This is the most useful review of ND filters on TH-cam, especially since you included the magnetic filters and looked at both photo and video. Impressive work!
Thanks for the review! I've been using the Polar Pro & Breakthrough Photography ND filters after all the issues with my Variable ND's. Both seem to be great but I'm probably going to just get all one brand so I have consistency.
Jeven Dovey That’s a great idea. I’ve been thinking the same if I were to buy an additional 4 or 6 stop solid ND. Would make a lot of sense from a video editing perspective to have consistent footage, regardless of which brand you chose.
If you asked me what I would choose, I think I would buy Freewell filters, because they were among the best in every category, except for vignetting (which can most likely be easily fixed with magnetic step up rings). Although you will have to spend a little extra money on these step up rings, I think the versatility that this magnetic mechanism gives is worth it. Other than that, great video! TH-cam is full of reviews about all sorts of VND's, but they are bad anyway, because they are variable, and that's it. Glad that I could find good video about solid nd filters, thanks for the content!
Excellent presentation, complete, comprehensive, and with qualitative conclusions. Qualities very difficult to find. No wasted verbiage, no stupid electronic music but with professional presentation. Been watching MANY reviews of ND filters. This one out ranks all others. I know the contest of over, but " Not all who wander are lost. "
Outstanding video! I enjoyed the various tests of different ND filters. I am in the market for new ND filters and you provided quality information for me to properly analyze more of the market. As a consumer, your findings prove to be valuable in my decision to move forward with my purchase. Thank you for a well thought out and informative video!
Thanks for the video. I also bought a bunch of filters and immediately decided to keep the B+W. The presentation may not be the best (a cheap plastic box) but the filter is top notch. German engineering at its best.
Great to hear! The B+W filter is incredible, but the company really needs to work on their packaging and presentation. Brands like PolarPro and Freewell are setting a new standard.
Outstanding video Todd ! I've learned more about ND filters and the effect that they have on our images ! But do you think that you might bring a review of the difference in-camera neutral density filters ? To give us some idea of the quality and the effects when using these type of ND filters . Thanks !
Hi Todd, Was researching ND filters for my video work and came across your video. Super helpful and answered all my questions. I will be buying one of the NDs in your review. Thanks a ton! Chris
This should be the standard of giving reviews! The verbiage, presentation, science, the planning, the structure, all that are well put together. Rather, some random feedback from a random photographer. Poeple should stop calling "reviews" from casual feedback. Definitely will be using your channel a standard basis.
Great review. I use Polar Pro filters, but one thing I DON'T like about them is the packaging. I like the case for the filter itself, but the paper packaging is excessive. Sure it is fancy, but tell that to the landfill that will receive it immediately after the package is opened. Much better would be nearly no packaging. Getting back to the filter case. Again it is nice, but the semi-transparent ones of the other manufactures has the advantage of being able to see if the case is empty or not before opening it. The similar case is smaller and stacks well. Compared to the fancy Polar Pro case, the simpler semitransparent ones have their own advantages. All the best.
Bravo. Finally, real information on nd filters. But viewing this comparaison at the end of 2023, I wonder if there would have had more magnetic filters if shot today. Magnetic filters seem to be THE go-to filters now. I wonder if B+W will jump on this trend. Would be fantastic.
Thank you for the thorough review! I must say, however, that I was surprised that Freewell did not win the "winter glove" award. I would have thought that the magnetic approach would be significantly easier than even the best brass threads. Is there something about the Freewells that prevents them from delivering on that potential?
Good point. The Freewell filters do mount quickly, but their rings are smoother and thinner. The notched PP and Breakthrough filters are easier to grab, but take longer to unthread. I think either option would work well with gloves.
Brilliant comparisons! Even if I don't win the competition at least now I feel much better informed about my upcoming purchase. First the sigma lens, now ND filters... You're a mind reader Todd. So glad I found your channel. 👍📷👍
Thanks for such a thorough review. I have Haida Nano Pro and the 10 stop and CPL are pretty good, and a reasonable price, but the 4 stop has a strong magenta cast…. Choosing filters is certainly not easy, especially with lots of compelling new products
Todd I love how you explain in detail each filter. I truly appreciate you taking the time and reviewing them. It helps me make an educated decision when purchasing.
