ND filters act as "sunglasses" for your camera, allowing slower shutter speeds for natural motion blur in video (180-degree rule) and creative effects in photography (long exposures, shallow depth of field in bright light). The video compares 14 variable ND filters (VNDs) ranging from $25 to $499, testing for color cast, vignette/X-pattern, sharpness, and lens flare. While expensive filters like Nissi True Color and Freewell K2 offer top-tier performance across all metrics, several budget options deliver surprisingly good results. Sharpness was found to be largely unaffected by any of the filters, making it a non-factor in purchasing decisions.
A collection of various variable ND filters in their packaging, ready for testing.
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The video conducts a comprehensive test of 14 different variable ND (Neutral Density) filters, ranging in price from $25 to $499. The goal is to evaluate their performance in key areas and determine if higher cost always equates to better quality.
The "180-degree rule" dictates setting the shutter speed to double the frame rate (e.g., 24fps -> 1/48 or 1/50 shutter speed).
This rule ensures natural-looking motion blur in video, preventing a "judder" effect seen in videos shot with high shutter speeds (like GoPros or smartphones).
Maintaining creative control over exposure:
ND filters enable the use of wide apertures (e.g., f/2.8 for shallow depth of field) and low ISO settings in bright conditions without overexposing the image.
Without an ND filter, one would have to close the aperture (changing depth of field) or increase shutter speed (losing cinematic motion blur), both of which alter the desired creative look.
Comparison of an image without an ND filter (left) and with an ND filter (right), demonstrating the effect on motion blur.
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For lenses with very wide apertures (e.g., f/1.2, f/1.4), ND filters are necessary in bright light to prevent overexposure when the camera's maximum shutter speed (e.g., 1/4000s) is reached.
This allows photographers to maintain a shallow depth of field even in intense sunlight.
A comparison of an overexposed image without an ND filter versus a properly exposed image with an ND filter, both at f/1.2 and 1/4000s.
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Creating long exposure motion blur:
ND filters facilitate very long shutter speeds (half a second to 30 seconds or more) for artistic effects:
Blurring clouds: Creating a sense of movement in landscape skies.
Smoothing water: Giving oceans and waterfalls an ethereal, silky appearance (commonly seen in seascapes).
Light trails: Capturing streaking headlights in city night photography.
Ghostly figures: Blurring moving people in busy scenes to emphasize a static subject (e.g., historic building).
A comparison of a seascape photo taken without a filter (left) and with a filter (right), showing the long exposure effect of smoothing water and blurring clouds.
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An example of a long exposure photograph showing blurred people in a subway station to create a ghostly effect.
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Description: A single piece of glass with a specific, unchangeable light reduction (e.g., 2-stop, 4-stop).
Advantages: Higher color accuracy, no cross-pattern or heavy vignette issues, generally provide the highest image quality. Used in high-end movie productions.
Disadvantages: Inconvenient as multiple filters must be carried and swapped for different lighting conditions or aperture changes, leading to a slow process.
Variable ND (VND) Filters:
Description: Composed of two polarizing filters that cross over each other. Turning them blocks more or less light.
Advantages: Convenient, as one filter can cover a range of light reduction, allowing quick adjustments by twisting. Popular among vloggers and run-and-gun filmmakers.
Disadvantages:
Polarizing effect: Inherently acts as a circular polarizer, which can be desirable (e.g., reducing reflections) or undesirable depending on the scene.
Cross-pattern/Vignette: At higher stop settings or wider focal lengths, VNDs can produce a visible "X" pattern across the image or dark corners (vignetting). This is not an issue with fixed ND filters.
An example demonstrating a "bad" VND filter exhibiting a visible cross pattern and heavy vignette at higher stop settings.
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An example demonstrating a "good" VND filter without a cross pattern, indicating better performance.
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A comparison demonstrating the effect of a CPL filter on water, showing increased clarity with the filter (left) versus glare with a bare lens (right).
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Conclusion: The choice between fixed and variable ND filters is a trade-off between performance (fixed) and convenience (variable).
All filters, even those advertised as "true color," introduce a slight color shift.
Top 3 Performers (minimal color shift):
Freewell Matte Box: Excellent, with only a 50 Kelvin shift and +5 tint (for 1-5 stop range).
Nissi True Pro Nano 1-5 Stop: Very good, with a 100 Kelvin shift and -1 tint.
Neewer Nano 1-5 Stop (Blue Box): Surprisingly good for its price, matching Nissi with a 100 Kelvin shift and -1 tint.
Other good performers:
JJC True Color 1-9 Stop: 175 Kelvin shift and +1 tint.
7 Artisans and Freewell K2 also performed well.
Worst Performers (significant color shift):
K&F Nano K: 575 Kelvin shift.
H&Y Revo Ring: 350 Kelvin shift and +8 tint.
A comprehensive chart detailing the Kelvin and Tint shifts for various ND filters, highlighting the performance of each filter in color accuracy tests.
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Vignette and X Pattern Tests 1-5 Stop Filters [11:41]
Understanding the issue: Vignette (dark corners) or a cross-pattern effect is common with VNDs, especially at wider focal lengths and higher stop settings.
