An ND filter system is a set of neutral density filters, holders, and adapters that help control light with precision in photo and video. By cutting light evenly, it enables slower shutter speeds, wider apertures, and cleaner motion without overexposure in bright scenes. Modern systems include magnetic mounts, square glass trays, and drop in units for matte boxes, each tuned for speed, sealing, and color neutrality. Coatings reduce flare and make cleaning easy. Choosing the right kit depends on lens size, workflow, and creative goals. This guide reviews the Top 10 ND Filter System Brands in the World with clear, practical insights.
NiSi
NiSi focuses on optical neutrality and reliable field use. Its nano coating keeps color shifts low, which simplifies grading across cameras. The brand offers square systems with slim holders, circular options, and cinema drop in trays. Magnetic adapters speed changes while holding alignment and blocking leaks. Water repellent and oil resistant layers help maintain contrast in rain, spray, and dust. Kits often include gaskets that seal the holder and reduce flare. Landscape photographers value smooth long exposures, while crews appreciate density steps that match common exposure increments. The system scales from primes to ultra wide zooms with minimal vignetting when stacked.
Lee Filters
Lee Filters is known for modular holders and predictable performance on long exposure and cinema work. Its current holder design uses tool free assembly, firm locking, and careful spacing to limit vignetting with wide lenses. ProGlass ND aims at neutrality and scratch resistance, while larger formats support ultra wide workflows. The system stacks graduated filters and polarizers cleanly, avoiding color cast when combined. Accessories such as big stopper and little stopper densities make planning exposures simple for moving water and clouds. Lee offers adapters for many lens diameters, keeping one kit viable across bodies and platforms in demanding travel schedules.
Haida
Haida blends strong value with advanced coatings and flexible mounting choices. The Red Diamond and Nano Pro lines use toughened glass with hydrophobic and oleophobic layers that wipe clean in harsh conditions. Haida M10 holders feature quick release insertion, gasket sealing, and broad compatibility across lens sizes. Color neutrality is tuned to simplify stills and video grading, reducing time in post. Drop in circular polarizers integrate neatly in the holder, and the brand supports square stacks without troublesome light leaks. With clear density markings and robust cases, Haida kits suit travel, seascapes, and long daylight scenes on compact rigs.
Kase
Kase is recognized for Wolverine toughened glass that resists impact and keeps reflections low. Its magnetic and clip in designs prioritize fast changes with precise alignment and light sealing. Kase filters target excellent spectral neutrality, easing multi camera shoots and HDR workflows. The Armour system allows stacking without excessive thickness, which helps reduce vignetting on ultra wide lenses. Nano coatings repel water and oils and cut flare in strong backlight. Kits often include protective frames, caps, and sturdy pouches that speed setup. The range covers circular, square, and cinema sizes for hybrid shooters and dedicated crews alike.
H&Y
H&Y popularized quick swap frames that turn square and rectangular glass into magnetic modules. This approach reduces contact with bare edges, speeding insertion while keeping fingerprints off the optical surface. Its Revoring step ring collapses to fit a range of diameters, saving space in a lean kit. The brand focuses on color fidelity and tight tolerances to prevent light leaks when stacking ND, grads, and polarizers. Rigid cases and caps protect the framed filters during transport. With options for mirrorless, cinema, and drone platforms, H&Y offers a unified ecosystem that suits creators who value speed and consistency.
Breakthrough Photography
Breakthrough Photography emphasizes color neutrality verified through spectrophotometric testing. The X4 ND series uses high transmission glass and multilayer coatings for near zero color cast, which reduces grading time and keeps skin tones accurate. Traction frames improve grip during changes and resist binding in cold weather. Weather sealing and nano coatings shed water and dust, preserving contrast in coastal or desert locations. Precise density steps align with common exposure increments, aiding repeatable shot building. The catalog spans circular, square, and cinema formats, giving hybrid teams a consistent look across cameras and lenses. Support and documentation are detailed, which helps crews standardize kits and training.
PolarPro
PolarPro builds rugged ND solutions for mirrorless kits, cinema cameras, drones, and action cameras. QuartzLine and Mist lines use hardened glass and tuned coatings for neutral color and controlled highlight bloom. BaseCamp and Summit frames are lightweight and quick to lock, enabling fast moves between setups in changing light. Drone and action camera NDs maintain exposure while respecting gimbal balance and lens coverage. Accurate density steps and clear markings help teams plan shutter angle or shutter speed with confidence. PolarPro also offers compact cases and stackable caps that streamline field packing for travel jobs and remote shoots.
Tiffen
Tiffen remains a cinema standard, with ND glass used across broadcast and feature sets worldwide. Its water white glass and color core process deliver matched densities and predictable results under mixed lighting. The range covers circular screw ins, 4 by 5.65, and 6 by 6 formats, with infrared control options for modern sensors. Variable ND choices add hard stops for repeatable settings during run and gun work. Frames are robust, inventory is deep, and rental houses carry replacements in many regions. Consistent color and reliable availability make Tiffen a practical choice for crews that depend on shared kits and tight schedules.
Cokin
Cokin pioneered widely accessible square filter systems and continues to offer light, budget friendly kits. The EVO and NX holders improve rigidity and light sealing, supporting the demands of high resolution sensors. Graduated and ND combinations encourage creative exposure control without complex menu diving. The system scales from compact mirrorless bodies to wide angle landscape setups using adapter rings and slim profiles. Coatings protect against scratches and make cleaning straightforward in the field. For learners and travel shooters, Cokin brings an easy upgrade path to more advanced glass while keeping weight, cost, and bulk low.
Formatt Hitech
Formatt Hitech combines British design with cinema grade glass under its Firecrest branding. Firecrest embeds the metallic layer within the glass, improving durability and color stability across densities. IRND options protect blacks and skin tones on cameras prone to infrared pollution. Holders and trays integrate with common matte boxes, while circular options suit lightweight mirrorless kits. Anti reflective coatings and gasket schemes manage stray light when stacking filters. With precise density labeling, sturdy cases, and broad format support, Formatt Hitech appeals to crews that want a consistent, upgradeable system for long exposure stills and controlled motion in bright daylight.
