49 mm Variable ND Filter ND3-ND1000, Ultra-thin HD, with Double-sided 28-layer Nano-coating, Nano-Xcel Series

SKU: KF01.2004

  • 83.99
Overall Rating 4.9   41
Reviews
5
Nice and robust filter, which can also be operated with gloves well
I'm using the 52mm variant on a Sigma C 35mm/1.4 for Sony and consequently can only say something about it.

In brief:
(+) good sharpness and color fidelity
(+) good workmanship and feel
(+) improved adjustment by grip lever (no problem even in cold weather with gloves)
(+) stepless and versatile
(+) nice and practical leather bag for storage

The first question I had was how the sharpness and color fastness would be with the variable ND filter. Here I have made in the past with other products so bad experiences that I ended up using these filters only in extreme emergencies. You can achieve such beautiful results with ND filters. Wouldn't it be nice not to have to carry around 5 different filters and still get good results?

Besides the use in filming, the filter is for me especially for long exposures (eg at the water) and open-aperture shots in sunlight of interest.
In all three cases, the filter can be used well. The only thing you have to be aware of is that you can no longer use the lens hood due to the small handle lever.
The operation works so well with this lever that you can also use and change the ND-FIlter while filming. On the tripod one notices then also no shakiness.

The SHARPNESS is surprisingly good and also color changes / color casts / etc. I could not determine. Therefore, there is already a big plus here.

The ND value can be adjusted continuously. Thus, however, the actual value is not recognizable. There is a scale with small squares, which are in the right place even when the filter is screwed on - but this does not replace an exact indication. So if you want to be a hobby mathematician and calculate exactly how to adjust exposure time and aperture, you will have a hard time.
For me personally, however, this does not matter in practice. I simply take a few minutes more time and, in case of doubt, achieve the desired result by trial and error.
Particularly when filming, however, I can already see in the live view what the result will be and here the filter only serves to adjust the final exposure for me. It fulfills this purpose very well.

The workmanship is of high quality. The filter is not the lightest or thinnest, but seems very robust, goes easily but not too easily and especially the thread can be screwed on without the hooking and canting, which one has otherwise often with filters. The screwed handle element underlines the high-quality condition of the filter and supports the already pleasant feel once again in a special way.

I also find the stylish leather case successful. It is designed to be quite valuable and the filter can be taken out of the bag easily and without fumbling through a simple mechanism. to do this, you simply pull on a strap on the side, which runs through the bag and thereby pushes the filter upwards.

Conclusion:
Good filter that delivers surprisingly good results and is very pleasant to use.
The workmanship and quality leads to a very good price-performance ratio.
06/11/2022