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ND filters
  • 257 Replies sorted by
  • Swiss_BoySwiss_Boy

    @thepalalias after reading this thread i think about buying a marumi + 3 step up rings but since i never used a filter i don't know what size i should buy in order to work good and not get vignetting on these 3 lenses :

    Panasonic 14-42mm (52) Panasonic 20mm (46) Olympus 45mm (37)

    I found these on ebay i think they are not fake http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=Marumi+ND2-ND400&_sacat=0

    Will this one the 58mm be good for my needs? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Marumi-58mm-DHG-Vari-Gray-Grey-Neutral-Density-ND-ND2-ND400-Fader-Filter-/230720073095?pt=Camera_Filters&hash=item35b7fced87#ht_1670wt_1165

    Thanks in advance

  • thepalaliasthepalalias

    I used cheap Tiffen ND 0.6 filters for my old HV30, a 77mm "Polaroid" vari-ND that maxed out at "400x" (actually a little less if you wanted it to work right) and a Hoya 77mm 9 stop ND (not vari). All were screw in.

    It should come as no surprise that I had the best experience with the Hoya (didn`t vignette my EF-S 10-22mm which the Polaroid vari-ND did) and I loved using it for timelapse photography. A little strong for video (takes what would be 1/8000 second and makes it require 1/30 at the same settings) but the image quality has been noticeably better than the others, even while being higher strength.

  • jamjam

    @csyny i have 2 Maruni fixed nd filters - no color cast, uniform. Good quality. Www.filterconnection.com good supplier.

  • g_sadamotog_sadamoto

    I'm still debating on which Vari ND to get? Can anyone share any insight or even a comparison on the pros and cons between these filters?

    77mm Vari ND Filter - Light Craft Fader ND Mark II or Marumi DHG Digital Variable ND ND2-ND400 or Genus ND Fader or Tiffen Vari ND?

    Thanks

  • pvjamespvjames

    I use Heliopan and i guess its good. I have not done any comparisons with others.

    http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/20168241_98RPgc#!i=1559139220&k=22Qst7g&lb=1&s=A http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/20168241_98RPgc#!i=1488182791&k=PF7ZQTV&lb=1&s=A

  • csynccsync

    has anyone used the marumi non-vari ND's? thinking about getting a 77mm ND8.

  • stoneystoney

    See this testing sample for Fader ND.

    http://s612.photobucket.com/albums/tt210/1502dan/Variable%20ND%20Filter%20Test/?start=all

  • sprinkesprinke

    I recently ordered a cheapo ND filter to play with, made by "Fotasy." Haven't gotten it yet. How would I go about testing it? I'll post the results if people are interested. It was about $25.

  • danyyyeldanyyyel

    For me, I am still waiting for a test of the Marumi vari-nd because it could be the answer to a high quality low cost variable density filter because of the brand quality.

  • stoneystoney

    Jow to order Heliopan Vari filter from a german site http://www.fotomayr.de

    I don't know the german site, and I don't know how credible the ordering process is. The price is relatively cheap. 200 euro + shipping for Heliopan Vari 77mm "New" design with front filter thread. I hope someone clarifies it.

  • last_SHIFTlast_SHIFT

    Hey guys,

    Some good tech info on a bunch of vari nd's and ordering details here:

    http://www.2filter.com/variablendfaderfilters.html

    The Heliopan of course seems to be out of stock. They provide pretty good service here and reply to emails pretty fast in my experience. Also keep an eye out on the Schneider Variable True-Match Vari-ND filter 77mm seems also to claim no color shift.

    Cheers

  • stoneystoney

    I heard Heliopan Variable filter has no color shifting. It has a hard stop for repeatable setting. The latest one has the front filter thread. Some claim it's better than Singh-Ray.

    77mm one was 200 euros plus shipping. Not sure how credible the info is.

