Freewell Magnetic Variable ND Filters: Thin, Fast, Almost Perfect

Freewell has released a magnetic variable ND filter system that's unlike anything else on the market today. In this video, I unpack and explain how the filters work, test how color accurate they are, and offer thoughts on who the ideal user would be.
Disclosure: Freewell sent me this system for feedback and producing this video. They have not had any editorial input in this review.
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Reference Links
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Freewell Magnetic Variable ND Filter System
geni.us/UfBu8
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Chapters
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0:00 Intro
1:25 What's in the Box
4:05 How to Mount
6:18 How it Works
8:38 Color Accuracy
11:27 User Experience
14:05 Outro
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Gear Used to Create This Video
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Camera: geni.us/x1qWvob
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Key light: geni.us/CcLBDt1
Accent light: geni.us/gHsO5iV
Complete gear list: kit.co/todddominey
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Follow and Contact Me Elsewhere
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Instagram: / dominey
Twitter: / tdominey
Blog: dominey.blog
Photography: dominey.photo
Email: dominey@gmail.com
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Affiliate Disclosure
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Пікірлер: 103

  • @benonwheels.norway
    @benonwheels.norway Жыл бұрын

    Finally somone able to explain everything well in calm way, without "whatsupguys", a cap on the head, and talking nonsense like they are on speed . THANK YOU !!

  • @shadowthrown

    @shadowthrown

    Жыл бұрын

    I haven't laughed this hard at a KZread comment in a long time 😂😂😂😂😂

  • @benonwheels.norway

    @benonwheels.norway

    Жыл бұрын

    😂😂😂😂 a pleasure

  • @user-it9jq2xi5m

    @user-it9jq2xi5m

    21 күн бұрын

    The problem about photography community is that it is too small that everyone knows each other. As a result, because the “whatsupguy” is famous now, everyone want to flatter him. No one dare to say the dark truth about the product he engaged in. That’s why a lot of camera gear review today sounds like nonsense.

  • @felixifloresrodriquez3306
    @felixifloresrodriquez3306 Жыл бұрын

    This is one of the easiest videos I ever watched to follow from the point of view of a complete beginner. Thanks for such a great content

  • @timtishsmith5966
    @timtishsmith59662 жыл бұрын

    Best tutorial of these VND filters on KZread. Concise and comprehensible presentation. Well done Todd.

  • @bernym4047
    @bernym4047 Жыл бұрын

    After watching several videos, this is the first one that clearly explains the system. The first review I watched just explained how a polarising filter is used! I have been using them for decades. Excellent review. Thanks.

  • @bradrobertsonimagery9964
    @bradrobertsonimagery99642 жыл бұрын

    Finally, a professional and easy to understand review. Thanks Todd. I will now be able to order these with more confidence.

  • @Blueskyuk
    @Blueskyuk2 жыл бұрын

    I've just discovered your channel - and it's refreshing to hear from someone who knows what they're talking about and is not trying so hard to connect with their audience. Like your style - thanks

  • @sergioguerrero7750
    @sergioguerrero77502 жыл бұрын

    Best information on this filter system out there. Thank you.

  • @TheOriginalGregToo
    @TheOriginalGregToo2 жыл бұрын

    Great video! Love how concise you were, how much information you conveyed, and the overall look of your production. Thank you for making this.

  • @JunaidKureshi
    @JunaidKureshi2 жыл бұрын

    what an awesome video, i was looking for video like this before buying, thanks man

  • @youareawesome8
    @youareawesome8 Жыл бұрын

    Now. I actually understand how it all works. great video, best explanation and detail infomations. nice work. I enjoyed every minute of it.

  • @JustinEspejo
    @JustinEspejo2 жыл бұрын

    this was a really nice review! learned a lot! :)

  • @JaroslavBengl
    @JaroslavBengl2 жыл бұрын

    Perfect review, thanks so much for making it! 🤩 Liked and subscribed 👍🏻

  • @christophrehse
    @christophrehse Жыл бұрын

    Spectacular overview. Thank you for your valuable time.

  • @benjamin.kelley
    @benjamin.kelley2 жыл бұрын

    Todd, your channel is UNDERRATED!

  • @arlendavis
    @arlendavis2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for this video... I have been looking for a filter system and this one should fit to bill perfectly for my needs. 😃

  • @hubey
    @hubey2 жыл бұрын

    Fantastic overview thank you, the only part missing was showing the colour cast and tonal change of the 2 filters flipped in CPL mode.

