Polar Pro / NiSi Tru Color / Moment - Variable ND Filter Comparison

[@Jason_Hermann]

Excellent comparison Josh! I have the Nisi and Like the accurate colors for skin tones inside my studio plus the little handle makes it super easy to dial in when in front. However, based on your test outside with the blue sky it is not the greatest… I agree it’s a toss up between the last 2. Thanks for the efforts and including the scopes! 👊

[@joshiwilke5831]

Finally someone who doesn’t advertise for some brand 🙏🏼 thank you, great comparison!

[@sebs247]

Right? It seems impossible to find videos about filters that aren’t simply an ad organised by one of the filter brands!

[@lnz971]

@@sebs247 thinking about tiffen lol?

[@grzegorzporowinski]

Nisi is a beast, I was aware of varable nd, but this one is really great filter!

[@freesheff]

really appreacite your page, going to b&h today to buy a VND and didn't know how to choose, this is very helpful

[@Josh_Sattin]

You're welcome. Glad this was helpful for you!

[@martinekwall4671]

I have NiSi True Color and I haven’t noticed that strong uneven effect. I guess all VND as they are polarizer will at some angle in relation to the sun will be uneven in the sky a sunny clear day… A tip is to unscrew the filter or the step up ring from the lens a little bit and put it in a position to lessen or strengthening the polarizing effect. A vnd Is two polarizing filters. What focal length of the lens did you use? The more wide angle the stronger this effect will be. All that said the Moment looked good!!

[@Josh_Sattin]

Sony 16-35mm GM at 24mm on the A7IV.

[@Finsterwald_]

Great video as usual Sir. Thank you so much. Very important about the McKinnon Edition filter and the rubber cap: I also had troubles getting the cap off, but you dont pull it off. Instead you twist and turn the rubber cap arround and then pull. It makes the cap get off very very easily. Most people just pull, but dont twist.

[@JasonMorrisphotocinema]

Great breakdown 🔥🔥

[@Josh_Sattin]

Thanks Jason!

[@quiztasiarocks]

Just ordered the Nisi true colour VND 1-5 stops + their add-on 4 stop fixed nd, so have a max of 9 stops.

[@redumbrella4218]

Thank you! It’s very helpful! I would love to view the B&W ND as well! All the best!

[@MattSpaugh]

Nice one. I've used the Moment for a couple of years and find it to be excellent. I'm shopping for a smaller, 67mm for my BCam and found your video. IMHO, the Polar Pro is not even an option. I would never buy a VND with hard stops and the crushed color at higher settings was terrible. That additional handle/stick thing on the on the NISI... what the heck is that? Something to lose or as you say, get caught on stuff. The Moment filters have gone up in price quite a bit since this was made, but I still think they offer the best balance of value, performance, and ease of use. I've been binging through your channel - keep up the great work.

[@ruisearts]

Dude, thank you so much for this video is exactly what I was looking for, cheers mate!

[@Josh_Sattin]

You’re welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@troyflatland5299]

Whenever I search things you're always the guy! ❤

[@ViciousXUSMC]

Your one of my favorite guys to watch Josh for any video that has something you are covering. I just went thru a several day binge of research on what VND and Mist filters to get. I got it down to the Nisi Swift VND kit with 1/4 mist and the Freewell Magnetic VND kit. It was a close call, but I went with Nisi, they had a sale and it just seemed like they had a little bit more quality in them. PolarPro was my first pick originally, but with research I think it's just overpriced and over-hyped. Also they have two sets one with mist and one without, both the Freewell and Nisi kits I was looking at let you swap mist on/off in the same setup without doubling your purchase.

[@Josh_Sattin]

Thank you for the kind words. I love my Nisi filters and am still using them.

[@freemandnj973]

If you look close enough, you can see the banding layers of each filter and the way you're describing the effects that match up to those areas. I am guessing it's a combination of how the coatings are applied and the stress on the glass when they're manufactured. I actually like the uneven sky from Nisi because it mimics a light to dark gradient the sky does, the further you look into the distance. The green enhancement makes me think this lens would be amazing for landscape photography. Also, shooting in woodland/jungle types of places where there is a lot of variation in dark and light green foliage.

