PolarPro Helix Filters

PolarPro Helix Filters at a glance

• Helix Base Plate 67mm / 72mm / 77mm / 82mm — threads onto your lens to add a MagLock mounting point for all Helix filters; each includes a Defender Cap
• Helix Base Plate Defender Cap — replacement cap to protect a Base Plate or any Helix MagLock filter when not in use
• Peter McKinnon VND 2–5 Stop — variable ND for cinematic shutter speeds across most lighting conditions
• Peter McKinnon VND 6–9 Stop — variable ND for shooting wide open in extremely bright conditions
• Arctic CP (Benjamin Hardman Series) — circular polariser with 45% light transmission and 110° short-throw rotation
• Chris Burkard CP — circular polariser for landscape photography, reducing reflections to boost colour depth and contrast
• Peter McKinnon 1/4 Black Mist — subtle 1/4-strength black mist diffusion
• CineBlack 1/2 Black Mist — softens highlights and digital contrast for a Kodak cine film look
• CineGold 1/2 Gold Mist — warm-highlight gold mist emulating Kodak Portra 400 film
• Shortstache Everyday — Chroma polariser combined with 1/4 Black Mist in one element
• Goldstache Shortstache — 1/4 Gold Mist diffusion with an integrated Chroma PL polariser
• Portra Filter Helix — Portra 400-inspired colour tone, 1/4 White Mist diffusion and a Chroma polariser in one filter

Which PolarPro Helix filter should I choose?

A Helix Base Plate in your lens thread size is the essential first step — it threads onto the lens permanently and gives every Helix MagLock filter a magnetic mounting point. For exposure control, the Peter McKinnon VND 2–5 Stop suits most shooting conditions, while the 6–9 Stop is for extreme brightness. Both circular polarisers cut reflections and boost contrast; the Arctic CP is spec'd at 45% light transmission with a 110° short-throw rotation, while the Chris Burkard CP is aimed at landscape work.

For a film look, the CineBlack and CineGold each apply a stronger 1/2-strength mist with different highlight treatments, while the Peter McKinnon 1/4 Black Mist is subtler. The combination filters — Shortstache Everyday, Goldstache and Portra Filter Helix — each pair a Chroma polariser with a mist or colour effect, reducing the number of filters needed on location.