  • @tonymckeage1028
    @tonymckeage10283 жыл бұрын

    Great Filter (magnetic) review. thanks for sharing

  • @kevindiossi
    @kevindiossi3 жыл бұрын

    Purchased with your link. What a genius product for my job.

  • @TomalBhattacharjee

    @TomalBhattacharjee

    2 жыл бұрын

    What do you shoot mainly?

  • @newgearsmell2
    @newgearsmell2 Жыл бұрын

    this was great ty! I just pulled mine out of the box and I'm really impressed with it.

  • @camadamedia6728

    @camadamedia6728

    7 ай бұрын

    Hello ! do you still keep them? In 2023, I want to buy them, do you think they are a good purchase? thank you

  • @jamesb8818
    @jamesb88182 жыл бұрын

    man how do you not have a million followers. you are awesome compared to a lot of the ones i have watched. i like your style of explaining. i interrupted a movie to watch this lol. #subscribed

  • @skuudo

    @skuudo

    2 жыл бұрын

    Agree

  • @VenkatAkkinepally
    @VenkatAkkinepally Жыл бұрын

    Great video!!

  • @laurencohn3971
    @laurencohn3971 Жыл бұрын

    Beware of the Freewell ND - I bought a set in the 82mm size, and they were wonderful. I bought them because of the neat stops (Haptic Feedback) when you get to the various ND settings as well as the hard stop at the end. The "haptic feedback" along with the excellent color and build quality were what made me decide to buy a second set in 67mm. BEWARE. You will NOT get the "haptic feedback" in the 67mm size which was one of the selling points of these ND filters. I reached out to Freewell's customer service as to why, and here is what they said - "Thanks for your message. They are exactly as it says on the box HARD STOP. Hard stop means that it should not go beyond 5 & 9 stops thats precisely what it does. What you are referring to is HAPTIC FEEDBACK which we have recently added in some of the products to see the feedback; it has not been applied to all the sizes & all the filters, nor are we claiming on the product." So a major selling point for these filters turns out to be a GAMBLE as to which ones have the "haptic feedback" or not. One star for misleading/omission of a critical feature of these ND filters.

  • @peligeustalos4141

    @peligeustalos4141

    Жыл бұрын

    Meh

  • @camadamedia6728

    @camadamedia6728

    7 ай бұрын

    Hello, Lauren ! please, Do you still keep them? In 2023, I want to buy them, do you think they are a good purchase? thank you

  • @laurenoe

    @laurenoe

    7 ай бұрын

    @@camadamedia6728 they are a good purchase, just be aware that when I made the comment above, some had "Haptic feedback" and some didn't, and the company did not specify which ones did and did not have.

  • @camadamedia6728

    @camadamedia6728

    7 ай бұрын

    @@laurenoe TK

  • @leewinter28
    @leewinter282 жыл бұрын

    Great video on these Freewell magnetics Todd! I just bought the set. Absolutely love these! Great channel, subbed!

  • @TomalBhattacharjee

    @TomalBhattacharjee

    2 жыл бұрын

    Hi. I’m interested in this product but can’t test them out. So wanted to know about Image quality? I’m more of a serious hobbyist. N plan to use them for long exposure and time lapse photography.

  • @TomalBhattacharjee

    @TomalBhattacharjee

    2 жыл бұрын

    And the colour cast, can that be easily corrected by changing WB if shooting RAW.

  • @camadamedia6728

    @camadamedia6728

    7 ай бұрын

    Hello, ! Do you still keep them? In 2023, I want to buy them, do you think they are a good purchase? thank you

  • @ailo4x4
    @ailo4x4 Жыл бұрын

    I'm really enjoying using my set. I purchased another base ring and another lens cap. That way I can use another lens that is already set up to use the filters. My Sigma 16mm 1.4 and Sony 18-200mm can then be immediately swapped without having to unscrew the base ring. The Sony 200-600mm has to get its own personal filter due to the size! ;-)

  • @mdominic
    @mdominic2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for talking about the cons. I can't have color cast. I'm probably going to try their solid magnetic system.

  • @JR-cp9mb

    @JR-cp9mb

    Жыл бұрын

    Does their fix ND have colour cast?

  • @billyanowsky8736
    @billyanowsky87362 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the great video. Have you stacked these filters? If so how did it work for you? Thanks again.

  • @paulomateus3083
    @paulomateus30832 жыл бұрын

    Great review thanks, do you know if you are still able to use the lens hood with the Freewell on? I can use the lens hood and still mount my Hoya variable ND. Thanks!