I feel like I just went to class. I really appreciate that, I've been looking for a good break down on nd filters. Very very educational and well thought. Thank ya 🙏🏾
I'm just back into photography after 40 years of point and shoot. The occasion for this is that in retirement I'm volunteering for our local Conservation District as an Associate Board Member with a specialty in the control of invasive plants. I've been taking pictures of invasives for grants and we're hoping to produce training videos to assist other Conservation Districts and environmental organizations in techniques. Out off necessity I bought a Nikon Z50 for this purpose myself and I've been casting around for information to help me get up to speed on what it's going to take to produce decent quality content. I googled ND Filters because I didn't have a clue what they were. Low and behold it would seem that the ND Filter might be after the camera itself the single most critical purchase I make. Imagine my surprise and despair realizing that its purchase would amount to a significant piece of change. A long life has taught me that as with shoes with tools of any kind you buy the best you can afford and are well rewarded for the investment. I can use an old camcorder tripod, but where and how the light reaches the eye is where its at. This video conveyed its content clearly and beautifully. I'll practice and bring up my skill level up and buy the Polar Pro Quartzline I think. I'm hoping that you will do something equally helpful in the area of video editing or perhaps suggest other content providers who do. Many thanks
Rarely do I take time to comment on a video. THANK YOU for this excellent comparison. Not many people compare PolarPro to others, and I certainly appreciated it. I went with PolarPro ND1000 after watching this video; the B+W was very nice indeed, but the quartzline's durability and quartz optical clarity is hard to ignore. I've seen torture tests on the quartz filters they make and those things don't scratch easily. I almost wished you'd done a durability test on them at the end, that would've made this video go viral! Thank you again.
Just had a thought: would be interesting to see which still allowed the lens hood to fit on the lens with the filter attached, but that might be too different from lens to lens. I'm also looking at the Haida ND filters as I've seen good reviews on them.
Really been enjoying your channel. So far you’ve convinced me to buy the canon m50, sigma 16mm and now an nd filter. I’m stuck between the polarpro and the breakthrough x4. Wondering if you’re going to do another one on variable filters or if you think 3 stops is a good enough all around for my setup. I’d say one of my favorite quotes has always been “you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” I know it’s a sports quote but hey it applies to photography too! I’d be stoked to win
Thank your for your review. ND filters used to be simple....just get a 10X and bright sunlight. Manually focus then set manual settings and screw filter on. Now that I shoot photos and videos in a variety of settings, I need wisdom. You deliver wisdom. Thank you!
Way to go Tod. Second video of yours Ive watched. Top notch, Top Notch ! Appreciate the non bias review . Very helpful in helping me choose a filter system. Thank you for your effort!
Excellent comparison, this video didn't exist when I bought my ND's, I chose the Breakthrough Photography which turned out to be a solid choice and they're so easy to clean! Now I'm looking for 82mm filters and came across your video. Definitely going to watch more of your channel, well done!
Todd, thanks for the review! As usual, very informative, short, sweet, to the point. I've been looking to upgrade my filter system for a while, and you gave me some great ideas to think about!
Very good review! Thank you! I was looking for a variable nd but quickly realized that the drawbacks are not bare able. I like the magnetic system cause it seems to combine the ease of use of a variable nd with the picture quality of a fixed nd.
This was a great video. Even though there is no filter entry for this comment, I wanted you to know how great this video was and encourage you to keep them coming. Also, I'm a new subscriber!
Thanks for putting in the time to make this comparison. I have been planning to move away from variable ND filters and your review was awesome! and helpful.
Well done! Thorough and informative. I do some air show photography and a magnetic ND filter would be a godsend for quick switches between jet and rotary aircraft. Slower shutter speeds are necessary to show prop and rotor blur, and small apertures result in diffraction and more obvious sensor dust with plain sky backgrounds.
I own a 6 and a 10 stop X4 Breakthrough ND as well as 2 polarizing filters. I am quite happy with the quality and performance. These filter are also available in a magnetic version with it's own magnetic holder, that does not vignette!
This is becoming my favorite photography Channel on TH-cam so thank you, my favorite quote is "it's better to be a warrior in a garden than it is to be a gardener in a war." Whenever I'm feeling like a lazy little nerd that quote really gets me fired up to go workout
Very good and balanced review Todd. Since last few months I'm contemplating between Variable ND and ND filter, your review gave more detailed perspective on parameters to look for. Thank you for this video, informative and helpful.
