Disclosure: I received a complimentary product in exchange for a fair, honest and unbiased reviewAs a keen amateur photographer, I was delighted to be offered the opportunity to test and review this set of filters and accessories from K&F Concept. The pack includes:- UV filter – ideal for cutting through haze on outdoor shots or for use as a permanent lens protector- CPL (circular polarising) filter – for emphasising cloud formations, reducing reflections or permanent use as a lens protector- ND4 (neutral density) – used for reducing the amount of light entering the camera so a larger aperture or slower shutter speed can be used, eg for photographing moving subjects such as flowing water- Star 6 – adds a 6-point star effect to bright light shining into the lens, eg sun, candle flame, sun reflecting on the sea...- Graduated orange – good for emphasising sunsets- Graduated blue – can increase blueness of the sky- Graduated grey – can add a stormy sky feel to photos- Close Up +4 and +10 – close up filters for taking macro shots, eg insects on plants, flowers- Microfibre lens/filter cleaning cloth- Lens (and filter) cleaning tissue pack- Lens cleaning brush with dual headThis is quite a comprehensive kit for any budding or amateur photographer and all filters are supplied individually wrapped and packed into a tough polyester cases, lightly padded for protection and very easy to store and carry.Each filter is double-threaded to enable several filters to be used together for additional creative effects – eg ND to allow more light into the lens and a slower shutter speed to be used and this can be teamed with a CPL to emphasise clouds in a blue sky to help produce more interesting and eye-catching photos which emphasise natural effects.The January freezing fog we are currently experiencing doesn’t provide the best conditions for testing filters with creative photography of landscapes, seascapes and the best of the British scenery so I’m going to have to be patient and wait a few months before I can use them to best effect on spring flowers and other appropriate subjects. However, in the meantime and for the purposes of reviewing them, I have tested them on indoor close-ups of carpet tufts, flames in the fire, a dripping tab, cobweb purely to assess their performance – which has been exactly as hoped. The filters perform well, are free of scratches, fit smoothly onto my Sony camera (and onto each other), photos appear clear and there are no ghosting effects – ie the sign of a poor quality filter. A professional photographer with top of the range professional equipment may have some observations to make and be less keen on using plastic filters, but this isn’t their target market and I am looking at photos with just my naked eyes as they are enlarged on my computer monitor – just as probably all other users will.I am very happy with all of the filters and their accessories and when the weather perks up will upload more sample photos showing the results they can produce. Based on my experience with them and test shots, I would very happily buy them myself and recommend them to any other budding or amateur photographer as being affordable and producing predictable results. A good selection of filters for a wide range of subjects and I doubt a better deal could be found anywhere else for this price – incredible value for money. Definitely recommended.
20/01/2016