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Variable ND Filters Have a Design Problem. This One Fixed It.

Dunna Did It

28,926 views

Check out the Freewell Brandon Li VND/CPL here: https://geni.us/fwblvnd

Every variable ND I've owned had at least one of these problems: the X pattern, slow threading, carrying two filters to cover one range, polarization that shifts every time you touch your exposure, and filters that fall off the front of your camera. The Freewell x Brandon Li VND/CPL is the first system I've used that actually fixes all five, and in this video I break down exactly how, from the magnetic base ring to the mechanism-free locking design that I have not been able to knock off once.

Table of Contents:
0:00 The 5 Big Problems with VND Filters
0:22 Problem 1: The X Pattern & Hard Stops
1:33 Problem 2: Screw-On Hassle & Magnetic Swaps
2:48 Problem 3: Limited Stop Range & Stacking
4:32 Problem 4: Unwanted Polarization
6:41 Problem 5: Filters Falling Off & Locking Mechanism
8:24 Downsides & Room for Improvement
9:28 Final Verdict: The Best VND Filter?

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20 Comments

@ooppss5284 3 months ago

what about color cast?

@DJILLEE 3 months ago

This system created a new problem though. There’s a gap between 5 and 6 stops. At 2.8 1/50 640 I end up needing that range in middle to be adjustable. Usually 6 is too much and 5 is too little. Nisi solved this by having a 4 stop add on filter and that allows there to be overlap.

@GoodRebelCreative 3 months ago

What I want to see is a premium VND like this up against non-variable true ND filters. Changing filters is a chore yes, but the image quality of a nice ND is just so good. I want to see them side by side.

@cammackey 3 months ago

I haven’t watched a full video on a VND in a minute. Great work brutha. Concise and informative

@FreviniObsceni 3 months ago

Great vid! For Problem 4 I thought for sure you were going to say "skin tones." It's an issue I've noticed where skin looks almost lifeless at times. I will say that with the Nisi, I love the little metal screw in on the filter edge – it allows me to discretely adjust exposure without ruining my footage by risking putting my finger in front of the lens.

@EatSeeTV 3 months ago

The VND problem that drives me the craziest is the buyers remorse that hit when this dropped so soon after I bought the Freewell real locking system.
Great video as usual Dunna!

@lifewalklens8447 3 months ago

Great one indeed bro thank a billion for the insights

@FieldingSmith 3 months ago

I picked up a set when they had their launch pricing, and so far have found them to be pretty solid. I do some work around and on the water, so the locking aspect really appealed to me. My main gripes are that the cap doesn’t stay on very well when it’s just the step up adapter (always falling off in my bag), and that the provided case is bulkier than needed. Right now I’m keeping the vnd and +5 in the slim case that the mist filter came it.

@tylonblaslol 1 day ago

I feel like most of these VNDs don’t solve Slog3 at 800 ISO on a bright day though. Has anyone tested this one in SLog3 yet? I use a Smallrig Mattebox with CPL 1-3 and I still can’t get exposure under control.

@BTMovieSecondChannel 3 months ago

That mug is awesome!

@ImageMaven 3 months ago

I have the Freewell Magnetic filter set and I have never had a filter fall off. In fact I find them hard to separate. You can also easily stack them. But I have to watch out for the dreaded X and sometimes I don’t notice it when in the moment, especially if the weather is bad or windy when shooting stormy landscapes. But this system is worth a look, just for that rotation limit. Thanks.

@jakelarntz 3 months ago

I dont know how you got me to sit through an entire video about a VND, but you did. Never change my dude.

@eddietor_cine 3 months ago

I bought two of the locking systems just prior to the release of Brandon Li's version. Fun

@ClipCritics 1 month ago

I love the Brandon Li ND. They need to come up with a cap so when we take the nd off of camera we can have a magnetic cap for the back of it to put in our pockets. I know they give you that little bag, but that’s bullshit. Great ND filter very happy. For one price you basically get two lenses.

@paultom1 3 months ago

I just need some to make 86mm for my gmii 28-70 definitely worst thing about the lense and only issue is filter availability as i want to then buy step up rings for the others. Nightmare trying ti find one or set thats5vnd and magnetic

@RayCoxMedia 3 months ago

I'm using the NISI, no color shift and same same.

@rustyroy5385 3 months ago

More downsides you didn't mention (more related to filters in general than this specific filter):
Use of a filter / adapter ring larger than the native lens thread usually prevents you from using a lens hood.
Use of a filter / adapter ring larger than the native lens thread makes lenses physically larger so they take up more room in your bag and can be more awkward to get out / put in.
If you want to use some other filter, unless it is one that also uses the same locking magnetic mount, you're going to have to unscrew that magnetic adapter.
I can't speak for this particular filter, but I imagine a magnetic filter + adapter ring is going to stick out more and so be more likely to cause vignetting than the same filter in threaded mount.
If you want to stack with other screw-in filters you'll need to remove the magnetic adapter, screw your filter in, then add the adapter back and finally the magnetic filter.
Again, I'm not sure if it's the case for this filter, but often magnetic filters require an expensive magnetic lens cap rather than being compatible with cheap generic pinch lens caps.