Neewer 10101081 43mm Variable ND Filter: MRC, ND2-ND400

The Neewer 43mm Variable ND Filter provides an adjustable neutral density range from ND2 to ND400, giving photographers and videographers between 1 and 8.5 stops of light reduction in a single, rotating filter. This flexibility is invaluable for shooting in changing conditions — whether you need just a touch of light reduction to open up your aperture on a bright day, or several stops to create motion blur effects on waterfalls, rivers, and light trails. The filter uses Japanese NITTO polarizing film sandwiched between 4-element optical glass, which helps maintain neutral color balance and accurate contrast throughout most of the adjustment range.

Build quality is a strong point at this price tier. The aluminum alloy frame measures just 9.5mm thick, keeping the profile slim enough to avoid vignetting on wide-angle lenses while providing precise threading for a secure mount. Forty-two layers of nano-coatings serve multiple roles: they reduce internal reflections and flare to a minimum 0.1% light reflectance, block UV rays from 300nm to 380nm, and create a surface that repels water, oil, and dust for easier cleaning in the field. It is worth noting that like all variable ND filters, the highest density settings near ND256 and above can introduce an X-shaped artifact — a physics-based limitation of crossed polarizer designs. For most shooting scenarios in the low-to-mid range, the filter delivers clean, color-accurate results that punch above its price point.