ND variable fader filter: I bought a cheap fotga variable filter but am not really happy with the results I guess you get what you pay for. Sometimes there are horrible water like...

saxkiwi Loc: New Zealand

I bought a cheap fotga variable filter but am not really happy with the results I guess you get what you pay for. Sometimes there are horrible water like marks and blotches on the image. Im suspecting this comes from poor quality glass and when they are turned by each other cause these things to happen. What is others experiences with them and what is the best cheapest variable ND out there? with out spending hundreds of $

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

saxkiwi wrote:

I bought a cheap fotga variable filter but am not really happy with the results I guess you get what you pay for. Sometimes there are horrible water like marks and blotches on the image. Im suspecting this comes from poor quality glass and when they are turned by each other cause these things to happen. What is others experiences with them and what is the best cheapest variable ND out there? with out spending hundreds of $

I've never been temped to get a Variable ND filter, mainly because of the price. here are some links that might be helpful.

http://photo.net/filters-bags-tripods-accessories-forum/00aItm

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/39519665

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1221876

saxkiwi Loc: New Zealand

jerryc41 wrote:

I've never been temped to get a Variable ND filter, mainly because of the price. here are some links that might be helpful.

http://photo.net/filters-bags-tripods-accessories-forum/00aItm

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/39519665

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1221876

Thanks for that Jerry I think I might have to go for just ND and not variable. It sounds like the general consensus is that variable ND filters dont work very good with wide angle lenses or wider than 35mm. I would imagine the very expensive ones would do pretty much the same as well. What do you think?

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

From what i have read the expensive ones have all the same problems as the cheap ones.
Some people love their variable NDs.
I have read enough about them from people I respect, to avoid them altogether.
I stack my 1,2,3 Lee grad NDs and Big Stopper to give me 1,2,3,4,5,6,10,11,12,13,14,15 stops of coverage. (I have 3 slots in my filter holder.
Most used are 3,5 & 10.

saxkiwi wrote:

I bought a cheap fotga variable filter but am not really happy with the results I guess you get what you pay for. Sometimes there are horrible water like marks and blotches on the image. Im suspecting this comes from poor quality glass and when they are turned by each other cause these things to happen. What is others experiences with them and what is the best cheapest variable ND out there? with out spending hundreds of $

Bruce with a Canon Loc: Islip

tiffen VND 149 bucks for the 77 mm filter. Best buy out there

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

saxkiwi wrote:

Thanks for that Jerry I think I might have to go for just ND and not variable. It sounds like the general consensus is that variable ND filters dont work very good with wide angle lenses or wider than 35mm. I would imagine the very expensive ones would do pretty much the same as well. What do you think?

I prefer a single number for NDs. I have the Hoya 9-stop.

saxkiwi Loc: New Zealand

Bruce with a Canon wrote:

tiffen VND 149 bucks for the 77 mm filter. Best buy out there

But do you have any issues with it shooting wide open?

saxkiwi Loc: New Zealand

jerryc41 wrote:

I prefer a single number for NDs. I have the Hoya 9-stop.

Is that one of the darkest? what do they go up to?

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

It is the darkest in Hoya I believe.
Lee have 10 stops with the Big Stopper. Square, fits in holder.
Hitech have 10 stop.
B&W have 6,10,13 & 20 stop. screw ins
I am not sure about other brands.

saxkiwi wrote:

Is that one of the darkest? what do they go up to?

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

saxkiwi wrote:

Thanks for that Jerry I think I might have to go for just ND and not variable. It sounds like the general consensus is that variable ND filters dont work very good with wide angle lenses or wider than 35mm. I would imagine the very expensive ones would do pretty much the same as well. What do you think?

If you want image quality, this is the way to go...and buy good ones. Variable ND filters are ok if you remember their limitations.

As far as the "X" issue, yes, even the good ones do it but less.

I've already went this route and ended up with two normal ND filters from B&W; the 3 stop filter and the 10 stop filter.

Joecosentino Loc: Whitesboro, New York

I have the sigh Ryan vari ND. it now sits Unseld. I took my time to get a set of lee filters both grad nd and nd plus the big stopper. No color cast, they work great. They are expensive and hard to find at times but worth it especially for shooting mid day

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

If it is defective glass then it varies with f stop, although the physics problems "X" problems are less at smaller openings. The system concept appears to have inherent problems compared to stacking simple ND filters:
"X Marks The Spot ... Variable neutral density filters work by using two polarizing filters, opposed, to lessen the amount of light passing through. This opposition has its limits and this shows in the form of vignetting, usually not the pretty type some people add to images. It turns into a white X (blackened top and bottom)that is a severe pain to adjust in post processing."
http://photo.tutsplus.com/articles/hardware/an-in-depth-comparison-of-two-variable-neutral-density-filters/

As I recall reading, VND filters work better at smaller lens openings (higher f #). Did not find the reference sorry.
aaaaha, found the reference:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nECdBiu5Rrw

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

saxkiwi wrote:

Is that one of the darkest? what do they go up to?

Yes, it is. As lighthouse said, they go higher, but the 10-stop is a common filter. I guess Hoya couldn't afford the R&D to get one more stop. :D

There are lots of articles and videos online about these "black" filters.

barkeypf Loc: Clifton Park, NY

I also bought a cheap filter, it was a big mistake. I agree, you get what you pay for in variable natural density filters.
Paul

Bruce with a Canon Loc: Islip

saxkiwi wrote:

But do you have any issues with it shooting wide open?

I generally shoot 4-8 stops. I have never tried it open or highest stops.
Wish I could help. sorry