What Are Your Thoughts On Variable ND Filters
Apr 1, 2012 15:11:27 #
I see advertisements for variable ND filters and was wondering what your thoughts are and if anyone has tried one.
Apr 1, 2012 15:14:58 #
Wouldn't be without one---protects the lens from "dropping"
and scratches. Get a multi-coated one.
and scratches. Get a multi-coated one.
Apr 2, 2012 06:06:39 #
Apr 2, 2012 06:09:01 #
Some how part of that reponse didn't come through. I think your first answer was reffering to UV filters..
Apr 2, 2012 08:40:13 #
Overpriced! Can accomplish same effect with set of three good ND's for half the price or less.
Apr 2, 2012 08:56:10 #
Singh-Ray makes a very well reviewed Variable ND that sells for around $400. It may be the one Bridges is referring to.
Other mfg's make them for significantly less. You can find them on eBay and Amazon for $40-$100 or so. I got one a few months ago for the low end of that price scale, but have not played with it yet.
They are little more than TWO circular polarizers put together.
Buy an inexpensive one and play with it. Since the ND's primary purpose is to DECREASE the amount of light getting through, it is my personal opinion that a fairly decent CHEAP one is perfectly fine, so long as it it does not have huge optical defects.
Other mfg's make them for significantly less. You can find them on eBay and Amazon for $40-$100 or so. I got one a few months ago for the low end of that price scale, but have not played with it yet.
They are little more than TWO circular polarizers put together.
Buy an inexpensive one and play with it. Since the ND's primary purpose is to DECREASE the amount of light getting through, it is my personal opinion that a fairly decent CHEAP one is perfectly fine, so long as it it does not have huge optical defects.
Apr 2, 2012 09:53:10 #
docrob
Loc: Durango, Colorado
Mac wrote:
I see advertisements for variable ND filters and was wondering what your thoughts are and if anyone has tried one.
probably on a slow track to extinction now with HDR
Apr 2, 2012 14:12:01 #
Robeng
Loc: California
Mac wrote:
I see advertisements for variable ND filters and was wondering what your thoughts are and if anyone has tried one.
Hi Mac,
If you're into landscape photography I would recommend using them. I use both the sigh-ray & Lee filters.
Apr 2, 2012 14:14:58 #
docrob wrote:
probably on a slow track to extinction now with HDR
You have a bit of a point, but ND filters allow you to do things with shutter speed that bracketing exposures generally does not. Plus, creating a good HDR image takes PP skill that many people don't have. (Points to Self).Mac wrote:
I see advertisements for variable ND filters and was wondering what your thoughts are and if anyone has tried one.
probably on a slow track to extinction now with HDR
Apr 2, 2012 14:48:32 #
Mac wrote:
I see advertisements for variable ND filters and was wondering what your thoughts are and if anyone has tried one.
An excellent tool for balancing light and shadows or sky and land. Somehow my shots of waterfowl on water always seem to be westward at sundown. Exposure adjustment (usually +0.5 to 1.5) to minimize water glare and a variable ND to mute the sun solve the problem. I also often use a circular polarizer if I'm not shooting directly into the sun.
Apr 2, 2012 15:38:28 #
You don't have to spend $400 for a Singh Ray filter which is fine if you are a paid professional. I rented one from Borrow Lenses for a week trip to Yosemite and loved it. Then I found one by VIVITAR for $79 that works good enough for what I use it for. Great for getting longer exposures in bright light without overexposing the image. I've even used it on the darkest setting to shoot directly at the sun with a Canon 100-400mm lens to get the sunspots and it worked fine. Now I wouldn't be without one. Mine is a 77mm and I use step rings to fit it on my smaller lenses. I'd post a pic but I'm doing this from my iPad. I have posted the sunspot pic's here on another post.
Apr 2, 2012 20:20:25 #
Big thanks to everyone for your input.
I ordered one today.
I ordered one today.
Jun 17, 2012 18:50:39 #
Mac wrote:
Big thanks to everyone for your input.
I ordered one today.
I ordered one today.
Mac... You should have it by now, so what did you get, what price range, and how does it work? I'm in the market for one.
Thanks... Mike
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