With prices for the K&F Concept Variable Fader ND 1-8.6 filter starting at just $20 for the smallest 40.5mm version and only going up to a still very affordable $30 for the most expensive 82mm model, it’s easy to see why this is one of the most popular Variable ND filters on the market.
But can a product so cheap still be a quality item? I recently got hold of one, as well as its more premium (and more expensive) sibling: the K&F Concept Nano-X Variable ND Filter ND2-400. In this review I put the K&F Concept Variable Fader ND Filter 1-8.6 through its paces to see if you should buy one, or whether it’s worth splashing out for its beefed up brother.
If the word VND is new to you, it stands for Variable Neutral Density filter. An ND, or Neutral Density filter, uses semi-transparent material to reduce light coming in through the lens. A VND however, uses two polarizing filters that twist against each other to reduce the amount of light coming in to through the lens and is therefore a little more versatile as its strength isn't set in stone and can be adjusted as needed.
This has applications for recording video where you may need to adapt to changing light, and also for still photography where you may want to reduce light flow to extend your shutter speed for long exposure photography.
K&F Concept’s Variable Fader ND Filter 1-8.6 is one of the most affordable and popular VND filters on the market. In this review I find out if it’s any good…
K&F Concept Variable Fader ND Filter 1-8.6: Specifications
K&F Concept Variable Fader ND Filter 1-8.6: Build & Handling
This budget-friendly VND fader filter is available to fit most lenses in 13 common sizes ranging between 37 and 82mm front filter threads. To keep costs down and its price point attractive the VND comes with a simple clear plastic hard case and a cleaning cloth – you won't find many frills here as it is a budget option.
With prices ranging from $20-30 it’s easy to see why this VND filter is so popular. However, being so cheap this filter is a very bare bones affair and it’s worth noting it comes with very few bells and whistles, though it delivers on its promise of reducing the light flow between one and 8.6 stops of light, so it does what it says on the tin.
What it is sorely missing however is any special lens coatings, it’s not dust or water repellent, nor is it scratch resistant – both of which are features on the more expensive Nano-X series with its special 28-layer coating.
It doesn’t have a slim profile as the front of the filter is a little larger than the rear filter thread. This can be problematic as it means you can’t stack filters as easily and also means your lens cap will no longer fit the filter once it’s screwed in place so it's not as easy to protect your filter when moving it between locations without removing it.
The front adjustment ring turns freely with no hard stops to offer haptic feedback once you’ve reached the extremes. This means it’s all-too-easy to turn the filter past the intended use case, resulting in unsightly cross polarisation. As the filter turns freely it doesn’t click neatly into each stop either. But this isn’t necessarily a negative, as it will be down to each user on whether they prefer this design or not.
It doesn't feature any sort of handle on the exterior which could be beneficial for photographers wanting to dial very precise adjustments, and also for videographers wanting to turn the adjustment ring smoothly without their hands appearing in shot. This is, however, a feature usually reserved for more premium VNDs.
K&F Concept Variable Fader ND Filter 1-8.6: Performance
With such a budget-friendly price point I wasn't expecting much from the K&F Concept Variable Fader ND Filter 1-8.6, but I was pleasantly surprised as it delivers on its promises and very much does what it says on the tin.
Available in a wide range of filter threads, check! Delivers down to 8.6 stops of stopping power, my testing found it does. Budget-friendly price – you got it!
The clear plastic hard case the filter comes shipped in is very basic but nicely padded on the inside. It's not as fancy or premium-feeling as the leather effect pouch found on its more premium Nano-X sibling, but it absolutely gets the job done.
One omission is that the filter lacks any hard stops at the extreme settings, so there's no haptic feedback to let you know when you've twisted the filter too far. The maximum 8.6 stop could also only be achieved on my sample by turning the filter a little past the Max marking, so it's not super accurate either.
As a basic filter it doesn't feature any sort of handle which would be beneficial, particularly for making adjustments for smooth and easily when recording video.
One quirk worth mentioning is that the front thread of the filter is a little larger than the rear which screws on to your lens and this means you won't be able to clip your lens cap onto the front of the filter whilst it's in place which is a little annoying, it also means you'll need slightly larger filters if you want to stack them on front, too.
When it came to image quality we found the K&F Concept Variable Fader ND Filter 1-8.6 tended to warm up the colors of our pictures a little – not the end of the world as it can usually be fixed quickly when editing the RAW files. I did also note some x-bar defects, particularly at the extreme end which made skies look a little dark in one corner – so they looked a little patchy and uneven, though this is a problem with practically all VND filters due to their inherent construction, so this budget K&F VND filter isn't alone on this front.
Sharpness also takes a bit of hit with the filter in place, though you do have to have a real sharp eye to spot it. Shooting on my Canon EOS R5 I had to zoom in to 150% on its 45MP RAW files, and then I could see the very fine details were a fair bit muddier than on shots without any filter in place. However, if you're not zooming in to your images, or doing big crops, I think you'd be pushed to see this drop in lens resolution.
K&F Concept Variable Fader ND Filter 1-8.6: Verdict
The K&F Concept Variable Fader ND Filter 1-8.6 delivers on its promise. It's a very budget friendly and capable VND filter and clearly many photographers online agree and are happy with their purchases as the filter has garnered an impressive 4.5 stars on B&H Photo Video.
It doesn't break the bank and is a good starting point for photographers looking to control light a little more for long exposures, though videographers probably won't get as much out of it as it lacks a control handle.
If you only need a basic VND filter then this is the one to go for, though if you would like a few more bells and whistles it's worth checking out the K&F Concept Nano-X Variable ND Filter ND2-400 which is around three times more expensive, but does pack in some worthy upgrades including water- and dust-repellent coatings, a putter style adjustment handle and a more premium carry case.
Should you buy the K&F Concept Variable Fader ND Filter 1-8.6?
✅ Buy this if...
- You need a VND filter capable of restricting light by up to 8.6 stops
- You're on a super strict budget
🚫 Don't buy this if...
- You want the very best image quality
- You need upgrades such as coatings, a control handle or a magnetic design
