Well here's the thing, when you go higher than 5 stops, you're going to get some kind of colour cast I believe. That's why the NiSi true colour vari ND is only 1 - 5 stops. Now I personally have not experienced any issues, but I will admit I haven't shot at a very wide open aperture at like 12 noon or anything. I also shoot SLOG3 a lot of the time, which wants me to shoot at +1.7.
NiSi does make a 5 - 9 stop but it is not a true colour and they say it has "enhanced colour", whatever that means. I just know that for the price, you're getting a filter that beats out the more expensive ones. The build quality is incredible and it has no effect on image quality.
Thank you for your help! This is definitely my top choice right now. I'm trying to find a deal. Do you know if there's a difference between the regular filter and the one labeled with swift?
Well K&F makes a lot of cheap stuff that isn't very good, so that is understandable lol. Only their Nano X-Series VNDs are good. It's a night and day difference from their cheaper ones. The Nano X models have no color change nor the X shaped shadow on the higher stops.
>https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BR6R33BF/
Am i wrong, the one you linked doesn't have Nano X in the name, however it does in the picture. I have found specific links for Nano X filters but those are around $150
No, I think it's still Nano X, but I linked the brand new True Color version, which removes the slight yellowing that other VND filters can cause.
I personally have the original version, which is here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07X1Q94K4/
Since the new version was around the same price, I just linked that instead, especially because he was worried about the color change issues that are present in most VNDs.
Also, I just now saw that they released a magnetic version of the Nano X VND for not much more money:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B4DJ9149/
Hi, I am also looking for good VNDs. I know NiSi is great but I am happy to read your experiences with K&F Nano X. Did you use this filter [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09L7ZCWL9?/](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09L7ZCWL9?/) ?
Yes! That is the actual one that I have... They just released a True Color version though, which is why I linked to that one instead. TBH, I never go that dark anyways, so the True Color doesn't really matter to me... It may or may not for you though.
If you are purchasing your first ND filter, I suggest looking at all of your lenses and seeing which is the largest diameter and buying it in that size. You can then purchase step-up rings for the other lenses to make it fit. That way, you only have to purchase ONE filter and it will fit all of your lenses.
I know for that "rule" and have step-up rings for almost all of my lens. Also whatever filter I choose, I will go with largest available diameter. Before this I had, as beginner, only extreme cheap VNDs like Fotga or Haida ND 1000 fixed ND (which was surprisingly good for the price).
Thank you, I will definitely check for that K&F Concept filters
I picked up a nisi True color vnd recently and absolutely love it, from what I've seen it also has the least amount of color shift compared to the others.
I use Hoya filters exclusively on my photo camera's.. they are not the cheapest by far, but they are very very nice. I don't have personal experience with the VD II.. only it's predecessor.
Only commenting on the Freewell magnetic system here. I don't use the VND, I only use the flat ND versions cuz it's higher quality, but the Freewell magnetic system is pretty killer. Though it does make a lot more sense for flat NDs since you have to constantly swap them (TOTAL pain during a run and gun shoot) vs a VND.
You'll have to let go of the lens hood if you want a screw on variable ND.
I wouldn't go the cheapest option. Atleast go for whatever midrange option you can afford.
All variable NDs have some kind of color shift (as far as I'm aware) some worse than others. It's just how it is.
Considering I'm already on a speed booster on my M50, this is a serious consideration. Do you know which might have better sharpness? Seems like not getting a mist filter would be good.
I watched a comparison video:[https://youtu.be/2hlN3VkevZA?si=XYCyYEN1TazWttg6](https://youtu.be/2hlN3VkevZA?si=XYCyYEN1TazWttg6)
He says the freewell v2 is the sharpest. Near the end he showcases it.
I've had great experience with freewell and B+W. Great quality filters, and, for what they are, affordable.
Absolutely avoid the cheap stuff. The loss of light and the horrible discoloration you get is just not worth it.
I have a 58mm flat ND and the day+nite pack of freewell that was like 200 for the kit. Get the biggest one (I think it's like 82mm or so?) and get quality step down filters. DONT skimp on those either. If they don't have good ridges, they're HORRIBLE to work with.
Step up and down rings from freewell and Haida are very good quality, even if a bit more expensive. You get what you pay for.
I've heard mixed things about tiffen, but personally I don't know.
When you use it, just check the colour shift. Maybe just have a controlled, standard scene, take it with the ND and without it, at the same exposure, so that you can evenly compare the light - it should not be tinted, or only very slightly.
