Breakthrough Photography 72mm X2 6-Stop Fixed ND Filter for Camera Lenses, Neutral Density Professional Photography Filter, MRC8, H-K9L Glass, Nanotec, Ultra-Slim, Weather-Sealed

I will not claim to be a filter aficionado. I don't have a ton of experience with filters, but when I finally got some Canon L glass I knew I wanted some top-shelf filters. I've used cheap Hoya and Tiffen filters on my kit lenses and they were sufficient, but I knew I wasn't going to stick a $20 filter in front of a $1200 lens. My first thought was to go to B+W since they seem to be the "go-to" for top-quality stuff. A little bit of internet research kept leading me to Breakthrough Photography, a company I'd never even heard of before. After reading around about the company, their commitment, and the testimonials of a few people I figured I'd give them a try. Plus, I always want to support a company in the USA if I can and these guys are in San Francisco. I bought an X2 circular polarizer and an X2 3-stop ND. The first thing I was impressed by with these filters was the packaging; I know it has nothing to do with the performance of the product, but good packaging tells you how the company wants their product perceived. The Breakthrough filters come in a nice 2-piece box, then a hard plastic clamshell to hold the filter, which is surrounded in soft foam. There's also a nice red cleaning cloth and a warranty paper (25 years!). As for the filter itself, the quality and craftsmanship is immediately apparent. Probably the nicest thing is the scalloped edges which allow for effortless threading and unthreading. I never knew I wanted little grippy bumps until I used them. Optically, the filter seems excellent. I have no way of professionally testing the filters to substantiate all the claims, but I see absolutely nothing wrong with them. There is no obvious color cast like I've seen with cheaper ND filters. Sure, you can always change the color/temp/hue in post, but getting it right "in camera" will always be a better photo in the end. (Plus it saves time and a few steps.) I've used the ND to stop down my lenses for long exposures. I've included a photo that I took with a 6-second exposure in low light as the sun was setting. I noticed absolutely no difference in autofocus speed or accuracy with or without the filter. Autofocus might suffer with more density, but a 3-stop plus a CPL didn't slow it down at all. It's an expensive filter but if you have expensive glass don't put a garbage filter in front of all that nice gear.

I am a HUGE fan of Breakthrough Photography filters and it's all I use now, except for some graduated filters that they did not make until recently.I'm not the best at caring for my filters and I have noticeable scratching after a LOT of use but I have yet to notice it in the photographs. I really cannot wait to upgrade to their new square filter line of filters anyway so this is just a placeholder.After having this for a while and loving the results (very little discernible color shift) I purchased an X2 polarizing filter. The first time I put it on I could not get the two to come apart. I froze them, I put rubber bands around each of them to no avail. I finally gave them a shout to see if there was some secret I was missing but they said I've tried everything that they would recomend. Now is where it gets really great. They sent me a new polarizing filter and a new x2-6 stop ND and a return label for the one I sent back.Once I received the replacement I thought I had the same problem because I could not get the things apart again. But...I discovered a secret (or common sense?)...you have to very gently hold the filters to loosen them. I don't know how else to describe it other than just a light grip, not a firm grip. I'm afraid this may be the same problem I had with the first ones but I've never experienced anything like this with other brands of slim-line filters.There's absolutely nothing wrong with it and the slim nature of the rings are part of what make this awesome (A lot more stacking!) I just wish there had been some type of "instructions for morons" included with the filters. I never had any problem with my old polarizing filter and the Breakthrough ND filter but the Breakthrough Polarizing filter is also much slimmer.So just in case you think your Breakthrough Photography filters have bound up just relax your grip to the point of almost dropping them and turn. Don't worry about turning the polarizing ring just gently hold and turn and viola they will release...it's very bizarre but they come apart just fine. I'm sure everybody at BP had a great laugh or "what the hell is this guy talking about" moment when they received the return...Once I go with their new square filters, graduated, and also their ND + CPL I'll get a review up for those but I expect great things from them.One last note/rant/whatever, I would also like to see comparisons between the X1, X2, and X4 series. They show plenty of comparisons between BT and other brands but I went with the X2 because there were no side-by-side comparisons of the significantly more expensive X4 line. If I had a better explanation and visual side-by-side comparison I would have spent the extra cash and gone with the X4 line (which also has brass rings and I probably would have saved myself some embarrassment). I'm also pretty sure I wouldn't have the scratches I do though because I have since had the chance to try a 10-stop X4 ND and it seems to be a significant upgrade, much easier to grip, and the glass of course is phenomenal...but the new square filters they may or may not sell someday is made with tempered SCHOTT glass so I expect it to be great and easier to manage, aka, drop...Did I mention I'm kind of excited for the square filters?

I love this brand, they are thin yet sturdy and do not affect the image quality. Yeah it's pricey but you get what you pay for, you won't ever have to buy another.

Purchased the 6-stop ND filter a few months ago, and I finally had the opportunity to take it out for a test drive. I must confess that I'd never purchased or even used an ND filter before, so I wasn't sure what to expect other than what I read in the reviews. Overall I am very happy with the results. Build quality is top notch, it's light, thin, and works very well. There are some minor things that I would point out for those looking to purchase this product.1. I used this filter for my full-frame on a 24-70mm, and saw very strong vignetting at 24mm. I have seen other reviews in which folks have mentioned under 21mm or so to expect vignetting, so I was a bit disappointed that I wasn't able to shoot at my widest focal length. Moving it up to 27 or 28 mm took care of the problem.2. The reason I've given this product a 4-star rather than 5 is due to a pretty strong, green, color cast. I was under the impression that photos taken using this ND filter had only a very slight color cast, but that simply wasn't my experience. It really isn't that big of an issue since it can be corrected in post, but where color accuracy is concerned it didn't quite make the grade.As I said, overall I think this is a great ND filter – bearing in mind that I have nothing to compare it to – and I would recommend it to anyone.Update 08/09/16: For purposes of full disclosure, I'm updating this review since I neglected to mention I was using the 77mm 6-stop ND filter with a 77-67mm step-up filter adapter that was also purchased from Breakthrough Photography.

Wow, reduce 10 pasos sin colorear las fotos (y yo soy muy quisquilloso con eso).El único pero que le podría poner es que se requiere atornillar a la parte frontal del objetivo; si tuviera imán estaría más cómodo.Lo recomiendo mucho.

Super

Top quality filter with zero degradation in image quality, highly recommended. I also bought the matching step up ring which is equally high quality and much easier to remove than the cheap aluminium junk one's that weld your filter to the ring !!!

Breakthrough Technology filters are one of the best, if not the best. I will not go into details as there are numerous review sites that do so, and the end result on all of them is these filters simply outperform the competition. Their website is well designed, explaining the difference between the filters they sell, how to use ND (and UV) filters and comparison charts. My one recommendation would be to look at their site for purchasing as you may find their prices more to your liking and free shipping. Another bit of advice would be to go with the X3 ND over the X2 ND. No matter which filter you choose from Breakthrough Photography, you will be pleased. I was an avid B+W user, not anymore. Thank you Breakthrough Photography and welcome to the top of the filter game.

Have used the X2 3-stop.Got another X2 6-stop ND filter. Minimum colour shift. Although price is in the mid-high range. Still no regrets. Worth the $$