Great review but I think the vignette test isn't accurate when you use a step up ring. Most of the filters are designed to handle 16mm but when you add just that tiny bit of width from a step up ring it can make all the difference. Personally if I was shooting with a step up ring I wouldn't use an ND at 16mm for that reason.
Really informative, thanks! But i was thinking you were also testing light transmissions, to see if the ND level declared by each filter matches reality or not! :-)
B+W NDs seems good (still have to check my shots with the 803 Master MRC nano pro) but only available in 2, 3, 6 and 10 stops. For video, 3 stops is often not enough to keep 1/50s even when shooting after sunrise or before sunset at f8, 640 ISO (cannot go under that value in FLOG). At least a stop value is missing between 3 and 6 stops. It would be very welcomed B+W releases a 4 stops Master MRC nano pro.
Dear Todd, a lot of effort for the extensive research and yet I discover a flaw in your whole story. The box in which the PolarPro filter is packed is NOT made of plastic but made of aluminum. It is a durable and giga protective packaging for an expensive investment with excellent results. Thank you for your effort and presenting the results. Greetings from the Netherlands.
This was a great video specially if your a beginner in photography. Very well examples given on the eight different filters. Thanks for the information.
Amazing job, thanks so much! 👏👏Saved me from a purchase that would have colours tweaked. I will just disagree with the PolarPro packaging enthusiasm; in a world with landfills, rivers and oceans full of plastic, unnecessary packaging for me just comes as a brand not environmentally conscious. Plus feels like I'm paying for fancy garbage whilst I'd rather have the product cheaper or that the company would invest the extra in research or better pay their people.
Thanks for the review. This is the only one I could find written or video that compared the B+W, Breakthrough X4, and PolarPro Quartzline. So thank you very much. I just got the Nikon Z 14-30 lens and I'm in the process of shopping for a high quality filter. Based on all the pros and cons, I'm going with the PolarPro.
Just like that the amount of respect i have for you good sir is insane. THANK YOU. The level of technical knowledge here is a gold mine. THANK THANK THANK YOUUUUU. this shit should not be free lol.... really i hope all who watch this get as much joy as i did with the level of depth you went into. very rare these days good sir.
I just purchased the 77mm Polar Pro ND 64 to be used on the Sony 24-105 G lens. Great review. Btw, I also have the B+W XS Pro n64 mrc 806 67mm which I really enjoy.
14:55 For the Freewell filter, during the test, you could have skipped the magnetic attachment ring and screwed the ND filter directly to the step-up ring. Just my 2 cents. By the way, excellent review.
what a PRO review Todd! thank you so much!!! this is a quote of Einstein "Life is like riding a bicycle, to keep your balance, you must keep moving" (its because i love bicycles) greetings from South America :)
Good information on filters. Have been looking for a direction to go in my landscape photography and adding the use of filters is a direction I wanted to try. Thanks
Hey everyone, did my research and found that the B+W XS-Pro Mrc nano is the best solid nd filter for photo and video if you don't want to use a variable ND filter. No color cast or vignetting. No effect on sharpness either. Hope this helps.
Hello. As a photographer I like to see innovation that helps the needs of photographers which is why I switched to Sony full frame mirrorless. I use a lot of square NDs (they do not get stuck) and I have been thinking about screw on NDs. The Freewell seems an excellent idea so I will be looking for reviews on this product. The following quote is my own and I use it everyday in my life. "Non of us are perfect, but we can all make steps to become closer to perfect".
I think Your Review is useful to me somehow and You explained very well the difference between these filters , I was looking for a good Variable Nd filter for my 24mm sigma prime lance to my wedding stuff. Thank you !
Just discovered your channel and this is the first video I've watched. I must say I quite enjoy how you thoroughly explain stuff. I enjoyed watching this! Thanks! I'll look through your whole video playlist haha
@@dominey Sweet! Looking forward to it! I have been looking online to find the differences between UV filters, ND filters, CPL filters and there's some new filter from Polar Pro coming out called PMVND (mist edition II)? I have no idea what the differences are between a ND filter vs UV filter.
