duane klipping Loc: Bristow iowa

No they do not work properly. Better to buy a set of filters. No such thing as a do all ND filter and you will be disappointed with the results.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

The really good ND filter companies avoid making variable. It might be a good idea for you to investigate why.
But, back to your question, Tiffin makes a nice one, and it is not that expensive, as are most variable ND filters.

queencitysanta Loc: Charlotte, North Carolina

I only buy B&W filters. Don't buy a $3,000 lens and put a piece of sh*t glass in front of it.

queencitysanta Loc: Charlotte, North Carolina

I only buy B&W filters. Don't buy a $3,000 lens and put a piece of sh*t glass in front of it.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Never figured out how to use one, huh?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Some links -

Fixed vs Variable
https://www.diyphotography.net/problem-variable-nds-fixed-nds-still-relevant/

ND Variable
http://philipbloom.net/2011/06/04/the-best-variable-nd-filter-i-have-used/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.lightstalking.com/fixed-nd-filter-or-variable-nd-filter/http://philipbloom.net/2011/06/04/the-best-variable-nd-filter-i-have-used/
http://www.learningdslrvideo.com/variable-nd-filter-shootout/
http://nofilmschool.com/2012/12/dave-dugdale-variable-nd-filter-shootout
http://photography.tutsplus.com/articles/an-in-depth-comparison-of-two-variable-neutral-density-filters--photo-8983
http://jonasraskphotography.com/2014/05/12/nd-filter-dont-go-variable/

Avoiding the X -
https://www.dpreview.com/news/8909959108/nisi-launches-variable-nd-filter-with-the-dreaded-x-effect

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

I had bad luck with a variable ND and moisture that got between the elements. Now I use a 5 and a 10 stop.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

No problem with your polarizer?
Exactly the same.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

It depends a LOT on the manufacture.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

I am sure.

Kaib795 Loc: Maryland, USA

I do agree, Gene.

Split filters work better though I rarely use them either. Ever sense luminosity masking came about I don't bother. I can take two shots and combine the sky and landscape or even HDR shoot the scene. So many ways to get the shot without the filters. I just bracket shot it and decide later what to do and have many choices. But of course if the shot is at the right time of day with good light, I only need one shot. Software has made this much less a problem these days.

f8lee Loc: New Mexico

Gene is not wrong in the so-called “Maltese X” (that’s what the folks at Singh-ray - who makes an excellent version of the VND type filter - told me they called it when the problem started to appear a few years back) sometimes occurring - but it very much depends on the particular camera involved. Or, more specifically, the particular imaging chip.

For instance, I used my Tiffen and my Singh-Ray VNDs without issue on my Nikon D600 (and, before that D200) cameras - they were extremely useful in that you don’t have to remove them from the lens in order to reframe a shot. However, when I got a Fuji X-T1 a few years back I saw the problem and contacted Singh-Ray - they acknowledge it can happen. It seems to depend on geeky things like the distance between the individual photo sites on the imaging chip and the polarizing foil used in the 2 CPLs that make up the VND filter. The point is, it is no evident in every camera - you need to check it out with the gear you have.

The good news for me was that the Fuji’s EVF displays a scene as if there is no filter attached to the lens, even with an ND10 filter attached, so the issue of having to remove it to reframe disappears. But with a DSLR, I caution you to check it out on the camera you have.

f8lee Loc: New Mexico

Boy, a lot of misinformation here…

I have just explained that VNDs can indeed work properly - that it depends on the specific camera you will be using them with as to if the “X” effect will occur.

To @Billnikon - I guess you don’t consider Singh-Ray to be a good manufacturer, as they make a few VND models in the $500 bracket: https://singh-ray.com/shop/vari-n-trio-variable-neutral-density-nd-filter/

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

My recommendation:

Don't buy a Variable ND filter, unless you're planning to shoot video.

Variable ND are expensive and largely unnecessary for still photography. One or two standard ND filters (i.e., not variable ) can serve quite well.... while costing less and not having the "problems" that all Variable ND do.

Variable ND are sort of like two polarizing filters, stacked. They tend to cause an uneven effect in a lot of images. See above, or if you google for it, you'll find more examples online. The more affordable Vari ND (which aren't exactly cheap) are the worst and also often cause ugly color tints in images. It also appears that the degree of the problem varies depending upon the particular camera... It sounds like higher density sensors (with smaller and more crowded pixel sites) will show it worse than lower density sensors.... and sensor density tends to increase with each new generation of digital.

If you're just planning to shoot stills with it, I'd recommend instead get one or two standard ND in different strengths... maybe a 3-stop and a 6-stop... or a 4-stop and an 8-stop... or a 3-stop and a 9-stop... or whatever one or two make the most sense for what you want to shoot (just figure out how large shift of exposure you need for the effect you want). If needed, two filters can be stacked to make a 9-stop or more stops. These filters are dyed instead of having foils to block the light (like polarizers and Vari ND do). As a result, they don't have the uneven effect. Good ones also avoid ugly tints that can occur (some are designed to block additional IR band light).

For still photography, you only need a fixed strength ND filter to "shift" the exposure range to accomplish the various effects the filters are used for (i.e., exceptionally slow shutter speeds and/or extra large apertures in bright conditions when they wouldn't normally be possible). The other camera adjustments (shutter, aperture, ISO) have lots of latitude that can be used to fine tune your exposure. A Variable ND isn't needed.

If you plan to shoot video and want the filter for that, there may be an argument for a Variable ND, because there's a lot less latitude to adjust for exposure. Ideally, a bunch of fixed strength ND filters would be used and swapped out as needed to get exactly the exposure and effect that's wanted. But it may not be practical to buy a bunch of filters and a Variable ND may be the answer.

Just using rather common 77mm size for examples...

You can find higher priced ones... But very high quality, multi-coated, standard ND in various "fixed" strengths in 77mm size can be found for $80 to $120 apiece.

Better quality Variable ND filters (most of which are not multi-coated) in 77mm size often cost $250 to $400 or even close to $600 each.... And even the very best aren't completely free from some of the "problems" that come with Variable ND. But, even with those issues, lack of multi-coating and a very high price, a videographer might find a single variable filter more convenient and more affordable than buying a half dozen or more fixed strength ND.

Of course, depending upon the size you need, prices and selection may vary.





Graduated ND filters ("split" filters?) serve completely different purposes than Variable ND or fixed strength ND filters, so Grad NDs aren't really relevant here. (Plus... While Grad ND filters were very useful shooting film, they're largely unnecessary with digital. In fact, with digital much better results can be achieved in post-processing, than was ever possible with the filters and film.)

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

How many so called experts on this question actually own and use a good VND filter?
Or have these experts just seen silly you tube videos or read some obscure click bait blogger comments?