Recommendation for least expensive; but usable Variable ND filter?

I have tried the cheapest, and sent it back after quickly realizing how poor the quality was. I would like to know if the NDs that run a bit more are good for filming? Is anyone using one?

The vivitar version runs in the $40 range, and then jumps up to the Tiffen at $180...

Would love some insight!

Oh, one more thing, I have a 70-200 2.8 as well as a 16-35 2.8 ver 2. which has 82mm filter size. Will using a 72-82mm adapter be all right rather than having to have a 2 separate valuable filters?

Thanks!

Marumi might be the best one out there for the money, but they don't sell them through Amazon Prime. If you're comfortable with third party resellers, it's certainly an option. I've only had the Marumi CPL, can't vouch for the vari-nd personally, but the CPL was as good as B+W for less money, just the coatings weren't as resilient. Aside from that, Variable ND filters always degrade faster even when going up in price because of the nature of how they work (two filters turning against each other to create the effect). I used a Singh Ray Vari-ND which is supposed to be second or third to top of the line and cost me $400, still gave me softer images.

Cinematographers tend to use separate ND's because of this reason: the cost to quality ratio is extremely high (high cost) using variable ND filters.

If you're still interested in going that route, it's really expensive for quality vari-ND's: schneider or heliopan are top of the line and would probably get closer to separate ND filters. You can give those a try if you need variable ND for run-and-gun situations. Philip Bloom (not necessarily a fan of his work, but he does publish a few helpful tutorials for beginners) used the heliopan vari-nd and liked the quality better than the Singh Ray.

Heya,

If this is for film, I would just get a handful of useful non-variable ND filters with step up rings. Haida, Marumi, B+W, Hoya, etc, all make great filters here.

If this is for still shots, with strobes, then a variable ND filter can be useful. In which case, don't cheap out. You'll regret it.

I often use a simple 3 stop HOYA ND filter (I have two) and will stack them for a 6 stop effect, with a 50mm F1.4 lens (fully manual) for video on my SLR. Works great out in the sun. I use a big rubber lens hood too. My filters are 77mm, as most of my lenses are that size or smaller, so I just use step up rings to adapt the filters to any lens. These filters were $40 a piece?

Very best,

I do have a .9 Tiffen ND currently. What would be some others to consider if I just added not to non variable?

I don't know any specifics about the variable ND filters (essentially two polarizing filters on the same mount) but I totally stay away from ANY filters by Tiffen these days. They are generally low-end product and I have not heard/seen any reviews of Tiffen filters that would make me want to buy any.

Just an FYI, the variable ND filters are usually thicker than a single ND filter and may cause vignetting when you are shooting at wider angles with your 16-35.

javapop wrote in post #17378775
I do have a .9 Tiffen ND currently. What would be some others to consider if I just added not to non variable?

Heya,

Again depends if you're doing video or stills.

I stack Hoya 3 stops.
I also have Marumi 3 stops.
And I have a big 100mm x 100mm Lee system with 3 stop, and 10 stop.

I generally just use variations of 3 stop filters stacked. I find 1 or 2 stops to be a waste of time. 3 stops and 4~6 stops are where you're doing something. And 10 stop is for extreme stuff. I generally use 6 stop for outdoor video with wide aperture lenses.

Very best,

I first built my own using cheap linear polarizers, worked ok, but not great. Then I bought a cheap one (ebay or amazon) and it creates the dreaded X pretty fast. Then I got the Tiffen and it works pretty well. You still get the X when close to fully closed, but I think you get that with all. A test in one photo magazine a while ago rated the Tiffen higher than the way overpriced SinghRay, which I'd never buy at that price level.

VariND are handy to have in the bag, especially if I don't have my HiTech ND setup with me, which is most of the time. There's a bit of a color cast, easy to fix and I mostly turn the photos I take with it into B&W anyway. Try the Tiffen somewhere if you can, or buy it where you can send it back if not happy. I'm just careful not to close it all the way and check my image and reshoot if necessary.

I have this:

82mm-Fader-Filter-82-Vari-ND-ND2-to-ND400-Neutral-Density-Variable-NEW-ICE-HD

http://www.ebay.com …-NEW-ICE-HD-/221244123895

However I bought it from Amazon. It now carries only the 77 mm.

It does deliver the goods, with a minor change in hue. I haven't observed the dreaded X, but I haven't shot a wide shot with a bright sky yet.

For $39.95, I am pretty pleased with it.

PS: I also bought an ICE HD CPL for the same thread size for $19.95. I tested it extensively, against a much more expensive Hoya. No color distortion and works as expected.

I have Singh Ray Vari-ND but i sold it and bought FotodioX Vizelex ND Throttle Adapter to use it on my Sony E-mount, but i do have few individual ND at different stops so i can use each when needed, you don't need 0.3 or 0.6 mostly, and you already have 0.9, so go with 1.8 stop and 3 stop [LEE Big Stopper] and you are done, you don't need every stops between 0.1 up to 3, most of the time i use 0.9 and 1.8 and 3 and never look back, even with Vari-ND i am mostly at those 3 stops than other stops.

Haida have those filters ND 100x100 at good prices and glass, you will never look for anything else once you bought them, or, buy Sony E-mount camera and then this adapter t use your Canon lenses and you are done.

Thanks, how did the images compare with and without?