FREEWELL Magnetic Quick Swap System 67mm Neutral Density ND64 (6 f-stops) Camera Filter

Product Information

Freewell claims their magnetic VND system can be safely used with any 16 or 17mm full frame lens without adding vignette (on top of the natural, optical vignette of the lens). This means cleaner images without additional darkening around the edges and corners — even when shooting wide angle. Filter compatibility Each of these filters do exactly as they are intended to do. They darken the image by 10 stops allowing for longer exposures in brighter conditions. Each filter has it’s own unique colour cast, like nearly all ND filters on the market. Colour cast is the hue that the filter gives your image. Kind of like how your sunglasses change the tint of everything you see, filters do the same for our cameras. Colour cast isn’t always a bad thing, however; some colour casts are more pleasing than others.

And my testing showed that these types of artifacts occur reliably with ALL of my VND filters. I shot this scene, first with no filter: J. Matthew Gore A big issue with circular gradient filters is that users can’t adjust where the gradient is in the frame — it’s fixed. With the K2 Island Slot, users can adjust a filter’s height to change its effect on their photos and videos, and even rotate the entire assembly. The K2 also includes an integrated spirit level, or “gradienter tool,” to ensure level gradient filters. So, let’s dive into what this Freewell magnetic filter system review, and discover if they are actually worth your money. Video Review + Unboxing The company also says the kit’s magnetic adhesion will keep the filters in the holder firmly affixed, which prevents vibrations while they still remain easy to remove and adjust. The metal knurling on the bezel along each ND level helps grip when turning to change values and allegedly improves the accuracy of stop setting. The company also claims that transitioning from one-stop value to another is smooth and gradual, and should give a reduced occurrence of “x-pattern overlaps” seen in other variable NDs. Quality neutral density filters darken photos and videos without affecting color. A filter with high color accuracy contributes less color cast, which translates into less work in post fixing what the filter added.Ladies and gents, I have some news for you. The Freewell magnetic filter system is officially on the market. Gone are the days of having to screw on your filters like a measly peasant.

I took the Freewell Magnetic Polarizer Filter on a multi pitch adventure up the Stawamus Chief in Squamish, BC. I thought if I had no issues with it while dangling 2000ft above the ground, then there certainly would be no problems at ground level. Our approximate route. Maybe the most exposed filter review anyone has ever made? What’s The Point Of A Polarizer In Photography? The K2 filter system consists of screw-on base filter holder rings, that you only have to screw onto your lens once, afterwards, the filters snap on magnetically. The system includes the K2 Island Slot, a gradient tool integrated for slide-in effect filters like gradient, glow mist, snow mist, and streak. The effect filters slide in from the top and can be rotated in any direction. Magnetic Filter System K2 – Source: Freewell True Color VND The main things to consider when looking at filters are: colour cast, quality, ergonomics and sharpness.

Overall the benefits of this magnetic system greatly outweigh my concerns of reliability which in my testing hasn't been an issue. Image Quality Remove the base ring filter, and there’s now one pane of polarized glass (which is effectively a circular polarizer is). Each filter comes with a threaded ring that screws into your camera lens just like any other filter you've used in the past. The difference is it's just a metal ring that does nothing until you attach a filter to the ring using it's magnetic system. Freewell also offers the option to use a UV filter as the magnetic ring for it's system but I didn't use one in this review. Threaded VNDs are constructed using two panes of polarized glass. For this system, Freewell separated these panes into two filters. One half is the filter mounted inside the base ring, the other half is mounted in front. Once mounted and aligned, there are two panes of polarized glass, just like a traditional, threaded VND.

Flip the 2-5 stop VND filter around and it becomes a circular polarizer; flip the 6-9 stop VND around, and it becomes an ND32 polarizer. Want a glow mist filter as well? Simply pop out the 1-stop glass in the VND Base, replace it with the MistxVND Base and you get a 1/8 diffusion filter. Completing this analysis, K&F Concept’s ND100, 10-stops neutral density filter has no measurable effect on color or sharpness. Optical Test Summary K&F Concept’s lens adapters have two advantages. The first is that they are quite slim, measuring at only 2mm once installed. The second, and possibly most important, is that the adapter lets the user attach regular lens caps. These advantages mean they can remain permanently in place on a lens. One other thing I wish they'd add is the filter details listed on the front of the filter. The details of the filter are listed on the side which is great but it would be nice to also include them near the thread size is. For example, if I have each filter in the case they come in, I can't tell which filter is which from a top-down view as you can see in the photo above. Not a deal-breaker but certainly something that could be easily changed. Magnetic SystemAnyone who needs neutral density filters will enjoy using the Freewell Magnetized VND system, but run-and-gun hybrid shooters using consumer DSLR and mirrorless cameras should love it. You may shoot photos one minute, flip the camera to video mode, throw on a variable ND to control shutter speed, and keep going. All told, Freewell is effectively providing with this system four VNDs (two with diffusion, two without) and two circular polarizers filters for hundreds less than buying each filter type individually. Lens compatibility and vignette performance

Simply put, I loved my time with the magnetic Nano filters from K&F Concept. Their optical quality is excellent, indeed better than some of the competition. The craftsmanship is also superb, with no complaints.Alongside the distinct Island Slot for gradient filters like a graduated neutral density (ND) filter, snow mist, glow mist, and streak, the K2 filter system also includes circular variable neutral density (VND), circular polarizing (CPL), solid ND, and graduated neutral density (GND) filters. We’ve also improved the lens cap. It’s now easier to remove, even when using a lens hood. We’ve introduced a convenient holder for the cap, making it a breeze to take it on and off your filter. The ND32 did a good job of increasing contrast and clarity — especially in the trees and green foliage. The five-stop reduction in exposure also allowed the camera to shoot at a larger aperture. When five stops aren’t necessary, you may use the CPL from the 2-5 stop VND filter for similar results. User experience Conclusion: Here, the Freewell VND filters are no worse than the very expensive PolarPro and less expensive Moment, but none of them give acceptable results. If I had just flown to Iceland with these filters and discovered results like these on my memory card at the end of my day, I’d be pissed off. Feel free to ask me specific questions I might not have covered throughout this review or simply let me know what you thought. As always thanks for watching, reading, or both.