[@uberjava]

I bought the NiSi before this and I like it... however... on my Blackmagics (BMPCC OG and BMPCC 4K), once you hit about 3 stops, the IR contamination started to creep in. Especially on an old IR sensitive sensor like the BMPCC OG, the trees literally turned from green to red. Less so on the 4K but still noticeable. So if you have an IR sensitive sensor, you will need additional IR cut filters, then it's fine.

[@TUFFBASS]

Great video, just got nisi’s and love the quality

[@Josh_Sattin]

Thanks! I'm still using my Nisi filters.

[@MarkusSenior]

Very interesting test. Thanks for sharing. Cheers from LA.

[@Josh_Sattin]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@carlotognozzimoreni]

Super comparison thank you very much from Italy!

[@Josh_Sattin]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@SongSong-z9d]

Hi, Have you tested the Moment VND filter with a long focal length lens(more than 100mm)? Both the filter I bought last year and the filter that Moment sent me a few days ago made the images very blurry at a long focal length.

[@HarshMalewar]

This was a very good comparison. Thank you!

[@Josh_Sattin]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@cesarfilms_]

Thank you! Amazing comparison ❤️📷

[@Josh_Sattin]

You’re welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@kevindiossi]

I switched to Polar Pro last year and went with a FULL set of the ND CPLs in 77mm as well their 82mm options. Polar Pro colors are absolutely terrible and if it weren’t for them backing Peter be McKinnon and their exceptional packaging, nobody would buy these. I really mean it too. I hate these filters and fully regret buying them. What’s more, they introduce additional flare into the front of the lens!?! I have green orbs in my images now that aren’t present with my other filters or when they’re off. It’s just sad. I spent so much money on these and convinced myself after using them for months they were great because of the build quality, reputation for KZbinrs, and beautiful design turning their CPLs. In the long run, I went back to using my B&W CPL and jumped to Moment and Freewell for my variable ND options. Less color shift and just a better option for video. Advice: don’t ever buy Polar Pro. They have a horrible green and brown color shift on all their filters from their ND CPLs to variable NDs.

[@AwakeTours]

good to know; i have PMVND mist thought it was just me; my greens / browns were horrid and murky; my outdoors stuff looked so differnt thought it was just me !

[@kevindiossi]

@@AwakeTours welcome to reality of lying KZbinrs that are sponsored and create buzz around a bad product. Polar Pro filters are beautiful and turn smoothly. But the glass and coatings are some of the worst you can buy. I made a huge mistake buying them.

[@AwakeTours]

@@kevindiossi same , I bought both stops set cost me i dunno $700 AUD in the end. took it to Europe and I was like " have I applied a bad LUT to this footage I don't know about?! aha. in some lightings the mist made some things beautiful but in most it was very wierd muddy greens and browns and not true to outdoors greens/blues at all and not useable. Im not glad we both had the same issue aha but im glad im not going crazy as all I found was great reviews until I started reading the comments! aha thank you

[@kevindiossi]

@@AwakeTours it’s unfortunate. Their reputation online is nothing but stellar. But in reality, it appears all those positive reviews are fueled by the countless influencers that got them for free. On set, they’re trash and destroy colors.

[@TheGuyNextDoor4]

@kevindiossi Thanks bro you just saved me money I was about to buy it @ the end of this week after reading ur comment u just reset my brain to factory 😂

[@vidthreenorth4007]

Josh, after all your experience, do you really find that there is much advantage to a "variable" ND? I have never bought one. I use either a UV to protect the lens, a Hoya ND 64 (6 stop light loss) or a polarizer (roughly ND 2.5 isn't it?). I have enough variability between shutter speed, exposure compensation and aperture anyway. Yes, there is more mental gymnastics doing it my way (keeping in mind if a shot has a particular issue with depth of field or motion blurring and possible sensor noise), but on the other hand, the single piece of glass in front of the lens should be sharper and give me less off-axis fall-off. I think I'd prefer to add an ND 4 to my current pieces than add a variable ND.

[@Josh_Sattin]

It's personal preference. I like variable ND filters for their convenience. There is a trade off for some IQ.

[@crazyclefproductions]

Thanks for the comparison. I use Freewell VNDs. Interested to see how those compare to the three in your video.

[@kevindiossi]

I have the magnetic VND system from Freewell and I have to say that you can’t go wrong with them at all. They’re the best I’ve used from Polar Pro, Moment, and now Freewell.

