After taking this filter out climbing, I was immediately thankful to have a magnetic filter. There was no fussing around with screwing on and off the filter, just a simple tug was enough to get the filter off. Rotating a CPL filter with the M2 system is a straightforward process. We’ve made it simple and intuitive to adjust the polarizer to achieve your desired effect. The Magnetic Filter System K2 comes in one size with different adapters to fit your specific front lens diameter. Magnetic Filter System K2 – Source: Freewell Pricing and availability However, if you want to shoot with a VND filter, your first need to snap the VND base filter into the inner filter slot in the base ring on the lens. Then, you flip one of the VND filters so that the “VND” text on the ring is facing you, and snap that on top of the base ring on the lens.

Each filter comes with a threaded ring that screws into your camera lens just like any other filter you've used in the past. The difference is it's just a metal ring that does nothing until you attach a filter to the ring using it's magnetic system. Freewell also offers the option to use a UV filter as the magnetic ring for it's system but I didn't use one in this review. A big issue with circular gradient filters is that users can’t adjust where the gradient is in the frame — it’s fixed. With the K2 Island Slot, users can adjust a filter’s height to change its effect on their photos and videos, and even rotate the entire assembly. The K2 also includes an integrated spirit level, or “gradienter tool,” to ensure level gradient filters.

Freewell is seeking crowdfunding to bring the product to market, and the IndieGoGo bundle also includes a compact case that can hold the entire kit safely, and it can easily fit in any bag, or clip onto any exterior strap or latch point.

K&F Concept’s lens adapters have two advantages. The first is that they are quite slim, measuring at only 2mm once installed. The second, and possibly most important, is that the adapter lets the user attach regular lens caps. These advantages mean they can remain permanently in place on a lens. Overall the benefits of this magnetic system greatly outweigh my concerns of reliability which in my testing hasn't been an issue. Image Quality

Ladies and gents, I have some news for you. The Freewell magnetic filter system is officially on the market. Gone are the days of having to screw on your filters like a measly peasant. Conclusion: Here, the Freewell VND filters are no worse than the very expensive PolarPro and less expensive Moment, but none of them give acceptable results. If I had just flown to Iceland with these filters and discovered results like these on my memory card at the end of my day, I’d be pissed off. Lastly, I zoomed into 200% on the images taken at f8 with my 70-200mm lens to show potential sharpness loss. Such detail likely won't come through after jpeg compression and resizing for this article but trust me when I say I see no loss in sharpness or detail in the image, which is great. So, let’s dive into what this Freewell magnetic filter system review, and discover if they are actually worth your money. Video Review + Unboxing That being said, it’s near impossible to accidentally bump this filter off. The magnets are quite strong and definitely require a firm hold to come apart. Since this polarizer is magnetic, it’s perfect to rotate in either direction with no worries of the filter unscrewing. Taken with the Freewell Magnetic Circular Polarizer (CPL) The red circle shows where the above climbing photo was taken.

Remove the base ring filter, and there’s now one pane of polarized glass (which is effectively a circular polarizer is). For polarization, do not add a filter to the base ring. If one has been inserted, remove it. Next, flip a “VND” filter over to its “CPL” side, then attach magnetically. CPL filters don’t require alignment, and can rotate a full 360 degrees without hard stops. Alongside the distinct Island Slot for gradient filters like a graduated neutral density (ND) filter, snow mist, glow mist, and streak, the K2 filter system also includes circular variable neutral density (VND), circular polarizing (CPL), solid ND, and graduated neutral density (GND) filters.One other thing I wish they'd add is the filter details listed on the front of the filter. The details of the filter are listed on the side which is great but it would be nice to also include them near the thread size is. For example, if I have each filter in the case they come in, I can't tell which filter is which from a top-down view as you can see in the photo above. Not a deal-breaker but certainly something that could be easily changed. Magnetic System