This "K&F Concept 77mm True Color Variable Fader" is quite a well designed and constructed filter. It is a "twofer" in so far as it combines both a Neutral Density (ND) and a Circular Polarizing (CPL) filters into one easy to use screw-on device. The build quality is impressive, as have been the majority of K&F filters I've ordered over the last two year. Further, the filter comes packed in a leather case with a pull-out tab to slide the filter out for use.

If forced to find a fault it would only be that I wished the filter went further in its light reducing abillities. Having said that about its ND2 to 32 range, I must also heap praise on the filter for the orange finger putters which allow you to move the filter in gradual amounts instead of only being able to set the filter on full stops. Thus the combination of the CPL function (which cuts out reflections from water or stray light from unwanted directions) together with the ND function (which diminishes the amount of light entering onto the camera's sensor thereby allowing longer exposures) provides the ability to get smooth shots of such things as moving water without suffereing any glare from reflections.

The K&F brand of filters, as a whole and specifically this "K&F Concept 77mm True Color Variable Fader," are well made photographic filters that are true to size and perform their intended effect well. Comparing this filter to similar filters from other makers leaves me with the definite thought that for the cost, fit and effect the K&F filters perform quite well. This filter, specifically, is an impressive filter at a reasonable price and I think it is, if not a spectacular build, definitively better than the average. As such I think that the "K&F Concept 77mm True Color Variable Fader" is unquestionably a strong 4 star product which deserves a place at or near the top of anyone's comparison shopping list.

(Please see below for my rating criteria):

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Disclosure:

As noted by Amazon, I am part of the Vine Program which means that I acquire products at no cost in return for a truthful rating. However, although Vine Members pay nothing up front to get these free products they are considered by the Internal Revenue Service as taxable income at the full retail price at the time we get them and we, therefore, must pay taxes on these items.

On a more personal note I often read reviews for products I am considering buying and rely on those reviews that are detailed and come off as honest and full reviews on the product. I therefore try my best to give a true and honest review based on my own experiences with the product.

My Rating Scale:

1 star. This is the absolute lowest I can go and is a definite recommendation against being purchased.
2 stars. Less than average - having issues that I try to delineate in my review. I personally would not pay for this item.
3 stars. Average - neither great nor terrible. It will do the job it is supposed to do but without any obvious good or bad issues.I might or might not buy this item depending on the severity of my need or want.
4 stars. While the product is better than average it is not an excellent product. I would probably buy this product.
5 stars. Enough above average that it exceeds my expectations of how the product would and should perform. A product getting this rating is highly recommended.

Further middle ratings: The above explanation is the base of the recommendations I give in a review. Some ratings are further rated as soft (1/2 star below), solid (the star rating given) or strong (1/2 star above)

Great little filter made specifically for Cinematic effect.
I'm a professional photographer. I had written a rather lengthy 5 star review, but it was rejected for reasons I am not aware of. I recommend this filter if you are looking to soften the visual impact of your photos and video.

The filter has the size of 10x10cm, weighs 47.5 gr and is 2mm thick, so it matches the filter holder from the same company. Made of anti-reflective glass, it allows to eliminate the noise caused by artificial lights (that is, the yellow part that appears below in the photos of the Milky Way, due to the city's artificial lights). The difference without the filter is noticeable, although a good post-production process will keep the artificial light while the filter is fully cut. With long exposures for the Milky Way, the amount of light captured by the sensor decreases slightly, but the raw power is rich in information and makes it possible to recover the Milky Way and the whole starry sky. It's possible to overcome this (i.e. capture more light) by using a tracker star or taking multiple shots (in my case, without a tracker star, with an f2.8 to 11mm, the max time to not getting the movement of stars is 30seconds). Even in the city it does its job eliminating that yellowish gradient in the sky and bringing out the beauty of the night lights.

K&F has been making some really fantastic filters lately. The build quality of these devices is excellent. Precision machined brass rings thin enough not to interfere with the image but strong enough to protect your glass. They screw on very easily and the brass prevents unplugging and threading. The optical quality of the glass is excellent. There is no distortion whatsoever and the nebula filter gives your images a very subtle, dreamlike quality. In my opinion something that is really impossible in Photoshop or with digital editing. You get the realism and quality of a real optical effect and these look absolutely gorgeous. Some people may disagree, but I always prefer to do as much as possible in camera to avoid post-processing. And for videos, this is of course a time saver. Applying this subtle fog effect digitally to video is very processor intensive. This is a neat little way to soften facial features a bit for portraits, and I decided to take a portrait of this little guy. You can really see the difference around the eyes that the filter makes, in addition to the fact that it was very bright and this filter helped soften the shadows. This is a 1/4 crap so the effect is very subtle. Don't let the Black Diffusion name confuse you. This filter brightens your images by reducing contrast and softening highlights. It actually brightens the image up a bit, but in a way that doesn't blur. That's the beauty of real optical filters and not digital post-processing effects. This compares to my German filters, which I have paid a lot more money for in the past.

This filter is of very high quality, the glass is beautifully clear, the thread is very smooth-running and the grooves on the frame make it easy to grip. The effect is clearly visible. The photos look harmoniously soft, but remain sharp. Colors are not changed. Some of the "hardness" is removed from the images without being softened. The filter is stored in a simple plastic box with foam. Nothing special, but it's well protected. The scope of delivery also includes three cleaning cloths. All in all, this is a very good product, and the price is right. Everyone has to decide for themselves whether this filter is necessary. It is always an asset and the quality is top notch. That's why we're happy to give you full stars.

Apart from the blue stripe effect in the lens, the glass is very clear. I can't tell much of a difference when it comes to image quality with the filter off and on. The filter only seems to take effect when the conditions are right. I pointed it at really big bright objects and it doesn't seem to "prob". With smaller lights it comes into its own much more. Or maybe I'm just crazy.

I like that the filter is well built and made of good clear glass. It's interesting to play with the effect... you can get really extraordinary shots. The price is good for the quality... good value for money and a nice filter in your pocket

Everything perfect