PolarPro Recon VS Freewell K2 // ND Filters COMPARED
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- čas přidán 12. 07. 2024
- Who makes the best variable ND filter System? PolarPro or Freewell. In this video I'll walk you through 5 different tests for image quality, compare price, demo the features, and talk about which Variable ND filter system I think is better.
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[Timecodes]
0:00 PolarPro Recon vs Freewell K2 Variable ND Filter
0:39 Camera Gear Recommendations
1:03 Freewell K2 Features
3:23 Attaching Extra Filters
4:24 PolarPro Recon Features
6:49 Will's Thoughts
7:33 Cost Comparison
7:51 Test 1: Color Accuracy and Vignette
9:33 Color Accuracy vs Color Consistency (Correcting the color cast)
9:56 Test 2: Polarization and Reflections
11:29 Test 3: Blue Sky (90 degrees)
12:15 Test 4: Blue Sky (Direct) + Wide Angle Lenses
13:08 Test 5: Lens Flare
13:18 Disadvantages to consider
14:03 Is the Freewell K2 Worth it?
15:00 Is the PolarPro Recon Worth it?
15:41 Other Filter Systems to consider? - Krátké a kreslené filmy
What Variable ND filter is your favorite? What do you think of all of the premium filter systems coming out?
For sure the biggest advantage of the Freewell system, is the access to the square style landscape filters. So if you’re a landscape photographer, and a filmmaker, it’s one system to bring and use, not two. This may be a limited demographic, but I happen to do both, so this is totally game changing for me.
I'm literally unknown of everything I just watched, it's not in my knowledge about filtures. I need to start from the basics literally to get a slightest idea. 💡
@@markwiemels Without writing an essay, absolutely. The Freewell is more of an all-rounder but primarily a photographers kit. Recon is a videographers kit but sort of has the functions for some if they're street or midday photographers.
Also, the spirit level means nothing if you want a GND in the right position in a lot of cases unless you're looking at a flat horizon. It's a nice feature to have as an extra though.
Woah! This was really Useful Thank you!🔥❤️
Thanks for your great work.👍
I use the Tilta Mirage Matte Box with the 95mm Variable ND for Tilta Mirage.
When I want to go light, I use the Lightweight Filter Clamp-On Adapter with the 95mm Variable ND. I adjust the intensity of the luminosity with the wheel on the filter and then I rotate the adapter to obtain the polarizing effect, without having any crosses on the image.
The fact that the filter is 95mm avoids vignetting even on lenses with a diameter of 82mm (this is the case with my GM 135mm F1.8).
In my case, I use to film or photograph my recent G 20-70mm F4 with my GM 50mm F1.2 which have the same filter diameter of 72mm. It works very well and I use the ColorChecker Passport to be sure of the correct colorimetry.😉
i watched some other videos on the freewell and they had me ready to spend some money, then i watched yours and it made me realize that I probably don't need this thing, I'll hold off for now. Thanks for saving me some $$$
I had Recon I returned that & gone with Freewell, which solves all my issues for once & all & I had the option to play with this system as one of my youtube friends got it as well.
Would love to see more affordable vnd comparisons, like the K&F Concept and Urth filters
Purely out of curiosity but have you seen Philip Bloom's video on utilizing turning the whole system (thus the) inner polarizer aspect of the k2 after setting your VND so it performs to adjust the reflection the same way as for example the Haida does? I think that may be it's intention. I think that also might effect some of those test results! Maybe you've already found that out but I was curious if it makes a difference to your use case take on the k2.
def will get a polar pro
You’re always showing snowy and icy landscapes. How about testing this on the sunny palm beaches? That’s something for a change 😜
How about Sandy deserts? 😏😉
At 15mm, neither of these 2 would be satisfactory. Would be more usefull to test them at 24mm.
@AnthonyGugliotta thanks for the great comparison video. I would like also to see the NiSi Swift System with Swift Adapter Ring, Two Friction-Mounted Filters and the NiSi True Color CPL.
Hello, Dr.Anthony, can you please make a video of how you do the color correction and color grading of these videos, please show us all the setting you use in the camera and give us a persets if you have them.
Thank you
Nisi and Hoya are two affordable alternatives that don't compromise on quality! PolarPro and Freewell are nice but I reckon many folks aren't wiling to pay the premium.