What a great review. Did you post the Photoshop color difference results for each filter? Also, it is not clear whether you tested the Freewell filter with just the magnetic ring or with the UV filter ring.
Very interesting stuff! I'm very new to ND filters but you've certainly opened my eyes up hahah thank you for such a good giveaway, I've got my fingers crossed!
Very good review... I aspect is missed however: How easy / or not are they to clean. This is very frustrating with same filters coatings and very important factor to me.
Interesting because Polar Pro took a ton of flack for their excessive less than environmentally friendly packaging, so it has been dialed WAY back. B&W with Schott glass and brass fittings is clearly the best. The B&W is also $146 on B&H so... Also, Polar Pro is made in China so don't be too concerned about their bottom line. Also, also, the Breakthrough, Polar Pro, and B+W are now all about the same price.
If you're short on time and want to skip around, here are the timecodes for each section. By the way...can anyone name the vinyl figure in the color cast test? 02:47 - What are ND filters? 04:05 - ND filter designs 06:04 - Color cast test 09:16 - Video test 11:11 - Sharpness test 12:00 - Vignette test 16:33 - Winners 23:55 - Giveaway!
it looks like a Pepe to me :D because there is a lot of Ps in the color cheker at the leftside in the middle (like some kind of code) MSCCP PP E0817 in spanish two Ps read PEPE :) or you meant his real name XD
It wasn’t one of the top selling solid NDs so I didn’t include it in this review. I own and use the K&F variable ND, and it’s one of the better ones because it has hard stops at min/max values.
I enjoy your videos with the filters. What do you think about the Canon R5? Do you have any idea about the price of this new monster of a camera? I have an APC camera and I would like to grade to a full-frame. I can only hope it is not too expensive as everyone does have a budget. Keep on making these great videos!
Can we give a round of applause for the amount of effort he put into this video👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
This is the most useful review of ND filters on TH-cam, especially since you included the magnetic filters and looked at both photo and video. Impressive work!
Thanks for the review! I've been using the Polar Pro & Breakthrough Photography ND filters after all the issues with my Variable ND's. Both seem to be great but I'm probably going to just get all one brand so I have consistency.
Jeven Dovey That’s a great idea. I’ve been thinking the same if I were to buy an additional 4 or 6 stop solid ND. Would make a lot of sense from a video editing perspective to have consistent footage, regardless of which brand you chose.
"Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth." -Gautam Buddha
This is the most thorough and well produced review of ND filters I have ever seen. Bravo 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
If you asked me what I would choose, I think I would buy Freewell filters, because they were among the best in every category, except for vignetting (which can most likely be easily fixed with magnetic step up rings). Although you will have to spend a little extra money on these step up rings, I think the versatility that this magnetic mechanism gives is worth it.
Other than that, great video!
TH-cam is full of reviews about all sorts of VND's, but they are bad anyway, because they are variable, and that's it.
Glad that I could find good video about solid nd filters, thanks for the content!
Excellent presentation, complete, comprehensive, and with qualitative conclusions. Qualities very difficult to find. No wasted verbiage, no stupid electronic music but with professional presentation. Been watching MANY reviews of ND filters. This one out ranks all others. I know the contest of over, but " Not all who wander are lost. "
Outstanding video! I enjoyed the various tests of different ND filters. I am in the market for new ND filters and you provided quality information for me to properly analyze more of the market. As a consumer, your findings prove to be valuable in my decision to move forward with my purchase. Thank you for a well thought out and informative video!
Thanks for the video. I also bought a bunch of filters and immediately decided to keep the B+W. The presentation may not be the best (a cheap plastic box) but the filter is top notch. German engineering at its best.
Great to hear! The B+W filter is incredible, but the company really needs to work on their packaging and presentation. Brands like PolarPro and Freewell are setting a new standard.
@@dominey agree!
@@TechLineHD Can you use the lens hood with the B+W XS-Pro MRC-Nano ND? I read that this filter is slightly larger than the lens diameter.
Outstanding video Todd ! I've learned more about ND filters and the effect that they have on our images ! But do you think that you might bring a review of the difference in-camera neutral density filters ? To give us some idea of the quality and the effects when using these type of ND filters . Thanks !
Hi Todd, Was researching ND filters for my video work and came across your video. Super helpful and answered all my questions. I will be buying one of the NDs in your review. Thanks a ton!
