High Density Heliopan ND Filters

Hi all,

I'm in the market for some long exposure neutral density filters. I am aware that the B+W ND110 (10 stops), B+W ND106 (6 stops), and the Hoya ND400 (9 stops) all draw criticism for exhibiting color casts. The new Lee Big Stopper (10 stops) seems to have received some favorable early reviews for color neutrality. Heliopan also has some threaded varieties, including (according to their online English catalog) an ND1.2 (4 stops), ND2 (6.7 stops), ND3 (10 stops), and ND4 (13 stops!). I'm leaning towards the Heliopans for their slim profile with front threads and the variety of densities offered. Does anyone have experience with any of these Heliopan filters, specifically in regard to color cast? How do they compare to the other high density filters on the market? Thanks for any help!

Dan

In the market for a ND myself. All the info I have read, suggest the Singh Ray Vari-ND is tops. The color casts is the main thing I was worried about. I am also curious about the Vari-N-Duo which is a polarizer and ND. Singh Ray is top shelf stuff.

DANATTHEROCK wrote in post #10334786
In the market for a ND myself. All the info I have read, suggest the Singh Ray Vari-ND is tops. The color casts is the main thing I was worried about. I am also curious about the Vari-N-Duo which is a polarizer and ND. Singh Ray is top shelf stuff.

I agree with your opinion about the SR Vari-ND. It's definitely top shelf. Just be warned that these filters will vignette on the wide end of your lenses. If your ok with that, then I don't see a reason you shouldn't buy it.

Good to hear from you man. I have been reading up a good bit and Argyle helped me out as well. These Singh Ray Vari-ND seem to be very highly recommended. I am quite impressed with my Singh Ray grad ND's.

DANATTHEROCK wrote in post #10335226
Good to hear from you man. I have been reading up a good bit and Argyle helped me out as well. These Singh Ray Vari-ND seem to be very highly recommended. I am quite impressed with my Singh Ray grad ND's.

No problem Dan.

YankeeHotelFoxtrot wrote in post #10332288
Hi all,

I'm in the market for some long exposure neutral density filters. I am aware that the B+W ND110 (10 stops), B+W ND106 (6 stops), and the Hoya ND400 (9 stops) all draw criticism for exhibiting color casts. The new Lee Big Stopper (10 stops) seems to have received some favorable early reviews for color neutrality. Heliopan also has some threaded varieties, including (according to their online English catalog) an ND1.2 (4 stops), ND2 (6.7 stops), ND3 (10 stops), and ND4 (13 stops!). I'm leaning towards the Heliopans for their slim profile with front threads and the variety of densities offered. Does anyone have experience with any of these Heliopan filters, specifically in regard to color cast? How do they compare to the other high density filters on the market? Thanks for any help!

Dan

That's interesting. I never saw these other NDs from Heliopan. If you can locate the ND2, ND3, or ND4. I may want to try these out.

jdizzle wrote in post #10335444
That's interesting. I never saw these other NDs from Heliopan. If you can locate the ND2, ND3, or ND4. I may want to try these out.

I haven't seen the high-density filters from Heliopan in stock anywhere. A US dealer might be able to order them, and at least one UK dealer advertises them on their website:

http://www.teamworkpho​to.com …ct_info&product​s_id=10221

However, they don't list the ND4 as being available, but the Heliopan catalog does:

http://www.heliopan.de​/Heliopan-Filters.pdf

Does anybody have any real-life experience with these? The Singh-Ray Vari-ND will vignette on my 10-22, but the Heliopan ND's are slim. The Hoya and B+W filters are standard thickness, so I think that the Heliopan filters would be a good alternative.

Dan

YankeeHotelFoxtrot wrote in post #10336426
I haven't seen the high-density filters from Heliopan in stock anywhere. A US dealer might be able to order them, and at least one UK dealer advertises them on their website:

http://www.teamworkpho​to.com …ct_info&product​s_id=10221

However, they don't list the ND4 as being available, but the Heliopan catalog does:

http://www.heliopan.de​/Heliopan-Filters.pdf

Does anybody have any real-life experience with these? The Singh-Ray Vari-ND will vignette on my 10-22, but the Heliopan ND's are slim. The Hoya and B+W filters are standard thickness, so I think that the Heliopan filters would be a good alternative.

Dan

Thanks for posting the UK link. I just sent them an e-mail to see if the ND4 can be ordered. I'll post any info. if they reply.

Here's the reply from Teamworkphoto.

"Waiting for stock due in about 2-3 weeks".

That's all I got from them. If they can sell me an 82mm ND4, that would be totally cool! Kind of sounds like Lee's response to the Big Stopper but, it's 6-8 weeks.