Haida's PROII CPL-VND 2 in 1 filter puts a variable neutral density filter in the same frame as a circular polarizing filter so you only need to mount one filter to control exposure and reduce reflections. It's a useful addition to a videographers kit and it opens up some creative opportunities for photographers, although in very bright light you may wish for an even stronger ND filter.
The Haida PROII CPL-VND 2 in 1 filter is a circular screw-on filter that combines a circular polarizer with a variable neutral density filter . That's a very useful combination because it enables you to cut down on glare and reflections, boost color saturation and extend the exposure time with just one filter. Neutral density and CPL filters are commonly used for videography and landscape photography, and mounting one filter rather than two saves time and hassle.
As a variable neutral density filter, the Haida PROII CPL-VND 2 in 1 enables a 3 to 7-stop reduction in the exposure. For videographers that’s useful for keeping the shutter speed within a desirable range for the frame rate and aperture while photographers may use it to enable longer shutter speeds to blur movement or to allow a wide aperture to be used in bright light. Meanwhile, the circular polarizer element of the filter cuts down on reflections and boosts color saturation.
Haida makes the outer frame of the filter from aluminum alloy while the filter itself is made from K9 optical glass with 8 layers of oil, water and scratch repellant coatings on each side.
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Using The Filter
When you first unbox the filter, you'll have to screw the small lever into the VND portion of the filter. It's very simple. Then screw the filter into your lens. Actual adjustment of the filter is very simple. Dial in the number of stops with the VND lever and rotate the polarizer as needed.
I do recommend that you adjust the VND first, then rotate the CPL. Why? Well ... two reasons. First, a VND is in and of itself a polarizer. So dial in the ND stops you need first, get that set. Then, adjust the polarizer to cut glare and reflections as needed. Second, when adjusting the VND, you can slightly move the polarizer setting if you bump the lever against the 3 ND or 7 ND position.