While ND filters used to be primarily third-party accessories, the GoPro Hero 13 changes that with GoPro’s own collection of ND filters, specifically designed for the Hero 13.
These filters are automatically detected by the camera, which adjusts its settings to ensure optimal performance.
In this article, you’ll learn whether these new filters are worth the investment, why they might be a great addition to your kit, and what alternative options you have available.
To begin with, watch this tutorial where I explain when and why using an ND filter with your GoPro is a good idea:
GoPro Hero 13 HB-Series ND Filters
With the launch of the GoPro Hero 13, GoPro introduced its very own collection of HB-Series ND filters designed specifically for this model. Unlike third-party filters, these new ND filters offer advanced features like automatic detection by the camera and optimized settings for achieving perfect motion blur and exposure control.
What’s Included
The pack contains ND4, ND8, ND16, and ND32 filters, all crafted from high-quality optical glass that’s both scratch-resistant and waterproof when attached. These filters come with a protective case, filter caps, and a microfiber cloth to keep them clean and safe during use.
4 Smart ND Filters for Motion Blur
- Create cinematic motion blur with this 4-pack of premium HB-Series neutral density...
One standout feature of these filters is their ability to be automatically detected by the GoPro Hero 13. When attached, the camera switches to Auto Cinematic Mode, making it easy for beginners to create motion blur while maintaining optimal stabilization. For more experienced users, there’s also the option to manually adjust settings like shutter speed, exposure, and the Auto 180° shutter for more creative control.
When to Use Each Filter
Each filter is tailored for different lighting conditions:
ND4: Ideal for low-light conditions, like late sunsets.
ND8: Perfect for golden or blue hours.
ND16: Suited for shooting in the afternoon or on cloudy days.
ND32: Best for bright, sunny environments where light is most intense.
Build Quality
These filters are made with hydrophobic coatings to repel water and maintain clarity during shooting in challenging weather conditions. They’re designed to withstand light rain and dust, but not underwater use. The filters are easy to attach, requiring no tools, and offer GoPro’s Limited Lifetime Warranty.
Who Are These Filters For
These filters are perfect for both beginners and advanced users. First-timers can rely on the Auto Cinematic Mode for hassle-free shooting, while advanced users can take full control by manually configuring exposure settings.
The automatic recognition feature means the camera will suggest which filter is best based on the lighting conditions, making them a versatile tool for any shooting scenario.
Compatibility
The HB-Series ND filters are specifically designed for the GoPro Hero 13 and are not compatible with previous GoPro models like the Hero 12, 11, or earlier.
This is due to the unique design and advanced technology incorporated into the Hero 13’s lens system, which includes automatic filter detection and optimized settings when an HB-Series filter is attached.
Alternative ND Filters for GoPro Hero 13
Before GoPro introduced its own ND filters, third-party manufacturers dominated the market, creating filters compatible with various GoPro models, including the Hero 12 and now the Hero 13.
While they don’t offer the same level of integration and automatic adjustment as the new HB-Series, they’re still a solid choice, especially if you’re on a budget or upgrading from a previous model.
Compatibility
These older ND filters, originally designed for the GoPro Hero 9-12, are still compatible with the Hero 13. However, unlike the new HB-Series filters, they won’t be automatically recognized by the camera, meaning you’ll need to manually adjust the exposure and shutter speed settings to achieve the desired effect.
Manual Adjustments Required
Without automatic detection, users will need to manually configure their GoPro Hero 13 settings to compensate for the light reduction caused by these filters. This means adjusting the shutter speed, ISO, and exposure to get the right effect for your shots.
Popular Choices
The most common third-party filters are ND8, ND16, and ND32, which reduce light by 3, 4, and 5 stops, respectively. These are useful for preventing overexposure in bright conditions and for creating motion blur. For example, an ND8 filter allows you to slow down the shutter speed in moderate light, while an ND32 is great for sunny days.
In the next section, you’ll find affordable third-party ND filters for the Hero 13.
Third-Party ND Filters for GoPro Hero 13
Here are the 3 third-party ND filters that I recommend:
Telesin 4-Pack Lens Filter
- TELESIN CPL + ND 8 + ND 16 + ND 32 Lens Fitler Kit, precisely engineered for gopro...
- Made with high grade multi-coated optical glass, high definition glass provides...
- High transmittance over 99.5% does not reduce image quality, ultra-thin glass design...
Crafted with premium, multi-coated optical glass, the Telesin Lens Kit ensures exceptional clarity, delivering sharp, high-definition footage. The precisely machined design guarantees a secure fit, while the ultra-thin glass minimizes any vignetting effects. With an impressive light transmittance of over 99.5%, these filters preserve excellent image quality, giving creators precise control over aperture, exposure, and sensor sensitivity.
The ND filters reduce excessive light, preventing overexposure in bright conditions, which enhances contrast and delivers more vibrant colors in your shots. The CPL filter eliminates unwanted reflections, enriching color saturation and producing striking scenic visuals.
Neewer ND Filter Set
- Wide compatibility: this ND filter kit with gold frame is compatible with GoPro Hero...
- Multi-coated glass: premium 18 layers of multi-resistant coatings for a flawless look...
- Reduce lens flare: neutral density filters reduce light to reduce the risk of...
The Neewer ND Filter Kit, featuring a stylish gold frame, is designed for perfect compatibility with the GoPro Hero 13, Hero 12, Hero 11, Hero 10, and Hero 9 Black, ensuring a seamless fit across multiple GoPro models.
With 18 layers of premium multi-resistant coatings, these filters are crafted to minimize lens flare and eliminate vignetting, while delivering a polished, professional appearance. The advanced coating technology enhances overall image quality, making these filters ideal for a wide variety of shooting conditions.
