Published: April 8, 2020 | Last Updated: November 26, 2025
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A couple of weeks ago, the folks from Moment sent me a set of their new variable ND filters to test.
For a while, they’ve just been sitting at my desk because I’ve not had the time to test them out properly due to all the crazy stuff happening in the world. And I wanted to do a proper and thorough hands-on test for this review.
Finally, I got the chance to do it. And let me start by saying that despite some minor caveats, so far, I’ve been delighted with the results I’ve seen.
Two Filters – Two Ranges in Stops
Moment has decided to make two different filters that each cover a particular range of stops.
Each filter is available with a diameter of 67mm, 77mm, or 82mm. For this test, I used the 77mm filters.
The first filter has a range of 2 to 5 stops. That’s an optical density of 0.6 to 1.5 and the equivalent filter factor range of ND4 to ND32.
The second filter has a range of 6 to 9 stops. That means it has an optical density of 1.8 to 2.7 – or a filter factor between ND64 and ND512. Those ranges are perfect for covering most situations.
With a maximum density of 9 stops, this set of filters is not enough if you’re a photographer who enjoys shooting extremely long exposures. For example, if you want to create silky-looking clouds during the daytime, you might want to go with an ND1000 or above.
But that doesn’t matter because variable NDs are generally not built with the photographer in mind. If you want to shoot a long exposure timelapse or similar, you would normally slap on a regular ND anyway.
Variable ND filters shine in video production, especially in run-and-gun situations like shooting documentaries, travel vlogs, outside B-rolls, and more.
And for that purpose, this set of filters from Moment is perfect!
Hard Stops and Zero Cross-Polarization
Each filter has hard stops at each end of the stop range, which, in my opinion, is how all variable ND should be built.
First, hard stops make it much easier to dial in the lowest and highest settings quickly.
Second, hard stops make it less likely to experience cross-polarization because the manufacturer, if the manufacturer has done a good job, will have limited the filter to a usable range without cross-polarization.
In this case, Moment has chosen wisely to limit the filters to an ND range of 2-5 and 6-9 because I haven’t seen any cross-polarization whatsoever during my testing.
Color Shift, Vignetting, and Sharpness
The glass is Schott B270 Pro Cinema Glass, which delivers optical quality, crisp images.
Speaking of sharpness, I don’t see any noticeable impact—even on the Sigma 18-35, which is a very sharp lens.
I also don’t see any color shift with either the Moment ND4-ND32 or the Moment ND64-ND512.
In fact, it’s pretty impressive how these filters perform throughout the range—even the filter between 6 and 9 stops (ND64 to ND512).
However, I do see a bit of vignetting—most noticeable on the densest filter at ND512—whereas it’s hardly noticeable on the ND4-ND32.
Flaring
The filters flare very nicely, as shown in the video above with the test footage. Moment writes that the glass’s conical geometry acts like a microlens hood, cutting unwanted glare and reflections.
I wouldn’t go as far as calling it a lens hood, but I think the filters did an outstanding job of flaring even when I shot directly into the sun and moved the camera toward the surface of the reflective water.
Build-Quality And Usability
The filter frame is built from lightweight aerospace-grade aluminum. No doubt the filters are high-quality and rugged.
The edges on the filter frames have a knurled grip texture that provides more control and easy removal, and it works fine.
I would have preferred a lever because I find it easier to work with. But that’s a matter of taste. Plus, levers tend to break during transport if you aren’t careful.
You find laser-etched graphics on the side of the frames that should allow you to see which stop you’re shooting from behind the viewfinder.
However, I had trouble getting the stops to show on top of my lens. The worst filter was the ND4-ND32, where the engravings ended up at the bottom of my lens.
The ND64-ND512 filter engravings were located somewhere between the right side and near the top of the lens, using the same lens and step-up ring.
I tried readjusting my step-up ring and the filter multiple times, but I couldn’t get the filter to sit right.
I also tried loosening both, but I couldn’t get it to work because doing so would only cause me to turn the step-up ring instead of the filters.
It’s possible that a different lens or step-up ring would yield a different result, but, weirdly, the engravings on these filters don’t end up in the same place when I used the same step-up ring and lens.
It’s not a big deal since I always dial in the exposure by eye while using the exposure tools on my cameras, but it’s something to be aware of if you plan on using the engravings on the side.
No Filter Lens Cap Included
The filters also work with standard center pinch lens caps, but I would have liked this lens cap to be included with the filter because I do not own a 77 mm lens.
Again, my SLR Magic variable ND filter includes a pinch lens cap.
Rugged Protective Casing – but Difficult to Open
The filters come in some nice foam-lined, metal-carrying tins for protection on the go that give you a sense of exclusivity.
There’s no doubt that the filters are well protected during traveling when using these. However, I found one of the tins difficult to open initially since the surface is very smooth.
Since these tins are made from metal, I would be wary if I were to bring them along for a humid, warm, or cold climate, or, for example, if I were to take them from a warm hut onto a cold ski slope.
I can also imagine they could be a problem to open if they’ve had a dent or a bit of sand caught in the very fine-milled grooves.
I’m guessing because I haven’t used them in these situations, but my experience tells me that might pose a problem. In comparison, my SLR Magic variable ND filter comes in a much less sexy plastic case, but I’m sure I can always get to the filter quickly whenever needed.
The Verdict
Moment has made a set of very good variable ND filters that I have no trouble recommending to anyone.
They are up there with the SLR Magic Variable ND Filter mkII, the PolarPro VariableND Peter McKinnon Edition, and similar filters in that price range for sure.
Moment has wisely decided to make two filters with hard stops—each within a limited range of stops—instead of trying to make a single filter to cover the whole range from ND4 to ND512.
This decision has produced two sharp filters have no cross-patterning from polarization, no noticeable color shift, a very nice flare, and minimal vignetting.
The filters are well-built from high-quality materials and glass, and with a nice focus on usability.
With my lens and step-up ring, though, the laser-engraved stops did not sit where they were supposed to.
I would also have liked each filter to include a (detachable) lever and a center pinch lens cap.
And I’m not so sure about the protective casing. Even though it looks and feels very rugged and exclusive, I think it might pose trouble under some climate conditions or from sand getting caught in the milled grooves.
All in all, the image and build quality of these filters are outstanding for the price, and I’ll use them a lot more when I can return to filming for clients.
Plus, you get a lifetime warranty!
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