[@vaidehiarts]

Thank you Josh! This was very helpful :)

[@Josh_Sattin]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@michellavat]

This is jusst what i needed! Thanks!

[@Josh_Sattin]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@ivars7826]

Hi Josh, thanks for your comparison, I would like to go for the Nisi VND filter, but one thing that I would like to know before is; what is the outer diameter size of the filter, I want the 72mm, and im planing to use this with Tiltaing Mini matt box and they state that; "Most Variable ND’s will only work on adapters 72mm and smaller. The Mini Matte Box only supports circular filters with an outer diameter of 85mm or smaller." so the question is how big is the outer diameter of Nisi VND? Thank you for your time.

[@ExploringWorldYouTube]

Hello Josh, thanks to share this interesting video. Allow me 2 questions please: 1) Do you prefer a good solid ND or a VND to shoot viideos in Log 4K? I mean documentaries around the world to shoot cities and people. 2) Why everybody always uses the lens hood to shoot in sunny days, then when guys use a ND filter, nobody use the lens hood anymore? I think it is a bad habit not to use a lens hood with an ND filter. Thank you.

[@Josh_Sattin]

When I have a camera that doesn't have a built-in ND filter (like the C70) I use a variable ND filter. ND filters and lens hoods serve different functions. ND filters lower the exposure while lens hoods protect from lens flares. It is often difficult to use an ND filter inside of a lens hood. That is why you often see people using matte boxes with ND filters in them because it allows you to still operate the ND filter. I keep my setup pretty simple so I often just use the variable ND filter. There are many ways to do all of this.

[@ExploringWorldYouTube]

@@Josh_Sattin Thanks a lot!! But do you buy a larger filter? Can I buy a filter with same size of my lens? The other words, for a 12mm wide angle for the GH6 (which would be 24mm), what VND size would you buy? I don't have to change the filter to put it on other lenses but only for it.

[@Josh_Sattin]

@@ExploringWorldKZbin Buy a filter that fits your lens that has the widest diameter front filter threads and then use cheap step up rings with the other lenses. I own 82mm filters since that is my largest lenses.

[@greenlightstudios3469]

Hi Josh, slightLy off topic, do you know if Tiffen Contrast filters can actually lift shadows and perhaps give more DR? Or is that not how it works? Maybe a video would help me :). That smoque filter seems to be low contrast and seems to help with DR in interior shots

[@trondhelgehie6771]

NiSi is the one for me, and that’s the one I’m using 👍

[@yourablob]

The reason for the hard stops is for repeatability and consistency. If you can't get the exact same amounts of nd, then setting up the camera and trying to match your lighting for a previous shoot would be difficult. It's obviously better in a studio setting than run an gun, where a smooth transition would be more useful

[@lucariccidj]

how about solid IR-NDs? I think magnetic option are valid alternative to this VNDs.Thx for the tests

[@ant00n11s]

I understand that you had to keep all settings, including white balance, consistent for the comparison but making a custom white balance after you apply the filter to the lens, it would give you better results.

[@kazlepek6552]

I’ve narrowed it down to the NiSi and Freewell VND … but I’d love to see the prism lens fx as well, they have the 95mm size I need for an amazing Black Friday price … thanks for the video, I’ll just have to cross examine multiple reviews … unless someone here in the comments has used any of these / can compare 🫡

[@BenPhanStudios]

Great review thanks!

[@arhon888]

Thanks for sharing. I wonder how they compare when shooting towards the sun. In my experience this is where NDs struggle.

[@charlesstephens5974]

Did any of them suffer from that X pattern you get ,as I understand, when you go to high ND stops with wide angle lenses?

[@SPM2206]

yep they all do this - I never use vari NDs at max as the image isnt great - I will sometimes stack a tiffen 77mm or 82mm solid on first and then use the vari at the lower end - Polar Pro was better than the Nisi when I tested them year or so ago - so maybe this is a newer Nisi filter

[@dorythomas1816]

Hello Josh, nice work as usual. but could you please complete the test with the sharpness loss and flair rejection with the filter on . thank you

[@autumn102600]

I have been using the Polar Pro Peter McKinnon VND Signature Edition II 77mm 2-5 Stop Filter with my Canon R6 and am noticing a huge color shift from a vertical to horizontal image. Have you noticed a color shift in vertical to horizontal images with either the Nisi or Moment ND filter

[@Josh_Sattin]

I haven't done that test since I am almost always shooting video. That wouldn't surprise me though because the VND is made up of polarizers. In my opinion, the Polar Pro was the worst in this group of filters.