Chris
This should be the standard of giving reviews!
The verbiage, presentation, science, the planning, the structure, all that are well put together.
Rather, some random feedback from a random photographer.
Poeple should stop calling "reviews" from casual feedback.
Definitely will be using your channel a standard basis.
Great review. I use Polar Pro filters, but one thing I DON'T like about them is the packaging. I like the case for the filter itself, but the paper packaging is excessive. Sure it is fancy, but tell that to the landfill that will receive it immediately after the package is opened. Much better would be nearly no packaging. Getting back to the filter case. Again it is nice, but the semi-transparent ones of the other manufactures has the advantage of being able to see if the case is empty or not before opening it. The similar case is smaller and stacks well. Compared to the fancy Polar Pro case, the simpler semitransparent ones have their own advantages. All the best.
This is an incredibly thorough, properly presented video of invaluable information. Todd, you are doing it right!
Bravo. Finally, real information on nd filters. But viewing this comparaison at the end of 2023, I wonder if there would have had more magnetic filters if shot today. Magnetic filters seem to be THE go-to filters now. I wonder if B+W will jump on this trend. Would be fantastic.
Thank you for the thorough review! I must say, however, that I was surprised that Freewell did not win the "winter glove" award. I would have thought that the magnetic approach would be significantly easier than even the best brass threads. Is there something about the Freewells that prevents them from delivering on that potential?
Good point. The Freewell filters do mount quickly, but their rings are smoother and thinner. The notched PP and Breakthrough filters are easier to grab, but take longer to unthread. I think either option would work well with gloves.
Brilliant comparisons! Even if I don't win the competition at least now I feel much better informed about my upcoming purchase. First the sigma lens, now ND filters... You're a mind reader Todd. So glad I found your channel. 👍📷👍
Cool. Thanks Stu. :)
Great and extremely useful video.
Would love to see the up-to-date version with new version of filters from manufacturers.
Thanks for such a thorough review. I have Haida Nano Pro and the 10 stop and CPL are pretty good, and a reasonable price, but the 4 stop has a strong magenta cast…. Choosing filters is certainly not easy, especially with lots of compelling new products
Todd I love how you explain in detail each filter. I truly appreciate you taking the time and reviewing them. It helps me make an educated decision when purchasing.
I feel like I just went to class. I really appreciate that, I've been looking for a good break down on nd filters. Very very educational and well thought. Thank ya 🙏🏾
Glad it was helpful!
Surprising result, thank you! Would take the polar pro filter, I think it’s the overall best value. Love your style and presentation, great videos!
I don’t know what to say, but believe me your channel will be one of the best on TH-cam. Continue, just keep going non stop.
I'm just back into photography after 40 years of point and shoot. The occasion for this is that in retirement I'm volunteering for our local Conservation District as an Associate Board Member with a specialty in the control of invasive plants. I've been taking pictures of invasives for grants and we're hoping to produce training videos to assist other Conservation Districts and environmental organizations in techniques. Out off necessity I bought a Nikon Z50 for this purpose myself and I've been casting around for information to help me get up to speed on what it's going to take to produce decent quality content. I googled ND Filters because I didn't have a clue what they were. Low and behold it would seem that the ND Filter might be after the camera itself the single most critical purchase I make. Imagine my surprise and despair realizing that its purchase would amount to a significant piece of change. A long life has taught me that as with shoes with tools of any kind you buy the best you can afford and are well rewarded for the investment. I can use an old camcorder tripod, but where and how the light reaches the eye is where its at. This video conveyed its content clearly and beautifully. I'll practice and bring up my skill level up and buy the Polar Pro Quartzline I think. I'm hoping that you will do something equally helpful in the area of video editing or perhaps suggest other content providers who do. Many thanks
Rarely do I take time to comment on a video. THANK YOU for this excellent comparison. Not many people compare PolarPro to others, and I certainly appreciated it. I went with PolarPro ND1000 after watching this video; the B+W was very nice indeed, but the quartzline's durability and quartz optical clarity is hard to ignore. I've seen torture tests on the quartz filters they make and those things don't scratch easily. I almost wished you'd done a durability test on them at the end, that would've made this video go viral!
Thank you again.
