Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
In this video, I’m putting the new Freewell Brandon Li Signature Edition VND Filter to the test to see if it’s a worthy upgrade for your filmmaking kit. After using the Freewell V2 Magnetic VND system as my go-to for years, I wanted to find out if this new collaboration offers a genuine performance boost or if it's mostly hype.
We’ll dive deep into:
Color Accuracy: A real-world white card test to check for that "Zero Color Shift" claim.
Design & Weight.
The New Locking Mechanism: Testing the mechanical security of the magnetic attachment.
VND and CPL Control: How the independent glass rotation handles reflections and exposure.
Value for Money: Is it worth the switch, and what are the hidden costs of extra magnetic rings?
Whether you're a professional cinematographer or a solo filmmaker, choosing the right variable ND filter is critical for maintaining image quality and workflow speed. Watch to see if this signature set belongs in your camera bag.
Mentioned in this video:
Freewell Brandon Li Signature Edition VND (1-5 Stop + CPL)
Freewell V2 Magnetic Filter System
7mm Ultra Slim True Color ND32
Video Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction: Is it just hype?
00:23 - Transparency: Non-sponsored review
00:40 - Recap: How the Freewell V2 system works
01:19 - What's in the Box: Brandon Li Signature Edition specs
01:34 - Installation & New Mechanical Lock
02:01 - Color Neutrality & White Card Testing
02:32 - V2 vs. Brandon Li: Ergonomics & Grip
02:59 - The "M Filter" & Magnetic Strength
03:29 - Weight Analysis for Gimbal Shooters
03:46 - CPL Control & Reflection Testing
04:16 - Engravings, Hard Stops & X-Patterning
04:36 - The Big Deficiency: Accessory Costs
05:36 - Final Takeaway: To upgrade or not?
Our Filters: freewellgear.com/?sca_ref=10804985.tdIIo7enmNO9vLlO
Our media cards: angelbird.com/cne
R50V cage: smallrig.com/r/FO4RI0
SMALLRIG products: smallrig.com/r/8RDRIX
SMALLRIG POWER PLATE: smallrig.com/r/STAUC8
Monitor mount: smallrig.com/r/QI6U66
Pocket 4/6k Cage: smallrig.com/r/3UQEW0
Pocket 6K FF cage: smallrig.com/r/HCFAPW
Record Trigger Side Handle: smallrig.com/r/DMZHDS
Mattebox: smallrig.com/r/5NWZXJ
HDMI adapter lock: smallrig.com/r/WARTCP
Top handle: smallrig.com/r/BO4VRK
Rod clamp: smallrig.com/r/T8636D
15mm Rods: smallrig.com/r/UQKVUD
15mm Nato rod clamp: smallrig.com/r/FBDYKM
Panasonic batteries: smallrig.com/r/VEQ7VI
Canon LPE6 Battery: smallrig.com/r/WNC0XP
Monopod: smallrig.com/r/SYPY9H
To save even more money join this channel to get access to bigger discounts and perks:
youtube.com/channel/UCXsER7CJsWAIH2JXp9w98og/join
At Cine, we’re all about budget-friendly cameras, lenses, and techniques. We focus on providing honest, unbiased technical reviews, with a sprinkling of Resolve training to up your post game.
Everything we review or feature is something we’ve bought with our money, or is gear we genuinely use ourselves. Brands that send us equipment for review acknowledge, we reserve all exclusive rights to our content in perpetuity unless you license it from the CINE Channel. If we choose not to review your product, for any reason - you agree that it does not need to be returned.
Wish to supports us remaining independent, consider supporting us with a SUPER THANKS or using our only affiliate link: angelbird.com/cne
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You do not have permission to use our content under any circumstance.
You do not have our permission to train AI models with our content, or use our voices or likeness for any purpose, non commercial or otherwise.
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This production was made with Made with:
DaVinci Resolve 20 Studio
BMD Cameras and Canon Cameras and Cine Primes
Sound mixed in Fairlight
VFX DaVinci Resolve Fusion
Foley Sound Effects Created on location
Music Copyright Supplied by Audiio Sound or Written, Produced and Owned by us.
