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Freewell Real Locking VND/CPL Mega Kit: Two Minute Review
Filters are an important element of photography and video because, for the most part, they allow you to control exposure. Whether you want to control your shutter speed or shoot at a wider aperture than is possible, filters are the way to achieve the results you want.
The Freewell Real Locking VND/CPL Mega Kit is a comprehensive filter set built around a variable ND/polarizer and ND32 filter, with a pair of video haze filters thrown in for convenience. This is a stackable kit that allows you to combine multiple filters as needed. This kit differs from others in that the filters are attached to each other and to the adapter ring, rather than being magnetic.
Friwell rightly argues that clamp mounting is a safer system than magnetic and results in less random adjustment of the ND variable. The only downside to the system is that it is not as convenient as magnetic systems, and you need to make sure that the filter you attach is secure.
Two Real Locking VND/CPL kits are available: Mega Kit and All Day. I tested the Mega Kit by taking photos and videos to see how the kit as a whole and individual filters performed. Firstly you have the base ring, they are available in sizes from 49mm to 82mm with a lens cap which can be used leaving the ring on the lens if desired. The filters are 82mm in diameter, so the adapter rings extend downwards, allowing them to be used with multiple lenses.
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You can use Mist, ND32 or any other separately available filters individually on the base ring. The ND variable is combined with a polarizing filter, and using them together works surprisingly well. To adjust the polarizing effect, you need to rotate the entire filter by releasing the rubber clamps and turning it until the desired effect is achieved. Then, to adjust the ND variable, you simply move the marker to the desired force, which ranges from three to seven stops.
The kit also includes an ND32 filter, which reduces the light output by five stops. It can be used alone or in combination with VND for up to 12 stops of light blocking density, a couple of stops more than the Big Stopper. Because VND can handle up to seven stops, there is no color cast visible in photos, although there is a slight hint of red or purple when connected to the ND32.
When I say minor, I mean less—the color cast is barely visible to the color-trained eye and can be easily removed in editing software. When ND32 is used in isolation there is a slight tint of red, again minimal as when used in conjunction with VND.
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ND filters are great for video, offering the ability to quickly control exposure while maintaining the correct shutter speed for capturing motion—the 180-degree rule. For landscape photography, you can increase your shutter time to smooth out water and blur clouds, and filters also allow you to shoot at larger apertures in bright conditions.
There is no specific information about the glass design of the filters, but it is clear that they are coated and the image quality when using them is excellent. Color reproduction is also excellent, with the exception of the extremely minor aforementioned color cast issue. The two fog filters also work well and do what they are advertised to do.
The Glow Mist 1/4 filter subtly blurs highlights, smooths out contrast, and adds cinematic haze without losing sharpness. This filter extends the haze into the midtones. In the examples below, you will see that the sun star in the unfiltered version remains, but with a bloom in the center.
The Snow Mist 1/4 filter emphasizes more than the Glow Mist 1/4 filter and also smooths out the contrast, but with less spread in the midtones. This filter completely turned the sun star into a circular light. Both of these filters can be used on all types of photos to apply cinematic haze effects as well as video capture.
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My only minor complaint with the Mega Kit is that when the ND32 and two Mist filters are inserted into the smart leatherette filter case with magnetic clasp, the middle and rear filters are a little tight when removing them from the case. However, the case is well made and allows you to safely store the entire kit.
The lens caps have NFC built into them, which takes you to the free Hub website where you can find tutorials, user guides and more. It's a bit of a gimmick and may not be necessary, but it's certainly an innovative and unique feature.
The back cover, which attaches to the VND/CPL, has a built-in gray card and white balance for color calibration. This, it must be said, is extremely useful, especially for video capture, where you can ensure color uniformity when shooting without filters and with filters of different strengths.
Freewell Real Locking VND/CPL Mega Kit: Key Features
|
Filter slots |
Stackable |
|
Adapter rings |
82 mm included (49 to 82 mm available separately) |
|
Polarizing filter |
Built into VND |
|
Case included |
Yes |
|
Lens cap |
Yes |
Freewell Real Locking VND/CPL Mega Kit Price and Availability
Two Real Locking VND/CPL kits are available: Mega Kit and All Day. They are available now at Amazon and the Freewell website. The all-day kit is available for $250 on Amazon US. and includes VND3-7/CPL Base, ND32, 82mm Base Ring, NFC Lens Front Cap, White Balance Rear Cap, Filter Case and Cleaning Cloth. Same The all-day kit costs £227.43 on Amazon UK.. Australian pricing to be confirmed.
The Mega Pack includes all of the above plus Snow Mist 1/4 and Glow Mist 1/4. This kit costs $350 USD and both are priced in USD. Freewell websiteThis means that if you live outside the US, you will need to check the exact cost in your currency at the time of purchase.
The kits are not cheap, but their price is similar to magnetic filter kits. Other filters can be purchased separately, as well as additional support rings that come with matching NFC front lens caps.
Should I buy the Freewell Real Locking VND/CPL Mega Kit?
Buy if…
Don't buy it if…
How I Tested the Freewell Real Locking VND/CPL Mega Kit
- Used for photo and video shooting.
- Filters are tested individually and as a set
- Tested in various lighting conditions
I tested the Freewell Real Locking VND/CPL Mega Kit for several weeks and used it for a variety of photography and video shoots using different lenses with 82mm and 77mm filter threads. I used the filters individually and combined them as needed to evaluate performance in different configurations.
I also tested the filters in different lighting conditions to check their effectiveness against the manufacturer's claims, as well as how the fog filters' effects work in different situations.
First inspection October 2025
