Tiffen filter questions.

I am interested in using some ND filters, but don't want to spend a ton of money to start with. I have located some Tiffen 77mm ND filters at B&H. I can get a set of 'digital' filters for $119, or buy them individually (0.6, 0.9, 1.2) and they are $20 cheaper. What is the difference?

Also, which ever way I go, can I stack these filters? How about using them on 72mm lenses like my 28-135 and 15-85? I already have 72:77 adapters for my B&W CPL.

Thanks.

Here are the links:
Set:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ital_Neutral_De​nsity.html

Individual:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …m_Neutral_Densi​ty_ND.html

Stacking filters will inevitably lead to vignetting on wider lenses and stacking cheap filters will inevitably lead to unwanted color casts.

Buy cheap, buy twice.

v35skyline wrote in post #15755598
Stacking filters will inevitably lead to vignetting on wider lenses and stacking cheap filters will inevitably lead to unwanted color casts.

Buy cheap, buy twice.

OK, thanks. Anyone have any ideas about the different lenses in the links?

Honestly, I would just avoid Tiffen, in general, as cheap glass tends to lead to cheap results. If you're looking for budget friendly filters, I would take a look at Cokin. They'll work with a holder that you can mount to any of your lenses with the appropriate adapter.

Cokin will likey give you better results that the Tiffens, as well. Just be aware that the Cokins have a tendency to give color casts (mostly magenta) when stacked.

What are your goals with ND flters?

I just want to pick up a few different densities of ND to play with slowing the shutter speed. Blurring backgrounds, shooting wide open (~f/2) in bright sunshine. I don't care 'too much' about the quality. If it is something I get into, I can always buy exactly what I need, after I determine what that is.

Primarily, I am wondering about the difference between the Tiffen "digital" filters, which seem more expensive: $119 for a set of .6, .9 & 1.2 filters - and the cheaper 'buy them separately" for $96 filters. I realize they won't be the best I can get in either case. Do you think it even matters at this level?

It looks like you get the case with the set. That might be the price difference.

Tiffen filters usually only have single coating, so are considerably more prone to flare and lost contrast due to reflections (rather than greater transmission of light). Read this test...

http://www.kenandchris​tine.com/gallery/10543​87_ucZqa/1

Cokins are soft and prone to easy scratching. I ruined an entire set during a single one-week trip over 20 years ago while being carried around in my camera bag during my photographic travels through Florida (and not even pulled out for use!), in a filter wallet due to abrasions of the surfaces of all the Cokin filters. Threw them out at the end of the trip after discovering abrasions, never bothered to replace any of them!

Wilt,
Thanks for the article. Interesting read. I don't believe I'll be shooting a bunch of black squares on white backgrounds, but I do have a related real-world example to share. Some time ago I bought a 100-400L. My first outing with it was a complete disaster. My first thought was: DEFECTIVE LENS. I posted some shots on POTN and everyone said, "Take the filter off! I did. It was a huge improvement. That prompted me to test my other lenses with and without filters. All of my lenses performed better without the filters; not to the degree the 100-400 did, but visibly better. I took off the filters and bought hoods. Here is the kicker; all of my filters were Tiffen UV Haze 1. Perhaps there is a lesson here?

I still think $96 just to try some ND filters is not too expensive. I can spent more than that on each one to buy good ones. I saw a set of 3 on B&H for over $400!

I'd skip those Tiffens and go for a Marumi 3-stop to start with. Very good quality to cost ratio, and personally I think a 1-stop ND is pointless. 2 is sometimes helpful, but 3 is what I'd consider a good versatile one to start with for what you described. Check out 2filter HERE.

I was/am in the same boat, wanted to play around with ND filters. I picked up a cheap 2 stop screw on, it works ok for waterfalls if your already in a darker forest setting. I tried it at the beach this weekend to blur the ocean a bit (weather was gray and overcast), needless to say it did not do what I wanted, 2 stops was just not enough.

Now a cheap solution (I found the idea on this forum) was to pick up some welding glass and glue a threaded adapter to it. Mine comes out a bit over 10 stops I think (I plan to do some more testing this week, now that I know I can get decent results with it). It does give off a very heavy green tint (to the point its not correctable in post), however I wanted to turn the shot black and white from the get go. There are ways to set a closer custom WB before shooting.

Might be worth a shot, I think the welding glass set up cost me like $12 when all said and done.

A word of caution, you can not use AF with the welding glass method, so I would AF then very carefully (sometimes 2-3 times) switch to manual then screw the glass on (major PITA). I am headed to amazon next to see if I can pick up a cheap holder and make a drop in set of welding glass filters