I like the fact that they make all filters fit the base plates. For a while I said to myself “they just want people’s money” because you always had to buy a new filter for a new lens depending on the size, not anymore! Great video!
Just fyi, with other screw in filters you can also pick up step up rings so that you can adapt other filter sizes too. That’s kind of built into the premise here but you could technically do it before too!
This seems super cool! I feel like the problem is that for it to actually be convenient, you need most of your filters to be maglock. I love Polarpro filters, and have a bunch already so it doesn't really make sense to repurchase the same exact filters. It looks so sick though, Polarpro's defender360's already made it super easy to store and screw/unscrew filters, but the magnet ones are so much faster still. Maybe if there was a way to adapt a threaded filter 🤔
Such a good video! Super detailed and well made. Thank you! I did have a question. Was the 67mm to 82mm jump with the base plate annoying with some of your smaller lenses?
So I've been using the 2-5 kit with 4 bases across 4 lenses and the the 2-5 adjustment on the ND is so tight sometimes that it actually engages the removal of the ND from the base. It's happening across all bases and it's super annoying. Imagine the ND at 2 and grab the rubber knurling to adjust from 2 to 3... but t remains in the 2 position but pops the 'maglock' off of the base... really annoying. The notches at each number is not ideal. I get why we want the hard stops but a softer turning experience during ND adjustment would be better. I've already contacted polar pro and they're sending me a replacement (great customer service) and they've said they had a few reports of this issue but nothing that would warrant a recall. For reference, I'm not a professional filmmaker/gear reviewer. I'm just a nobody who does video as a hobby. I've had my maglock kit for 2 weeks and used it for 3 weddings and it was more of a headache than not during each. If you want these and have the chance to try them locally first hand, do so. None of these commercials seem to have run into the problems I've had.
One of the best intros for photo gear in a long time! The big issue I see is how much room these take up, even with all the boxes gone. I'll stick with MAVEN filters.
I was hoping to see some image quality tests since you normally do those, though I just realized that this was a sponsored video. PolarPro is pretty famous for bad color shifting in their VNDs since they use two circular polarizers instead of combining a linear and a circular or using two linear polarizers. Drastically undermines their value and I can't find ANYONE who has tested this on these new filters. That opening scene cracked me up, by the way lol
So I bought & return this here is why. I have been Freewell Magnetic users for a long time although it has disadvantage of not locking feature but it has advantage of all those additional features like CPL, ND32/CPL, I can switch 6-9 on the same base. so i bought polarpro except that locking system i did not found anything special in these it is basically a K&F magnetic vnd begin sold for USD 100 (without locking feature) those are exactly the same you cannot use the opposite side of the filter & do not have any additional features like Freewell do with polarpro you expect to spend anywhere beyond USD 1000+.
Question, I have the original Peter McKinnon variable ND with a screw mount to the lens. It is everything you said about convenience, especially for shooting video when one wants to maintain both the shutter angle and aperture as the light changes during continuous recording. That said, I stopped using the PK VND filter after the first couple of shoots due to the fact that changing the ND level also changes the white balance. This is a polarization issue that (I believe) affects all VND filters and is the one issue that negates whatever positives there are to variable ND filters (in my opinion). For this reason I have stuck with single-value ND filters and use ISO to the extent possible to accommodate illumination changes during long clips. Can you please comment on the effect changing the ND level using these new VND filters have on white balance? Thank and and great review (as usual).
Great video! Need your recommendation! I’m just shooting stills, no video, but need polarization and ND’s. Would you get individual filters or the Peter McKinnon combo filter? Thanks!
BRB gonna go hover on PolarPro's site for a sale. Also love the crisp B-Roll at Fisherman's Wharf, it's not easy to get a clean shot like that over there 😅
I always appreciate your videos and this one is no exception. Here is the question. As i understand that you buy what you need, having collected quite a collection of Polar pro filters. What is to sell me on spending 1800 plus (rings and addons pushing the price higher) to upgrade to a system like this? it's a good design and a high-quality idea the execution is great but is it worth it?
is it any cap for the lens when you take the filter off? so you can put away the filter, then just use the camere without a filter and have cap for the lens?
I ordered a CP for my GMII 24-70. How will this work with the lens hood? Can you still put it on and take it off or do you need to remove the filters prior?
I would assume that a system like this would eliminate the possibility of ever using a lens hood? is there a work around im missing or a type of hood that would work even with this system?
I bought freewell a few years ago. Unfortunately, I ordered the threaded vnd with a magnetic lens cap instead of the magnetic lens. Polar pro is a few pay grades above my budget. Maybe one day though. Thanks for the info in this video.
I always have a clear out a mist filter on my lens for protection. I'm wondering if i have one on my lens, and then the magnetic mount on top, then an ND filter, if it'll be too thick and if it'll vignette too much. I'm looking at the photo version. Wish they had an option to have the magnetic mount with a clear, mist, or empty
Great intro, Dunna. Not sure if you know this but Freewell came out with the magnetic VND system....a long time ago. This PolarPro setup is the exact copy of Freewell. I've used the Freewell system for over a year now. There are no scratches and my filters never fall off (even in my bag). Freewell system changed the game. This is not revolutionary at all. In fact the only different is that PolarPro is more money. I know this is a sponsored video but you should let people know they have other choices.
