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The Freewell Real Locking VND/CPL filter kit is a stackable filter solution for photography and video that moves away from magnetic attachment in favour of locking clips.

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Freewell Real Locking VND/CPL Mega Kit: two-minute review

Filters are an essential element of photography and video because, for the most part, they allow you to control exposure. Whether you’re aiming to manipulate shutter speed or to shoot at wider apertures than should be possible, filters are the way to achieve the desired results.

The Freewell Real Locking VND/CPL Mega Kit is a comprehensive filter kit built around a variable ND/polarizer and an ND32 filter, with a couple of video haze filters thrown in for good measure. This is a stackable kit, allowing you to combine multiple filters as required. Where this kit differs from others is in how the filters clip together and to the adaptor ring, rather than being magnetic.

Freewell rightly says clip attaching is a more secure system than magnetic, and results in less accidental adjustment of the variable ND. The only negatives to the system are that it’s not quite as convenient as magnetic systems, and you have to make sure the filter being attached is secure.

There are two Real Locking VND/CPL kits available: the Mega Kit and the All Day kit. I tested the Mega Kit, shooting both photos and videos to see how the kit as a whole and the individual filters perform. First, you have the base ring, and these are available from 49mm to 82mm with a lens cap that can be used with the ring left in place on the lens if desired. The filters are 82mm, so the adaptor rings step down, allowing you to use them across multiple lenses.

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(Image credit: James Abbott)

You can use the Mist filters, ND32 or any of the other separately available filters individually on the Base Ring. The variable ND is paired up with the polarizing filter, and using the two together works surprisingly well. To adjust the polarizing effect, you have to rotate the entire filter by releasing the rubber locking grips and turning it until the desired effect is reached. Then, to adjust the variable ND, you simply move the marker to the desired strength, which ranges from three to seven stops.

The kit also comes with an ND32 filter, which features a five-stop light-reducing density. This can be used in isolation or paired with the VND for up to a 12-stop light blocking density, so a couple of stops over a Big Stopper. With the VND at up to seven stops, there’s no color cast visible in photos, although there is a tiny hint of red or magenta when the ND32 is also attached.

When I say minor, I do mean minor – the color cast is only just visible to the color-trained eye, and this can be easily removed in editing software. When the ND32 is used in isolation, there is a slight cast that looks a little red, minimal again, like when stacked with the VND.

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(Image credit: James Abbott)

The ND filters are great for video, offering the ability to quickly control exposure while maintaining the correct shutter speed for capturing movement – the 180-degree rule. For landscape photography, you can extend exposure times to smooth water and blur clouds, while the filters also make it possible to shoot at larger apertures in bright conditions.

There’s no specific information about the glass construction of the filters, but you can see that they are coated, and image quality when using them is excellent. Color rendition is also excellent, with only the extremely minor aforementioned color cast issue. The two mist filters also work well and do what they’re claimed to do.

The Glow Mist 1/4 Filter blooms highlights slightly, smooths contrast and adds a cinematic haze without losing sharpness. With this filter, the haze spreads into midtones. In the examples below, you’ll see the sun star of the filter-free version remains, but with a bloom in the centre.

The Snow Mist 1/4 filter blooms highlights more than the Glow Mist 1/4 Filter and also smooths contrast, but with less spread into the midtones. This filter has completely bloomed the sun star into a circular highlight. Both of these filters can be used for all types of photography to apply cinematic haze effects, alongside being used for video capture.

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VND at 7-stops (Image credit: James Abbott)Image 6 of 8

VND at 7-stops and the ND32 (12-stops) (Image credit: James Abbott)Image 7 of 8

No filter (Image credit: James Abbott)Image 8 of 8

Polarizer at full strength (Image credit: James Abbott)

My only minor gripe with the Mega Kit is that when the ND32 and two Mist filters are inserted into the smart leatherette Filters Case with a magnetic clasp, the middle and rear filters are a bit tight when removing them from the case. The case is, however, well-made and stores the entire kit away safely.

The lens caps have NFC built in, which takes you to the freewell website ‘Hub’ for tutorials, user guides and other stuff. It’s a bit of a gimmick and possibly unnecessary, but it’s certainly an innovative and unique feature.

The rear cap, which attaches to the VND/CPL, has a built-in gray card and white balance for color calibration. This, I have to say, is extremely useful, especially for video capture, where you can ensure color consistency when shooting without filters and with filters at different strengths.

Freewell Real Locking VND/CPL Mega Kit: key specs

Filter slots

Stackable

Adaptor rings

82mm included (49mm to 82mm available separately)

Polarizing filter

Built into VND

Case included

Yes

Lens cap

Yes

Freewell Real Locking VND/CPL Mega Kit price and availability

There are two Real Locking VND/CPL kits available: the Mega Kit and the All Day kit. These are available now at Amazon and the Freewell website. The All Day Kit is available for $250 at Amazon US and includes the VND3-7/CPL Base, an ND32, an 82mm Base Ring, an NFC Front Lens Cap, a White Balance Back Cap, a Filters Case and a Cleaning Cloth for. The same All Day kit costs £227.43 at Amazon in the UK. Australia price TBC.

The Mega Kit includes all of the above, plus a Snow Mist 1/4 and a Glow Mist 1/4. This kit costs $350 and pricing for both is in USD on the Freewell website, meaning if you live outside the US you'll need to check the exact cost in your own currency at the time of purchase.

The kits aren’t cheap, but they’re priced similarly to magnetic filter kits. Other filters can be purchased separately, as well as additional Base Rings, which come with corresponding NFC Front Lens Caps.

Should I buy the Freewell Real Locking VND/CPL Mega Kit?

(Image credit: James Abbott)Buy it if...

You require convenience

This is a comprehensive stackable filter solution that can be used with a wide range of lenses.

You’d like portability

You would like a compact and lightweight filter system for photography and video capture.

Don't buy it if...

You need ND grads

If you’d like to use ND graduated filters to control sky exposure, you’ll need a square filter system.

You only need a VND

If you only need a variable ND filter, a simple VND will be a more appropriate and less expensive option.

How I tested the Freewell Real Locking VND/CPL Mega Kit

• Used for photo and video capture
• Filters tested individually and stacked
• Tested in differing light conditions

I tested the Freewell Real Locking VND/CPL Mega Kit over a couple of weeks and used for a variety of photography and video shoots using different lenses with 82mm and 77mm filter threads. I used filters individually and stacked as required to assess performance in a range of configurations.

I also tested the filters in different light conditions to check their effectiveness in regard to the manufacturer's claims, as well as how the effects of the Mist filters work in different situations.

First reviewed October 2025

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