Just had a thought: would be interesting to see which still allowed the lens hood to fit on the lens with the filter attached, but that might be too different from lens to lens. I'm also looking at the Haida ND filters as I've seen good reviews on them.
And, I believe this has the most scientific approach to the ND filters in TH-cam. Thank you.
Hah - I tried! Glad it was helpful 🙏
Very well done, especially for us novice photographers. You deserve 100’s of 1000’s of followers.
I wish you could test Kase and K&F Concept Magnetic ND filters as well.
I’ve come full circle back to B+W, so thanks for helping me finally make a decision. Not so sure about the everyone-wins-a-prize ending.
Really been enjoying your channel. So far you’ve convinced me to buy the canon m50, sigma 16mm and now an nd filter. I’m stuck between the polarpro and the breakthrough x4. Wondering if you’re going to do another one on variable filters or if you think 3 stops is a good enough all around for my setup. I’d say one of my favorite quotes has always been “you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” I know it’s a sports quote but hey it applies to photography too! I’d be stoked to win
Thank your for your review. ND filters used to be simple....just get a 10X and bright sunlight. Manually focus then set manual settings and screw filter on. Now that I shoot photos and videos in a variety of settings, I need wisdom. You deliver wisdom. Thank you!
Todd- you are the best. This was so thoughtfully and thoroughly done I am speechless.
"You cannot depend on your eyes if your imagination is out of focus"-Mark Twain
Way to go Tod. Second video of yours Ive watched. Top notch, Top Notch ! Appreciate the non bias review . Very helpful in helping me choose a filter system. Thank you for your effort!
Excellent comparison, this video didn't exist when I bought my ND's, I chose the Breakthrough Photography which turned out to be a solid choice and they're so easy to clean! Now I'm looking for 82mm filters and came across your video. Definitely going to watch more of your channel, well done!
Todd, thanks for the review! As usual, very informative, short, sweet, to the point. I've been looking to upgrade my filter system for a while, and you gave me some great ideas to think about!
Very good review!
Thank you!
I was looking for a variable nd but quickly realized that the drawbacks are not bare able. I like the magnetic system cause it seems to combine the ease of use of a variable nd with the picture quality of a fixed nd.
This was a great video. Even though there is no filter entry for this comment, I wanted you to know how great this video was and encourage you to keep them coming. Also, I'm a new subscriber!
Thanks for putting in the time to make this comparison. I have been planning to move away from variable ND filters and your review was awesome! and helpful.
Well done! Thorough and informative. I do some air show photography and a magnetic ND filter would be a godsend for quick switches between jet and rotary aircraft. Slower shutter speeds are necessary to show prop and rotor blur, and small apertures result in diffraction and more obvious sensor dust with plain sky backgrounds.
Interesting! Thanks for the response.
Thank you for taking the time and effort to make objective tests.
I own a 6 and a 10 stop X4 Breakthrough ND as well as 2 polarizing filters. I am quite happy with the quality and performance. These filter are also available in a magnetic version with it's own magnetic holder, that does not vignette!
Love the X4 filters - so good 😍
Probably the best ND filters test and review! Thank you!!! Subscribed and added two on ND filters to my cart
This is becoming my favorite photography Channel on TH-cam so thank you, my favorite quote is "it's better to be a warrior in a garden than it is to be a gardener in a war." Whenever I'm feeling like a lazy little nerd that quote really gets me fired up to go workout
Awesome quote! Never heard that one.
THE ONLY VIDEO I"VE BEEN LOOKING FOR WITH NO SPONSORS! Loved the content. Keep pumping them up. You got my 100% attention . Liked and subscribed
Super helpful review. I definitely plan on buying my ND through your link above. Thank you!
Very good and balanced review Todd. Since last few months I'm contemplating between Variable ND and ND filter, your review gave more detailed perspective on parameters to look for. Thank you for this video, informative and helpful.
Glad I could help!
Great review but I think the vignette test isn't accurate when you use a step up ring. Most of the filters are designed to handle 16mm but when you add just that tiny bit of width from a step up ring it can make all the difference. Personally if I was shooting with a step up ring I wouldn't use an ND at 16mm for that reason.
Really informative, thanks! But i was thinking you were also testing light transmissions, to see if the ND level declared by each filter matches reality or not! :-)
B+W NDs seems good (still have to check my shots with the 803 Master MRC nano pro) but only available in 2, 3, 6 and 10 stops.