It’s somewhat different from the freewell. The freewell vnd filter comes in three parts, the base ring, the vnd base and the rotating vnd. That’s two pieces of glass to remove instead of one. It’s slower and it’s hard to hold both pieces while quickly grabbing a photo. You also can’t stack filters on top of the freewell, so to use mist you have to remove the rotating vnd and replace it with the mist vnd base. The polar pro is simpler and more efficient for quick shooting
Definitely it’s something they got out of my brain because, i swap vnd to shoot with different lens and for photos. Problem is I just bought whole stack of Mist and nornal Vnd with Mist. Haha Common tough decision to make.
Dose anyone know if we can stack a PL filter on a ND or a ND on a PL so that the PL ist working ? I shoot a lot of cars an i need a way to use a PL with a ND. I know there is the option to buy the ND/PL 64 or the 1000PL variant but i don’t want to buy a ND 2-5 and a ND 6-9 and all 3 ND/PL 8 - 64- 1000. I’m gonna be out like 1500€. Can anyone who has the filter test it and maybe reply … thanks in advance.
Question: why doesn't the base plate have a UV filter, so you can add the ND filters on top, but the UV filter protects the lens. I must be missing something, because I can't find a system that has a UV filter.
There's one downside though. With my normal Polar Pro PMVND 82mm I can screw it straight on to my 24-70 GM lens, and then use step up rings for my 67mm lenses. With this new setup, I know need to screw on a 82mm base plate to my 24-70, I can't just screw it on directly. Also looks like it doesn't come with a 67mm base plate, which is a bummer.
Great video but I’m confused about something - the 2-5 VND kit comes with a 77mm and 82mm base adapter, but what about 67mm? Does that mean it comes with 67mm by default if I bought a 2-5vnd without the kit?
@@philrodfilms Well the set is for the set sizes, so why would you buy the set for a size you don't need, just get the 2-5 vnd non set and the 67 adapter separately.
@@realMysta I was trying to figure out what the set comes with but I figured it out. For what it’s worth, great quality. Been using it for a bit and they’re really well made.
Lens hood compatibility?? By appearances one would have to toss out the lens hood to be able to use this system. Is this correct? If so, seems like a bad compromise...hoods help protect the lens frontend in a big way. Also...what's the purpose of the lock mechanism? I thought the awesome benefit is that it's a magnetic system. If there's a lock, why are magnets even involved?
I’d be interested to see how the polarisation effect of vnds performs. Not being able to rotate the rear element on a filter makes shooting both horizontal and vertical shots look totally different due to the change in the polarisation effect.
@@coffeewithdamian all vnds are polarisers. They are two polarisers stacked on top of each other. Static nd filters are your only option or the electronic internal nd on some cameras.
@@kittparker4161 so there is no way to get top quality footage with vnd filter really? Should I get like fixed 6stops with no polarization for outdoor shooting?
I basically never use a hood anyway and I've never run into issues that bothered me too much. Unfortunately, I'm not aware of any way to use a hood with these.
Cool video. It pretty much sums all options. I do like the system. It's a great product. However... it is on the expensive side. Especially because of all the bits and pieces around it. I totally get it for professionals. (especially because all the good 2.8 lenses are 82mm filter thread... I use 77's and 62... damn splatter effect 😅) I go more for landscape photo... All this convenience is not really worth the price. I'd rather see the PMVND V2 system applied to a normal polariser and to the ND/PL series. Again, really good system. Kudos and all that! But 2 filters, 3 or 4 bases, protectors... and I'm already 50 bucks short of a good new lens. (and a lot of pieces means heavier on my backpack up the mountain. Every gram counts! 😂 )
For me I want low profile. Removing the ability to use a hood is unappealing to me. If I’m hiking or using 2 bodies I like to have the protection of the hood
What’s Up Dunna, Im Not Educated At All On Filters… However, All My Video Content I Record Outdoords… I’m Looking For A Good VIR- ND Filter And A Polarized Lens Filter … I’m Working With A Sony A6600 My Lenses Are: Sony E16=55mm 2.8 And Sony E15mm F1.4.. Thank You…
They don't do a 1/8 mist filter without ND...? Which would mean I'd have to get both ND2-5/ND6-9 then both mist versions. So 4 filters instead of 3, plus I'd have to be at ND2 to use 1/8 mist inside/low light. Joke! Would have gladly dropped about £1000+ on this system. My Ideal would be ND2-5, ND6-9, Mist 1/8, CPL, CPL+ND64
Fancy Lens Filter! Hot Damn! 🤣🤣 Oh I thought Chris Brockhurst! 🤣 Chris burkard, That's new! Chris Nicholas from becki and chris, Chris Hau, chris brockhurst and now wtf! 🤣
That is ridiculous, for a single ND filter, I rather just get the Peter McKinnon version which at least covers 2-5,yes I get that fix is better, but not $200 better for a singular fix.
Good filters have always been not cheap. I just got the Freewell magnetic system, but am already super frustrated by them falling off in my bag. For wedding filmmaking the speed is a HUGE attraction!
@@TamarackFilmCo I’ve been happy with the Mavin magnetic set. Optically they are great so I’m willing to sacrifice the occasional falling off in the bag while saving $1000+.
First it has McKinnon's name on it so they are charging WAY more than it's worth! Second to clunky! The first Freewell system was MUCH lighter and easier to use!!!
Anyone find it ironic that this ad claims it's the best filters money can buy, yet is from the perspective of someone who was just given a whole pile for free. Imo, you don't get to make that statement unless you actually spent money on something i.e. having some skin in the game. Also, no mention of the number one con which is you lose all ability to mount a lens hood so hello, flare central!
So did they just screw all of us over that already bought filters outside of the Helix system? What a money grab. Would be pretty simple to add an adapter for people who already have a bunch of Polar Pro filters, no?