  • robbie75vrrobbie75vr

    @Gabel

    yes but pola with wide angles is not very good (you see darker at north brighter at margins..) , also it works well just when you keep the sun at your six and only in some time of the day, and it doesn't work when it's cloudy (my favorite weather for filming..).

    I'm trying to decide between 1,5mm think (for cokin holders) or 4mm for a mattebox that I should buy eventually..

    As photographer I always worked with P and Z Holder with my Hasselblads and Nikons with no problems, I don't know in outdoor documentary videos how useful a mattebox can be compared to a simple and easily transportable Cokin filter holder... what do you think ?

    Thanks

  • GabelGabel

    @robbie75vr: That's the one! However, you wouldn't need an IR with an ND 0.6. You need it once you get past 0.9 (like 1.2 and up).

    All of them are good, I'm looking at Formatt myself, mostly as they cost the least (European), but I've used Tiffen and they work well.

    I'm not a big fan of grads. For sky-compensation I'd recommend using a pola instead.

  • robbie75vrrobbie75vr

    @Gabel

    Gabel, about the ND with IR filter combined that you said before, I saw some ND filter with combined color correction, this one for example: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/54873-REG/Tiffen_4481EFN6_4_x_4_Combination.html , is this what you were talking about or maybe you have some link to suggest.. ?

    I'm placing an order today or tomorrow, they have few brands, Formatt - Lee - Schneider - Tiffen , which is the best one in your opinion ?

    About gradual ND for compensating the brighter sky, if I have to buy just one, do you think a 0,6 grad ND is a good choice as first gradual filter ?

    Thanks guys.

  • PiotrJPiotrJ

    Has anyone tried the Tiffen vari-ND filters? B&H carries it here's the link: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/813278-REG/Tiffen_77VND_77mm_Variable_Neutral_Density.html

  • mattherematthere

    Has anyone tried the Marumi fader from ebay? I would be interested in any experiences, thanks :)

  • skiandbikeskiandbike
    I think the Marumi variable ND is real. 2Filter and Amazon are carrying it as well. I'm considering picking one up based on the quality of previous filters I have purchased from them in the past. No front threading though...
  • Vitaliy_KiselevVitaliy_Kiselev
    Marumi is good.
    But you must be sure that this is real thing, and not some Chinese stuff rebaged by sellers request.
  • danyyyeldanyyyel
    I don't know if anybody have seen that http://www.ebay.com/itm/Marumi-77mm-DHG-Vari-ND-ND2-ND400-400-Neutral-Density-Fader-Filter-77-Japan-/200674179294 . It could be the affordable high quality vari-nd filter I have been researching. Marumi is a Japanese filter company that has very good reputation (not well known in usa/europe it seems). Until now I did not see any test, I hope someone reviews it soon.
  • bubbabubba
    @John_Farragut
    Yep!
    'Fraid so...
    Faders are not really ND filters in the classic sense. However, Most of the time they work OK.
    If yur committed to them, you just have to get used to the limitations.
    I'm not paid by Tiffen, but the INDIE series is the best overall sollution.

    Designed by a DSL photog and well know HDSLR DP: Shane Hurlbut, ASC
    Sold out everywhere, however.
  • John_FarragutJohn_Farragut
    I have a Light Craft Fader ND Mark II, but it gives reflections inside. It's 46mm for the 20mm Panasonic. If I point it at reflective objects or light sources, I see a green/purple image of the object reflected by the Fader ND. So it's sometimes difficult to get a clean image. Is this normal?
  • robbie75vrrobbie75vr
    @Gabel
    Yes in some cases I want 1.4 for the shallow dof more than a light factor...

    @bubba
    thanks for the suggestion
  • bubbabubba
    @robbie75vr
    Tiffen makes 77mm ND filters made for stacking. (the Indie line)
    You can get them with & without IR ... so you don't get the mud.
    When you get up to 3 filters stacked ... it becomes evident which way you need to go.
  • GabelGabel
    Exactly.

    I understand. Is it the softness or the short DoF you like with it?
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