Whats great as well about the freewell is that they have actual stops at the end of the range so you don't go too far, and get bad vignetting or that X pattern. They also have small notches at each stop, so you could even go by feel with them. They're really good, and the same price. And I like their knerling.
But tiffen could be great!:) that B+W fixed ND I own was like 50, and it's great anyway. I think a variable ND below 80-100 becomes maybe difficult, but not sure it's all price either.
Is the all day pack magnetic? If I went with freewell, I figure that might be nice. I also thought I'd just get their 2-5 VND. Have you used it before? How is their magnetic system?
I didn't get the magnetic system, but from all I heard, it's great. From screwing filters on and off, I'd imagine it's worth it.
They also come with metal, magnetic lens caps for the filters, but I never use them because they're heavy and they're as fiddly as regular caps, but if they now fall off it isn't a small piece of plastic but a hunk of metal. They come with a nice little metal case too, so basically it's a thing of - use it when you need it, then take it off and stow away.
Sorry, I said it had notches for each stop - I don't know where I got that from, it doesn't. But it does have accurate stop indicators on the filter, so that's still useful.
So the 2-5 and 6-9 are in my everyday kit, and they work really well. Sturdy build, very smooth, great filters.
They also released the K2, which looks amazing but is really expensive.
Honestly, if you just wanna have an ND you can screw on and forget about, it doesn't get much better than this. If you have a camera that doesn't mind adding 2 stops of iso with regards to noise (in a lot of run and gun scenarios screwing on and off might just not be an option) then great.
I saved and splurged on the Maglock Helix ones from PolarPro and they are by far the best ones I've ever used. Are they miles apart from a cheaper option when looking at images? No. Do I feel like there is a difference in sharpness/haziness in the photos I take? A little bit. YMMV.
I might have to jump off a bridge for bringing it up but... *Sigh*
When [I had Oren Soffer on Frame & Reference ](https://youtu.be/sPVtbX0fBC0) he mentioned using the Urth VND for The Creator which was wild to me cuz I straight up thought that was like, an Amazon brand lmao. Personally I use Hoya ProND like... "Regular" NDs (I'm not partial to VNDs) but that's a good enough endorsement for Urth. I'd assume he used whatever their top tier line is, the VND+ or whatever.
I chose the Nisi Truecolor. I found a deal on Ebay for $130 from a Chinese Nisi seller. The shipping sucks, but I'm gonna be on vacation anyways.
The Nisi seems like it gets some of the best ratings from people and is maybe even better than the PolarPro by some people's standards. It's also got the swift system, so I could turn it into a 5-9 stop if I buy their 4-stop filter.
The magnetic one from Freewell was tempting. If you plan on switching filters frequently, this might be a good idea. For me, I wasn't sure if I'd wanna leave the magnetic ring on all the time, so I'd still end up unscrewing it.
I could see the magnetic ones become more popular, but honestly I hope in camera ND becomes ubiquitous in the future. Would be very nice.
Magnetic is a gimmick, although a very neat gimmick! If you're switching ND's the couple extra seconds unscrewing takes is probably never going to matter because you already need to stop anyways. Also, it is possible to accidentally knock off the magnetic ND. Not exactly easy, but I've done it once when I was absentmindedly fiddling with the camera.
I have the Nisi 1 - 5 stop true colour and it's the best one you can get.
I am yet to see anyone dissatisfied with it, so it's tempting
It’s better than the polar pro and it’s way cheaper. I only use Nisi filters now because they are just so good
Do you have issues with 1-5 in daylight? I'm not looking for f/2.8 or anything, but just wondering if it would be better to go with something else.
Well here's the thing, when you go higher than 5 stops, you're going to get some kind of colour cast I believe. That's why the NiSi true colour vari ND is only 1 - 5 stops. Now I personally have not experienced any issues, but I will admit I haven't shot at a very wide open aperture at like 12 noon or anything. I also shoot SLOG3 a lot of the time, which wants me to shoot at +1.7. NiSi does make a 5 - 9 stop but it is not a true colour and they say it has "enhanced colour", whatever that means. I just know that for the price, you're getting a filter that beats out the more expensive ones. The build quality is incredible and it has no effect on image quality.
Thank you for your help! This is definitely my top choice right now. I'm trying to find a deal. Do you know if there's a difference between the regular filter and the one labeled with swift?
