Amadeus Loc: New York

This may be fairly simplistic but I want to experiment with ND’s. To reduce shutter speed for purposely blurring some action. My question is, is there a quality difference between the variable filters I see advertised and individual filters. Obviously there’s an advantage to the variables. And a difference between brands?

Just Shoot Me Loc: Ithaca, NY

B & W filters. Made in Germany. These aren't the cheapest but you get what you pay for.
Good glass produces good results, cheap glass produces...well, you get what you pay for.
Ron

r1ch Loc: Colorado

In the past the variable ND filters have not been so good, they are better now. I would say buy individual filters for less artifacts. I personally use Kase filters that go over the sensor or go on the EF to RF lens adapter for my Canon R5 camera. I have seen some reviews where they show that with super wide lenses, it is better to have the filters that go on the front of the lens instead of the sensor filters as there is less artifacts/distortion in the corners. I have not tested this, my experience is with less wide angle to telephotos where sensor type ND filters do not give me any discernible degradation of image quality. The advantage with sensor filters is one filter will work with any lens unlike filters that sit in front of the lens where you have to buy a different filter or a filter ring adapter to fit differing sizes of front elements.

CO

Avoid variable density ND filters. You can get cross polarization. They stack polarizers. Also, you're shooting through two pieces of glass. Just get a couple of fixed ND filters. I use a four stop most of the time.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Orphoto Loc: Oregon

The solid ND filters show a lot of color variability by brand. The most neutral are by Breakthrough Photography. If you are just experimenting go cheap. If you are serious, this is the way to go.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I prefer B+W filters for screw-in type filters. For the experiment idea, consider a 'used' filter to save money. KEH has a variety of sizes listed, Tiffen is good (enough) where they have this brand seemingly in most of the common sizes. Ebay is another source.

User ID

Worse yet ... its actually 4 pieces if glass.

r1ch Loc: Colorado

Since others are mentioning brands. Kase are the best for the price. But remember everyone has differing opinions and because people use filters differently you may find some better than others. The below picture was taken with a 4 stop nd Kase sensor filter.

https://fstoppers.com/originals/review-kase-filter-system-and-why-i-stopped-using-lee-filters-347291
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/61736088
https://www.clickandlearnphotography.com/kase-wolverine-neutral-density-filter-review/

Don't believe? Look for yourself
https://www.google.com/search?q=kase+filter+review&e

Image taken with Kase sensor 4 stop ND filter
https://imadethis.photo/1/mall.jpg

(Download)

jcboy3

If you want to blur action, then you will want to use very dark filters. Variable ND filters are best in the few stops range, and start to develop artifacts as you increase the number of stops. I use variable ND filters in the 1-4 stop range, usually for video in order to keep the shutter speed down, and for the flexibility when shooting in changing light conditions. For blurring action, I use ND filters in the 4-10 stop range. This is not a range that is handled well by variable ND filters.

Unless I'm shooting ultra wide angle, I use XUME magnetic adapters so I can change out the filters quickly. For landscape shots, I always take a regular shot and then start blurring with the ND filters. This way, I can blend the images to preserve sharpness in some parts of the image. Using the XUME adapters makes this quick. Unfortunately, XUME seems to no longer be made; they were bought by Manfrotto and availability has become very limited. There are other options, usually in filters that have built in magnetic mounts. These are better, because there is less vignetting.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

"...I want to experiment with ND’s." I do that occasionally but not enough to spend a lot of money. I've done well enough with a three filter kit from Tiffen like this one.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/674658-REG/Tiffen_52NDK3_52mm_Digital_Neutral_Density.html

Amadeus Loc: New York

The filters are additive, correct? They can be stacked?

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

They can and I have. The laws of physics will say that each extra surface will cause some degradation. I ended up buying a moderately prices 10 stop filter to experiment with "creamy" waves in bright sun on a beach. It is very dark and hard to see through. It works.

Another thing you can try with extreme long exposure with a 10 stop filter is a tourist scene. Moving people and vehicles can disappear from the image.

https://nisifilters.com.au/6-reasons-why-the-10-stop-nd1000-should-be-your-first-neutral-density-filter/

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Hoya makes an excellent variable.
I highly recommend it.
Not cheap but cheaper than buying individual filters.
IQ is on par with the single grade filters but more versatile.

photosfromtexas

I bought some cheap ND filters set from China. Paid $ 20-40 if I remember right. I was happy with them. Took them to Iceland to shoot the waterfalls and seascapes. Other photographers on the trip had ND filters that they paid $ 200 for each filter or up to $ 700 for the set. I realized mine had a horrible color cast compared to theirs AND were distorting the image.. giving it what I called “astigmatism“. I threw the set in the hotel trash can and shot the rest of the trip without filters (or used the ones from other photographers who lent me theirs when they were not using them). No sense ruining all my pics with that cheap set.