Freewell Unveils Slim VND-CPL Filter for Filmmakers and Hybrid Shooters

Freewell took direct aim at one of the most annoying realities of hybrid shooting on location: the growing pile of front-end glass on the lens. Its new Brandon Li x Freewell VND/CPL System, announced on May 7, combines a variable ND and a circular polarizer in a single slim package, and Freewell says the goal is simple, less bulk, faster changes, fewer missed moments.

The pitch is not just that the filter does two jobs. Freewell says the design uses a 100 percent mechanism-free structure, removing the internal parts that can add thickness, inconsistency, and failure points in traditional variable ND systems. In practice, that matters on a run-and-gun day when a matte box is not in play and a shooter is trying to keep pace with changing sun, reflective surfaces, and moving talent. Brandon Li, who co-developed the system with Freewell over about two years, said the point was to remove the friction creators feel when traveling or working on location, where filter changes can interrupt the rhythm of a shoot.

The hardware details are where the product tries to prove it is more than smart branding. Freewell says the VND/CPL can be adjusted independently, with one ring controlling polarization and another controlling density. The Basic Kit uses an included ND32 filter to deliver a 1-to-10-stop range, while the Cine Kit can switch from 1-to-5 stops to 6-to-10 stops by attaching the ND32 filter and locking it in place. Freewell lists the 82mm Basic Kit at 45.3 grams and 6.65mm thick, while the 86mm Cine Kit weighs 62.2 grams and measures 7.6mm thick.

That locked magnetic design is the part that makes the system feel tailored to working shooters instead of desk-bound spec hunters. Magnetic filters are convenient until they pop loose at the wrong moment, so Freewell’s locking approach is clearly aimed at keeping the speed of a magnetic mount without the anxiety. The company also says the filter can be paired with diffusion, and its Pro Kit adds a Glow Mist 1/4 filter for a more stylized look.

Pricing puts the idea in serious-buyer territory. Freewell lists the 67mm, 72mm, and 82mm Basic Kits at $349.99, while the 77mm Pro Kit is $379.99. The wider context is familiar: Freewell was already pushing magnetic filter systems in 2021 and the K2 magnetic system in 2023, and rivals such as H&Y have also leaned into hybrid filter designs. The takeaway is clear: the accessory market is still chasing the same on-location problem, and this is one of the more aggressive attempts yet to replace two filters with one.