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If you want to shoot with a wide aperture, for example, to make a shallow depth of field effect, it’s best to use best neutral density filters or a variable ND filter when shooting in strong daylight or other bright conditions.
The Lee Filters Stopper range is our top pick for the best Neutral Density Filters right now. They are well made and come with extras like a companion app that helps you figure out the right exposure settings.
A good ND filter cuts down on the amount of light that gets into the camera without changing the image’s color or overall look. Even though best neutral density filters usually want more light to take pictures, there are times when limiting the amount of light coming in can be helpful.
Best Neutral Density Filters Comparison Table
| Camera | Genre | Weight | Dimension | Width | Official Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H&Y K-Series HD MRC Neutral Density | ND Filters | 2.1 oz | 4.9 x 4.9 x 0.7 in | 4.9 in | Visit Website |
| Cokin Z-Pro ND filters | ND Filters | 1.0 oz | 7.5 x 4.4 x 0.4 in | 4.4 in | Visit Website |
| Lee Filters Stopper | ND Filters | 2.8 oz | 6.5 x 6.5 x 0.8 in | 6.5 in | Visit Website |
| Neewer ND Filter Kit | ND Filters | 4.4 oz | 8.5 x 4.4 x 2.4 in | 4.4 in | Visit Website |
| B+W ND 800 Series 3.0 | ND Filters | 2.9 oz | 3.0 x 3.0 x 0.4 in | 3.0 in | Visit Website |
| K&F Concept Neutral Density Filter | ND Filters | 2.8 oz | 5.9 x 3.9 x 0.7 in | 3.9 in | Visit Website |
| PolarPro Variable ND | ND Filters | 1.6 oz | 4.1 x 4.1 x 0.5 in | 4.1 in | Visit Website |
H&Y K-Series HD MRC Neutral Density
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Filter type | Neutral Density |
| Available densities | ND8 (3 stops), ND64 (6 stops), ND1000 (10 stops) |
| Coating | HD MRC (Multi-Resistance Coating) |
| Thickness | 1.5 mm |
| Size options | 67 mm, 72 mm, 77 mm, 82 mm |
The H&Y name may be new to the best neutral density filters, but the company has been making filters for other brands for many years. After making waves with its innovative magnetic filter frames, H&Y is now putting its name on the filters themselves.
The K-series square ND filters (100x100mm) come in useful densities of 6 stops and 10 stops. Both have multi-coated glass that keeps colors true and protects against fingerprints, moisture, and scratches.
The Good
- With Multi-Resistance Coating, reflection, flare, and ghosting are cut down.
- Available in different densities for more flexibility in exposure control.
- Slim profile minimizes vignetting.
- Durability is ensured by good construction and materials.
The Bad
- The price is higher than that of some other ND filters.
- Only a few different densities are available.
Cokin Z-Pro ND filters
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Filter type | Neutral Density |
| Available densities | ND2 (1 stop), ND4 (2 stops), ND8 (3 stops), ND16 (4 stops), ND32 (5 stops), ND64 (6 stops), ND128 (7 stops), ND256 (8 stops), ND1024 (10 stops) |
| Filter holder | Cokin Z-Pro series |
| Size options | 100 x 100 mm |
Cokin has a wide range of ND filters, which, to be honest, can be hard to understand. For beginners, the best neutral density filters place to start is with the smaller P-series, but if you want high-quality filters, you should spend a little more on the Z system.
Which will cost you an extra $55/£50, and that’s before you buy any adaptor rings or filters. So, the best deal for landscapes is the ND creative kit, which comes with a holder, several adaptor rings, a 2-stop full ND filter, a 2-stop gradual ND filter, and a 3-stop hard ND filter.
The Good
- Wide range of densities available for precise exposure control.
- The Cokin Z-Pro filter holder system is compatible with it.
- Image quality is ensured by the use of high-quality optical glass.
The Bad
- Can be expensive if you buy more than one density.
Lee Filters Stopper
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Filter type | Neutral Density |
| Available densities | Big Stopper (10 stops), Little Stopper (6 stops), Super Stopper (15 stops) |
| Filter holder | Lee Filters 100mm system |
| Size options | 100 x 100 mm |
The best neutral density filters is a high-quality 10-stop ND filter and one of Lee’s most well-known products. The square-shaped filters are attached to the camera with Lee’s filter holder, which works with all Lee filters and has an innovative design that makes it easy to switch filters while shooting.
The holder has a multi-function control pin that lets the camera be mounted quickly with one hand. The pin can be rotated or locked into place, depending on what the photographer wants.
