Essential lens filters for the Sony ZV-1 II camera?

Question

So I finally pulled the trigger on a ZV-1 II for my trip to Tokyo next month. I’m mostly gonna be doing street vlogging and some night shots around Shinjuku but the lack of a built-in ND filter on this mark 2 version is really stressing me out. I did some digging and saw everyone says a Variable ND is basically mandatory if I want to keep my shutter speed at double the frame rate during the day, otherwise everything looks all jittery and gross.

I checked out the K&F Concept ones and the Ulanzi systems but I’m honestly stuck. Some reviews say cheap VNDs give you that weird dark X across the image and others say that because the ZV-1 II is so wide at 18mm it might vignette like crazy with a thick filter stack. I have about $120 left in my gear budget so I cant really go for the super high end stuff.

Should I just get a fixed ND8 or something or is a variable one actually okay for this specific lens? Also do I need one of those stick-on adapter rings first? Its all a bit confusing since the lens doesnt have threads out of the box... what are you guys actually using for this camera?

Juliuontim · Accepted Answer

Look, in my experience, you definitely want to skip the fixed ND filters for street vlogging. Shinjuku light changes way too fast between those massive buildings and the neon alleys. Youll spend half your trip screwing filters on and off and probably miss the shot. First, you absolutely need that adapter because the ZV-1 II has zero threads. I usually recommend the Ulanzi 52mm Filter Adapter for Sony ZV-1 II since it sticks on pretty solid. Once that is on, you have a 52mm thread to work with. Here is how I see your options with that 120 buck budget:

K&F Concept Nano-X Variable ND2-32 52mm: This is basically the standard for budget vlogging. In my experience, the Nano-X version is much better than their cheaper blue line. It has hard stops, so that weird X-pattern is basically a non-issue unless you try to push it past its limit. It is thin enough that vignetting at 18mm is pretty minimal.

Freewell Variable ND 2-5 Stop 52mm: If you can find this on sale, grab it. Over the years, I have found Freewell glass to be way more color-neutral than K&F. It feels a bit more professional and the 2-5 stop range is usually perfect for everything except direct midday sun. Personally, I'd go with the K&F Nano-X and the Ulanzi adapter. That combo stays well under your budget and leaves you some cash for extra batteries... which you are gonna need for that camera anyway.

SUNWINbaf · Answer

Ive been super satisfied using the Hoya 52mm Variable Density II Filter on my setup. Since youre shooting at 18mm on the wide end, vignetting is a real concern, but this one is thin enough to avoid those dark corners. To mount it, I recommend the NiSi Filter Adapter for Sony ZV-1 II which uses a really secure adhesive that doesnt feel cheap or flimsy. Variable NDs are basically mandatory because street lighting in Tokyo is so unpredictable. The technical reason you see that dark X on cheap filters is usually because they dont have physical stops to prevent over-rotation. The Hoya glass handles those shifts without ruining the color and fits right in your budget. It keeps your shutter speed exactly where it needs to be for that cinematic motion blur. Just make sure you get the 52mm size so it stays compact... works well for me every time.