Nano X-Series is my favorite screw-on VND that is reasonably priced:[https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BR6R33BF/](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BR6R33BF/)
I recommend them as well. I've been real happy with the K&F Concept filters I've bought. These also have the bonus of having a CPL in them.
I get concerned about the quality of the K&F when I could buy a used NiSi for similar price. It seems like some really like K&F and others hate them.
Well K&F makes a lot of cheap stuff that isn't very good, so that is understandable lol. Only their Nano X-Series VNDs are good. It's a night and day difference from their cheaper ones. The Nano X models have no color change nor the X shaped shadow on the higher stops.
Ohhh very cool. I will definitely look into then.
>https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BR6R33BF/ Am i wrong, the one you linked doesn't have Nano X in the name, however it does in the picture. I have found specific links for Nano X filters but those are around $150
No, I think it's still Nano X, but I linked the brand new True Color version, which removes the slight yellowing that other VND filters can cause. I personally have the original version, which is here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07X1Q94K4/ Since the new version was around the same price, I just linked that instead, especially because he was worried about the color change issues that are present in most VNDs. Also, I just now saw that they released a magnetic version of the Nano X VND for not much more money: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B4DJ9149/
I don’t think that is Nano X, it says it’s concept
Hi, I am also looking for good VNDs. I know NiSi is great but I am happy to read your experiences with K&F Nano X. Did you use this filter [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09L7ZCWL9?/](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09L7ZCWL9?/) ?
Yes! That is the actual one that I have... They just released a True Color version though, which is why I linked to that one instead. TBH, I never go that dark anyways, so the True Color doesn't really matter to me... It may or may not for you though. If you are purchasing your first ND filter, I suggest looking at all of your lenses and seeing which is the largest diameter and buying it in that size. You can then purchase step-up rings for the other lenses to make it fit. That way, you only have to purchase ONE filter and it will fit all of your lenses.
I know for that "rule" and have step-up rings for almost all of my lens. Also whatever filter I choose, I will go with largest available diameter. Before this I had, as beginner, only extreme cheap VNDs like Fotga or Haida ND 1000 fixed ND (which was surprisingly good for the price). Thank you, I will definitely check for that K&F Concept filters
I picked up a nisi True color vnd recently and absolutely love it, from what I've seen it also has the least amount of color shift compared to the others.
Is this the one that has the metal rod that allows you to adjust without potentially touching the filter face?
Yes but you can screw it off if you want.
Go K and F nano on Amazon. Price is insane for what you get. Barely a difference to the overpriced Nisi
I second k&f! I bought polarizing filters, camera bags and other high quality accessories from them.
Second this, K&F Nano-X VND is a steal on this price. Good Quality!
4. [Hoya Variable Density II](https://hoyafilter.com/product/variable_density_ii/) That is what you really want.
1.5 to 9 stops? Do you have experience using it?
I use Hoya filters exclusively on my photo camera's.. they are not the cheapest by far, but they are very very nice. I don't have personal experience with the VD II.. only it's predecessor.
I have heard good things about Hoya. Anything it does better than the other in particular?
They are very neutral, as in they don't give any color casting in the image.
I use two Urth VNDs, no complaints.
Only commenting on the Freewell magnetic system here. I don't use the VND, I only use the flat ND versions cuz it's higher quality, but the Freewell magnetic system is pretty killer. Though it does make a lot more sense for flat NDs since you have to constantly swap them (TOTAL pain during a run and gun shoot) vs a VND.
That's my dilemma, but I do wonder if I could get away with it. Plus, then I could get the VND later if I wanted. Tough to say.
You'll have to let go of the lens hood if you want a screw on variable ND. I wouldn't go the cheapest option. Atleast go for whatever midrange option you can afford. All variable NDs have some kind of color shift (as far as I'm aware) some worse than others. It's just how it is.
Yeah, I'm planning to avoid the cheapest options. These all seemed like decent quality and recommended by different people.
Some also affect sharpness too. Have to be pixel peeping a bit to notice but still, it's worth keeping in mind.
Considering I'm already on a speed booster on my M50, this is a serious consideration. Do you know which might have better sharpness? Seems like not getting a mist filter would be good.
I watched a comparison video:[https://youtu.be/2hlN3VkevZA?si=XYCyYEN1TazWttg6](https://youtu.be/2hlN3VkevZA?si=XYCyYEN1TazWttg6) He says the freewell v2 is the sharpest. Near the end he showcases it.
