58mm Variable ND Filter ND2-ND32 (1-5 Stops) Lens Filter Waterproof Scratch Resistant with 18 Layers of Nano-coating Nano-Klear Series

So, I have to say that this filter is a first for me and I am highly impressed. There are times when the sunlight can be quite harsh and I don’t want to go up or down stops. The filter performs well in bright sunny days. It’s made well and has a good sturdy feel and weight to it. I’m currently using on a 35mm 1.8 Sony lens. I cannot wait to put it through its paces this summer. Well worth its asking price.

This filter has five stops. The stops are not locking stops, but there are indication markers for each stop. When you change stops, the filter moves very smoothly. The entire filter is quality in the materials and the construction. I like the feel of just moving it. It went onto my lens easily. I did not notice any vignetting from the filter on my photos. I also did not notice any cross effect and all photos seemed clear and without any color distortion. The filter does come with its own case, which in my opinion is a bonus. Five stars.

First and foremost, I have to say that I am pleased with my purchase of this particular Variable ND Lens Filter as someone (I'm a non-professional photographer) who has recently become interested in such kit/capability and don't wish to spend $100+ on higher-end equipment.

I see its greatest value in situations where time is of the essence and you are not able to fully control the situation - i.e., you don't have the luxury of time to set up shots using/switching fixed ND filters.

PROs:
*Doesn't appear to affect sharpness in any discernable way - The glass is of sufficient quality.
*Threading is tight and of good quality - Does not back-out when rotating the ND ring opposite to the way it is threaded on.
*Any color hue created in the lower ND settings is not too noticeable and is easily corrected in post. In several instances I've actually been pleased with the very slight hue it created and left it that way.
*The ND ring is tightly fitted but turns smoothly (no issues with it turning by itself when carried around all day - it seems to stay in place).
*Appreciate the plastic case it comes with to keep it from being damaged or collecting dust.
*Did not appear to affect my camera's autofocus and/or face detection.
*Probably obvious, but it's WAY faster to adjust this than removing and replacing fixed filters. This was handy when I was on a guided tour and in a vehicle where I didn't have time to change filters for particular shots, a common benefit probably to all variable filters of this type.

CONs:
*It does add a couple mm of length to your lens, but I suspect nearly all filters like this will do the same. If your camera/lens are already tightly fitted in your bag, having this filter on it could amplify the issue.
*No audible/tactile "click" when adjusting, although as stated before it's machined tight enough I never had any issues with it wandering from where I set it after several hours of walking around. More of a personal preference.

Summary:
For the money and its quality (at this price-point) it's sort of a no-brainer for someone like me who is/was interested in adding ND filter capability to outdoor photography, particularly landscape photography that can be troublesome during maximum lighting conditions (high noon) which can wash-out some contrast in your shots.

I shoot a lot of video and needed an 82mm ND filter, so decided to order this variable ND filter and I am glad I did. This is really nicely made, and is so easy to change levels of filtering, from lighter to darker by just turning it a little bit or a lot. It's a very visible change that you can easily see in the glass. The threads are perfect, and I had no problems screwing this onto the front of my lens or removing it. Image quality was excellent as well, with no visible distortion in my images whatsoever. This is a really nice filter.

The 43mm ND filter came in a typical filter case along with three pieces of microfiber cloth. I also own a 49mm ND filter from K&F which has been working well.

The filter looks well made. Clear markings on the filter and easy to rotate and set it to 1-5 stops for reduced light. It is easy to mount the filter onto the lens and remove it. One thing that was mentioned in the description but I missed to read it is that this 43mm filter needs a 46mm filter cap. I do not own a 46mm lens cap and so will have to buy one.

I have shot quite a few images with this filter, the light gathered by the lens is reduced as the filter ring is rotated to a higher stop. The filter ring does not rotate beyond the min or max stops and so this resolves the X cross problem. I will use this filter for long exposures when it gets a little warmer where I live.

This filter is not water repellent or scratch resistant and not slim. Filter quality is good, happy with the results so far. Price is ok at $29.99.

Nothing but high quality from K&F Concept. Their products deliver every time. This filter is no exception. ND2-32 is a daily driver, for the in-between shooting after blue hour and before golden hour. Adjust really easy and there are no X's in the images.

✅ Made of matte anodized aluminum.
✅ The filter threads are well-cut and easy to screw on.
✅ Prevents vignetting on wide-angle lenses.
✅ The adjustment range is convenient for various shooting situations.
✅ Does not cause image quality issues when shooting.
✅ Resistant to chromatic aberration.
✅ Easily adjustable with clear stops.
✅ Comes with microfiber cloths.
✅ Works well with a wide variety of cameras and lenses.

However, the product appears to be high-quality; the frame is made of high-quality metal, presumably magnesium, and otherwise meets my expectations. An ND filter is used to reduce the amount of light entering the camera, for example, for long-exposure shots or in very bright environments when you want to keep the aperture open. This filter has an adjustable darkening factor that can be adjusted by turning the front part of the filter.

The quality is good and comparable to other branded products, as well as products from the K&F Concept brand, that I've purchased before.

The product arrived safely packaged and included three microfiber cloths made of fine, soft jersey material, which I didn't necessarily need, but they look good.

The filter was easy to mount on my Nikon Z50, but the thick ring on the filter makes it difficult to retrofit the anti-glare filter.

The image quality is good, and there are no color distortions.

Since the variable filter (like all filters of this type) is based on two polarizing filters that are rotated against each other, a polarizing filter effect appears in the photo, especially with slight darkening.

This isn't a bad thing, though, and is also the case with other variable ND filters. Polarizing filters are often intentionally used to minimize reflections, but it's something to be aware of. Unlike with regular polarizing filters, the polarizing filter layer here isn't rotatable.

The effects are visible in the example photo of a hedge. The image without the filter (left) is almost identical to the image with the filter fully darkened (right), with otherwise identical camera settings, except that I increased the exposure time from 1/10th of a second to 30 seconds. This long exposure time allows for good blurred shots of moving objects (water, cars, etc.). With the ND filter at its lowest setting (center), the polarizing filter significantly reduces the reflections on the leaves, making them appear much greener. I didn't take any photos of the other intermediate settings of the filter, but there are no significant color deviations either.

At this price-point the ND filter is perfectly fine. Yes, it does add a slight colored cast on the photo but I was already expecting some sort of cast. It can easily be removed in post processing which I do anyway even without an ND filter. If you don't need an ND filter with more than 5 stops, this one will do.

Very handy variable density filter for landscape photography and hard light. Makes difficult shooting much easier and allows longer exposure time and depth of field. Very useful. Recommended.