Singh-Ray Vari-N-Duo Vignetting on FF

Tested out my new Singh-Ray Vari-N-Duo non-slim filter to day to check the limits for vignetting with a 5D. Using the 24-105L, the vignetting was pretty severe at 24mm (to say the least). Zooming to 28mm was still very noticeable, and by 35mm it started to disappear...my guess is that by 37mm or so the vignetting would be nonexistent. Not the best of situations, but pretty manageable all things considered. With the same lens on my 30D, there wasn't any vignetting with the lens set at 24mm (38mm equivalent).

The filter isn't inexpensive, but then again this is certainly a case of getting what you pay for. Considering the cost of a 77mm high quality CPL such as a B+W or Heliopan, and then adding in the cost of multiple ND filters, the S-R filter isn't really any more expensive than owning a collection of similar filters. The build of the S-R is top-notch, with high quality materials and a very solid feel. The CPL portion is a bit warmer than that of my B+W Kaesemann CPL, but the difference is subtle and not distracting. Physically, the filter is about 18mm thick...subtracting the threaded portion that screws into the lens, the front of the filter extends beyond the end of the lens barrel by about 15mm when mounted. There is a slim version of the Vari-N-Duo, but as long as you can work within the focal lengths with regard to vignetting, the standard filter would work fine...personally, for what I have in mind for this filter, this shouldn't be a problem.

Sample pics:

Canon 5D + 24-105L, 24mm @ f/8:

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This has been shown in a few other threads. I recently met TaDa, a member here, and played with his. He also just sold his to get the sharp cut one which vignettes less and goes wider before so doing.

Otherwise, it's a great combo. I want one.

me

MDJAK wrote in post #7966605
This has been shown in a few other threads. I recently met TaDa, a member here, and played with his. He also just sold his to get the sharp cut one which vignettes less and goes wider before so doing.

Otherwise, it's a great combo. I want one.

me

you have a link to that one ?

ed rader

argyle wrote in post #7966398
Tested out my new Singh-Ray Vari-N-Duo non-slim filter to day to check the limits for vignetting with a 5D. Using the 24-105L, the vignetting was pretty severe at 24mm (to say the least). Zooming to 28mm was still very noticeable, and by 35mm it started to disappear...my guess is that by 37mm or so the vignetting would be nonexistent. Not the best of situations, but pretty manageable all things considered. With the same lens on my 30D, there wasn't any vignetting with the lens set at 24mm (38mm equivalent).

The filter isn't inexpensive, but then again this is certainly a case of getting what you pay for. Considering the cost of a 77mm high quality CPL such as a B+W or Heliopan, and then adding in the cost of multiple ND filters, the S-R filter isn't really any more expensive than owning a collection of similar filters. The build of the S-R is top-notch, with high quality materials and a very solid feel. The CPL portion is a bit warmer than that of my B+W Kaesemann CPL, but the difference is subtle and not distracting. Physically, the filter is about 18mm thick...subtracting the threaded portion that screws into the lens, the front of the filter extends beyond the end of the lens barrel by about 15mm when mounted. There is a slim version of the Vari-N-Duo, but as long as you can work within the focal lengths with regard to vignetting, the standard filter would work fine...personally, for what I have in mind for this filter, this shouldn't be a problem.

Sample pics:

Canon 5D + 24-105L, 24mm @ f/8:

Canon 5D + 24-105L, 28mm @ f/8:

Canon 5D + 24-105L, 35mm @ f/8:

thanx for the demo Argyle. did you happen to try 24mm + f16?


also if you had used an 82mm filter with step-up ring i wonder if it would have vignetted less?
ed rader

ed rader wrote in post #7966826
thanx for the demo Argyle. did you happen to try 24mm + f16?


also if you had used an 82mm filter with step-up ring i wonder if it would have vignetted less?
ed rader

I'll try f/16 a bit later...

argyle wrote in post #7971113
I'll try f/16 a bit later...

thanx....that's an interesting filter.

ed rader

No difference at f/16, other than the vignetting being more defined due to the smaller aperture (I'd post the pics, but refer back to the above samples and imagine a sharper vignette outline). I picked it up mainly for an outing to Arizona in two weeks...what I'm shooting won't require very wide focal lengths, so I'll give it a whirl. You're right about it being an interesting piece of gear (and no more reason to carry around multiple filters).

BTW...its only available in 77mm filter size, which pretty much means that with a few exceptions (such as the 16-35 MK II), it can be used pretty much on a majority of Canon L lenses since they're mostly 77mm.

argyle wrote in post #7971208
No difference at f/16, other than the vignetting being more defined due to the smaller aperture (I'd post the pics, but refer back to the above samples and imagine a sharper vignette outline). I picked it up mainly for an outing to Arizona in two weeks...what I'm shooting won't require very wide focal lengths, so I'll give it a whirl. You're right about it being an interesting piece of gear (and no more reason to carry around multiple filters).

BTW...its only available in 77mm filter size, which pretty much means that with a few exceptions (such as the 16-35 MK II), it can be used pretty much on a majority of Canon L lenses since they're mostly 77mm.

thanx. i thought i saw 82mm on the singh ray webpage?

ed rader

ed rader wrote in post #7971222
thanx. i thought i saw 82mm on the singh ray webpage?

ed rader

Vari-ND has an 82mm. Vari-N-Duo does not.

Vari-ND does not allow adjusting the CPL. Vari-N-Duo does....similar to what you get if you DIY stack a CPL and LP.

jrsforums wrote in post #7976825
Vari-ND has an 82mm. Vari-N-Duo does not.

Vari-ND does not allow adjusting the CPL. Vari-N-Duo does....similar to what you get if you DIY stack a CPL and LP.

i get it now. thanx .

ed rader