These VND Filters Solve a HUGE Problem | NiSi True Color Swift System vs PolarPro Helix Maglock

What is your preference? Convenience or quality?
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0:00 Intro
0:56 Gear Disclosure
1:21 My Background with VNDs
1:54 NiSi True Color vs PolarPro Helix Maglock
6:53 VND Quality and Example Footage
11:25 Which to Buy
13:43 My ideas to NiSi and PolarPro
14:51 Outro
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#lumix #polarpro #NiSi

[@DustinArmstrongPro]

I need to do a follow up video on this. Got some more education on VNDs and their advantages and disadvantages. Long story short, when I say "quality of the ND" in this video it's probably the wrong word to use. I'll clarify more in a follow up video!

[@DarkTrapStudio]

Long story short : color cast for single ND's, color cast and light artefacts for variable NDs

[@manilamartin1001]

Nice video. looks like I'm getting the nisi. I'm still a working schmo so saving money is always a good thing. I also don't really need to be that fast at weddings.

[@erik.karlsson]

Nice review, I liked it a lot! About Nisi. You can stack them too. Black mist, ND 16 and CPL u can use on the adapter ring, u just throw them on it and it works. Or you can stack 'em on the VND. But yes, the 1 - 5 stops VND you have to screw on just like ordinary filters. You said PolarPro filter had one flaw, they may dismantel unintentionally. That happens with Nisi too, if you don't mount on them properly. You have to be careful they are mounted on all the way, otherwise there is a risk some of the filters fall off when you adjust the VND or CPL.

[@stkuj]

Might want to take a look at Maven filters too...

[@arhon888]

I have the Nisi True Color system. The quality and colour is excellent. It seems like both systems have solved different problems, if Nisi could perfect the mounting and dismounting that would be almost perfect, that being said I am very happy with the way the extra ND and lens cap mount, this is as quick as it gets but variable ND itself is still too fiddly, particularly for those like me who are sharing the system across a couple a few lenses. Another common problem shared with the VNDs that I have used is the fact that we can no longer use our lens hoods? Currently, it seems we now need to enter the world of mat boxes which adds another layer of inconvenience. I actually love the way NiSi's lens cap mounts on their filter, if they could make a simple lightweight lens hood that worked like the lens cap that would be perfect.

[@DreBuado]

I have both and I definitely prefer the quality of the NiSi compared to the polar pro

[@curtisclement]

Talk about being at the right place at the right time. I’m about to buy a ND

[@aldoibz3553]

I have a 26 MP APS-C camera. Can I use the 67mm Nisi ND Vario with the step up ring on the 55mm without losing quality?

[@Lytemotiv]

can you use the VND filter on a smallrig matte box?

[@evanvanamerongen2613]

I already have 82mm step up rings, would it be fine to just get 82 mm base plates on top of them or would that ruin image quality?

[@KeepingThisTech]

image quality will always be top priority, nisi for the win! great video!

[@DustinArmstrongPro]

I need I make an update. They honestly are both great quality wise, but the polarpro controls polarization better which is probably more important than being color accurate

[@KeepingThisTech]

@@DustinArmstrongPro I hear you but my comment was based off of my own personal experiences with both. I had been using the PP PM VND for the last 3yrs and I just discovered the NiSi swift system about a month ago.. there’s a night and day difference between the two. I did my own tests the results were similar to yours. NiSi has zero vignetting, almost no color shift unless your maxing out the strength at 9.. and the 1stop strength is super useful when filming using log profiles indoors.. the polar pro Vnd team just needs to step up they’re game. that’s all and it is what it is… I don’t feel like you said anything wrong… personally, I value the nearly uncompromising look of the NiSi over magnets locking.. Appreciate your video!

[@DustinArmstrongPro]

My worry is just that I find weird polarization issues almost impossible to fix in post. Whereas a bit of color shift is an easy fix.

[@andrejcupac7359]

@@DustinArmstrongPro wdym by controls polarization better?

[@vitalidani]

Does Nisi has color shift to magenta?

[@MerlinVisuals]

I guess sometimes it's just personal preference, I ordered the HELIX system and even when color shifting happens - I would color grade my footage anyways. There are so many solutions for each aspect of video capturing and it's sometimes frustrating to compare thousands of products to find the "best" one out there. I know I will benefit from the magnetic mount, I'm stoked to see how the mist filter will effect the look and feel of my footage and that's why I decided to go with that one. If we talk about the price it's ridiculous what PolarPro is charging for this filter system, so if budget is a concern than there are defenetly better filter solutions than PolarPro.

[@WGNTAidan]

I own a a full set of the Nisi Swift filters (NDs, black mists, CPL). Optically superior and cheaper than the competition. The only gripe I have is, as you mentioned, you need to screw the initial 1-5 ND on (or the adapter if you just want to use the mists and CPL). I guess benefit of it is its very secure, but seeing the solutions other companies have come up with, I think they could do better. At the end of the day though I'll choose optical quality over convenience, particularly where its only adding a minute or two to your workflow.

[@DustinArmstrongPro]

For sure understand. On shoots where I have a bit more time, I would definitely choose quality over convenience. But yes I think NiSi could come up with something a bit quicker than the traditional screw on

[@PaspaProductions]

What matte box do you use with these? can these work with matte box like small rig mini box lite work with this?

[@flatcamerafilms307]

What about image sharpness?