Test Methodology: Filters were tested at various focal lengths (15mm, 20mm, 24mm, 35mm) and stop levels (minimum ND to 5 stops).
Observations:
At 15mm and minimum ND (1 or 2 stops), most filters perform acceptably.
As stops increase to 5 stops at 15mm, many filters show significant vignetting and color shifts, becoming "unusable."
At 20mm and 4 stops, the 7 Artisans, Nissi Pro, and JJC filters still perform well. Neewer filters show some color cast in corners.
At 24mm and 5 stops, most filters become usable, with 7 Artisans showing excellent cross-pattern performance. Neewer filters still show some color cast.
At 35mm and 5 stops, nearly all filters are "perfectly usable," demonstrating that the issue is less prominent at narrower focal lengths.
A grid of images comparing the vignette and cross-pattern performance of different filters at 15mm focal length and minimum ND stops.
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A grid of images comparing the vignette and cross-pattern performance of different filters at 15mm focal length and 5 ND stops, showing significant issues for many.
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Vignette and X Pattern Tests 6-9 Stop Filters [16:37]
Single 1-9 Stop Filters: Filters designed to cover a wide 1-9 stop range in a single unit (e.g., Neewer 1-9, K&F Nano X 1-9) performed very poorly at higher stops (e.g., 24mm at 8 stops), becoming "completely unusable." These should be considered more like 1-5 or 1-6 stop filters in practice.
Modular 6-9 Stop Systems: Filters that use a separate or magnetic add-on component for higher stops (e.g., JJC True Color, 7 Artisans) performed significantly better and were "completely usable" at 24mm and 8 stops.
A comparison of 1-9 stop ND filters at 24mm and 8 stops, highlighting the poor performance of single-unit filters versus modular systems.
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7 Artisans: Demonstrated the "clearly best" vignette performance, surprising for its affordability.
Nissi True Color Pro: An "industry standard" with reliable, excellent performance.
JJC True Color: "Incredible performance for that filter" and the cheapest of the top three.
Note on budget options: While Neewer filters didn't perform as well in vignette tests, they remain viable "affordable filters" by using fewer stops at wider angles.
A screen listing the top 3 filters for vignette performance: 7 Artisans, Nissi True Color, and JJC True Color.
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All 14 filters were tested at 50mm on a 33-megapixel sensor.
After extensive comparison, the impact of any filter on sharpness and detail was deemed "so little that it is not relevant."
Users should not base buying decisions on sharpness or detail, as all filters performed indistinguishably in real-world results.
A sharpness test chart showing minimal difference between a bare lens and a lens with a 7 Artisans ND filter, indicating no relevant impact on sharpness.
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Any filter can introduce additional lens flare or glare.
Poor Performers: H&Y Revo Ring, JJC True Color, and Neewer Nano True Color showed notable flare/glare.
Good Performer (surprisingly): K&F Nano K, despite its poor color cast, performed well in flare tests.
Best Performers: Freewell K2 system and Nissi True Color system, indicating that higher-priced filters often excel in flare control.
A comparison of lens flare/glare with a bare lens (left) versus a lens with a Neewer Nano True Color filter (right), showing poor flare performance with the filter.
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A comparison of lens flare/glare with a bare lens (left) versus a lens with a Freewell K2 filter (right), demonstrating great flare performance with the filter.
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Higher price doesn't always guarantee better optical performance across all metrics.
Filters offering good value:
Nissi Pro: While more expensive than budget options, it's considered an industry standard and a long-term investment.
7 Artisans: About half the price of the Nissi, offering "surprisingly close" performance (price has since dropped further, making it even better value).
JJC Variable ND: Under $100, described as "an incredible filter" for its price.
Neewer Nano: Well under $100, with "excellent performance" in color cast, though with trade-offs in vignette and flare.
Cost-saving tip: Purchase an 82mm filter (largest common size) and use inexpensive step-up rings to adapt it to smaller lenses.
A list of the tested ND filters ordered from most expensive to cheapest.
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Recommendation: Recommended for users who specifically need a matbox.
Benefits: Offers "excellent optical quality" and extended functionality beyond a standard ND filter. It is not the most expensive system despite its features.
The Freewell Matbox system, designed for users who need a matbox in addition to an ND filter.
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Recommendation: Number one budget recommendations for users who don't need a full 9 stops.
Comparison:
Initially, Neewer Nano was cheaper, with "good enough" performance.
The 7 Artisans was about twice the price but offered better performance, especially in vignette.
Current status (as of video publication): The price of the 7 Artisans has dropped and is now comparable to or cheaper than the Neewer.
Key points:
7 Artisans: Excellent optical performance (especially vignette), very close to the Nissi True Color Pro. Its main "disadvantage" is being a 2-5 stop filter instead of 1-5.
Neewer Nano: Excellent color cast performance, but weaker vignette and flare compared to 7 Artisans.
Conclusion: If prices are similar, the 7 Artisans is preferred for its superior optical performance despite the 2-5 stop range. Both are great options depending on current pricing.
A side-by-side comparison of the Neewer Nano and 7 Artisans VND filters in their respective packaging.
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