In-depth review
Urth ND2-400 Variable ND Filter (67mm) Review (2027)
In-depth review of the Urth ND2-400 variable ND in 67mm: locking rim, AGC glass, range behaviour and who it suits.
Urth ND2-400 Variable ND Filter (67mm)
A slim 67mm variable ND sweeping ND2 to ND400 on Japanese AGC glass, with a locking rim that stops over-rotation.
Our verdict
The Urth ND2-400 is the thinking budget variable: the same ND2 to ND400 playground as its rivals, plus a locking rim that makes the classic beginner accident, rotating into the X-cross, physically hard to do. Colour at deep settings still needs respect, but inside its honest range this is Japanese glass and good manners at a starter price.
What we like
- Full ND2 to ND400 sweep, roughly 1 to 8.6 stops, covers shade through full sun in one filter
- Japanese AGC optical glass with nano coating for flare resistance and easy cleaning
- Locking rim design prevents rotating past the marked range into X-cross territory
- Ultra-slim magnalium frame keeps vignetting down on wider lenses
What to watch out for
- 67mm thread only; other lens sizes are separate listings
- Like every wide-range variable, the deepest settings are where colour shift creeps in
- Standard range coatings sit below Urth's own Plus+ line for scratch resistance
What owners report: Urth ND2-400 Variable ND Filter (67mm)
Synthesized from recurring themes in long-term owner feedback.
Most praised
- The locking rim gives first-time variable ND users a physical guardrail against the cross pattern
- Owners like the slim frame on wide lenses where thicker variables vignette early
- The glass wipes clean easily after dusty or coastal shoots thanks to the nano coating
Common complaints
- Deep settings can tint footage enough to need a white balance correction in the grade
- The slim frame can be fiddly to grip with gloves in cold weather
- One thread size per purchase frustrates shooters running mixed lens kits
Who it is for
Learner and enthusiast video shooters with 67mm lenses who want one wide-range variable ND with a built-in guardrail against over-rotation.
The locking rim
Most variable NDs rely on the shooter to stop rotating before uneven density begins. Urth's rim locks the travel at the marked ends of the ND2 to ND400 range, so the filter itself enforces the discipline. For run-and-gun work where attention belongs on the subject, that mechanical honesty is the feature owners mention most.
Glass and frame
The Japanese AGC optical glass with nano coating handles flare and cleaning well for the class, and the ultra-slim magnalium frame keeps the filter out of the frame on wider lenses where thicker variables intrude. The slim profile cuts both ways: gloved hands in winter find less ring to grip.
Colour through the range
Through the first two thirds of the sweep the Urth holds colour respectably for its price. Toward ND400 a tint arrives that a grey-card white balance mostly tames, but colour-critical paid work remains the territory of True Color class filters. Plan to shoot this filter in its honest band and it rewards you.
Key specifications
- Type
- Variable ND
- Density
- ND2 to ND400 (1 to 8.6 stops)
- Thread
- 67mm
- Glass
- Japanese AGC optical glass
- Frame
- Ultra-slim magnalium with locking rim
- Coating
- Nano coating, water resistant
Also consider
K&F Concept Nano-X Variable ND2-ND400
The budget variable ND with Japanese glass and 28-layer nano coating.
Why consider it: The closest budget rival, with a wider choice of thread sizes and a strong case bundle.
- Type: Variable ND
- Density: ND2 to ND400, approx. 1 to 9 stops adjustable
The long-running ND2 to ND400 variable from the cinema filter house.
Why consider it: A step up in glass heritage and indexed markings for learners who log their settings.
- Type: Variable ND
- Density: ND2 to ND400, approx. 1 to 8 stops
Research-based assessment. TrueGear has not hands-on tested this product; this evaluation synthesizes manufacturer specifications, retailer documentation, and published expert reviews.
Questions, answered
Does the locking rim replace hard stops?
It serves the same purpose: the rotation ends where the marked range ends. Premium hard-stop filters add a more positive click feel, but the protection against X-cross over-rotation is comparable.
Is 67mm the only size?
No, Urth sells the ND2-400 in several thread sizes as separate listings. This review covers the 67mm version; buy the size matching your largest lens and step the rest up.
Can it handle portrait work in sun?
Yes, worked in its 2 to 5 stop band it holds wide apertures in bright light. Stay out of the deepest settings for faces, where its colour shift lives.
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