Anyone using the Singh-Ray Vari-ND filter?

I don't like to carry a kit of filters and if I could just carry one, it would be most ideal.

Does anyone here use the Singh-Ray Vari-ND filter? - Thoughts?

Thanks!

pxchoi wrote in post #14358816
I don't like to carry a kit of filters and if I could just carry one, it would be most ideal.

Does anyone here use the Singh-Ray Vari-ND filter? - Thoughts?

Thanks!

As far as loss in IQ, there is no issue in any way shape or form. You wil get a variable in the color cast however, from a slight warming in the 2 to 3 three stop range, being fairly neutral at 3 to 5 stops (ballpark), and gradually getting bluer towards the full 8 stop range. You will get cross hatching before 8 stops when using a lens less than say a 35 mm. Working your way up the mm ladder, the cross hatching will eventually disappear at the 8 stop range.
If you are expecting to shoot mainly with a wide lens, you might pause for concern. Other than that, it's an excellent product worthy of consideration.

The Singh-Ray Vari-ND 77 standard ring mount will vignette on a 24-70 under 35mm on a full frame. http://www.ocabj.net/?​p=1785

I don't own or have access to a slim ring version, so I can't say whether that one will.

I have a slim-mount Vari-N-Duo arriving tomorrow and I'll do some testing with full frame and crop Canons.

Heard they are the best!

timeasterday wrote in post #14362970
I have a slim-mount Vari-N-Duo arriving tomorrow and I'll do some testing with full frame and crop Canons.

Definitely keep me posted.

Are there any samples images of the cross hatching? I do plan on using this lens at wide angle which is making me hesitate.

This was a quick test I just did with a Canon 5DMKII and a 17-40mm L lens set to 17mm.

Images are arranged as follows:

      Filter set to Min            Filter at 1/4
      Filter at 1/2               Filter at 3/4
      Filter one tick above 3/4    Filter two ticks above 3/4
      Filter 3 ticks above 3/4     Filter at Max

This was at 24mm (minimum I needed to go to avoid any vignetting).

Images are arranged as follows:

      Filter set to Min            Filter at 1/4
      Filter at 1/2               Filter at 3/4
      Filter one tick above 3/4    Filter two ticks above 3/4
      Filter 3 ticks above 3/4     Filter at Max

This was at 40mm.

Images are arranged as follows:

      Filter set to Min            Filter at 1/4
      Filter at 1/2               Filter at 3/4
      Filter one tick above 3/4    Filter two ticks above 3/4
      Filter 3 ticks above 3/4     Filter at Max

I tried the same test with my wife's 7D and 10-22mm lens. The results were pretty close although going almost totally black at max. Not sure what was going on there - the camera did not seem to be metering properly, or at least not the same as my 5DMKII. I tried inside and didn't get the really dark exposure at max, so maybe the bright sunlight was doing something to the metering. That camera & lens combo did not vignette from 14mm on up.

I have an 82mm Singh Ray. Using it on a 17-40 with BW 77-82 stepup ring it can open to 20mm before it starts vignetting

timeasterday wrote in post #14367825
I tried the same test with my wife's 7D and 10-22mm lens. The results were pretty close although going almost totally black at max. Not sure what was going on there - the camera did not seem to be metering properly, or at least not the same as my 5DMKII. I tried inside and didn't get the really dark exposure at max, so maybe the bright sunlight was doing something to the metering.

Ordinary ND filters let in a lot of IR, which the metering sensor can see. That'll ruin auto-exposure in bright sunlight. I guess the same happens with the VND. With an ordinary ND you can calculate what exposure is needed. With a VND you can't as you don't know how many stops you've dialled in. Yet another reason why I don't use one.

hollis_f wrote in post #14377678
Ordinary ND filters let in a lot of IR, which the metering sensor can see. That'll ruin auto-exposure in bright sunlight. I guess the same happens with the VND. With an ordinary ND you can calculate what exposure is needed. With a VND you can't as you don't know how many stops you've dialled in. Yet another reason why I don't use one.

That's a good point and explains why it worked better indoors. Funny that my 5DMKII didn't seem to have much problem with it. My wife wanted a variable ND so we'll see how she likes it this weekend at some waterfalls, which will be the typical use of this filter. I prefer my 3-stop and 10-stop B+W ND filters and between one of those and my CPL, that's enough for me. Sometimes I really want 10 stops and unfortunately the Vari-N-Duo is not usable at that setting.

hollis_f wrote in post #14377678
With an ordinary ND you can calculate what exposure is needed. With a VND you can't as you don't know how many stops you've dialled in. Yet another reason why I don't use one.

I did experiments to 'measure' the amount of light loss for the index marks on my own Singh-Ray Vari-ND: http://www.ocabj.net/?​p=2066

ocabj wrote in post #14377947
I did experiments to 'measure' the amount of light loss for the index marks on my own Singh-Ray Vari-ND: http://www.ocabj.net/?​p=2066

Yep, that was my experience as well. I was taking photos at every tick mark and didn't notice much change at first and then it really started working. But it's a shame there's so little room from a noticeable effect to an unusable result.