All about ND, CPL, and underwater filters for GoPro

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Alles over ND-, CPL- en onderwaterfilters voor GoPro

Anyone who has ever filmed with a GoPro underwater or on a sunny day in the mountains probably knows the problem: images sometimes look very different from how you experience and intended them. Underwater, colors disappear, in bright sunlight, movements become unnaturally sharp, and reflections on water or windows can be quite disruptive. Fortunately, there's a great solution for this: using filters.

However, many people don't know exactly which filter to use when. What is the difference between a red filter, a magenta filter, an ND filter, or a CPL filter? And which one do you need for your situation?

In this blog, we explain which GoPro filters exist, what they do, and when to use them. This way, you'll know exactly which filter is best for your next adventure.

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Why use a filter on your GoPro?

A GoPro is designed to film anywhere. From harsh winter weather conditions to deep-sea diving. Precisely because you film in such diverse conditions, the camera faces challenging lighting situations. And although modern action cameras are incredibly smart, a filter can still significantly improve your image quality.

Underwater, for example, you quickly lose warm colors like red and orange, which gives images a blue or green haze. In bright sunlight, a GoPro often chooses an extremely fast shutter speed, which can make videos look unnaturally sharp or jerky. And when filming near water surfaces or from a car, reflections can ruin a shot.

With a filter, you prevent these kinds of problems immediately while filming. This not only results in more beautiful images but also in videos that look calmer, more professional, and more natural.

Underwater filters: more color while snorkeling and diving

Underwater, light changes incredibly quickly. The deeper you go, the faster certain colors disappear. Red light, in particular, disappears within just a few meters. As a result, underwater footage often appears much bluer or greener than how you experience it yourself at the moment of filming.

Underwater filters are specially designed to correct these color deviations. Which filter you need depends mainly on the depth and the type of water you are filming in.

  • MOJOGEAR Duikfilters voor MOJOGEAR GoPro Hero 9,10,11,12 waterdichte behuizing - GoPro Onderwater-accessoires

    The pink filter: ideal for snorkeling

    A pink filter is primarily used in shallow water, for instance while snorkeling. Because you stay relatively close to the water's surface, there is still plenty of natural light available. A strong red filter would often overcorrect in such a situation. That's why a pink filter works better here.

    This type of filter is suitable for depths of approximately half a meter to five meters and is widely used during holidays in tropical regions. Think of snorkeling among fish, turtles, or coral reefs in clear water. With a pink filter, the image gets warm and natural colors without becoming overly red.

    For recreational vacation videos, this is often the most commonly used underwater filter.

  • The red filter: for deep blue seawater

    Are you diving deeper into clear blue seawater? Then you will usually end up with a red filter. The deeper you go underwater, the stronger the blue cast becomes. A red filter restores that loss of warm colors.

    This filter is typically used between approximately five and twenty-five meters deep in clear seawater. You often see this type of filter during diving holidays in tropical destinations.

    Without a filter, corals, fish, and skin tones often appear very cool or blue. With a red filter, images gain much more depth and realistic colors. Especially in sunny underwater conditions, this makes an enormous difference.

  • MOJOGEAR Duikfilters voor MOJOGEAR GoPro Hero 9,10,11,12 waterdichte behuizing - GoPro Onderwater-accessoires

    The magenta filter: for green or fresh water

    Not every body of water is crystal blue. In lakes, rivers, or certain dive sites, the water often contains more green tones. A standard red filter works less effectively there because, in addition to the light, the color of the water also needs to be corrected. Therefore, in such situations, you usually use a magenta filter.

    A magenta filter specifically corrects the green color cast commonly seen in freshwater environments. Think of diving in a lake, snorkeling in a river, or filming in European inland waters.

    These filters are also usually used from approximately five meters deep. Especially for divers who regularly film in the Netherlands or other European countries, a magenta filter is often the best choice.

Want more tips for filming underwater? Then read our other blog as well: Filming Underwater with Your GoPro: Six Tips and Accessories for the Coolest Shots

View a set with all these filters

ND filters: better images in bright sunlight

Besides underwater filters, ND filters have become extremely popular among GoPro users. ND stands for Neutral Density. You can essentially compare it to sunglasses for your camera.

An ND filter reduces the amount of light entering the sensor. That sounds technical, but the effect is immediately visible in your footage. Without an ND filter, a GoPro in bright sunlight often automatically chooses an extremely short shutter speed. This captures movements very sharply. That sounds good, but videos can then appear somewhat unnatural or jerky.

