THE BIGGEST MIRROR – North West UK Formby Beach
using Freewell Filters
When plans change you change to make plans. Sunset at Formby beach and an opportunity with a break in the sky, some light after the storms. Scuppered to make my trip to the Lake District, I jumped into the van and headed to the BIGGEST MIRROR in the UK, the receding tide leaving Formby sand like a huge reflective plate of glass.
Join me for a walk along the coast using Freewell filters to grab the colour and long exposures of a slow retreating tide. Thank you to @Freewell Gear for providing me with this excellent filter system, I’ve been using and testing for a few months and it now sits firmly as my portable filter system in the bag!
I’m not one for product reviews but Freewell kindly sent me a set of their magnetic variable ND’s a filter system VND, yep a magnetic variable ND and polariser, they say the worlds 1st variable magnetic ND system. These have been put through their paces! I’ve been using them when needed for the last 4 months. It’s been great to use and have the chance to review this filter system for a couple of reasons. No pressure to create a video from Freewell without really testing them and to be honest about my opinion. I don’t go into great detail in the video, I’ll let the images do the talking, but here’s my review below and insight into this excellent system from Freewell filters.
The Good 👍
The big plus points for me are using them for video and controlling the light, to easily change and swop from polariser, ND2 stop to 5 for video is so good to do this on the fly. Quickly swopping filters – polariser and ND amount with no worries of them falling off due to the strong magnetic connection to the lens. For photography, again the ease to shoot waterfalls or coastal long exposures by quickly changing the magnetic ND but to have the variable strength of the filter change with a simple twist! This was a massive benefit! The ability to go from textured, detailed moving water to flat minimalist 10 stop with a twist, was seamless and no changing glass to achieve the result.
The Bad 👎
For video the ND – VND, polariser is great, no complaints! But… for photography you get a vignette on longer exposures, it’s not huge but if you go to the full 10 stop on a 1 minute or more exposure the vignette is noticeable. Easily removed in post and not a big issue. I guess this is expected due to the round nature of the VND. No X cross unlike other cheap filters out there.
The round up 👍 👎
Ease of use – superb no messing Great for video. Easy to change ND’s with the magnetic connection. VND and magnetic connection, a great idea, effortless exposure time changes. Professional build. Metal – glass construction, oh and I’ve dropped them so many times and they don’t break or scratch easily! Sadly vignettes when pushing longer exposures beyond 30 seconds. Overall this is my choice for the fells or a quick run out to the beach. Quick, easy with little fuss to use. The filters and all the details on what you get with the system click here
I hope you enjoy the project and my different take on a review. I’ll look forward to your comments and feedback. Thank you
My first photobook, An-Stapa – Standing Still is available to buy now…
CLICK HERE to get your copy today!
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