  • @dpayab
    @dpayab3 жыл бұрын

    Great video, as always. I have a question unrelated to the product in your video. Can you please tell me what kind of a table top tripod do you use? If you can also tell me what kind of ball head connection you use for the tripod, that would also be great! Thank you and looking forward to your next video!

  • @GeoffGrant2010
    @GeoffGrant20103 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Todd- very helpful. I looked to see if you have previously reviewed Breakthrough filters and didn’t find one. Can you compare the Freewell to Breakthrough in terms of color accuracy. Also, does Freewell sell step up filters? When I got them for Breaktrhrough they immediately locked up and almost became unusable! Thanks. Geoff

  • @nidoge5032
    @nidoge50323 жыл бұрын

    Good review! Polar pro vnd vs this, what are your thoughts?

  • @Scriptshepherd
    @Scriptshepherd2 жыл бұрын

    Hey Todd, to fix the issue you mention at the end -- being stuck with a 1-stop base filter -- can't you use Freewell's magnetic 0-stop UV filter (purchased separately) as the base filter? Then pop the 2-5 or 6-9 filters on and off of that. Would that work?

  • @kayzzer
    @kayzzer Жыл бұрын

    This is very cool but as Polar Pro did as well with their VND Mist edition. There is no way of using the diffusion filters without losing light stops. And there are a lot of use cases when you would like to use them in dark conditions.

  • @RogerZoul
    @RogerZoul3 жыл бұрын

    I think I may be the type of hybrid shooter who could benefit from this system and I already have one of their filters. However, i was having a hard time with your comparisons. if the left side is not the same as the right side, how can one gauge color shifts due to the filter? Maybe I haven't been doing it long enough, but I need the standard and the "thing" to be based on the same exact image otherwise it just doesn't work.

  • @strippedlist
    @strippedlist2 жыл бұрын

    you should be a therapist...your voice is just so calming...if i can't sleep, from now on i put on one of your videos, not because they are boring but because of your voice...honestly you should read and sell child books audio....

  • @lanieanddillonadventure9656
    @lanieanddillonadventure96562 жыл бұрын

    Is there’s step up base ring i can use for 49mm?

  • @DaveKnowlesFilmmaker
    @DaveKnowlesFilmmaker Жыл бұрын

    I would love to know the answer to the subject no one seems to cover, the lens hood problem with variable ND's and do you in fact need a lens hood with a variable ND.

  • @themusketeer9458
    @themusketeer94582 жыл бұрын

    Cant u just recalibrate white balance in camera after putting on the nd? Or is it still warmer anyways for some reason?

  • @kwameryan
    @kwameryan3 жыл бұрын

    Hey! Thanks for this really informative video. I've been looking to buy a set of VND filters but was also fascinated by the look of the Moment CineBloom 10% on EOS R footage. Obviously if I can get both functions in this set I'll grab it but I'm worried about getting too much halation which I don't like. Would you say the Freewell mist included here approximates to CineBloom 10% or 1/8 strength to use Freewells metric? Cheers and thanks for all your help!

  • @professionalpotato4764

    @professionalpotato4764

    2 жыл бұрын

    Freewell's mist is pretty strong. If you're not shooting primes only I advise against mist filters. Mist filters come in strengths so that you can match looks. E.g. If I like 1/4 look on 50mm, I would but 1/2 for 24mm, and 1/8 for 85mm-100mm. The more telephoto your lens is, the more it "zooms in" and increases the effects of diffusion. So diffusion filters by nature work the worst on zoom lenses. I would personally go for something like Tiffen Glimmerglass or Black Satin as those don't increase halation with strength, only the softening effect.

  • @larryrankine8088
    @larryrankine8088 Жыл бұрын

    Hey Todd, I'm getting back into photography after a very LOOOONG time. Just wondering if using a UV filter for lens protection is still a thing and if so how does this system figure into that calculation when making a purchase decision. Thanks!

  • @mrbakarwalOfficial
    @mrbakarwalOfficial2 жыл бұрын

    Hi , i’m so confused about this system , i have two lens 16mm 1.4 and 18-105mm i don’t know which size of step up ring and ND Filter should i Buy ?

  • @Jonny2won
    @Jonny2won Жыл бұрын

    What about circular polarization on a wide lens? Have you experienced that?

  • @martincollas
    @martincollas Жыл бұрын

    Will it solve the wihite balance shifting by taking a custom WB for video?

  • @bnguyen112
    @bnguyen1123 жыл бұрын

    Just bought the Kase Wolverine Magnetic system and this pops up. From you usage did you notice any of the cross hatches or X's when using the VND side? Might return the Kase system and pick this up. Have you used the Kase Wolverine system or their Skyeye system?