For video, 3 stops is often not enough to keep 1/50s even when shooting after sunrise or before sunset at f8, 640 ISO (cannot go under that value in FLOG).
At least a stop value is missing between 3 and 6 stops.
It would be very welcomed B+W releases a 4 stops Master MRC nano pro.
Great Review, very thorough. Was contemplating fixed vs. variable ND and zillion ND options out there. this helps narrow the field.
Thank you for the reviews and recommendation. Now we can pick the best ND without further research. Appreciate it.
Very pleasant and informative presentation. Profesional. Totally enjoyed watching this!
Thank you, THANK YOU! Finally, someone who did it! You've just saved me a lot of time and money
What a professional review!
Thank you so much!
I would love to see review on Nisi filters as well
Thanks! Would love to try them out sometime.
Dear Todd, a lot of effort for the extensive research and yet I discover a flaw in your whole story. The box in which the PolarPro filter is packed is NOT made of plastic but made of aluminum. It is a durable and giga protective packaging for an expensive investment with excellent results. Thank you for your effort and presenting the results. Greetings from the Netherlands.
The best overall video on the daunting task of picking a ND filter. I just ordered the B+W
Glad it was helpful! You'll love the B+W. Beautiful filter.
Looks like "Brass" and Vignette are the 2 deciding factors on my choice of filters from now on...
This was a great video specially if your a beginner in photography. Very well examples given on the eight different filters. Thanks for the information.
Amazing job, thanks so much! 👏👏Saved me from a purchase that would have colours tweaked. I will just disagree with the PolarPro packaging enthusiasm; in a world with landfills, rivers and oceans full of plastic, unnecessary packaging for me just comes as a brand not environmentally conscious. Plus feels like I'm paying for fancy garbage whilst I'd rather have the product cheaper or that the company would invest the extra in research or better pay their people.
Great comparison. Well done.
“Man, sometimes it takes you a long time to sound like yourself.”
― Miles Davis
xjester1975 Great quote. Applicable to many things.
Thanks for the review. This is the only one I could find written or video that compared the B+W, Breakthrough X4, and PolarPro Quartzline. So thank you very much. I just got the Nikon Z 14-30 lens and I'm in the process of shopping for a high quality filter. Based on all the pros and cons, I'm going with the PolarPro.
Glad you enjoyed it! the PolarPro filter is beautiful. You'll love it.
Thanks for this video! I first found you and subbed after watching your awesome review of the Sigma 16mm EFM lens.
Awesome review! Your review was very professional and educational I really enjoyed it keep making great videos!
Just like that the amount of respect i have for you good sir is insane. THANK YOU. The level of technical knowledge here is a gold mine. THANK THANK THANK YOUUUUU. this shit should not be free lol.... really i hope all who watch this get as much joy as i did with the level of depth you went into. very rare these days good sir.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Very nice review. I enjoy your channel and your straight forward reviews with good, unbiased info. Thanks
I just purchased the 77mm Polar Pro ND 64 to be used on the Sony 24-105 G lens. Great review. Btw, I also have the B+W XS Pro n64 mrc 806 67mm which I really enjoy.
Nice - you have two great NDs there!
14:55 For the Freewell filter, during the test, you could have skipped the magnetic attachment ring and screwed the ND filter directly to the step-up ring. Just my 2 cents. By the way, excellent review.
what a PRO review Todd! thank you so much!!! this is a quote of Einstein "Life is like riding a bicycle, to keep your balance, you must keep moving" (its because i love bicycles) greetings from South America :)
Thanks for the detailed review of many of the brands in the market. Definitely more than helpful.
Thanks for the comprehensive review! Stepping up my Landscapes and ND filters are a game changer!
Thanks for sharing this Todd. Could you do a similar video on Polarized filter would you recommend?
Great review, it comes really handy cause I’m looking into buying a ND filter!!
Great review and comparison , I will go for Polarpro as it have polarizier as well
You'll love it. It's a beautiful piece of glass. The notched brass ring is gorgeous.
So happy I saw your very informative video. Thank you for your time and the effort you put into your channel! You have a new subscriber!
I was surprised over the difference 😀Thanks for your nowlege.
