DJI Osmo Action 6 ND Filter Set: Underwater Use Guide
By Camera Clix | Published: 2026-11-03
Category: Guides pratiques
Learn when and how to use the DJI Osmo Action 6 ND Filter Set underwater, from depth limits to long-exposure settings, plus how it pairs with the diving kit.
Quick answer
Use the DJI Osmo Action 6 ND Filter Set underwater only when you need to cut light for motion blur or wide apertures in bright, shallow water—and only if your housing is rated for the filter's added thickness. For deep dives, skip the ND set and rely on the DJI Osmo Action 6 Diving Accessory Kit's 60 m waterproof case instead.
Why ND filters and underwater shooting rarely mix
Water already absorbs light, so adding an ND filter underwater usually forces a slower shutter or higher ISO than you want. The exception is bright, shallow water—snorkeling in the tropics or shooting a pool scene—where you want a slower shutter to blur fin kicks or create a smooth long-exposure look on the water surface.
The DJI Osmo Action 6 ND Filter Set includes ND16, ND32, and ND64 filters, which cut 4, 5, and 6 stops of light respectively. Underwater, that is a lot of light loss. Start with ND16 and only move to ND32 or ND64 if your footage is still overexposed at your desired shutter speed.
Check your housing depth rating before adding filters
The DJI Osmo Action 6 Diving Accessory Kit is rated to 60 meters, but that rating applies to the case as supplied. Adding a filter between the camera lens and the housing port can compromise the seal or create a gap that water can enter. Before you dive with an ND filter, confirm the filter is designed to sit inside the housing without interfering with the gasket, or use the filter only in the shallows where you can monitor it.
If your dive plan goes below snorkeling depth, leave the ND set on the boat. The diving kit's anti-fog inserts and floating handle are more useful at depth than a filter that costs you light.
When a long exposure in water actually works
Action camera long exposure water shots work best when the camera is stationary—on a tripod, a floating handle braced against a rock, or a wrist strap pulled tight. Handheld long exposures underwater will show motion blur from your own movement, not the water. Use the ND64 only in very bright, shallow water and lock the camera down before you trigger the shutter.
Step-by-step: using ND filters underwater with the Osmo Action 6
- Confirm your housing is filter-compatible: Test-fit the ND filter inside your waterproof case on land with the camera off. Check that the case closes fully and the gasket is not pinched. If the filter prevents a flush seal, do not take it underwater. If the case does not close with a firm, even seal, stop—use the filter only above water.
- Choose the weakest filter that fixes exposure: Start with ND16. Set your desired shutter speed first, then adjust ISO and filter strength. Move to ND32 or ND64 only if the image is still too bright at your minimum ISO. Never stack filters underwater; one ND filter at a time keeps the housing seal predictable.
- Lock the camera down for long exposures: For action camera long exposure water shots, mount the camera on a floating handle braced against a stable surface or use a tripod. Use a 2-second timer or remote trigger to avoid touching the camera at the moment of exposure. Handheld long exposures underwater will blur from your movement, not the water—brace or mount the camera.
- Limit ND use to shallow, bright water: Use the ND set only in snorkeling depths or pools where you can see and monitor the housing. Below recreational snorkeling depth, remove the filter and rely on the diving kit's 60 m case. If you cannot see the housing seal, you cannot trust the filter underwater.
- Dry and inspect after every dive: Rinse the filter in fresh water, dry it with a soft cloth, and store it in the included ND Filter Case. Check the glass for scratches or salt residue before the next use. A scratched filter will soften every underwater shot—inspect before you pack it.
Product facts
- DJI Osmo Action 6 ND Filter Set: The set includes ND16, ND32, and ND64 glass filters plus a protective case. Three strengths let you adapt to changing light in shallow water, and the case keeps the filters safe between dives.
DJI Osmo Action 6 ND Filter Set - DJI Osmo Action 6 Diving Accessory Kit: The diving kit includes a waterproof case rated to 60 meters, anti-fog inserts, a wrist strap, a floating handle, and a locking screw. This kit is the depth-rated solution for underwater shooting; the ND filters are not a substitute for a proper housing.
DJI Osmo Action 6 Diving Accessory Kit