With an ND filter, more natural motion blur is created. This makes movements appear smoother. This makes a big difference, especially with action shots.

Consider, for example, mountain biking through a forest, skiing down a slope, or riding a motorcycle. Without an ND filter, every detail can be razor-sharp, making the images a bit busy. With an ND filter, the video gets a calmer and more professional look.

ND filters come in different strengths. The higher the number, the more light is blocked.

  • ND8 is usually used in lightly cloudy weather or during sunrise and sunset.
  • ND16 is the most versatile choice for many situations and works well on sunny days.
  • ND32 is often used in extremely bright light, for example on the beach, in the snow, or in the mountains.
  • ND64 is primarily intended for very bright conditions or experienced videographers who want maximum control.

For most GoPro users, ND16 and ND32 are the most popular choices.

What does a CPL filter do?

A CPL filter works very differently from an ND filter. CPL stands for Circular Polarizing Lens, and this filter is primarily designed to reduce reflections.

Anyone who has filmed near water, windows, or wet surfaces is probably familiar with the problem: distracting reflections that aren't there in real life and detract from the image. A CPL filter helps to largely eliminate these reflections.

In addition, a CPL filter often makes colors appear deeper and more vibrant. Blue skies become more intense, clouds gain more detail, and nature shots often look more lively.

That's why CPL filters are popular with travelers, road trippers, and outdoor creators. Especially on sunny days in nature, you'll immediately see the difference in the recording.

A CPL filter works very well, for example, when:

  • filming near lakes or the sea
  • car rides
  • hikes in the mountains
  • recording in bright sunlight

In low light or dark conditions, a CPL filter usually offers less added value.

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Which filter do you need?

Which filter is best for you depends mainly on what you are filming. For snorkeling in shallow tropical waters, a pink filter is usually ideal. If you're going deep diving in clear blue seawater, a red filter is more likely to be your choice. If you film a lot in green or fresh water, then a magenta filter is the best option.

Do you mainly use your GoPro for sports, travel, or action shots in bright sunlight? Then ND filters are probably more interesting. Especially for people who film while mountain biking, skiing, motorcycling, or hiking, ND filters provide very smooth footage.

CPL filters, on the other hand, are perfect for creators who film a lot outdoors and are bothered by reflections. Think of water, windows, or wet surfaces during holidays or road trips.

MOJOGEAR Accessoire-set voor GoPro Hero 13 met waterdichte case en duikfilters - GoPro Onderwater-accessoires

What should you consider when buying GoPro filters?

Not every filter fits every GoPro. Therefore, always check carefully whether a filter is compatible with your model and any protective housing.

In addition, there is a considerable difference in quality between filters. Cheap filters can cause extra reflections, color deviations, or loss of sharpness. That's why it's smart to pay attention to things like glass quality, coatings, and scratch resistance.

If you film a lot while traveling, doing water sports, or outdoor activities, a sturdy filter is not an unnecessary luxury.

Conclusion

A filter might seem like a small accessory, but its effect on your images can be huge. Especially with action cameras like a GoPro, which are often used in challenging conditions, a filter helps to get better results immediately.

In this blog, the following filters were discussed:

  • Pink filter: for snorkeling and shallow water of approximately 0.5 to 5 meters.
  • Red filter: for diving in clear blue seawater from approximately 5 to 25 meters.
  • Magenta filter: for green or fresh water, such as lakes and rivers.
  • ND filter: for smoother, more cinematic footage in bright sunlight.
  • CPL filter: for fewer reflections and deeper colors.

Whether you're snorkeling in clear tropical water, diving in a lake, filming during a hike, or want to create cinematic action shots: with the right filter, you'll get much more out of your camera.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which GoPro filter do you use while snorkeling?

For snorkeling, you typically use a pink filter. This is suitable for shallow water of about 0.5 to 5 meters and corrects slight color distortions underwater.

When do you use a red filter on your GoPro?

A red filter is used when diving in clear blue seawater, usually between 5 and 25 meters deep. The filter corrects the blue cast that occurs underwater. If you want to go deeper, you will also need a waterproof video light.

What is a magenta filter for?

You use a magenta filter in green or fresh water, such as lakes and rivers. It corrects the green color cast that often occurs in this type of water.

What does an ND filter do for your GoPro?


An ND filter reduces the amount of light entering the camera. This makes movements smoother and videos appear calmer and more cinematic, especially in bright sunlight.

What is the difference between an ND filter and a CPL filter?

An ND filter reduces light and creates smoother motion. A CPL filter reduces reflections on, for example, water, windows, and wet surfaces, and often deepens colors.