Kondor Blue Acquires Element Filters & Launches FullSpec NDs
For years, Kondor Blue has been the go-to brand for building out the ultimate camera ecosystem. From bomb-proof cages and power solutions to baseplates and top handles, they have dominated the space around the camera.
But now, they are stepping off the cage and diving straight into the image itself.
In a massive move for the industry, Kondor Blue has officially acquired Element Filters. This acquisition marks a major strategic expansion into professional optical filtration, bringing proven optical expertise, manufacturing relationships, and intellectual property entirely in-house under the Kondor Blue banner.
If you have been paying attention to the camera accessory market, this move is a natural, yet incredibly aggressive, evolution. Here is a breakdown of why this acquisition matters and what it means for the gear you choose on set.
Built on a Proven Collaboration: The Opaline Diffusion Series
This acquisition did not happen out of nowhere. Kondor Blue and Element Filters had already laid the groundwork through a highly successful collaboration: the Opaline Diffusion Filter series.
Originally designed as the perfect companion for Kondor Blue’s swing-away matte box systems, the Opaline series quickly became a staple for cinematographers. The 4×5.65″ filters (available in 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, and 1/16 strengths, alongside threaded options) proved that the two brands shared a mutual obsession with build quality and functional design.
Instead of starting from scratch and spending years navigating the trial-and-error phase of optical R&D, Kondor Blue simply bought the experts.
“We’ve spent years building everything around the camera. This move allows us to step directly into the image itself, bringing trusted optical technology into the Kondor Blue ecosystem and expanding what creators can expect from our brand.”
— Lukas Colombo, Founder and CEO of Kondor Blue
The First Release: Kondor Blue FullSpec ND Filters
Kondor Blue is dropping new glass right out of the gate. The first product to emerge from this newly integrated optical division is the Kondor Blue FullSpec ND 4×5.65 filter line.
If you shoot on modern digital cinema sensors, you already know the nightmare of Infrared (IR) pollution. Because digital sensors are highly sensitive to low light, throwing a standard heavy ND filter in front of the lens often results in muddy, magenta-tinted shadows.
They specifically engineered the new FullSpec ND (FSND) filters to solve this.
| COMPLETE NEUTRALITY | They are designed to maintain perfect color fidelity, spectral balance, and shadow detail across all densities without IR/UV contamination. |
| PREMIUM BUILD | Each filter is constructed from 2mm Schott B270 optical glass, offering premium clarity. |
| SET-READY DESIGN | Let’s face it, professional sets move at lightning speed. The glass is housed in a durable 4mm aluminum frame, complete with corner grab tabs. This allows ACs to swap filters quickly without leaving fingerprints all over the glass. |
Priced at $230 each (ranging from IRND 0.3 to IRND 2.1) or $1,450 for the full 7-piece set, they are hitting the market as a highly competitive, premium option.
| Note: As of launch, the full sets are already selling out, proving the massive demand. |
The Bottom Line: Owning Every Layer of the Camera Build
What makes this acquisition so fascinating is Kondor Blue’s clear ambition. They want to own every layer of the camera rig.
By pulling Element Filters’ R&D into their Los Angeles-based operations, Kondor Blue is moving beyond simply mounting your monitor or powering your camera. They are now actively shaping the photons hitting your sensor. The first wave of these new filtration products will continue rolling out through 2026, with more diffusion and FSND options already in the pipeline.
As they integrate this new vertical into their robust global distribution network, filmmakers can expect the same aggressive innovation in optics that they’ve come to rely on for rigging.
