3-in-1 ND Filter for iPhone 18 Pro Max (Better Than a VND?)

A variable ND filter sounds like the most convenient filter for your iPhone, but I think that this filter with three fixed ND strengths built in might actually be the better choice. So this right here is Freewell's 3-in-1 ND filter with three different strengths on the filter itself. So you just twist it instead of swapping filters. And I tested it together with the 3-in-1 mist filter on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. So by the end of this video, you'll know how they perform, what to know before you buy it, and whether they're the right fit for you. So I've used a ton of V&D filters on my iPhone in the past, and I do have to say that Freewell makes some of the best ones out there. But this was actually my first time trying the 3-in-1 magnetic filter, so I was really curious how it would perform. And Freewell reached out to me and asked me if I was interested, If you're interested, and I was. So they sent me these filters, but no money was exchanged and they didn't tell me what to say. So these are my honest thoughts. And for me, it really always comes down to convenience and how easy something is to use. And I was actually quite surprised at how well they perform. So with that said, let's get into it. So let's start with the three in one ND filter. Now this isn't a VND filter. It's a fixed ND filter, but the glass is divided into three sections with Three different strengths. You've got ND8, ND32, and ND64. That's three, five, and six stops of light reduction all in one filter. So when do you use which one? So the ND8 is the lightest, so it's great for like overcast days, shades, or later in the afternoon when the light is already softer. And the ND32 is good middle ground for a bright day. The ND64 is the strongest, so that's the one for like harsh midday sun or when you're filming near water or snow where everything is really bright and reflective. The filters also attach magnetically and they hold pretty strong even if I try to shake it off. So you really just snap it on and you're ready to go. To switch strengths, the filter has two layers and both have a marked line at the top. So you simply just twist the filter until the two lines align. So why would you even use an ND filter on your iPhone? When it's bright outside, your iPhone lets in too much light. So it compensates with a really fast shutter speed. And that makes every movement look sharp and a little bit choppy, especially when you're walking or panning. And with an ND filter, it cuts that light so you can keep your shutter speed at around double your frame rate. So if you film 25 frames per second, that shutter speed is one over 50. And this way, you get that natural motion blur that makes your footage feel more cinematic. The iPhone 18 Pro Max does have a variable aperture now, but stopping down to f4 only gets you about three stops, so a bright day and ND is still necessary to control the exposure. Now, for this test, I filmed with the Blackmagic Camera app in Apple Log using exactly those settings, 25 frames per second at 1 over 50. Now, it was already a little bit late in the afternoon, so the ND8 was good enough, And the results turned out really nice. The ND filter produced really accurate colors, which is super convenient because you don't have to correct, you know, any color cast in the edit. Now I like to film in Apple Log, which is a flat log profile. So compared to normal video, it keeps more detail in the highlights and the shadows. It gives you more flexibility when you color grade. As a beginner, it can look intimidating color grading Apple Log 2. So if you're looking for an easy way to turn that flat image into something that looks great, I created my own Apple Log and Apple Log 2 LUTs, which is a one-click solution, and there are two packs available. The Essential Pack has three looks, Standard, Rich, and Fade. And then there's the Creative Pack with eight different stylized looks. Also, my go-to settings are included too, including the Black Magic Camera settings a more cinematic look. Now, if you are interested, the link is in the video description below. What surprised me the most is how thin and flat it is. It's very lightweight. And I also actually like the metallic design of it. So let's now talk about the three in one mist filter. Now a mist filter softens the highlight and adds a soft glow, which takes away a little bit of that sharp digital look you sometimes get on an iPhone. And this one has three gold, noir and snow, and all three are a one quarter strength. So the difference isn't how strong the effect is, but the character of the glow and it works exactly like the ND you just twist them until the lines align while filming during the day i really like the golden one it produced a nice soft glow and you can really see the difference in the highlights for me this is the whole point of this filter with a normal fixed ND filter when the light changes and you need a stronger one you have to reach into your pockets and swap out the filter and there are also variable ND filters where you just Twist the filter to adjust the strength, which is convenient, but some of them produce an X pattern or you get that. vignetting on the on the edges and they might not be strong enough so you still have to switch to a stronger filter and you really get the best quality with fixed ND filters as they're very color accurate the three in one gives you both you get the quality of a fixed ND and you just rotate the filter to get the next strength so everything is already in one and Freewell also has a stackable system called the QuickSnap filter kit which i don't have unfortunately but But with stackable filters, you still be reaching into your pocket every time. Now there are a few things you should know before buying these filters. Now first, these filters only work with Freewell's own system. They're designed for Freewell's iPhone cases and their cage. So if you're using a different case right now, you'd have to switch to theirs. Second, you can't stack the ND filter with the mist filter together. So it's either the ND or the mist, not both at the same time, honestly, that's the one thing I wish I could do with this type of filter because using both together would be Pretty cool. And lastly, the price at the time of this video, both filters are $79.99 each, but you're getting three filters in one, which makes the price a lot easier to justify. If you're already using Freewell's case, or you don't mind switching and you want a quick way to control your light on the go, I think these filters are a really great choice. Now, let me know what you think about these three-in-one filters, let me know in the comments. Other than that, thanks for watching and I'll see you in the next one.