you are doing a lot of shooting. Whether that be video or pictures and it’s around water or glass–you’ll inevitably encounter some glare. So to cut down on that you want to have a GoPro CPL filter.
Using this filter is quite easy when it comes to both video and photo. Honestly, if you just follow the above settings for just the ND filter, you will be quite good. There is no extra or majorly dramatic changes when it comes to a GoPro polarizer filter.
The main thing to know, this filter is dark, roughly the equivalent of an ND8, but some may be stronger than others depending on the company you chose to go with. But follow the steps for shooting cinematic videos for this polarizer filter and you’ll be grand.
As far as taking photos with a polarizer on, it will be geared toward cutting glare and making the sky’s colors more vivid while giving more contrast from the clouds to the blue sky. So you won’t really be needing this filter in scenarios of producing long exposure photography.
You can easily use the auto photo settings built into the GoPro itself. However, you desire to have more control over your photo so that it’s not overly saturated with color, not overly sharpened, and doesn’t have a lot of grain. Then follow these settings below when using a GoPro polarizer filter.
•Shutter Speed
Let the camera do its thing and leave it on auto.
•Lens Size
I like to go wide. However, choosing linear or narrow may be great options, too. But that’s up to you.
•White Balance
Like all the other settings above, I suggest sticking with 5500k when outdoors and adjust appropriately when needed. You can always change in post if need be.
•ISO
Set the min to 100 and max to 400. In some situations, letting the GoPro action camera have some room to wiggle is good. Going up to ISO400 shouldn’t introduce much if any grain at all.
•Sharpening
Low as GoPro adds in too much and once it’s there you can’t take it away.
•Color
Flat, so you have the most freedom to adjust the image in post.
These settings should be a good baseline starting point for you to begin taking great photos with your GoPro circular polarizer filter!
Best GoPro Filters – Underwater Filter Settings
Before Underwater Filter Being Added
Result of Adding Underwater Filter
Fortunately, the settings you choose for your GoPro underwater filters are quite straight forward.
Honestly just follow the settings guide on settings for cinematic video footage and the settings guide on settings for better pictures using GoPro ND filters. This will guarantee your videos and photos turn out amazing. Assuming you follow that underwater filter guide for using the right underwater filter color for the right depth of dive, the color of water you’re in, and the activity you’re participating in!
The hardest part about choosing the best GoPro filter for underwater is what color water you’re in. The depth you’ll be mostly in. And the type of underwater activity you’ll be doing.
Most agua filters come in 3 colors. Red. Magenta. Light-red or orangish-tint. This is to give you the most options depending on the situation you choose to operate in.
Therefore, choose red if you will be in blue water and mostly diving at depths of 15-75 feet.
Choose magenta if you will be in green water and mostly diving at depths of 15-75 feet.
And lastly, go for Light-red or orange if you will be snorkeling in shallow water of 2-15 feet. This color will compensate for either the bluer or greener water. It will be a darker tint compared to the red filter and magenta filter as you will be closer to the surface of the water, which will have more light coming into the camera than at a deeper depth. However, if you find your images not coming out the way you think they should be. Play with the other underwater filters and see what’s best for you. At the end of the day, it’s up to you and your style.
Final Thoughts
Get the right tool for the right job!
That’s the real takeaway today!
If you find yourself always shooting in auto mode and you find your video clips looking off. It’s probably because the shutter speed is too high and you aren’t following the 180-degree rule! Then you should consider purchasing some GoPro ND filters.
If you are shooting pictures out on a boat and get annoyed seeing all those shimmery reflections producing glare off the water. Then you should probably get yourself a GoPro polarizer filter.
And if you go snorkeling or are diving below depths of 15 feet and are only seeing murky/un-pleasing images. Then you probably need to invest in some GoPro filters for underwater!
I hope you found this post on the best GoPro filters helpful in some way shape or form. And maybe even learned something while here! Let me know if you decided to purchase any one of these products I outlined above, how you used it, and how it turned out for you in the comments below! And if you post it somewhere on social media, make sure to tag us @arboursabroad so we can see what you produced! We’d love to see it!