  • @reginaldwalton
    @reginaldwalton10 ай бұрын

    Are there step up rings for this system? Or I guess in my case, step down rings? I have the Canon 28-70 and I would need to purchase the 96mm system and then use step down rings for my 67 and 77mm lenses.

  • @_burd
    @_burd Жыл бұрын

    I'm wondering what are the cross-polarisation effects with this kind of setup? The white balance shift is easy enough to correct but often with stronger settings on a VND you will get inconsistent colour shifts across different parts of the frame, which is really tough to correct accurately. Though if it has a ND base filter (or is an LPL?) and CPL front filter, maybe there wont be cross polarisation like there would be with dual CPL setups?

  • @OleYoule
    @OleYoule2 жыл бұрын

    ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Magnet system is good but during hiking activity I incidentally dropped one of the lens. Now my set of magnetic VNDs capability dropped to 50%. I have tried to find separate lens on the market but not successful. Full set of MVNDS costs 400$. Guys take in to consideration this Info. Now I preferer to use threaded VNDs only ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

  • @TheFrogTales
    @TheFrogTales2 жыл бұрын

    When the VND is in, if say you're walking around or on a hike, can the top filter fall off?

  • @alibuhlaiqa8384
    @alibuhlaiqa83843 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for the comprehensive review. I just ordered one. I'm just wondering if it going to work with h&y revoring adapter. I just alot of money on Freewell system for my 67 lens and now I'm going up to 77 and 95. Also I'm wondering if they will get more addon filters that's compatible with this system

  • @camadamedia6728

    @camadamedia6728

    7 ай бұрын

    Hello ! do you still keep them? In 2023, I want to buy them, do you think they are a good purchase? And what about the system Revoring h&y ? Thank you

  • @kevin_brown3
    @kevin_brown32 жыл бұрын

    Probably a dumb question, but can you still use adapter rings with it?

  • @chris_ster
    @chris_ster2 жыл бұрын

    Hey Todd, very helpful video! I have a question✌ "What's the proper way of applying this system to more lenses (with different diameters)? Buing the system at the largest diameter (82mm) and using a step up ring (62-82mm)?

  • @davesit9256

    @davesit9256

    2 жыл бұрын

    Yes, that's how I use mine. I use the 82mm with a set of step up rings.

  • @super_slo
    @super_slo2 жыл бұрын

    No link to the polarizer video. Liking this one so far though!

  • @lanieanddillonadventure9656
    @lanieanddillonadventure96562 жыл бұрын

    Hoping tod will answer all out questions lol.

  • @januszciechowskiphotograph7297
    @januszciechowskiphotograph72972 жыл бұрын

    Hi nice video I see they have Kickstarter for that and they have option of buying there this set in 95mm size would you go for 95 or 82 ??

  • @dominey

    @dominey

    2 жыл бұрын

    Really depends on the lenses you plan on using. For me, 82mm is the largest size I require. That most likely won’t change, for I doubt a larger diameter RF lens will be in my future. I’d recommend doing research on any lenses you’re thinking of buying someday to see if they’re larger than 82.

  • @TheBigBlueMarble
    @TheBigBlueMarble3 жыл бұрын

    Freewell should be able to create a "tool" for removing the base filter. Something like a lens cap with much stronger magnets.

  • @dominey

    @dominey

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yeah, or some kind of spring-enabled latch would be great.

  • @carlosdias1158
    @carlosdias1158 Жыл бұрын

    Is that possible to stack the CPL with the VND 6-9stop?

  • @dominey

    @dominey

    Жыл бұрын

    Unfortunately no, the magnetized mounts won't stick together. That said, the VND base (inside the adapter) plus the density of the CPL creates about a 2-3 stop reduction in exposure, so just using those two may create enough density for your needs.

  • @raulfrancisco7049
    @raulfrancisco70493 жыл бұрын

    I want to buy the 82 size filter but I also have lens that are smaller size. Can I use any step up rings to attach the freewell filter?

  • @jaykfilms

    @jaykfilms

    2 жыл бұрын

    You sure can use step up rings to attach the base ring to your lenses!

  • @johnredwine
    @johnredwine2 жыл бұрын

    Great concept, Buuuuuut.....I had a magnetic filter system for a point and shoot camera and once you set your camera down anywhere near the ground/dirt it would pick up all of the magnetic debris (grime) from the ground. It was then very difficult to get the debris off of the magnet. Pain in the arse. I can see this magnetic system doing the same thing.

