Anyone used these variable ND filters

7Day Shop in the UK are offering these variable ND filters at what looks like give away prices, anyone seen / used these?

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http://www.7dayshop.co​m …=777_1&products​_id=111257

Hi,

This is my first post after a few days of browsing the amazingly helpful forums!

i saw these the other day an would also like to know if anyone has had any luck with them? i used 7dayshop for a couple of lens hoods! they do the job and fit perfectly.

Tom

If they so inexpensive, purchase one and give the rest of us a report. I know I have been very happy with my Fader which is much less expensive that the Sighray VND.

I've got a 7-Day Shop VND on order. Then I saw these Polaroid ones were cheaper, So I've ordered one of them as well. One will be getting returned.

I'm worried about anything that Polaroid put its name on. They sold out the brand to the highest bidder.

Well, for that price, I don't think it matters what the name on the filter is. You sort of know what you're getting at that price point

OP. You have got a really nice collection of equipment, why would you spend all that money on L series glass and then put the cheapest ND filter you can find on the front of it?

Really good quality NDs are not stupid money and you can still realise the quality of the rest of your equipment.

Bit like putting cheap tyres on a Ferrari

big_g wrote in post #12184948
OP. You have got a really nice collection of equipment, why would you spend all that money on L series glass and then put the cheapest ND filter you can find on the front of it?

Really good quality NDs are not stupid money and you can still realise the quality of the rest of your equipment.

Bit like putting cheap tyres on a Ferrari

I have a full set of Lee ND's. I am not thinking of buying one I was simply asking if anyone was using one and what was the quality like. I find it hard to believe that something so cheap could be good quality, but it would be good to know if they were any good.

OK, it's arrived. But I don't think it'll be staying long. First reason is the build-quality, it's all plastic. The thread feel as if they may last a few dozen fittings. Then there's the performance.

With the 10-22 there's bad vignetting at 10mm. The cross-pattern appears at around 3 stops @ 10mm and 5 stops @ 22mm - which is, I understand not too bad.

I've heard there's problems with IQ using VNDs on long lenses, so I stuck it on my 100-400 @ 400mm. Yeeeuch! Horrible! I used my tripod and took some shots using manual exposure (f8 2s) using the VND and my Heliopan 10-stop ND. The difference in IQ was incredible. Here's 100% crops, you can guess which is which.

hollis_f wrote in post #12188324
OK, it's arrived. But I don't think it'll be staying long. First reason is the build-quality, it's all plastic. The thread feel as if they may last a few dozen fittings. Then there's the performance.

With the 10-22 there's bad vignetting at 10mm. The cross-pattern appears at around 3 stops @ 10mm and 5 stops @ 22mm - which is, I understand not too bad.

I've heard there's problems with IQ using VNDs on long lenses, so I stuck it on my 100-400 @ 400mm. Yeeeuch! Horrible! I used my tripod and took some shots using manual exposure (f8 2s) using the VND and my Heliopan 10-stop ND. The difference in IQ was incredible. Here's 100% crops, you can guess which is which.

So it's a VND that's not usable on long lenses because of the drop-off in IQ, that's not usable on short lenses because of the cross-pattern and feels like it won't be usable on anything for very long before the threads are worn out.

I shall be returning it as 'not fit for purpose' for a full refund.

Generally, the cross pattern should only appear at very wide focal lengths while at or beyond the max density of the filter. If its an 8-stop max filter, and you're getting the cross pattern at only 5-stops, then by all means get rid of it. Not surprised about the construction/performan​ce at that price, either.

After some consideration (and seeing the results from the first Fader testing), I decided many months ago to bite the bullet and go with the Singh-Ray Vari-N-Duo (variable plus polarizer). Its much more expensive, but the quality, workmanship, and IQ is well worth the cost difference. The cross pattern still appears, but only when I go beyond the max density of the filter (while also at wide focal lengths), but is completely gone at 35mm on a FF body.

TBH, I have never tried it on my 100-400...that lens is known to be a bit squirrelly when using any type of filter, but you do have me curious. Maybe I'll give it a shot and see what happens.

Wow. Might as well just paint a pringles cap a dark color and it looks like you'd get better results.

TaDa wrote in post #12188560
Wow. Might as well just paint a pringles cap a dark color and it looks like you'd get better results.

That is very, very good!

Hollis, is your review (post #9) of the polaroid or the 7day shop filter?

You have both ordered, but your review does not state which filter is being tested.

Cheers

John.

John Hudson wrote in post #12198806
Hollis, is your review (post #9) of the polaroid or the 7day shop filter?

You have both ordered, but your review does not state which filter is being tested.

Cheers

John.

Whoops! It's the 7DayShop one. The Polaroid hasn't arrived yet.

hollis_f wrote in post #12188324
With the 10-22 there's bad vignetting at 10mm. The cross-pattern appears at around 3 stops @ 10mm and 5 stops @ 22mm - which is, I understand not too bad.

Cross-pattern?