al13

Have variable ND filters improved since the responses posted in 2017? I want to photograph water falls, etc and want to be prepared for various light without having to carry and use multiple filters.

NCMtnMan Loc: N. Fork New River, Ashe Co., NC

No, they still have the same issues.

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

No. Variable ND, by design, use a pair of polarizing filters. With wide angle lenses, you will often have uneven lighting especially if there is sky involved.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Try UHH Search next time.

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-598343-1.html

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-597186-1.html

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

The short answer is "No". They haven't improved. They've just gotten more expensive.

Besides, if all you'll be doing is taking photos you don't need all the "versatility" of a Variable ND. If you were shooting video and didn't want to invest in and carry a bunch of different ND, a Variable might make sense. But there is less flexibility in the various exposure adjustments possible with video, than there is shooting still photos.

All you need for photos is to be able to "shift" the exposure range possible with the camera a fairly large amount.

I'd recommend just get one or two high quality, standard ND filters... Some say a 6-stop ND filter is what's most useful. I might add a 2-stop or 3-stop for when less is needed, which also can be stacked with the stronger filter if and when more is needed.

The reason Variable ND have "issues" is because they're essentially two polarizing filters stacked on top of each other. Polarizing filters work by having a "foil" which allows aligned light through while blocking oblique light. This can cause uneven effects with a C-Pol, the potential for which is doubled with a Variable ND. This unevenness is often most obvious with wide angle lenses, but actually can occur with other lenses, too. The filter's effect also can vary depending upon the wave length of light being effected, which is why Vari ND also tend to cause color tints in images. Some are "tuned" to reduce problems with unevenness and tints, but those filters also tend to be extremely expensive. It's rather difficult to correct tints in post-processing when they're combined with the unevenness these filters tend to cause.

Fixed strength, standard ND are glass or optical plastic dyed neutral gray... They don't partially block light in the same way as Variable ND. They let both direct and oblique light to pass through, but simply reduce the "strength" of it. This eliminates uneven effects caused by the filter. (OTOH.... lenses still may show optical vignetting, but they do that with or without a filter installed.) Depending upon the dye process used, there can be tints added to images by a standard ND filter, but it's usually very easily corrected in post-processing with a global adjustment (effecting the entire image).

In other words, the "issues" with Variable ND are inherent to the design of the filters. Some extremely expensive ones reduce the problems, but don't entirely eliminate them

Besides, you don't really need a Variable ND to make photos. One or two standard ND can very likely do all that you'll ever need. (Videographers on a budget might use Variable ND... But those who are looking for top quality results would be advised to bite the bullet and buy a bunch of different strengths of standard ND instead.)

al13

Thank you, it. Will not be a variable.

al13

I meant to say I will not purchase a variable lens.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I discussed this issue with an optical engineer who works for B+W. I'd avoid them. And thus, I have.
--Bob

al13

Thanks to all and I will purchase several filters but no variable filters. Using a filter will be a new challenge for me.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

Yup, lessons learned. Believe them. I’ve one to sell if you still want to throw some hard earned cash? 😏

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

I have several and I like them a lot! I have no idea what you mean when you ask if they have improved. I have one that I still use and its about 40 years old and its as good as any from today!