SoonSun Filter Lens
- Compatibility: The 4 pack camera lens filter kit is compatible with GoPro Hero 12...
- Multi-coated Optical Glass: The CPL and ND filters are made of high grade...
- ND Filters (Neutral Density Filter): ND8, ND16, ND32 filters reduce the amount of...
The 4-pack Soonsun lens filter kit is specifically designed to fit the GoPro Hero 13, Hero 12, Hero 11, Hero 10, and Hero 9 Black cameras. The set includes CPL, ND8, ND16, and ND32 filters, all securely stored in a durable hard plastic case to keep them protected.
These filters are made from high-quality multi-coated optical glass, ensuring crystal-clear footage. The precision-crafted size ensures a snug fit for the compatible GoPro models. The CPL filter (Circular Polarizing) helps to reduce glare and reflections from reflective surfaces like water, snow, and glass, while enhancing color saturation and contrast, making your shots more vivid. The ND filters (Neutral Density) are essential for managing the amount of light hitting the camera sensor, allowing you to balance contrast and capture sharp, detailed footage even in bright daylight conditions.
Advantages of Using ND Filters
In this section, you’ll learn when using an ND filter is a smart choice:
Bright Sunny Days
ND filters are your go-to when filming outdoors in bright sunlight, whether you’re at the beach, on a mountain, or exploring a sunny city.
They cut down on harsh light, keeping your footage from looking washed out or overly bright. This means your colors stay vibrant, and your highlights don’t get blown out.
Perfect for capturing outdoor vlogs, sports, or just beautiful landscapes, an ND filter helps you keep that balance in lighting without messing with your camera’s settings.
Motion Blur for Smooth Action
If you’re shooting fast-moving action—think skateboarding, biking, or even cars zooming by—ND filters let you slow down the shutter speed to create a cool, cinematic motion blur. This makes everything feel smoother and more natural.
Without an ND filter, your camera might try to adjust the exposure, making your shots too sharp and less dynamic. The filter helps you get that sleek, flowing look for action-packed moments.
Controlling Depth of Field
Want that dreamy background blur where your subject is in focus, but everything else fades away softly?
ND filters help you achieve this, even in bright light. Normally, you’d have to close down your aperture to avoid overexposing the shot, but that kills the background blur. By reducing the light with an ND filter, you can keep the aperture wide open, giving you that perfect shallow depth of field effect—great for portraits or close-ups in daylight.
Long Exposure Shots
ND filters are a must for creating stunning long exposure shots during the day. Without a filter, slowing down your shutter speed in bright conditions would blow out the image, but with an ND filter, you can keep the light in check. Perfect for shooting smooth waterfalls and flowing rivers.
Drawback of Using ND Filters
While ND filters are fantastic for giving your GoPro Hero 12 footage that professional, cinematic touch, they do have some limitations you should know about.
Here’s a breakdown:
Shaky or Blurry Footage
ND filters can sometimes mess with the camera’s auto-focus or stabilization, leading to blurry or shaky footage. To avoid this, you can switch to manual focus or lock your exposure settings before filming. Also, using a tripod or gimbal can really help keep things smooth, especially when shooting in bright conditions with a stronger filter on.
Dark Corners (Vignetting) While Using Third-party ND Filters
Using certain ND filters, especially thick ones, can result in vignetting or dark corners in your frame. This is a common issue with action cameras that have wide-angle lenses. To avoid this, choose slim filters designed for GoPros or adjust your frame in post-production by cropping or zooming slightly.
Reduced Sharpness
ND filters can lower the sharpness and brightness of your shots, especially in low-light situations or when using strong filters like ND32. This is because they reduce the amount of light hitting the sensor. You might have to adjust your ISO or aperture to compensate, but that can sometimes lead to extra noise or grain in your footage. It’s something to watch out for if you’re shooting in less-than-ideal lighting conditions.
Color Shifts
Sometimes, ND filters can cause slight color shifts or casts in your footage, meaning the colors might appear a little off from reality. This is especially true with lower-quality filters. But don’t worry—it’s fixable! You can tweak the white balance on your GoPro or edit the footage in post to correct these color differences and get your colors back to normal.
FAQ
Are the new GoPro Hero 13 ND filters compatible with older GoPro models?
No, the new HB-Series ND filters designed for the GoPro Hero 13 are not compatible with older GoPro models like the Hero 9, 10, or 11. These filters are specifically made for the Hero 13 and include features like automatic detection, which only works with the Hero 13’s advanced software.
Can I use my old GoPro ND filters with the Hero 13?
Yes! If you have older ND filters designed for the Hero 9, 10, or 11, they are compatible with the GoPro Hero 13. However, unlike the new HB-Series filters, these older filters will not benefit from the auto-detection feature and will require manual settings adjustments.
What’s the advantage of the new HB-Series ND filters for Hero 13?
The new HB-Series ND filters offer the convenience of automatic recognition, meaning the camera will adjust settings like shutter speed and exposure automatically when the filter is attached. This makes it easier to capture the perfect shot, especially for first-time ND filter users.
Do the older ND filters provide the same performance as the new HB-Series filters?
While older filters can still work well with the Hero 13, they lack the automatic detection and optimization features of the new HB-Series filters. You’ll need to manually adjust settings like shutter speed, exposure, and ISO to get the best results when using older filters.
How do I manually adjust settings when using older ND filters with the Hero 13?
To get the best results with older filters, you’ll need to manually adjust the shutter speed and exposure settings on your Hero 13. This can be done via the GoPro settings menu by selecting ProTune and adjusting the exposure and shutter speed for the current lighting conditions.
Thanks for reading!
I hope this guide helped you learn about the GoPro Hero 13 ND filters 🙂
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