Variable ND filter recommendation: Hi all, Basically just what the title says. I would like to check variable ND filters........is there a decent enough one to be considered useful?

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Variable ND filter recommendation

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Jun 27, 2019 13:42:11 #

juan_uy Loc: Uruguay

Hi all,

Basically just what the title says.
I would like to check variable ND filters........is there a decent enough one to be considered useful?
Which one?

Thanks,

Juan

Jun 27, 2019 13:50:02 #

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

juan_uy wrote:

Hi all,

Basically just what the title says.
I would like to check variable ND filters........is there a decent enough one to be considered useful?
Which one?

Thanks,

Juan

Juan, Depending upon your budget.

B+W F-Pro 110 ND Filter 3.0 MRC. A range of well-rounded circular filters. ...

Hoya ProND. ...

Jun 27, 2019 13:58:32 #

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

juan_uy wrote:

Hi all,

Basically just what the title says.
I would like to check variable ND filters........is there a decent enough one to be considered useful?
Which one?

Thanks,

Juan

I have found them not worth the expense vs. 105 mm rectangular ND Grads

Jun 27, 2019 14:00:01 #

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

juan_uy wrote:

Hi all,

Basically just what the title says.
I would like to check variable ND filters........is there a decent enough one to be considered useful?
Which one?

Thanks,

Juan

Hoya makes a superb one.
If one uses it properly there are no problems at all.
I have one and it works great with no problems at all.
Some people have no clue how to use one and have a difficult time using one as they require a bit of thought.

Jun 27, 2019 14:01:23 #

BebuLamar

rgrenaderphoto wrote:

I have found them not worth the expense vs. 105 mm rectangular ND Grads

I think the 2 are not the same. The variable ND allows you to set the ND level. The grad has different ND top to bottom.

Jun 27, 2019 15:22:04 #

repleo Loc: Boston

This is a variable ND I bought when I was starting out and didn't want to spend a lot of money. It cost me twice as much back then. Nowadays I only buy B&W or Breakthrough filters, but I kept this one because it has worked well for me, great quality with Schott glass and is easy to use. Like all variable ND's it may 'Maltese Cross' on very wide angle lenses. Even if you opt for an expensive name brand VND, try this one and see if you can really tell the difference.

https://www.amazon.com/Ritz-GearTM-Premium-Filter-OPTICAL/dp/B00KH8QCKC/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=ritz+camera+variable+neutral+density+filter&qid=1561662485&s=gateway&sr=8-7

Jun 27, 2019 15:25:06 #

juan_uy Loc: Uruguay

PixelStan77 wrote:

Juan, Depending upon your budget.

B+W F-Pro 110 ND Filter 3.0 MRC. A range of well-rounded circular filters. ...

Hoya ProND. ...

Thanks Stan, but I was asking about vairable ND, so I could have one for several levels, adjusting by just turning the filter (similar to a CPL)

Jun 27, 2019 15:25:48 #

juan_uy Loc: Uruguay

rgrenaderphoto wrote:

I have found them not worth the expense vs. 105 mm rectangular ND Grads

Thanks for your opinion, although grad <> variable.

Jun 27, 2019 15:26:58 #

juan_uy Loc: Uruguay

Architect1776 wrote:

Good to know that, thanks for your feedback on the Hoya one.
I usually check Amazon's reviews (or BH ones), but lately I trust more a review/opinion from UHH than from those sites

Jun 27, 2019 15:29:35 #

juan_uy Loc: Uruguay

repleo wrote:

This is a variable ND I bought when I was starting... (show quote)

Thanks a lot for recommending this very affordable option!
Sadly it looks as they only have up to 67mm.

I also like B&W and Breakthrough, but didn't find VND from them.

I would definitively check the Ritz one if I can get a 77mm one.

Jun 27, 2019 15:29:59 #

juan_uy Loc: Uruguay

BebuLamar wrote:

I think the 2 are not the same. The variable ND allows you to set the ND level. The grad has different ND top to bottom.

Yes, exactly that.

Jun 27, 2019 15:43:43 #

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

juan_uy wrote:

Hi all,

Basically just what the title says.
I would like to check variable ND filters........is there a decent enough one to be considered useful?
Which one?

Thanks,

Juan

I got a Hoya and one from B&W, I like both of them!

Jun 27, 2019 16:17:13 #

juan_uy Loc: Uruguay

speters wrote:

I got a Hoya and one from B&W, I like both of them!

Thanks, really appreciate the feedback

Jun 27, 2019 19:17:42 #

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

juan_uy wrote:

Hi all,

Basically just what the title says.
I would like to check variable ND filters........is there a decent enough one to be considered useful?
Which one?

Thanks,

Juan

Not worth the headache - even the priciest ones provide so-so results. Variable ND filters are nothing but two circular polarizing filters in a rotating mount. With wide angle lenses skies often end up with uneven brightness, which has been characterized as a dark "X.. The affects ALL VND filters.

Jun 27, 2019 20:39:10 #

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

juan_uy wrote:

Good to know that, thanks for your feedback on the Hoya one.
I usually check Amazon's reviews (or BH ones), but lately I trust more a review/opinion from UHH than from those sites

Here are some examples of VND in use.
Also the filter itself with markings showing max and min range not to exceed.
Last shot shows what happens if simple directions are not followed and the cross appears. But again this happens when failure to follow simple directions are not followed.

VND Filter Maximum
VND Filter Maximum...

VND Filter Minimum
VND Filter Minimum...

Darkening Sky
Darkening Sky...

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