77mm ND filter-- cheapo variable?

I have a cheap one I got for emergencies. Getting a bad image is better than getting NO image. I plan on using it next week on vacation for the first time. I will post results when I get them. Im not expexting anything great from it. But we will see.

If it's any consolation I use a "cheap" ND variable filter and I find it works great. Of course I am no pro, if you got the money then go quality but if it's juts to play around with then mine works quite well. it cost $70 in Canada so I'm sure it's a lot cheaper in the US. Mine is a Cameron ND Fader up to 8 stops

Here is a sample pic with it on an XS body with 18-55 kit lens. Not the best pic but the point is the colour representation was accurate ( unlike some really cheap stackers i bought) and sharp enough on my cheap kit.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/10429701@N00/6​787864376/

damann wrote in post #14127775
If it's any consolation I use a "cheap" ND variable filter and I find it works great. Of course I am no pro, if you got the money then go quality but if it's juts to play around with then mine works quite well. it cost $70 in Canada so I'm sure it's a lot cheaper in the US. Mine is a Cameron ND Fader up to 8 stops

Here is a sample pic with it on an XS body with 18-55 kit lens. Not the best pic but the point is the colour representation was accurate ( unlike some really cheap stackers i bought) and sharp enough on my cheap kit.


pptest by DaMann, on Flickr

What explains that big dark mass in the center of the shot though? Maybe mass isnt the best description, but the center third appears considerably darker than the edges. Is that some filter effect or a post processing issue?

That must be my rookie PP skils I'm sure. This is another shot. Same day, same local, but shorter exposure. I don't notice the centre darkness in this one. Will have to check my original and see what it looks like and see if it was my screwing up in PP or if it's the filter. My eye is not very critical at the details. If you notice it on this one was well then let me know. I don't see it (I'm on my monitor at work and it's a pretty dark monitor). The clouds in the sky were dark in the centre of the mass on this one in real life

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/10429701@N00/6​933973103/

Tiffen IMO is not a good brand

Frugal wrote in post #14128681
Tiffen IMO is not a good brand

What would you recommend?

B+W, as mentioned way back in post #5.

Thanks, I didnt know if there were major differences between B+W, Hoya, etc. sounds like I can't go wrong with either

damann wrote in post #14128558
That must be my rookie PP skils I'm sure. This is another shot. Same day, same local, but shorter exposure. I don't notice the centre darkness in this one. Will have to check my original and see what it looks like and see if it was my screwing up in PP or if it's the filter. My eye is not very critical at the details. If you notice it on this one was well then let me know. I don't see it (I'm on my monitor at work and it's a pretty dark monitor). The clouds in the sky were dark in the centre of the mass on this one in real life


IMG_6063 by DaMann, on Flickr

Its still here to some degree, Look at the shoreline and the water. The rocks on the left side get progressively darker toward the center of the image, the same on the right but less noticeable because of the ghost figure. Look at the shade of the water, its darker in the center as well, its nearly white on the edge and a deep gray in the middle.

I use a singh ray vai-n-trio and would say it has no more effect on IQ than my B+W MRC Kaessman CPOL filter. My opinion, get the Singh Ray vari ND or one of it's variants. Get it in 77mm with step down rings for your different lenses and you're good to go. The cheap $h!t is just that, $h!+.

I made the mistake of buying a Cameron adjustable ND filter. There is guide marks to follow for the different stops, but I achieved horrible results. I never read up about the filter before I bought it, so I am going to try and take it back. Unless I am using the filter incorrect, I think this $100 filter was a waste of money. Here are some really bad results, and some that turned out so so with editing. Pictures are nothing special, just wanted to try the filter out quick.

(sorry for facebook quality)
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Get the Lee digital starter kit to try out first. If you like it then upgrade later.

Thanks tan, I was looking at the lee big stopper, so the starter kit would pretty much fit hand in hand with the big stopper. Too bad their products are always sold out though haha.

Both your lenses.... 35/1.4 and 135/2... use a 72mm filter. Not a 77mm (unless you want to use a step ring and do without the lens hoods, which isn't a good idea if it can be avoided).

Tiffen does make some really good filters, but most you'll find are cheapos.

There are few really good variable ND... the Singh-Ray is probably the best and costs close to $400 US in the size you need. Forget the $25 Opteka, Neewer, etc... crappola. Forget the $75-100 Polaroid. More crappola. Not familiar with the Cameron or some of the other brands mentioned, but some of the sample images look pretty bad.... blotchy and uneven, maybe some color casts too.

Hoya, B+W, Marum, Heliopan, some Kenko and a few other quality brands of single strength ND filters will likely be the best deal... probably about $100 each, for multi-coated, high quality glass.

Lee's rectangular filters also come in P Cokin size, if interested in using graduated NDs too (which are better bought in rectangulars). The Cokin filter holders are relatively inexpensive. One down side to them, lens hoods are sort of limited... Cokin's are rigid modular (probably a single one would work for a 35mm lens, probalby would need three modules for the 135mm). But Lee makes an accordian type lens hood for the Cokin P holder, too. I think Cokin has been in bankruptcy recently, but would be suprised if no one bought it up and started making their line again (their filters are okay for occasional use or initial experimentation, but are also uncoated and pretty soft, easily damaged plastic).

The Lee filters are not multi-coated, though.

i just bought a Singh-ray 77mm variable slim, but still get quite a bit of vignette and halo when using with my 24L. Definitely not worth $400. I am about returning it.