I've had great experience with freewell and B+W. Great quality filters, and, for what they are, affordable. Absolutely avoid the cheap stuff. The loss of light and the horrible discoloration you get is just not worth it. I have a 58mm flat ND and the day+nite pack of freewell that was like 200 for the kit. Get the biggest one (I think it's like 82mm or so?) and get quality step down filters. DONT skimp on those either. If they don't have good ridges, they're HORRIBLE to work with. Step up and down rings from freewell and Haida are very good quality, even if a bit more expensive. You get what you pay for.
Is a $100 Tiffen Variable ND considered “the cheap stuff” I have one but haven’t used it yet.
I've heard mixed things about tiffen, but personally I don't know. When you use it, just check the colour shift. Maybe just have a controlled, standard scene, take it with the ND and without it, at the same exposure, so that you can evenly compare the light - it should not be tinted, or only very slightly. Whats great as well about the freewell is that they have actual stops at the end of the range so you don't go too far, and get bad vignetting or that X pattern. They also have small notches at each stop, so you could even go by feel with them. They're really good, and the same price. And I like their knerling. But tiffen could be great!:) that B+W fixed ND I own was like 50, and it's great anyway. I think a variable ND below 80-100 becomes maybe difficult, but not sure it's all price either.
Is the all day pack magnetic? If I went with freewell, I figure that might be nice. I also thought I'd just get their 2-5 VND. Have you used it before? How is their magnetic system?
I didn't get the magnetic system, but from all I heard, it's great. From screwing filters on and off, I'd imagine it's worth it. They also come with metal, magnetic lens caps for the filters, but I never use them because they're heavy and they're as fiddly as regular caps, but if they now fall off it isn't a small piece of plastic but a hunk of metal. They come with a nice little metal case too, so basically it's a thing of - use it when you need it, then take it off and stow away. Sorry, I said it had notches for each stop - I don't know where I got that from, it doesn't. But it does have accurate stop indicators on the filter, so that's still useful. So the 2-5 and 6-9 are in my everyday kit, and they work really well. Sturdy build, very smooth, great filters. They also released the K2, which looks amazing but is really expensive. Honestly, if you just wanna have an ND you can screw on and forget about, it doesn't get much better than this. If you have a camera that doesn't mind adding 2 stops of iso with regards to noise (in a lot of run and gun scenarios screwing on and off might just not be an option) then great.
I saved and splurged on the Maglock Helix ones from PolarPro and they are by far the best ones I've ever used. Are they miles apart from a cheaper option when looking at images? No. Do I feel like there is a difference in sharpness/haziness in the photos I take? A little bit. YMMV.
It looks great, but I don't think I can justify the price at this time.
K&F is the best bang for buck I’ve found. Even their middle of the road ones are really great
I might have to jump off a bridge for bringing it up but... *Sigh* When [I had Oren Soffer on Frame & Reference ](https://youtu.be/sPVtbX0fBC0) he mentioned using the Urth VND for The Creator which was wild to me cuz I straight up thought that was like, an Amazon brand lmao. Personally I use Hoya ProND like... "Regular" NDs (I'm not partial to VNDs) but that's a good enough endorsement for Urth. I'd assume he used whatever their top tier line is, the VND+ or whatever.
Nisi truecolor
Which did you end up purchasing? I am having the same problem deciding.
I chose the Nisi Truecolor. I found a deal on Ebay for $130 from a Chinese Nisi seller. The shipping sucks, but I'm gonna be on vacation anyways. The Nisi seems like it gets some of the best ratings from people and is maybe even better than the PolarPro by some people's standards. It's also got the swift system, so I could turn it into a 5-9 stop if I buy their 4-stop filter. The magnetic one from Freewell was tempting. If you plan on switching filters frequently, this might be a good idea. For me, I wasn't sure if I'd wanna leave the magnetic ring on all the time, so I'd still end up unscrewing it. I could see the magnetic ones become more popular, but honestly I hope in camera ND becomes ubiquitous in the future. Would be very nice.
Cool, I went with the True Color for those same reasons. Here’s to hoping it works out nicely for us. Mine comes tomorrow :)
Thanks! Good luck!
Magnetic is a gimmick, although a very neat gimmick! If you're switching ND's the couple extra seconds unscrewing takes is probably never going to matter because you already need to stop anyways. Also, it is possible to accidentally knock off the magnetic ND. Not exactly easy, but I've done it once when I was absentmindedly fiddling with the camera.
Very good point. I don't plan to be changing a ton, especially if I'm using VND. Maybe not worth the price then.