[@autumn102600]

@@Josh_Sattin I have been watching a bunch of comparison videos and am seeing that. I think am going to switch to either the Nisi Tru Color or Moment.

[@Josh_Sattin]

@@autumn102600 Yeah, I haven't used my Polar Pro in a long time other than for this test. I have been favoring the Nisi Tru Color lately.

[@denisl1071]

What filter do you recommend on 15mm@rf15-35mm and 16mm@Sony 16-35 F2.8 with no vignetting? Thank you.

[@derkarhu5079]

That "handle" on the Nisi could probably be replaced by short screw, maybe a 'pan head' which would give you something positive to move with fingers, and not stick out, and would not tend to snag on things. A simple and inexpensive 'hack'.

[@adnmultimedia]

How about Urth VND's?

[@derkarhu5079]

Seems that no one here has compared, nay, even *used* singh-ray filters...their 'standard' variable ND is 2 to 8 stops in 49 to 82 mm ring sizes, and also available in a 'factory-stacked' duo with polarizer, or colour intensifier, and in 3- stack with 'warming polarizer' and colour intensifier (this actuality works for adding a bit more colour 'pop', without mucking up white balance) If you have never used Singh-Ray filters, the initial price might make you think of alternatives, but, shooting Velvia 50, probably one of the toughed tests for colour, I've never been unhappily-surprised!

[@sparketech]

Good day sir 👍

[@Ultrarmx]

Can you compare the PolarPro version I? The ones without the hard stops.

[@ArcMediaFilms]

Great video thanks 👍

[@Josh_Sattin]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@BrookStockton]

Josh do you get vingetting from the nisi on your 16-35?

[@Josh_Sattin]

I have not noticed any vignetting with the Nisi.

[@jof1954]

Question: do ND filters interfere with the autofocus or post stabilization? I shoot Sony A7iv.

[@mr.croissant7960]

No

[@Finsterwald_]

Danke!

[@Josh_Sattin]

You are very welcome! Thanks for the support!

[@VulcanworxSG]

excellent job!

[@Josh_Sattin]

Thanks!

[@HiughfvouTuytgjbc]

How about kase ND filters? I' ve heard they are promoting a CPL+VND filter.

[@Josh_Sattin]

Unfortunately I have not tried them.

[@tsizzle]

What about H&Y Revoring ND filters?

[@CodyScott]

Thank you! Figured this out today on set 😂

[@quiztasiarocks]

I wish the Nisi would make a 6-9 stop VND to match their already good 1-5

[@kittparker4161]

I think it would have been a more fair test to change the shutter speed (there isn't much motion in these tests anyway) and not the aperture. The sharpness will jump around when changing the aperture so much.

[@kittparker4161]

@True Crime Upscaled that depends on what you're filming and what you're trying to show. The 180° shutter rule does create life-like motion blur. If you're filming action and want to show the movement then you can crank your shutter to do this. This is a filter test. It is not trying to show life-like motion. It is trying to show the quality of the filters. Changing apertures will change the sharpness of the image, changing the perceived sharpness of the filter. There is also very little motion in these shots so changing the shutter speed won't change the look of the shots very much and you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference.

[@philipthao8527]

what step-up ring do you use?

[@Josh_Sattin]

I use these cheap ones that I got from Amazon. There isn't anything special about them: amzn.to/3uL54gS

[@stilmotionpicture]

What about the sharpness of these filters? Unless I missed it..

[@Josh_Sattin]

Take a look at the provided clips.

[@Krinyo666]

I thought Nisi the best, but it also has the x pattern, slightly but it has... disappointment, because its colors real true. But this way Moment is the No1.

[@Josh_Sattin]

Trade off for sure between the two. I have been going back and forth between them.

[@rezjrprod]

Polar pro had way more blue

[@FordSierraIS]

#nofilter

[@valdeslo]

Polar pro its ONLY marketing...!!!

[@esd251]

Nisi won. Hands down. Polar pro is shit tbh. Why people spend money that much for PP? Because, omg, omg McKinnon!