Freewell’s iPhone Pro Hybrid Filter Kit does just enough for me

When we begin to learn photography or videography as young grasshoppers with our parents’ old DSLRs, the first thing we’re taught about is light, and exactly how much or how little of it to let in or out. Then, as we progress in our journeys, we learn to bend that light to our specific needs, whether it’s through in-camera settings, different lenses, or in this case, filters.

For any iPhone creator, filters are an essential part of nailing the shots you want, especially in extremely bright situations. They’re right up there with gimbals as far as necessary equipment when it comes to video and image quality, so when Freewell released its own Hybrid Filter Kit, I was stoked. You mean that I can change filters at the racetrack on the go without having to unscrew them? Sign me up. To do this on my professional camera would run me well upwards of $100, and even closer to $400 for select high-end CPL filter models, and my iPhone 16 Pro records 4K 60fps already, so why not?

To that end, I was more than satisfied with these filters, especially the range of different filters you get for $150. When I went to use them again, however, it was a different story.

They’re fairly purpose-built

As filters go, they do exactly what they’re supposed to

I have zero complaints about the video effects these filters offer me. They look great shooting in 4K, which is all you want from a set like this. I find the circular polarizing feature to be the most useful, as most creators will tell you is the case, and the actual dial is smooth straight out of the box. However, with it sitting on my desk in front of me right now, the dial is not nearly as smooth. This is partly my own fault, as I used them last at a dirt racetrack here in West Texas, but I can actually hear the particles of dust and dirt grinding between the metal filter dials, even after being wiped off repeatedly with a microfiber cloth and cleaner.

There was a large amount of dust collected around the bezel of the lens when I removed it from its carrying case for the second round of testing, too, which I attribute to the funnel-like bezel around the filter lens itself. However, for the price, I can stand having to clean them before and after each shoot. A lens hood might be a smart idea for future filter offerings, though.

All in all, as far as actual video is concerned, this kit improved my shots simply by dialing in the CPL filter, which is exactly what it advertises. The video below does a solid job of showcasing the effects of the CPL filter, featuring my nearly dead lawn (don’t judge me, we’re in a drought).

What comes in the box

The amount of filters you get is surprising

The best part about this kit, though, is the sheer amount of filters you get. So far, I’ve only mentioned the CPL filter, which is undoubtedly the highlight of the set. However, there are a few others included that do offer some interesting options, like a soft GND filter which, for those who like to shoot in cooler colors, would probably work very well for urban usage. There’s also a different ND filter at a steeper grade and a Glow Mist filter to give your videos a bit of that dreamy effect that’s become trendy in the last few seasons.

The box itself also earns points for having a true hard shell casing, which I left clipped to my backpack via a carabiner on my last shoot, that does hold up well to the elements. It feels of higher quality, and that’s something that I can appreciate.

By far the most useful accessory, though, was the Selfie Grip, which doubles as a stabilizing handle for your shots. It also doubles as an extendable selfie stick, and while it doesn’t feel sturdy enough to try out some crane shots on my phone, that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t on another. With the case and magnetic gimbal mount that I keep attached, my iPhone 16 Pro can be pretty heavy. The best part about the Grip, though, is that it features a remote action button to start shooting in the same location any true camera would, making the transition from shooting on my pro set up to the iPhone a breeze. So, some well-earned points there, then.

There is room for improvement

As common as gimbals are, they should be more friendly with them

This was the one photo that I got of an Insta360 Flow 2 Pro — one of if not, the best gimbals on the iPhone creator market — actually working with the Freewell filter kit. As steady as the Selfie Grip might make your hands, nothing is going to be as stable as a good gimbal, and for that reason, these filters and the phone case you’re required to use them with dropped the ball a bit. The added weight was simply too much for the gimbal to handle more times than not, and any motion around what I would call a medium panning speed saw the Gimbal lose centering power and throw off its equilibrium.

This was disappointing in the sense that, if you could efficiently pair the two products together, I think you could truly have an amazing iPhone videography setup, with the power to record in as many 4K modes as you please and use the Insta360 app functionality for effects like barrel rolls or zoom crashes.

So who is this kit for? In all honesty, if I were just starting out on my videography journey, I would scoop one of these kits up in a heart beat and begin working with the different colors and contrasts it provides. If you’re very serious (even more so than me) about your video content, you probably already have a cinema camera at your disposal, and the iPhone might only be used for social content, so this kit probably isn’t tailored for your needs.

With a few minor improvements, I do think that this kit could be added to the bag of more professional videographers, so long as it can work alongside their favorite gimbal system and keep all the dust particles out of its many dials.