I just ordered the Polar Pro 3-pack of ND and polarizing filters for my P3-Pro. Does anyone have any idea how these might be installed on my P3P?
Polar Pro doesn't actually have the "Install" instructions up yet.
It looks as if the lens cover on the P3P screws off, but I'm really afraid to put any pressure on any part without knowing what I'm getting into.
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The glass cover on the P3A does unscrew. I put some effort into it (cautious, like you are) but it unscrewed with little problem. I screwed on my lens filter and it works fine.
One thing to look out for--if the lens filter is heavier than the stock piece, it may put undue strain on the gimbal. I found that my gimbal motors got very hot the first time I put a heavy polarizing filter on the camera. To offset this, I velcro'ed a nickel to the back of the camera. I'm not saying I've solved or prevented a problem, (or that I will avoid burning up my gimbal motor) but what I am saying is that the extra *offset* weight of filters needs to be considered.
Here's what I did. With the aircraft shut off, I installed the filter and let the camera find its natural (limp) position. In my case, it was lens down. Once I velcro'ed the nickel to the back, it was more neutrally balanced (pitch-wise), but had a slight tendency to cant to one side. This was minimal, so I considered it negligible.
The goal is to balance out any additional eccentric mass you add to the gimbal with an offsetting counterweight, so that the gimbal motors don't work too hard to offset the off-centered additional weight. Recognize, also, that a very heavy, perfectly balanced gimbal is no good either. Extra weight will degrade flying time and will probably overwork the gimbal motors since it is trying to keep more mass leveled. Just like any aircraft, there are tradeoffs in mass and performance.
I'd be interested to hear about what you learned with your lens filters.
--hblink93