I think you're right. For some people these lens filters are expensive as an entire camera
I have been waiting for your full review of this and It was late!🤓❤
I agree with you 100%. FreeWell should have released the same old form-factor Magnetic VND Filter System but with Upgraded Features like True Color/Mist/Blue Streak… This is specially designed for serious Landscape Photographers and serious Filmmakers…
Too Bad!🤷♂️
Agreed. Like Will said in the video it seems like something you want to keep set up on a tripod. It's not the easiest thing to pack in a camera bag.
Great info!
This answers a lot of the questions I’ve had, we just had a pretty noticeable yellow color cast with a 2-5 polar pro on our fx30 a couple weeks ago
@@matt_berg_media I've found if I drop my Kelvin by about 200ish it usually brings it back to around neutral white balance!
The Freewell looks super tempting to me, but I’m almost more drawn in by their magnetic model they dropped (last year I think?)
Sweet!
Great review! Would you recommend the old Freewell VND system over the new K2? Thanks!
It depends on what you want. The older Freewell magnetic system has a stronger yellow color cast (more like the polar pro) and is more compact and less expensive option if you aren't interested in all the extra slide-in filters!
Hi Anthony,
This new systems are getting complicated. I find the NISI Swift True Color Vario ND System easy to use.
I only have the 1-5 stops but after watching this video, I am sure to get the whole NISI system and not any of these two.
How about you try it out for your next ND filter video for a comparison?
I would like to see the Polar pro Recon comparison to Nisi C5 matte box
Can you drop a link for the best circular polarizer for the r5?
14:12 Could not agree more! Such a shame that the FX filters (in the earlier magnetic version) aren't stackable as these K2 are limited in the same way, unfortunately.
Polar Pro Recon seem to add a real large circumference. Really expand a 82mm lens setup, making storage in a backpack difficult. What did you think? Thank you.
WOULD BE SWEET TO SEE AN IPHONE 15PROMAX BEASTCAGE VARIABLE ND VS POLARPRO WITH STEP UPS RINGS
Is the Freewell a rebranded K&F? The packaging looks almost the same as what K&F gives you.
Can you review Kolari's filter
Could you review cannon 2000d
Do you know if the Recon clip in ND can be put in front of the polarpro PM VND filter? In other words can I clip the Recon ND16 on the inner filter of the PM II VND 2-5 stops to get those same added stops that you would with the Recon?
As far as I know, there is no way to do this.
How can you compare a set of filters which can use a gradient with a non-gradient set? Gradient filters themselves are large in size to set the horizon.
Obviously a big deal if you need graduated filters. But not something many people need. Even landscape shooters really use them.
K2 comes with lens adaptors (step up rings) and polarpro doesn't right?
Yes correct
Are these compatible with all cameras?
review a7rv❤❤❤
I have both of the older freewell, VND filters, and even at 15 mm, I have no problem with the vignetting like we are seeing here. Very strange.
I feel like even in normal use cases ie. Not pointed at the sun, or at a solid white wall, you wouldn't notice it
REview canon R50 for Video ... and its Rolling shutter on video compare to high end Canon Camera... I Hope You See this Comment 😍
Hmmm….neither of these filter systems are made for use with ultra wide angle lenses. The vignetting at any stop makes them 100% unusable. This much you’ve proved. But Polarpro will tell you this so why bother!
What would have been more useful is testing them with 20, 24 or even 35mm lenses.
Also, ‘sharpness’. Essentially, it would be good to know if having two extra pieces of glass in front of the lens compromises image sharpness in any way?
I did a sharpness test, and neither set had a noticeable impact on sharpness. Keep in mind every variable ND will exhibit a similar pattern at 15 or 16mm it's just exaggerated in this test because of the plain white background. The only way to avoid it is by stacking standard non-variable ND filters.
I need camera how much $
Seems like you missed the point of the bulkier Freewell system - you can freely rotate the entire filter on the front of the lens to mitigate (usually entirely remove) polarisation effects. So the section on which system is better at (not) polarising, seems a bit clueless...
The micro-scratches that you show at 13:40 are a testimonial to using even a UV filter to protect the front element. BTW, you might want to look at the Kase Revolution and Maven Filter sets (both a stackable and color coded)
I always use a lens hood - reduces chances of damage and flaring whilst not reducing light into your lens or unwanted reflection and loss of contrast. I never use any filter that prevents me from using a lens hood.
