Here’s our hands-on with the Freewell Locking VND/CPL Filter
(I tested the set on my Sony a7R III + Tamron 16–30mm f/2.8 G2)
If you’re just starting to experiment with filters, you’ve probably already heard about ND filters (Neutral Density) and CPLs (Circular Polarisers). ND filters let you slow your shutter speed for smooth water or motion blur in bright light, while CPLs cut glare and reflections for richer skies and more saturated colour.
The new Freewell Locking 3 to 7 stop VND/CPL combines both in one sleek, clever package — and after taking it for a spin last weekend (in crazy weather!) at the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse, I came away impressed.
A Quick Look at What’s New
For me, after experimenting with a magnetic system for a couple of years, the real standout is how the locking mechanism secures the VND/CPL filter to the adapter ring (Available in 49mm, 52mm, 55mm, 58mm, 67mm, 72mm, 77mm and 82mm) which you screw to the end of your lens, all while leaving the CPL/VND easy to manipulate, but stays securely in place. With your filter clipped into position, you can easily depress the side buttons on the red ring and spin it around to adjust your polarisation position, and there are two little tabs on the black ring that adjust your VND. (It’s good practice to adjust your variable ND first and then your Circular polariser)
I had no issues with bumping the filter tabs and accidentally changing settings, etc. That mix — a positive, confidence-inspiring lock plus a tactile, easy-to-fine-tune control ring — gives you reliable, repeatable results in the field without sacrificing on-the-fly adjustments. — the sort of detail that shows Freewell’s been listening to creators. ??
The hybrid design, meaning you get the VND with a built-in CPL at the same time, That means fewer filters to juggle, less time swapping glass in the field, and no cross-polarisation weirdness. BUT you can stack extra filters, I was sent the ND32 as well as the Snow Mist 1/4 filter. When you stack the ND32 with the VND, you get upto 10 stops of ND (fun long exposures in the middle of the day!)
Small Touches That Make a Difference
One thing that genuinely surprised me was the NFC lens cap. I will admit I thought it was a bit of a gimmick at first, but when you tap your phone to it, and it takes you straight to the Freewell Hub, where you’ll find setup videos, warranty info, and filter guides — Yeah, that’s actually super handy for anyone new to filters! New hunting around for QR codes or small paper manuals – I was about to say “who doesn’t always have their lens cap with them… but I don’t want to jinx myself!) – Nice touch, Freewell!
In Use
Mounted on my Sony a7R III with Tamron’s new 16–30mm f/2.8 G2, the Freewell filter set performed beautifully. Colour rendition stayed natural thanks to Freewell’s True Color optics, with no unwanted tint or cast to my eye — even at higher ND stops. Reflections off the water and rocks at Point Lonsdale were cleanly tamed, and the added contrast in the sky was a nice bonus. I was able to shoot a 10 second exposure at 2:30pm – Quite fun!
While I didn’t get to use the Snow Mist filter on the weekend, I really should have! You can see an example below of what the filter does – pretty much exactly what it says “Snow Mist” that light dispersion is pretty sweet!
Who It’s For
If you’re just getting into filters, this is a smart, long-term investment. You’ll spend less time worrying about shifting stops and more time focusing on your composition. The combination of ND + CPL, the locking mechanism, and excellent optical clarity make it a standout for both photographers and filmmakers who want reliable, repeatable results.
Freewell’s Locking VND/CPL is available now through FreewellGear.com, Amazon, and selected retailers.
Freewell Provided the filter kit to us for review, we thank them for reaching out!
