Square Neutral Density Filters / What, Why and How

What are square neutral density filters, and how are they better than circular for landscape photography? In this video, I demonstrate how to use solid and graduated neutral density filters using the K&F Concept Square Filter System.
(Note: this video is not sponsored or paid for by K&F Concept, but they did provide me with the kit for demonstration purposes)
K&F Concept 100mm Square Filter System:
bit.ly/3gi2mGK
(Use code KF10US to get 10% off!)
More filters:
K&F Concept ND8 (3-stops): geni.us/6DBinH
K&F Concept ND64 (6-stops): geni.us/bdPYVn
K&F Concept Soft Graduated ND8 (3-stops): geni.us/DAQyB
△ Check out my gear: kit.co/todddom...
△ Subscribe to this channel: bit.ly/ToddDomi...
△ Follow me on Instagram: / dominey
△ Buy a print: dominey.photo/...
△ All music via Musicbed. Get one month free here: www.musicbed.c...
△ Favorite photo backup service: bit.ly/3dq17nz
△ Say hello: [e-mail]

[@Jwitherow1964]

I just got my kit and your video is so helpful and I am also a Ga man. Glad I found your Chanel sir. God Bless and keep up the great work. Much appreciate

[@mikepiper1633]

very nicely spoken man, video excellent for an amateur learning Digi photography, will watch more. Thank you.

[@miahoover9225]

I just bought the K&F Concept kit, plus a graduated ND filter and a reverse graduated ND filter and a 6 stop filter and I was wonder ing how to use them. I knew what they were used for, but I needed an actual explanation of how to use one of these really nifty filters. You explained it in a way I could understand.

[@dominey]

Mia - you would use the solid, 6-stop filter for shooting at slower shutter speeds. That's the one you'd use to blur water like I did in the video. The graduated NDs are used to gradually darken the top of your image or the bottom depending on which way you insert them. They are most often used when the sky is much brighter than the middle/bottom part of the image, or vice versa. The graduated filter is like a fine grade of sandpaper you'd use after getting everything else how you want it.

[@MikeWangCoaching]

I love how clearly you explain things in your videos for people like me haha. I've never used square filters before so this video was helpful to learn about them. Thanks!

[@JohnHayesOnLine]

Excellent video, you explained everything so well. Sold on square filters . Thanks very much

[@dsrjohnstone]

Great video. Very informative and your delivery is excellent. Thank you for sharing.👍

[@bradbarth6637]

Todd, I'm way late to the party, but thanks for your awesome videos. I just checked out the filter system and I'm sold. Not sure if this is a new development or not, but it looks like they sell frames for the filters, which I'm hoping will help with the pesky fingerprint problem you mentioned.

[@aledrees5385]

Really well explained! Thanks

[@KTValley590]

Thanks, I really enjoy your video, simple ,easy to understand, and interesting to watch and learn :)

[@KTValley590]

Hi Todd, Can you also put a CPL filter with this K&F System ? Thanks

[@raymondchen6906]

Hi Todd, thanks for the video, it definitely explains the advantages of using a square filter system. Could you quickly go over why the square or fixed ND system is better suited for long exposure photography versus using a variable ND filter? I’ve seen some videos here on TH-cam where using variable NDs has been advised against but it wasn’t clearly explained as to why. Thanks!

[@dominey]

Great question Raymond. Variable NDs are different than solid NDs because they use 2 panes of polarized glass. Those glass panes rotate at opposing angles when turning the filter. That is what creates the darkening effect. Unfortunately, the quality just isn't as good, for variable NDs can cause color shifts or (even worse) the dreaded blue "X" or cross shape when turned too far (which ruins your footage or photo). Solid NDs don't have those problems, and though you lose the variable density control, they are far more predictable and higher quality.

[@romanajansen9750]

did I see het correctly that you already have a filter on the lens before mount the filter holder? I will buy this filterkit but will also use a CPL filter at the same time (CPL also from K&F)

[@rsadeghian]

Great video. Thank you for putting these together. I have a similar setup but often I find myself shooting with my ultra wide angle lense using 100x100 filter but also need my telephoto lens to capture objects such as flock of birds flying away into the sunset. Obviously, it's hard to switch the filter between the two cameras. For my telephoto, I purchased a screw-on grad ND filter.l instead of two 100x100 filter system. Can you think of any alternative setup?

[@lindamuir921]

Just starting out doing long-exposures and have ordered the K&F Concept square ND1000 filter kit and awaiting its arrival. My question is with other brands of graduated ND filters fit the K&F filter holder? Reason for asking is the graduated filter I want, is out of stock so wondering if I can use another brand? Thanks in advance.

[@JesseKaufman]

any 100mm wide filters will fit that holder, regardless of brand