@@stew_redman good point. Neither of these systems will work with a standard lens hood.
@@AnthonyGugliotta only the old fashioned thread on filters will work with lens hoods...
@@stkuj There are good magnetic systems that work with lens hoods too, like Gobe/Urth.
Didn't understood anything I just watched, it's not in my knowledge about filtures. I need to start from the basics literally to get a slightest idea. 💡
when shorts work kinda too good
Sorry but this review is such a missed opportunity. It would have been much more helpful to have shot your tests at 20mm or 24mm, not 15mm! After all, Polarpro say the Recon vignettes when used on lenses wider than 20mm.
Bought the recon and realized it does not support GND.... which is sad
What's gnd?
Sorry, Anthony. I appreciate how much work goes into these videos, but your tests are fundamentally flawed.
In my new video, I explain everything in detail if you care to watch it, but here’s some basic info for you.
The type of polarisers that are used for variable NDs is crucial.
Polar Pro use dual CPL; the front CPL is inverted so the two polarising sides are facing each other. A CPL has a quarter wave plate on the lens side to spin the polarised light to not interfere with a DSLRs mirror and cause bad AF/ metering.
There is no polarisation happening with this combination. What does happen is there’s a slight colour balance shift which is in part due to the strength, but it’s actually due to the angle to light. The light isn’t being polarised, but the angle still matters.
Freewell’s K2, like the NiSi Swift true colour use dual LINEAR polarisers. These cannot be used with DSLRs using the mirror. Ignore the CPL text on the front filter; it’s not. It’s linear. I show in my video a simple test to demonstrate this.
Any VND with a front Linear Polariser WILL polarise light as well as adjust the light coming in.
Now your tests shouldn’t be shown at 15mm as that’s unrealistic and is stated as being too wide for the system. Really variable NDs shouldn’t be used wider than 18mm but they say 16mm is OK. That’s really shot-dependent.
The biggest flaw is you can rotate the K2 by loosening the red screws, then just like any polariser you can change the polarisation so your results at 5 would look like 1 if you rotate it! If you see reflections go at a certain strength and you want them, then loosen the red screws and rotate the k2!
Likewise with the PP if you can rotate the system then you can change your results. The colour tint can change depending on the angle. That’s if the PP let’s you rotate it. I’ve not used this version of their VNDs.
This is the problem with the NiSi true colour VND. Its polarisation is tied into the strength dial. But if you loosen it off of the lens threads and rotate it like any polariser then you can change it; that’s a bit risky of course. This is why NiSi needs to devise a way to turn the whole of their VND filter.
It’s really not helped by companies falsely labelling a filter as something it’s not. There needs to be transparency from all of them so customers know exactly what they are buying. There’s no right way to make a VND, as both main types have pros and cons but the ability to rotate them is needed for all of them.
Cheers!
Philip
Thanks for that breakdown, I'll be sure to check out your video.
Fully agree on the ability to rotate your VNDs freely. Every VND needs this. The follow up video I made after this one, I talked about the HAIDA "VND + CPL", which has this function. Since posting that video I've actually made it my everyday VND filter for exactly this reason. I originally filmed a segment on how polarization affects colours within your image, but ultimately decided to cut it for the final edit. Practically speaking I feel most users of the K2 system won't be bothered to unscrew the red knobs, or if you own a NISI, I don't think most users will want to unscrew their filters to compensate; which ultimately becomes the selling point of the Recon; reflections stay the same without requiring extra effort every time you make an adjustment to the ND.
I'm not fully convinced the tests are flawed. I actually would argue they represent a more realistic use case, simply because of how common focal lengths below 18mm are; particularly in the Canon RF ecosystem. Neither PolarPro or Freewell mention a minimum focal length for these filters. When Freewell sent me samples they made no mention of 16mm as a minimum, and only brought it up in an email to me AFTER I posted the results from my 15mm sample photos. Freewell also made no effort to add this limitation on their Indiegogo page, which is somewhat misleading consumers given how common focal lengths below 18mm are; Both of Canon's ultra-wide L-series zooms go below 18mm (15-35 f2.8 and the 15-35 f4.0) These are lenses that a lot of videographers, vloggers, and content creators own and will want to use with VNDs.
@@AnthonyGugliotta seriously? You think your tests aren’t flawed when you stated incorrectly what the polarisers were and failed to show how the K2 rotates to combat this? Why not simply be honest? The reason you didn’t show this is because you didn’t know. It took weeks of digging and tests to get to the bottom of the behaviour off all types of VNDs. Freewell didn’t tell me.
