rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Frank, I was going to purchase one from B+W. I called them and spoke with an engineer there. She advised me not to purchase it. It has potentially more issues than it solves.
--Bob

joseph premanandan

ND filters are useful in a bright day when you are not shooting during the Golden hours. since these filters allow less light through your lens, your camera will end up having a longer shutter speed and that means you may need a tripod.the ND filters are also good for shooting waterfalls.

carl hervol Loc: jacksonville florida

Buy one and try it .

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

If you are shooting video, a Variable ND might be a useful and relatively affordable way to go. The problem is, even lower quality, uncoated Vari ND aren't cheap. Expect to pay around a minimum of $130 for a 77mm. And expect that you'll have problems with uneven effects and ugly tints in images and videos. Better quality, multi-coated Vari ND are extremely expensive... $400 to over $500 in 77mm size, for example. And even those aren't entirely free of some of the issues.

If you are just shooting stills, you don't really need a variable filter. A couple fixed strength filters will likely cover most any situation you're photographing... such as a 3 -stop and a 6-stop, which can be combined to give you 9-stops.... or some other combination that meets your particular needs. There are pricier ones, but you can probably put together a pair of quality, multi-coated standard ND for the same cost or less than a low quality, uncoated variable.

The reason you only need one or two fixed strengths of ND for photography is because there are so many other exposure factors that can be adjusted to arrive at the exposure you want. You only need one or two fairly strong ND filters to be able to handle most situations.

It's different with video, because there are fewer other exposure adjustments possible. Because of that, there's more reliance on the filter so for video one might need a Variable ND... although a stack of a half dozen or more fixed strength ND may be preferable for best image quality... it might be impractical.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

I have one.
It works just fine and does NOT "muddy" the image any more than the beloved and praised polarizer.
They work wonderfully when used properly and not beyond the parameters of the design.
I use a Hoya one, it is marked for repeat-ability as well as the limits not to exceed.
They are far easier to use than a bunch of separate filters and you get an infinite number of densities.
I like mine and it does just fine, I have used it and no pixel peeper here has figured it out yet which photo had it and which did not have it.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

The biggest problem with ND filters is that most of them cause a color cast to the image. It's not hard to get rid of it but it's another step in post that you need to consider. I've checked out quite a few reviews on ND filters and I'd have to say that I think they all have the problem to one degree or another. I started with the Tiffen filters and mine caused a pretty bad green color cast. I was with a friend that uses the Lee filter system and their 10 stop "Big Stopper" ND filter and she told me that it has a slight blue color cast. I bought it and agree that it does have a slight blue color cast. I shoot mostly scenes where there is water, or blue skys and found that the blue color cast isn't an issue like the green color cast was. I had a Hoya ND filter too but I don't remember what it was like because it was only a 2 or 3 stop filter. I sold or got rid of all the cheap filters.

chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon

I use VND's. You get what you pay for. Price often reflects quality. In addition to other top brands mentioned by others, I use Promaster HGX VND's (HGX series filters are made by Murami) with no issues. I do stack it on my CPL, so in turning one you may also the other, but that is part of the enjoyment of setting up the shot. VND's offer the ability to change the amount of light without unscrewing and screwing on another ND in that respect they save time.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Some people use the built in meter.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

I never had any issues, or any sort of trouble. I do not see any difficulty to its use!

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

I find even with built in meter, if I’m spot metering on part of the scene it’s a lot easier to meter without the filters. And since the stuff I’m shooting with ND’s usually takes some set up anyway, it’s not that big a deal to add and remove filters.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

I have both- a variable n.d and a set of individual filters. Frankly, the Sing-Ray variable I use has never caused color shifts or quality loss on images for large prints or projected images up to an including 30x40. In larger images and where sharpness is extremely critical, I prefer to stick with the individual filters. Remember, the variable filters work by means of cross-polarization, so there are two elements- 4 more glass surfaces. I don't want to start a pro and con filter conversation visa vee skylight and protection filters. Just on the big stuff, the less glass I put in front of the lens the better. Sometimes to reduce the depth of field in bright light or cause water blur, I would rather reduce the IOS as much as I can but sometimes the n.ds are required.

In my commercial work, not every job is for photomurals, food shots on the Jumbotron or transilluminated billboards. On the big jobs, I just wanna head off Murphy's law of flare or image degradation potential. For regular stuff, a good variable n.d is just fine.

PS. I seldom need 9 stops but as soon as I lose, break or sell my darkest n.d.- I'll need it!

uhaas2009

I got the Hoya variable ND and using it creates the X and in certain areas the sharpness isn’t there either. I bought me from breakthrough Nd filter, they don’t create color cast....

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

The Hoya, which I have and use, works wonderfully if you know how to use it.
You only have sharpness and other issues if you don't know how to use it.
I post many photos here having used it and you nor anyone else has noticed that it was being used.
So learn how to use a variable ND before commenting.

uhaas2009

I’m open to correcting my mistakes but can’t figure out how to avoid the x pattern and in some areas the unsharp ness. I would appreciate if you correct me please