The Good
- Wide range of densities available for precise exposure control.
- Compatible with the 100mm filter holder system made by Lee Filters.
- Image quality is ensured by the use of high-quality optical glass.
The Bad
- Can be expensive if you buy more than one density.
Neewer ND Filter Kit
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Filter type | Neutral Density |
| Available densities | ND2 (1 stop), ND4 (2 stops), ND8 (3 stops) |
| Size options | 58 mm, 67 mm, 72 mm, 77 mm, 82 mm |
| Material | Optical glass and aluminum alloy |
This set of Neewer ND filters is best neutral density filters who care more about price than anything else. Neewer is known in the photography world for making affordable gear with good quality, and this filter set is no different.
The Neewer ND Filter Kit isn’t the best, but it comes with a lot of different filters that let you try out a lot of different things. Also, you can stack filters to get even longer exposures. This lets you try out very long exposures in bright light, but it’s important to note that the quality of your photos will go down a lot.
The Good
- It comes in a set with different sizes and weights.
- Easy to use and not too heavy.
- For the price, the picture quality is good.
The Bad
- Only a few different densities are available.
B+W ND 800 Series 3.0
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Filter type | Neutral Density |
| Available densities | ND1000 (10 stops) |
| Coating | Multi-resistant coating |
| Size options | 52 mm, 58 mm, 62 mm, 67 mm, 72 mm, 77 mm, 82 mm |
B+W is best neutral density filters and a German company that makes filters. It is a part of the well-known Schneider Kreuznach company. The new ND800 series is made of high-quality glass that has been coated in different ways to improve performance.
The 802 (ND 0.6, 2-stop), 804 (ND 0.9, 3-stop), 806 (ND 1.8, 6-stop), and 810 all have different densities (ND 3.0, 10-stop). Also, the black casing of the filters is thin, which makes them less likely to cause vignetting when used with wide-angle lenses.
The Good
- High-quality Schott glass makes sure that the image quality is the best it can be.
- Flare and ghosting are lessened by MRC coating, which also makes contrast and color accuracy better.
- With a 10-stop reduction in density, you can take creative long-exposure photos in bright daylight.
The Bad
- Compared to other ND filters on the market, this one is pricey.
- Compared to other ND filters, this one is heavy and big, which may make it hard to use on some lenses.
K&F Concept Neutral Density Filter
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Filter Type | Variable Neutral Density |
| Density | ND2 to ND400 |
| Coating | Multi-coated |
| Material | Optical Glass |
It’s not easy to find best neutral density filters that is the best in every way. But this ND filter is the most important thing you need to add to your list of accessories, no matter what kind of pictures you usually take.
It can change the neutral density from 2 to 400 ND, which makes sure that the wavelength intensities are lowered without changing the colors. With this feature, you can also use the filter in different kinds of light, from bright sunlight to dim ambient light.
The Good
- With variable density control, the exposure can be changed easily as the lighting changes.
- Reflections and flare are lessened by multi-coated optical glass, which makes images sharp and clear.
The Bad
- Some color shifts may happen, especially in settings with a high density.
PolarPro Variable ND
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Filter Type | Variable Neutral Density |
| Density | ND2 to ND32 |
| Coating | Multi-coated |
| Material | Glass |
A variable ND filter might be for you if you want the convenience of having different filter densities in a single filter. You can use a variable ND filter when the light changes quickly or when you don’t know which density will give you the best effect.
Most variable best neutral density filters have problems with vignetting, and when used with wide-angle lenses, they tend to give uneven coverage. The Peter McKinnon edition of PolarPro is different.
The Good
- Multi-coated glass cuts down on reflections and improves the contrast and clarity of the image.
- The slim profile design makes it easy to use with wide-angle lenses and reduces vignetting.
The Bad
- At high density settings, there may be some color shift, which changes how accurate the colors are.
FAQs
What neutral density filter is best?
- Cokin Nuances Extreme ND 10-stop Filter
- Lee Filters ProGlass IRND 10-stop Filter
- PolarPro Peter McKinnon Variable ND Filter
- H&Y Fixed ND 10 Stop Filter
- Lee Filters Elements Big Stopper Circular Filter
Do neutral density filters make sense to buy?
There is no better filter to use for effects like smoothing water or making clouds look like they have streaks. ND filters are a must-have for landscape photographers who want to get more creative effects in-camera.
Which neutral density filter works best for waterfalls?
The most common ND filter for waterfalls is a 3-stop (0.9) filter, but you can get much higher ones all the way up to 10-stop (3.0) filters that will let you take photos with exposures longer than 30 seconds in the middle of the day.