Great Video nice Job you made best Videos I've seen in long Time Tremendous Time and Research to come out with this Video.
Very informative video, I liked the details of every Filter you showed. thank you!
Best ND Filter review out there! Thank you for not doing variable filters also
Good information on filters. Have been looking for a direction to go in my landscape photography and adding the use of filters is a direction I wanted to try. Thanks
I agree, the B+W filter looks the best.
Hey everyone, did my research and found that the B+W XS-Pro Mrc nano is the best solid nd filter for photo and video if you don't want to use a variable ND filter. No color cast or vignetting. No effect on sharpness either. Hope this helps.
Your voice and clear pronunciation are really nice to listen to!
Hello. As a photographer I like to see innovation that helps the needs of photographers which is why I switched to Sony full frame mirrorless. I use a lot of square NDs (they do not get stuck) and I have been thinking about screw on NDs. The Freewell seems an excellent idea so I will be looking for reviews on this product. The following quote is my own and I use it everyday in my life. "Non of us are perfect, but we can all make steps to become closer to perfect".
Perfect quote! ;) And yeah, I use square NDs when I'm patiently capturing landscapes with a tripod, but for other situations I prefer circular.
I think Your Review is useful to me somehow and You explained very well the difference between these filters , I was looking for a good Variable Nd filter for my 24mm sigma prime lance to my wedding stuff. Thank you !
Just discovered your channel and this is the first video I've watched. I must say I quite enjoy how you thoroughly explain stuff. I enjoyed watching this! Thanks!
I'll look through your whole video playlist haha
Nice! Glad you enjoyed it. Working on a follow-up to this video. ;)
@@dominey Sweet! Looking forward to it!
I have been looking online to find the differences between UV filters, ND filters, CPL filters and there's some new filter from Polar Pro coming out called PMVND (mist edition II)? I have no idea what the differences are between a ND filter vs UV filter.
Where there is much light the shade is deepest. - Goethe.
What a great review. Did you post the Photoshop color difference results for each filter? Also, it is not clear whether you tested the Freewell filter with just the magnetic ring or with the UV filter ring.
Very interesting stuff! I'm very new to ND filters but you've certainly opened my eyes up hahah thank you for such a good giveaway, I've got my fingers crossed!
Very good review... I aspect is missed however: How easy / or not are they to clean. This is very frustrating with same filters coatings and very important factor to me.
I'm so grateful for this review, helped me so much with making a decision!
Thanks a lot, keep up the amazing work!
Interesting because Polar Pro took a ton of flack for their excessive less than environmentally friendly packaging, so it has been dialed WAY back. B&W with Schott glass and brass fittings is clearly the best. The B&W is also $146 on B&H so... Also, Polar Pro is made in China so don't be too concerned about their bottom line. Also, also, the Breakthrough, Polar Pro, and B+W are now all about the same price.
Great review, I'm just about to buy a couple filters and you've helped me decide.
“Some days you just get lucky… Other days you wait patiently for luck to happen”
― Destin Sparks
If you're short on time and want to skip around, here are the timecodes for each section. By the way...can anyone name the vinyl figure in the color cast test?
02:47 - What are ND filters?
04:05 - ND filter designs
06:04 - Color cast test
09:16 - Video test
11:11 - Sharpness test
12:00 - Vignette test
16:33 - Winners
23:55 - Giveaway!
it looks like a Pepe to me :D because there is a lot of Ps in the color cheker at the leftside in the middle (like some kind of code) MSCCP PP E0817 in spanish two Ps read PEPE :) or you meant his real name XD
Thanks for this excellent review! Impressive work! Have you ever tested ND filter 10-stop Wine Country?
You’re welcome. :) Concerning Wine Country, haven’t tried theirs!
Awesome comparison, very informative, thank you. In your research did you come across the K & F Concept ND filter ?
It wasn’t one of the top selling solid NDs so I didn’t include it in this review. I own and use the K&F variable ND, and it’s one of the better ones because it has hard stops at min/max values.
Thank you so much for this video, definitely going for the X4 instead of the X2
I enjoy your videos with the filters. What do you think about the Canon R5? Do you have any idea about the price of this new monster of a camera? I have an APC camera and I would like to grade to a full-frame. I can only hope it is not too expensive as everyone does have a budget. Keep on making these great videos!