Benro has announced that it is developing a new electronic neutral density (ND) filter system. The NE1 Electronic ND Filter Kit can operate in either automatic or manual modes.
Optical sensor
Benro hasn’t released full details of the NE1 Electronic ND Filter Kit yet. However, the company has added a page to its website where you can sign up to be notified when the product is launched. The images and video on that page show a small control box attached to the hot shoe of a camera. Benro says that this box also contains a high-precision optical sensor. There are also buttons so that you can manually select the required level of ND filtration.
Spring-loaded holder
The NE1 ND filter kit also features an electronic ND filter. Benro says that this uses a patented spring-loaded holder and fits lenses from 67mm to 82mm. The filter offers filtration levels from ND3 (1.5 stops) to ND64 (6 stops). In addition, the filter uses customized Corning Optical Glass with multi-layered nano-coatings. Benro says that this delivers exceptional color accuracy, reduced flare, and images with no unwanted color cast.
Bluetooth
Benro says that the control box is called the VF1 Bluetooth Controller, although it confusingly calls it the NC1 elsewhere on the web page. It connects wireless to the electronic ND filter. You can mount it on your camera’s hot shoe or just handhold it. In auto mode, the VF1’s optical sensor will auto-adjust the ND levels in real time as the ambient light levels change. This is ideal for run-and-gun filming or recording time-lapses with an unattended camera. Alternatively, Benro says that you can manually select your desired level of ND filtration “with hard-stop accuracy”.
What we think
The Benro NE1 Electronic ND Filter Kit is an interesting new product. In manual mode, it is ideal for remotely adjusting the level of ND on your camera. This is useful for situations where your camera may be out of reach such as nature videography. It also means that a camera assistant can adjust ND level as well as pull focus. Plus, in auto mode, the NE1 can ensure that your exposure remains consistent for longer shots such as a timelapse of a sunrise or sunset. Hopefully, Benro will release more details of the NE1 Electronic ND Filter Kit soon.
Pricing and availability
Benro says that the NE1 Electronic ND Filter Kit is launching soon. You can sign up for notifications on the product’s web page.