Do you even realise the Haida one is not what it states it is by its name?
Anthony, my video was made to educate people. It educated me. Please watch it.
@@philipbloom I'm still not clear on why a vignette and color shift test performed at 15 or 16mm is problematic and flawed?
I understand what you're saying about the K2 unlocking and rotating, but this doesn't fully solve the problem I have with the results. Assuming you want to use the CPL AND use the system as-designed with streak or graduated filters, then you're forced to choose between the two since you can't maintain both the orientation of the drop-in filter, and the polarization effect. If Freewell had designed the system with a second rotation element to somehow rotate the VND independently from the drop-in filters, then I might be inclined to agree with you, but based on the way the system is designed currently it feels more like a happy accident as opposed to a feature of the system.
At the time of filming I was fully aware of the possibility of rotating the filter to offset the polarization effects. Again, it was a segment I recorded, but ultimately left out of this video because that feature is counter-intuitive to both the design of the system and the way I shoot. Shooting in run-and-gun scenarios I don't have the luxury of time to unlock my filter and adjust the orientation with each micro-adjustment in ND. I would much rather use a double-CPL VND like the Recon that maintains consistent reflections, even at the cost of very minor hue shifts.
I watched your video, and you do a good job explaining the differences between CPL VNDs and Linear VNDs. I still maintain my position that the K2 system is bulky and over-designed for my use case.
@@AnthonyGugliotta mate, I am not trying to sell you the K2, I am trying to help you understand the difference between VNDs that every video I’ve watched from you and others gets wrong. I didn’t fully understand them all until I started working on my last video about 6 weeks ago.
Why would you record the most important bit of information about rotation and not include it? Are you telling me you understand the difference between LPL and CPL VNDs?
You keep taking about vignettes but it’s not. Vignettes are when you see edges of the filter. What you are referring to is cross polarisation. The two types you are seeing are from when you try to go too far with a VND with hard stops. The other is to do with the use of polarisers that is more visible with angles. 15mm is wider than Freewell, NiSi etc say you should use them at, therefore showing tests at 15mm is pointless and unfair. A dual CPL VND will generally do better though as it doesn’t polarise.
What you are seeing is dependent on the angle to the light source. With the K2 which is dual linear then it’s actually polarising the light. If you use a single polariser on a wide angle lens you will see uneven polarisation at certain angles to the light. You simply rotate it to get it as good as you can. It can be impossible to get even polarisation on solid colours like a blue sky or a white wall. You need things like clouds to break it up. I avoid using polarisers or VNDs on lenses wider than 18mm.
Because dual LPLs are not just polarising but cutting light there is also a sweet spot that is tied to the strength, rotation of the filter and angle.
Dual CPLs don’t polarise but you will still see the same cross polarisation effect it pushed too far but what you are also getting it a colour balance shift as I showed in my video. This can make very wide frames look uneven. Again, if the filter could be rotated you can try and even it out.
All VNDs have flaws. Each type have their pros and cons. The new dual LPL ones like NiSi and K2 can use that special film to give no colour shift but can polarise want it to, BUT you need to be able to rotate them otherwise you are stuck. VNDs with an front LPL are the only ones that can polarise thought. Dual CPLs cannot polarise light, despite what you say in the video. You cannot add a polariser to a dual CPL VND. it’s impossible. It’s easy to colour correct a colour balance shift due to the angle or strength of these, you can’t fix a shot that’s removed reflections ok one shot and not in another, the problem with using LPLs.
You also cannot use an LPL on a DSLR using the mirror. You cannot use a VND with a rear LPL element like the K2 or NiSi either. Live view with them? No problem.
Take the Nisi or a dual CPL VND and hand hold it. Rotate the whole camera and you will the change from both of them.
No reply? I took a long time to write that out to you. I am trying to help you by explaining things.
RIP to my chances of FreeWell sending me anything
It's better off this way 😘
Haha nah. They gotta step it up
Freewell might be too bulky...
That's my feeling too
Hum… Both of them looks useless.
So basically paying premium price for Trash.... These companies are out of their mind!!!!
Mans said yea they cost 80$ so I can just toss them out … meanwhile I’m buying 3 filters for $12 on Amazon 🧍🏽