77mm True Color Variable ND2-32 (1-5 Stops) and CPL Circular Polarizing Lens Filter 2 in 1 for Camera Lens Neutral Density Polarizer Filter Nano-X Series
SKU: KF01.2573
This is a really well-made filter and does a great job as a variable ND filter. The manufacturer provides a strong warranty and I'm happy with the purchase.
Now, about the packaging. There's a lot of it and it can't be inexpensive. The unit comes in a very nice box. I hated tossing it away. In the box is a leather case, also well-crafted. I'd have to think that this adds a dollar or two or three to the total price. I would have been happy with a lint free microfiber bag. I would protect the filter and fit better in my case. Maybe reduce the price a bit.
Now, about the packaging. There's a lot of it and it can't be inexpensive. The unit comes in a very nice box. I hated tossing it away. In the box is a leather case, also well-crafted. I'd have to think that this adds a dollar or two or three to the total price. I would have been happy with a lint free microfiber bag. I would protect the filter and fit better in my case. Maybe reduce the price a bit.
22/04/2024
K&F are renowned for producing high quality photographic filters and the True Color variable ND (“VND”) with a strength of 2 – 32 (i.e. 1 – 5 stops) filter is no different.
I ordered the K&F VND for video work rather than stills photography where having the 1 – 5 stops is perfect for keeping the 180 degree shutter rule when I am out shooting run and gun style. The K&F VND filter negates the need to having to mess around with having to swop out several filters which is ideal for my shooting style.
The build quality of the K&F VND is superb. It is made from top quality materials that are well machined and nicely finished. The rotating mechanism is tight enough to stay in place and avoid being moved by accidental knocks but not so tight it is difficult to rotate. In addition, the rotating mechanism is really smooth, which is needed for neat transitions.
The K&F VND has a protruding tab, rather than the conventional serrated edges, which makes adjusting this filter super quick and easy. This tab means I can focus on the screen and what I am doing rather than fumbling around trying to change the setting.
In my experience all filters affect the image quality to some degree and the K&F VND is no different. The reduction in image quality is minimal when using the K&F VND for video work and it is barely noticeable, even when using the filter at the strongest 5 stop setting. One thing I will say about the K&F VND is that there are no colour casts, at any setting, so the “True color” in the product description is accurate.
At £71.99 (at the time of review) the K&F True Color VND filter isn’t cheap, and is actually priced at the higher end of the market. This is to be expected and I think it is always worth to dig a bit deeper for quality filters to maintain the best image quality rather than use cheaper and inferior filters that are going to affect the image quality and potentially render the footage unusable. Using the K&F VND I can shoot with the confidence the image quality of my footage is going to be virtually as good as using no filters at all.
Overall, the K&F True Color VND is an excellent filter and one I highly recommend for capturing video footage. It is tough and durable. It is well made and has a smooth action. The protruding tab makes changing settings quick, efficient and fuss free. Okay, it’s on the expensive side but it is definitely worth the extra and very good value for money.
Disclaimer: I am privileged enough to be part of the Amazon Vine program and as such I have the opportunity request products that I would find useful/potentially buy to road test in exchange for an honest review. I am not paid for this and all of my reviews are unbiased and based on my own experience.
I ordered the K&F VND for video work rather than stills photography where having the 1 – 5 stops is perfect for keeping the 180 degree shutter rule when I am out shooting run and gun style. The K&F VND filter negates the need to having to mess around with having to swop out several filters which is ideal for my shooting style.
The build quality of the K&F VND is superb. It is made from top quality materials that are well machined and nicely finished. The rotating mechanism is tight enough to stay in place and avoid being moved by accidental knocks but not so tight it is difficult to rotate. In addition, the rotating mechanism is really smooth, which is needed for neat transitions.
The K&F VND has a protruding tab, rather than the conventional serrated edges, which makes adjusting this filter super quick and easy. This tab means I can focus on the screen and what I am doing rather than fumbling around trying to change the setting.
In my experience all filters affect the image quality to some degree and the K&F VND is no different. The reduction in image quality is minimal when using the K&F VND for video work and it is barely noticeable, even when using the filter at the strongest 5 stop setting. One thing I will say about the K&F VND is that there are no colour casts, at any setting, so the “True color” in the product description is accurate.
