Elinchrom users only- whatcha got? (Mark II)

I don't really want to take us off topic but I'm wondering what the differences are between the Fader ND and the SIngh-Ray Vari-ND? They seem to do the same thing and I've always heard mixed reactions about the Vari-ND.

Do you guys have any first hand info or have you done comparisons?

TMR Design wrote in post #11043746
I don't really want to take us off topic but I'm wondering what the differences are between the Fader ND and the SIngh-Ray Vari-ND? They seem to do the same thing and I've always heard mixed reactions about the Vari-ND.

Do you guys have any first hand info or have you done comparisons?

Nah, couldn't afford the Singh-Ray, which I would have bought if I could have afforded it.

I just have the Fader ND. Would love to try the Singh Ray though

pnmd wrote in post #11043840
I just have the Fader ND. Would love to try the Singh Ray though

Hi Peter,

When you're using the Fader ND, do you use lens hoods or do you not use the hood so that you have access to the filter? Or... do you set the filter and then add the hood?

Any vignetting from the Fader ND?

TMR Design wrote in post #11043844
Hi Peter,

When you're using the Fader ND, do you use lens hoods or do you not use the hood so that you have access to the filter? Or... do you set the filter and then add the hood?

Any vignetting from the Fader ND?

I don't use the lens hood with the Fader.

I don't remember about vignetting but I can do some comparison shots later today with the Fader ND vs my BW 3 stop ND if you want.

TMR Design wrote in post #11043844
Hi Peter,

When you're using the Fader ND, do you use lens hoods or do you not use the hood so that you have access to the filter? Or... do you set the filter and then add the hood?

Any vignetting from the Fader ND?

No vignetting - I've got the 82mm, because that's what I need for my 16-35, and it's got an 82mm back thread and 86mm front, so it's oversized.

I also bought (off eBay, cheap) step-down rings - 82-77, 82-72 - so I could use it with my other lenses.

Thanks Peter.

No need to do comparison shots.

I've been considering the Vari-ND. I was going to get some more individual ND's but after looking at the cost versus the cost of the Vari-ND and the overall flexibility I'm leaning towards the Vari-ND.

TMR Design wrote in post #11043877
Thanks Peter.

No need to do comparison shots.

I've been considering the Vari-ND. I was going to get some more individual ND's but after looking at the cost versus the cost of the Vari-ND and the overall flexibility I'm leaning towards the Vari-ND.

It also saves space in the bag.

Have you noticed any color cast using the Fader? A lot of people mentioned those when I was researching Vari NDs a while ago. I will probably end up getting the Singh-Ray eventually, I'm okay with 3 stop B+W's in most cases though.

So it would seem that unless you're going to use wide angle lenses and wide apertures, the standard Vari ND with front and rear threads is the better choice. The thin mount is appealing but doesn't allow for any stacking of filters or use of a standard lens cap.

Pros or cons of the thin mount?

TMR Design wrote in post #11043995
So it would seem that unless you're going to use wide angle lenses and wide apertures, the standard Vari ND with front and rear threads is the better choice. The thin mount is appealing but doesn't allow for any stacking of filters or use of a standard lens cap.

Pros or cons of the thin mount?

This is my comment about thin mounts in genera and not specific to the Vari ND filter. I bought a thin mount polariser filter for the same reason, i.e. for use with wide angle lens. But, unless you have a full frame camera or have a "made for APC format" wide angle lens, vignetting won't really be an issue with the standard filter. But the fact that you can't use your normal lens cap with the thin filter is a bigger bummer, at least for me. The rubber Tupperware-type cap that's provided with the filter, if one comes with it, is practically useless cuz it keeps falling off!

PacAce wrote in post #11044081
This is my comment about thin mounts in genera and not specific to the Vari ND filter. I bought a thin mount polariser filter for the same reason, i.e. for use with wide angle lens. But, unless you have a full frame camera or have a "made for APC format" wide angle lens, vignetting won't really be an issue with the standard filter. But the fact that you can't use your normal lens cap with the thin filter is a bigger bummer, at least for me. The rubber Tupperware-type cap that's provided with the filter, if one comes with it, is practically useless cuz it keeps falling off!

Thanks Leo. That's what I thought and I've never liked those lens caps. I also want to be able to use my CPL on the ND and even though that will introduce vignetting, I find that in most cases it's either pleasing or one click away from being removed.

Lichtwerk wrote in post #11043957
Have you noticed any color cast using the Fader? A lot of people mentioned those when I was researching Vari NDs a while ago. I will probably end up getting the Singh-Ray eventually, I'm okay with 3 stop B+W's in most cases though.

I don't notice a significant color cast with my Fader. But I just did a quick test and noticed my Fader was noticeably soft/less sharp vs my B+W 3 stop. Even put the camera on tripod to be certain.

When I got my Fader, the only choice was Ebay. If I were to buy one now I'd get it from BH or Adorama who both sell versions of fader ND's. BH sells the Genus and if you don't like it, exchange it for their Singh-Ray. There's so many Fader ND's out there like LCW with their mk2 and Ebay versions, they all look physically similar to me. Get it from BH or Adorama so you can easily exchange or return IMO

mickeyjuice wrote in post #11039684
(Have Markins dropped the 'M'-line and are now only going with the 'Q'-line? It's all I can find on their site.)

Yeah they have replaced it the with Q line.

The main difference is the QR plate.

pnmd wrote in post #11044256
I don't notice a significant color cast with my Fader. But I just did a quick test and noticed my Fader was noticeably soft/less sharp vs my B+W 3 stop. Even put the camera on tripod to be certain.

When I got my Fader, the only choice was Ebay. If I were to buy one now I'd get it from BH or Adorama who both sell versions of fader ND's. BH sells the Genus and if you don't like it, exchange it for their Singh-Ray. There's so many Fader ND's out there like LCW with their mk2 and Ebay versions, they all look physically similar to me. Get it from BH or Adorama so you can easily exchange or return IMO

One other thing to consider is that most of the cameras we are shooting with do really well anywhere from 50-400 ISO or even 800 ISO. If you can vary the ISO and shoot, you can combine one or two fixed ND filters such as a 3 stop and a 6 stop and still cover the same exposure range.

Also note that the variable ND filters (both Singh Ray and others) are limited in how far you can turn up the density before you start seeing strange banding effects. The wider the lens, the more limited the max density you can use before seeing problems. For longer focal lengths (>50mm) it's not really an issue.