  • @neostephens8980
    @neostephens8980 Жыл бұрын

    Great video and nice system, but man, that seems like a lot of work. I just want to be able to snap one on and be done.

  • @SeanMiller318
    @SeanMiller3182 жыл бұрын

    Can you use the mist base filter alone, as a mist filter with no ND?

  • @dominey

    @dominey

    2 жыл бұрын

    Yep. I've used it this way numerous times.

  • @SeanMiller318

    @SeanMiller318

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@dominey Thanks.

  • @michaelfrymus
    @michaelfrymus Жыл бұрын

    I love the magnetic system. But the color casts just throw me off. Is there anything similar that's better for color accuracy with the magnetic system?

  • @dominey

    @dominey

    Жыл бұрын

    In the variable ND space, probably not. You might look into solid NDs for better color cast performance.

  • @Promikes
    @Promikes2 жыл бұрын

    and why do you prefer this over Magnetic fixed NDs from Freewell? you can stack them, and can swap them same fast... they just better? and you can combine them with CPL - so you can have any of the ND number + CPL, and there is no color cast i think? just curious to hear your opinion, thank you in advance... also classical 2-5 and 6-9 (non-magnetic) is good, because they have inner and outer thread - so you can add Diffusion or any thing else on top of the VND

  • @dominey

    @dominey

    2 жыл бұрын

    Main benefit is that these are variable NDs, not solid NDs. I prefer variable NDs for shooting run-and-gun video because they provide more flexibility when controlling exposure.

  • @Promikes

    @Promikes

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@dominey and what do you think about this system after sometime now? Did you switch to it?

  • @dominey

    @dominey

    2 жыл бұрын

    Yes. I use these for video. Still photography I prefer solid ND filter systems (like the PolarPro Summit).

  • @jessejayphotography
    @jessejayphotography3 жыл бұрын

    Does it cause any vignetting on a 16mm FF focal length?

  • @dominey

    @dominey

    3 жыл бұрын

    It depends on the camera body and lens (they're all a little different), but I didn't have a problem with vignette on my Canon EF 16-35mm at 16mm on my R5.

  • @jessejayphotography

    @jessejayphotography

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@dominey Ok good to hear. I was worried the stacking of the different filter elements would cause this.

  • @boredproductionsofficial
    @boredproductionsofficial2 жыл бұрын

    can I ask what is the brand of that mini tripod?

  • @dominey

    @dominey

    2 жыл бұрын

    They’ve changed the design a little (bought it a few years ago), but it’s made by Leofoto. Here’s the link: geni.us/5ELl

  • @boredproductionsofficial

    @boredproductionsofficial

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@dominey thanks Todd!

  • @TheTjark57
    @TheTjark578 ай бұрын

    would be nice to get these but at the moment you can only get the viarble ND with other filters for 400€ - dumb marketing, they would sell so much more for a reasonable price...

  • @aspiziri
    @aspiziri Жыл бұрын

    Corner of that tripod is so close to the edge of the table... had me concerned the whole time

  • @InkaShashinka
    @InkaShashinka Жыл бұрын

    Hi Todd. A year later, are you still using these? What are your long-term thought?

  • @dominey

    @dominey

    Жыл бұрын

    Great question. Yes, I’m still using them, but not always. Because these are VNDs, cross polarization can sometimes be a problem (where the edges of the frame get darker and/or lighter). So when I’m being really particular about video, I use solid NDs. For run and gun, quick stuff, vlogging, I use these VNDs.

  • @InkaShashinka

    @InkaShashinka

    Жыл бұрын

    @@dominey thank you very much. I’m afraid of the run n gun camera bounce and body hit that may make the magnets detach and fall. Nissi is looking good but the versatility of these seem to be pretty spot on

  • @rexplorer.official
    @rexplorer.official2 жыл бұрын

    Vnd sucks for the color cast. I bought the magnetic non-variable nd and screwed on the magnetic base onto a nisi true color vnd. This vnd system is a waste of money.

  • @johnsmith1474
    @johnsmith1474 Жыл бұрын

    The case is weird, the smaller filter rings are able to rub against the glass of the adjacent larger filter. Not a very convincing presentation, as the idea of adding haze is just also weird, as you can do that in post. The reason a slow working tripod landscape guy wants magnetic filters is to not disturb the setup, which may have been difficult to set up. So it's not all about run & gun. Someone should make filters that just attach like lens caps, to hell with both threads & magnets.

  • @jan_karan
    @jan_karan Жыл бұрын

    Todd these ND filters from Freewell are pure shit. While shooting the sky, you can see soo much vignete on just one side, also they have green/purple tint. They are pure crap.