At £71.99 (at the time of review) the K&F True Color VND filter isn’t cheap, and is actually priced at the higher end of the market. This is to be expected and I think it is always worth to dig a bit deeper for quality filters to maintain the best image quality rather than use cheaper and inferior filters that are going to affect the image quality and potentially render the footage unusable. Using the K&F VND I can shoot with the confidence the image quality of my footage is going to be virtually as good as using no filters at all.
Overall, the K&F True Color VND is an excellent filter and one I highly recommend for capturing video footage. It is tough and durable. It is well made and has a smooth action. The protruding tab makes changing settings quick, efficient and fuss free. Okay, it’s on the expensive side but it is definitely worth the extra and very good value for money.
Disclaimer: I am privileged enough to be part of the Amazon Vine program and as such I have the opportunity request products that I would find useful/potentially buy to road test in exchange for an honest review. I am not paid for this and all of my reviews are unbiased and based on my own experience.
22/04/2024
Great combination of my most used filters. I do a lot of automotive works, and having a good circular polarizer is a must for cutting down on paint glare, and the ND is great for getting the shutter to slow down for panning shots.
This filter is well made with clean optics, and it screws on and off nicely.
Easy to adjust and has a good range of ND.
I take this filter everywhere now, and it's my new favorite!
This filter is well made with clean optics, and it screws on and off nicely.
Easy to adjust and has a good range of ND.
I take this filter everywhere now, and it's my new favorite!
21/04/2024
I love gear that enables me to cut down on the amount of stuff that I have to bring. This filter features both ND and CPL. The knob on the side of the filter can conveniently swap between stops. The glass looks, feels and performs exceptionally. So far I'm loving the results I'm getting from it.
15/04/2024
As a rule, I do not write reviews that simply repeat the product page verbiage. That’s for you to read before you decide to buy. I am also getting away from what, where, when, who, and how of gizmos. I assume that if you are buying a gizmo, you know what it does and then decide if you can use it – for whatever.
For me, ND and CPL filters are mandatory for landscape photography in so far as they can accomplish what post-processing cannot. This pairing offers the best of both worlds in a single filter without introducing aberrations or vignetting except with wide-angle lenses. With my Nikkor AF-S FX lenses, I will get very slight vignetting with this combo or other stacked filters at f/4, 16mm; it disappears at 21mm. The vignetting is so slight that, if desired, post-processing readily eliminates it so there is no need to stop down.
I have used filters with film photography for decades without experiencing any of the alleged deleterious aberrations/effects. For me, digital photography is no exception. In fact, most photographers and authors agree that there is no data to suggest that filters introduce aberrations except for, possibly, ghosting. I have a few K&F filters and have never been disappointed. In other words, relax and have fun creating with this combo.
To some conflicting reviews.
Cannot use lens shade/cap – or – the lens cap fits fine. (Depends on . . ..)
Color shift – or no color shift. (Looks like one instance of underexposure to me.)
No stops between ND options – or – nice that there are no stops between ND options. (Food vs. poison)
So, a filter combo to afford one the ability to adjust/correct exposure in a variety of situations - for me, landscape photography. If you are a regular user of ND and CPL filters, then this combo might make your efforts a bit easier.
For me, ND and CPL filters are mandatory for landscape photography in so far as they can accomplish what post-processing cannot. This pairing offers the best of both worlds in a single filter without introducing aberrations or vignetting except with wide-angle lenses. With my Nikkor AF-S FX lenses, I will get very slight vignetting with this combo or other stacked filters at f/4, 16mm; it disappears at 21mm. The vignetting is so slight that, if desired, post-processing readily eliminates it so there is no need to stop down.
I have used filters with film photography for decades without experiencing any of the alleged deleterious aberrations/effects. For me, digital photography is no exception. In fact, most photographers and authors agree that there is no data to suggest that filters introduce aberrations except for, possibly, ghosting. I have a few K&F filters and have never been disappointed. In other words, relax and have fun creating with this combo.
To some conflicting reviews.
Cannot use lens shade/cap – or – the lens cap fits fine. (Depends on . . ..)
Color shift – or no color shift. (Looks like one instance of underexposure to me.)
