Freewell 82mm Threaded Hard Stop Variable ND Filter Standard Day 2 to 5 Stop

Even though its over $200 for the set, the value you get in terms of build quality, optical quality, size, features, and performance is far greater than similar VNDs from other bigger companies. Build & optical quality is right up there with the best of them. The knurling on the ring makes gripping for adjustments & installation/removal very easy. Have not had any issues screwing it onto my lenses or step-up rings. Much thinner than the Hoya I had been using. The hard stops at the ends & numbering on rings take the guesswork out of wondering where you are on the filter and eliminated the dreaded 'X' cross-polarization on so many VNDs. The metal magnetic lens caps (wow!) protects the filter when not in use. Its strong enough to not fall off if bumped a little, but easy enough to pull off when you need it. Very minimal colorcast which make editing so much easier. So when you factor everything you get compared to other VNDs, some costing more (for just 1!) with worse performance, the Freewells are a bargain.

It’s great wonderful for video movies and for photos viewing it’s incredible. :)

I don’t have any others to compare these to yet however the magnetic lens covers that come with these seem very good and have good retention for only being magnets. I noticed very mild halo affect but only after Prost edit. They adjust evenly and smoothly and I am looking forward to what I can achieve with these in my bag.

82mm model: These filters are excellent, very much worth every penny. There is no X pattern, no vignetting and no color cast too strong to be able to fix. On the 2-5 stop filter, the image will look a little warmer than usual but it is very pleasing, it won't ruin your image and can be easily fixed if that's what you want. The 6-9 stop is the same but makes the image a bit cooler in my experience. Nothing negative, and easy to fix. Don't get more expensive models, these are the real deal. Get the Freewell, you won't be disappointed.

This filter had a good range of ND strength, and I loved that it had hard stops as well. One quirk about it is that the tension when rotating the front of the filter was fairly strong, so when adjusting it, it is possible to actually unscrew it from the lens, because the tension in the filter can be stronger than the tension holding it onto the threads, unless you really crank it onto the lens, which I never wanted to do. However, in spite of not cranking it down, and making sure not to cross-thread the filter, on a wedding shoot this past weekend, the filter wouldn't stay on the lens. After closer inspection, I saw that the threads on the ND filter had stripped away, causing it to no longer hold onto the threads of the lens. I was super disappointed, as I really otherwise loved this filter. No noticeable color cast, good range, seemingly good build quality, and good price. Can't have everything, I guess, and it's too late to send it back.

I saw the polar pro Peter McK for $250.00 and I couldn’t decide if I should get the 2-5 stop or 6-9 stop variable ND filter. After seeing some reviews the only difference they found on a variety of name brand filters it was that it makes the pictures slightly yellowish but all the filters will add on some variation on your pictures. The only problem that I found out is that you can’t put the lens hood back I don’t know if is the same problem with any other variable ND filter. I have not try the Polar Pro but at this point this filter works great as an additional tool.

I had a very low quality variable ND filter previously that would introduce reflections on my video and pictures. That filter left such a sour spot in my photo arsenal, and I was reluctant to buy another variable ND. However, I needed a solution for recording videos in various lighting and I found out that the same company that makes ND filters for my drones started making round filters for my mirror-less camera setup. I figured I would give them a shot and was pleasantly surprised that I did not have any internal reflections anymore--but it also works as a great low-color-cast ND filters for long exposure photos. I have to add that the labels are very clearly visible and have a very pronounced end at the extremes, making it very easy to operate without looking at the filter. Also--I tend to leave lens caps in the box since they seem to pop off when I least expect and I lose them. This one attaches very nicely (magnets!) and stays on securely.

The quality of this filter blew me away! I was skeptical that it would be a quality that matches the price but from the second I started unboxing it I could tell I was getting a top quality filter, it’s packaged in a sleek box and comes with its own padded magnetic carry case to protect it while in your bag. This filter makes it so easy to get long exposure and light trial shots even when it’s not completely dark out by lowering the amount light that gets into your camera lens. For the high end quality and capabilities of this filter, I would definitely buy it again.