[@DarkTrapStudio]

Thanks

[@theowlfromduolingo7982]

In my opinion image quality (sharpness, vignette, x-pattern, color shift) is top priority because it directly affects your work

[@tanner.quintero]

Gear everywhere its the way

[@michaelfrymus]

You focused on video. But what about for photos, like not using the vnd, but just the straight up nds?

[@DustinArmstrongPro]

I'm not a photographer. I pretty much only do video. I take photos as a hobby but don't feel qualified to make recommendations for photographers to be honest

[@TeamCarpFishing]

I feel the test is a wee bit flawed, stacking a 4 stop helix nd and a 2-5 helix vnd would probably be a better test and would very much be interested in the results! I no longer use strong vnds as vignetting and color casts are pronounced, I'll just sacrifice some bokeh and get a cleaner shot.

[@creativetom413]

what about freewell k2 and kase wolverine mag v3?

[@DustinArmstrongPro]

Haven't used them so I can't speak to them. I will likely do a follow up video and maybe can include them as well

[@BenAmare]

How do you combat the green tint in camera? Do I need to just hard set my Sony WBwith a tint towards magenta? Does that help? The tint is very noticeable in the sunset shot

[@DustinArmstrongPro]

That or color adjust in post. I have learned something about the NiSi that I will need to do an update about

[@extraordinary_ordinary]

The Nisi filters aren't actually neutral. They push the image towards magenta. It's not as noticeable as the green shift on most VNDs though. And it isn't just the True Color that does this. Their IRND (square) filters also have a magenta tint.

[@DustinArmstrongPro]

I don't think I ever said they were neutral. Just not as noticeable than the green shift which you also said

[@matthewchee]

Buy two nisi!

[@andrejcupac7359]

I LOVE the maglock system but it's just too pricey imo. If Nisi makes a maglock system with their true colour lineup that'd be AMAZING! Nisi's colour accuracy mixed with Polarpro's quick system would be a dream

[@sunny8784]

polar pro is over priced for what it is JMHO. Nisi rocks, i just pruchase the 82mm and it works on my 85mm lenses, 70-200, 50mm, wide angle lenses and so on. Its definitely a win!

[@MrKYLEforAwhile]

The whole filter twisting off when changing the strength seems like a pretty big design flaw imo

[@bronzehawk3646]

Polar pro look and feel super premium but dosent worth even considering after looking at the price

[@DustinArmstrongPro]

They are definitely pricey. I may like the freewell V2 more. Video coming soon

[@mustang2005]

I just got a set of NiSi filters. I couldn't justify the price of Polar pro

[@DustinArmstrongPro]

They're pricey!

[@iammz81]

Shoot... still did not receive my Meike lens. :D

[@DustinArmstrongPro]

Haha I don't know if you follow me on instagram but the winner was chosen! I'll mention it in the next video. The 85mm 1.8 is still up for grabs though for when I reach 10k on instagram

[@iammz81]

@@DustinArmstrongPro bummer. :(

[@DustinArmstrongPro]

I know I was rooting for you. Don't worry I'm going to cook up another one! Will do plenty more!

[@iammz81]

@@DustinArmstrongPro you are good man. Do some Anamorphic too.. :D L-mount for sure!

[@DustinArmstrongPro]

That's a good idea!

[@WayofMJ]

Couldn’t you just turn the green tint down in camera?

[@DustinArmstrongPro]

You could also do that yes

[@WayofMJ]

@@DustinArmstrongPro oh sweet. I didn’t know if that would work. I’m new to all this

[@Bo_Hazem]

Now I understand why PolarPro is butthurt and made their latest video bashing NISI and other VND's that made me feel disgusted despite owning PolarPro Basecamp and just unsubbed.

[@DustinArmstrongPro]

I had a conversation with polarpro after posting this. I'll be doing a follow up. There is something I didn't consider in this video and probably used the wrong words. But the examples still hold

[@Bo_Hazem]

@@DustinArmstrongPro Thank you for your honest review.

[@nisifiltersaustralia]

@@DustinArmstrongPro In PolarPro's video they used a broken NiSi True Color VND. They broke the hard stops at 1-5 stops to shoot the footage. It would be great for you to do another comparison checking polarisation with a filter that does not have broken hard stops. I'm sure the results will be very different to the Polarpro video.

[@Sushanttechworld]

​@@Bo_Hazembro where can I watch polarpro's video bashing other filters, there no such video on their channel?

[@Bo_Hazem]

@@Sushanttechworld Haha! They deleted it after my comment then. Told them how low it is while my own PolarPro Basecamp CPL got bubbles within 2 months. And told them that I'm unsubscribing. They had NISI brand showing there but in there 1vs1 comparison brought a non-Nisi filter, some cheap-ass VND to give you the illusion that was NISI. I think they might face a lawsuit if they kept it. At least they acted swiftly.

[@johnsmith1474]

Is it lost on this kid that if you have a bayonet mount you do not need the magnet at all? And is it lost on this kid that these prevent a lens hood, which are an essential part of proper quality?

[@bronzehawk3646]

Get freewell eiger matte box it's way better solution than any of these

[@AzarathGirl123]

Indeed, there is no need for magnets if a bayonet mount is already there, it's all just marketing to sound cool. As for lens hood, basically all filter systems are in conflict with lens hoods unless you are willing to buy an entire set of perfectly sized filters for each thread size