No stops between ND options – or – nice that there are no stops between ND options. (Food vs. poison)
So, a filter combo to afford one the ability to adjust/correct exposure in a variety of situations - for me, landscape photography. If you are a regular user of ND and CPL filters, then this combo might make your efforts a bit easier.
09/04/2024
I've compared this nd filter along side another camera with no filter and when you bring the nd filter to the max, you can see a slight color shift. White balance ends up being a little different between the two cameras, but it's not a huge deal. Easy fix in post. Other than the color shift, the operation of the tool is easy to use. The orange tabs are easy to find and move when you want to adjust the VND. If you want to adjust the CP then you just twist the whole thing. These filters are really nice to reduce filter stacking and will cause less distortions and vignetting because there's less things in front of the lens. If you need a VND and CP in one, then this is a good filter in a decent price range.
05/04/2024
This review is for the 2-in-1 True Color ND variable and CPL polarizing filter from K&F Concept's X series (Nano-X).
The advantage of combining dual functions of ND and CPL is the ability to quickly adjust both amount of light and polarization, usually a challenging situation faced outdoors near lakes, pools, or reflecting glass surfaces like high rise windows. The variable ND has 5 stops (ND 32, 16, 8, 4, 2) and rotates infinitely. K&F promises no "X" cross on images. The construction is AGC optical glass with 28 multi-layer plus titanium coating to reduce glare but produce true color with no yellowing.
The 77mm circular filter is lightweight and machined extremely well with an interesting orange tab on each side of the circle for fast adjustments. You grab either tab that is convenient, they both adjust the ND stops.
I was able to easily twist this onto the front of a step-up ring that I have on my Sony alpha 5100.
It's an older camera but the pictures have always been great when using the right combinations of lens and filter. I can confirm that this truly delivers the easiest experience for quickly getting a high quality image by adjusting for light and polarization in one filter.
With the proper assortment of step-up rings, your investment in this filter can pay off by using it on multiple devices you may own. To protect your investment, it comes in a nice faux leather case. This is an outstanding ND + CPL combo for quality images in many outdoor situations and the sliding tab makes adjustment so easy.
The advantage of combining dual functions of ND and CPL is the ability to quickly adjust both amount of light and polarization, usually a challenging situation faced outdoors near lakes, pools, or reflecting glass surfaces like high rise windows. The variable ND has 5 stops (ND 32, 16, 8, 4, 2) and rotates infinitely. K&F promises no "X" cross on images. The construction is AGC optical glass with 28 multi-layer plus titanium coating to reduce glare but produce true color with no yellowing.
The 77mm circular filter is lightweight and machined extremely well with an interesting orange tab on each side of the circle for fast adjustments. You grab either tab that is convenient, they both adjust the ND stops.
I was able to easily twist this onto the front of a step-up ring that I have on my Sony alpha 5100.
It's an older camera but the pictures have always been great when using the right combinations of lens and filter. I can confirm that this truly delivers the easiest experience for quickly getting a high quality image by adjusting for light and polarization in one filter.
With the proper assortment of step-up rings, your investment in this filter can pay off by using it on multiple devices you may own. To protect your investment, it comes in a nice faux leather case. This is an outstanding ND + CPL combo for quality images in many outdoor situations and the sliding tab makes adjustment so easy.
04/04/2024
The ideal of combining these two commonly used filters into one is genius. I really like all of their filters, but the convenience of this is fantastic. Works great on my 24-70. I don't see any color shift or image degradation. Adjustments operate very smoothly. This one is always in my bag now when I go out to do landscape photography.
03/04/2024
The filter comes in a plastic carrying casing with high quality foam to protect it. The filter is a tight fit in the case so you can be sure once stored it wont move around or get damaged during transit. The filter itself feels to be of good built quality with metal frame holding the glass in place. I like the lever to adjust the stops, the action is smooth and will not move on its own. I would have preferred if K&F included a lens cap just in case, I wanted to leave the filter on the camera. Considering the price, the image quality is comparable to high end products. I found the image quality to be excellent as I did not notice any chromatic aberration, loss of definition or the dreaded X from graduated filter. You can see some product and some test images I did at home to test the product. I hope you found this useful, if so, please vote positive below
30/03/2024
Great kit for long exposure. If your shooting in bright sunlight it's a great help.
30/03/2024