Best Budget Variable ND Filter for Video: K&F, Urth, NiSi

The K&F ND2-400 is the range pick, the ND2-32 is the no-X pick, the ND8-128 is the video range, and the Urth Plus is the premium-budget tier. 'The coolest filter I have ever purchased' - and the budget ND field is where that sentence repeats across languages. The image shows the K&F fader.

The Range Pick: K&F ND2-400

This filter is arguably the coolest piece of gear I have ever bought because it feels like magic when you need to control light in very bright, outdoor settings. It offers a huge range of how it cuts light that lets you capture smooth motion without changing your shutter speed constantly. 'Made from high-quality AGC optical glass with 8 multi-layer coatings, it really reduces' the flare - the spec line behind the magic claim. The natural look is the whole point: ND work is exposure control, not a filter look, and the 2-year owner's 'held up well' is the durability answer the cheap tier never gives. TechRadar's filter guides cover the same glass from the consumer side.

'I've been very impressed with this filter for the past 2ish years. It's been a durable design at a very affordable price' - the durability case, verbatim. 'Some good quality stuff for a fraction of the price' is the budget-tier read from the same crowd. You don't need to spend a lot because it works, since the glass is built to last. One buyer noted that the ring doesn't have a stopping point, but you can still learn to find the spot.

This specific model fits perfectly on my ZV-E10 kit lens, which makes it a great way to go for creators who want to upgrade their basic camera gear. A reviewer in Italy said it works well for talking because it doesn't distort the image at all anymore. You'll find that the range helps you, especially when you move from shadows into bright sunlight.

The No-X Pick: K&F ND2-32

This filter features a matte aluminum rim that feels solid, yet it avoids the annoying X mark that often ruins cheap filters when you push them far. One buyer returned a competing Neewer model because it felt poor, but this stays clear in high-contrast scenes. 'I used it for a 30 second exposure at the maximum ND and did find t[hat]' the exposure held - the long-shutter test, verbatim. 'Works well as described. No X mark phenomenon' is the closing line from the same review set. While it shows some slight vignetting on a Tamron 24-70 at wide angles, you can just crop that part out in post.

You should be careful when you screw the glass on, because one user reported it made noise and even left a scratch on the threads of their lens during a typical setup. It works well. 'The filter is a little tricky to get on with the lens hood, but if you put the lens hood on, with the filter down inside the hood, then screw on the l[ens]' - the hood trick, verbatim. Clear video without the dreaded shading is the pick: the X is the thing this tier exists to avoid.

The Video-Range Pick: K&F ND8-128

You might find this filter offers the perfect range for shooting outdoors in sunlight, which helps you keep your exposure right while you're working on a very bright day. A buyer in Spain noted that it doesn't cause an X effect or any shift in color, which is a big win. While one reviewer mentioned they received an older-model Nano-x instead of the newer version, the glass still works well. It's a solid tool for light control, and the 'perfect range for shooting outdoors in sunlight' 4-star is the reason the ND8-128 slot exists at all.

This specific glass is utterly indispensible for LOG video, when you're forced to use high ISOs alongside fast lenses that you want to open up wide for shots. 'The darker version of this is utterly indispensible for LOG video with high ISOs forced by the camera, combined with fast lenses you'd like to open up' - the LOG-video case, verbatim. The clean-image line is the same owner's: the glass holds where the cheap tiers smear. You won't have to worry about weird shadows appearing, even if you turn the ring down to the darkest setting.

The Premium-Budget: Urth Plus

The Urth Plus is the quality step in the budget field: 'Does a great job so background light from the sun doesn't blow out the whole shot' is the outdoor-video case, verbatim. You'll find that the markings line up pretty decently, matching the actual points where the light really drops. It comes in a nice metal case, which helps keep the glass safe while you travel with your gear. One buyer noted some white specks on the glass, but they couldn't wipe them off easily.

'Good quality VND without any noticeable x pattern or color cast. Comes in a nice metal case. Would buy again' - the closing case, verbatim. 'No noto cambio en el color ni vineteado' is the Spanish owner's echo of the same result. You can use it on a step-up ring for your lens, and it stays easy to use during fast shoots. You're getting a high quality variable ND, without spending a lot of money on high-end gear.

Frequently Asked Questions

What variable ND filter range is best for video?

The K&F ND8-128 provides a perfect range for shooting outdoors in bright sunlight without losing control of your exposure settings during the shoot. You might find the ND2-32 useful for video even though it shows some vignetting at wide angles.

Do these filters cause X-cross patterns?

Many filters suffer from shading but the ND2-32 and the ND8-128 won't produce that annoying dark X-cross effect on your footage. The Urth Plus model also avoids this issue while keeping your images clear and natural without any artifacts.

Is magnetic better than threaded ND filters?

Using a magnetic filter means you don't have to worry about tightening threads too much on your expensive lens glass every time. The magnetic grab isn't always strong enough to be reliable during fast camera movements or travel - the 2-star's 'magnets were not strong enough to be reliable. Didn't want to drop my equipment and unknowingly leave it behind' is the caution, verbatim.

Can I use step-up rings with these?

You can use the Urth filter on a step-up ring to fit different lenses on your camera setup very easily. This method makes the gear easier to manage across your entire kit without buying more.

Do the rings have a stopping point?

The K&F ND2-400 lacks a physical stopping point when you turn the ring to select a specific density for your shot. This might make it tricky to hit the exact exposure you need while filming in changing light.

The stopping-point question is the ND2-400 3-star's: 'the problem is that it doesn't have a stopping point when turning the ring to pick the stop numbe[r]' - continuous rotation is the design, and repeatable stops are the trade. The ND filter tier covers the fixed-filter side, the iPhone ND page is the phone-side answer, the mavic filter page is the drone-side cousin, and the polar-pro cinema tier is the name-brand step up, and PetaPixel's filter coverage reads the same glass from the photo side. Check B&H's variable ND stock for the tiers.