#cinechimp #brandonli #freewell #lensfilter #vnd
In this video, I’m putting the new Freewell Brandon Li Signature Edition VND Filter to the test to see if it’s a worthy upgrade for your filmmaking kit. After using the Freewell V2 Magnetic VND system as my go-to for years, I wanted to find out if this new collaboration offers a genuine performance boost or if it's mostly hype.
We’ll dive deep into:
Color Accuracy: A real-world white card test to check for that "Zero Color Shift" claim.
Design & Weight.
The New Locking Mechanism: Testing the mechanical security of the magnetic attachment.
VND and CPL Control: How the independent glass rotation handles reflections and exposure.
Value for Money: Is it worth the switch, and what are the hidden costs of extra magnetic rings?
Whether you're a professional cinematographer or a solo filmmaker, choosing the right variable ND filter is critical for maintaining image quality and workflow speed. Watch to see if this signature set belongs in your camera bag.
Mentioned in this video:
Freewell Brandon Li Signature Edition VND (1-5 Stop + CPL)
Freewell V2 Magnetic Filter System
7mm Ultra Slim True Color ND32
Video Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction: Is it just hype?
00:23 - Transparency: Non-sponsored review
00:40 - Recap: How the Freewell V2 system works
01:19 - What's in the Box: Brandon Li Signature Edition specs
01:34 - Installation & New Mechanical Lock
02:01 - Color Neutrality & White Card Testing
02:32 - V2 vs. Brandon Li: Ergonomics & Grip
02:59 - The "M Filter" & Magnetic Strength
03:29 - Weight Analysis for Gimbal Shooters
03:46 - CPL Control & Reflection Testing
04:16 - Engravings, Hard Stops & X-Patterning
04:36 - The Big Deficiency: Accessory Costs
05:36 - Final Takeaway: To upgrade or not?
Our Filters: freewellgear.com/?sca_ref=10804985.tdIIo7enmNO9vLlO
Our media cards: angelbird.com/cne
R50V cage: smallrig.com/r/FO4RI0
SMALLRIG products: smallrig.com/r/8RDRIX
SMALLRIG POWER PLATE: smallrig.com/r/STAUC8
Monitor mount: smallrig.com/r/QI6U66
Pocket 4/6k Cage: smallrig.com/r/3UQEW0
Pocket 6K FF cage: smallrig.com/r/HCFAPW
Record Trigger Side Handle: smallrig.com/r/DMZHDS
Mattebox: smallrig.com/r/5NWZXJ
HDMI adapter lock: smallrig.com/r/WARTCP
Top handle: smallrig.com/r/BO4VRK
Rod clamp: smallrig.com/r/T8636D
15mm Rods: smallrig.com/r/UQKVUD
15mm Nato rod clamp: smallrig.com/r/FBDYKM
Panasonic batteries: smallrig.com/r/VEQ7VI
Canon LPE6 Battery: smallrig.com/r/WNC0XP
Monopod: smallrig.com/r/SYPY9H
To save even more money join this channel to get access to bigger discounts and perks:
youtube.com/channel/UCXsER7CJsWAIH2JXp9w98og/join
At Cine, we’re all about budget-friendly cameras, lenses, and techniques. We focus on providing honest, unbiased technical reviews, with a sprinkling of Resolve training to up your post game.
Everything we review or feature is something we’ve bought with our money, or is gear we genuinely use ourselves. Brands that send us equipment for review acknowledge, we reserve all exclusive rights to our content in perpetuity unless you license it from the CINE Channel. If we choose not to review your product, for any reason - you agree that it does not need to be returned.
Wish to supports us remaining independent, consider supporting us with a SUPER THANKS or using our only affiliate link: angelbird.com/cne
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
You do not have permission to use our content under any circumstance.
You do not have our permission to train AI models with our content, or use our voices or likeness for any purpose, non commercial or otherwise.
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
This production was made with Made with:
DaVinci Resolve 20 Studio
BMD Cameras and Canon Cameras and Cine Primes
Sound mixed in Fairlight
VFX DaVinci Resolve Fusion
Foley Sound Effects Created on location
Music Copyright Supplied by Audiio Sound or Written, Produced and Owned by us.
#cinechimp #brandonli #freewell #lensfilter #vnd
