I too am interested in one of the Variable ND filters and like many have stated I don't much care for the price(s).

Is there anyone here who can facilitate a group buy and perhaps help us all save a little?

Also, what about the Lee Big Stopper? No one has commented on said filter.

I have always wondered about the variable stop filters, at this moment I have an ND4 and an ND16.

One day I might just buy or rent if I can one of these.

I wanted to resurrect this to see if anyone has had a chance to purchase and use any of these. I'd been thinking of buying a straight 10 stop ND filter, but noticed that B&H is having a killer deal on the Tiffen 2-8 stop variable filter. I don't have a lot of experience with Tiffen filters (the only one I own is a 58mm ultra clear that I keep on my 50 1.4g) as I mostly use Marumi filters on my better lenses. Anyone have a point of view? B&H isn't taking orders until later today and the deal lasts through 12/20.

The reviews on the site were pretty instructional. Some complained of an "X" across the image at higher stops. Others warned of color cast. Others said it didn't really work at shorter focal lengths. Some however, were over the moon. Not really psyched to drop $400+ on a Singh Ray, although I do know you get what you pay for.

As always, thanks for the valuable input.

msmoto said:
Here is my plan...as I have had good results with Hoya, I am planning on Hoya ND filters, 77mm, one 8X (3 stops) and one 64X (6 stops). My thoughts are if I want less light reduction I can use one , and a full 9 stops of reduction, use both. Thus, it would seem that in many cases I would be going through only one piece of glass, while with a variable filter one always goes through two filter elements, four surfaces.

The issues of vignette will always be present with almost any multiple filter setup on a very wide lens.

Any thoughts on this? Negative results with Hoya? Recommendations?

Reread your post. I got it.

Wow, I think I caused some confusion. The Singh-Ray, is a stacked filter, polarizing, I presume, and when rotated so the angle of polarization of each lens is 90°, then the maximum density is in effect. About 8 f stops. When the angels are in alignment it gives a density of 2 2/3 f stops. And of course the benefit is it is variable in between this limits.

The way I usually do a shoot is I know what I am trying to do, before I go into the field. I will have scouted the location, or at least have an idea in mind as to what I need in terms of f sot reduction. So, I can with the Hoya filters have either 3, 6, or 9 f/stops of ND. The 3 and 6 would be with only one filter in front of the lens. And I have in my B & H wish list the rings to step down to both 67mm and 72mm as this will cover the lenses I want to shoot with. The 16-35mm f/4VR, the 24mm f/3.5PC, the 24-120mm f4VR, and the 85mm f/1.8.

Now, the convenience of the variable aspect is nice. But for $130 I can do this vs. the $390 for the Singh-Ray.

And I have coming in a day or so a filter to cover the front of the 400mm f/2.8 so I can not only look at the sun, but shoot with this filter and do it safely with no heat build up internally in the lens. So, I kinda want to spend only a small amount as I have never done this long exposure thing with the ND filters and may decide I really do not like it. Ha, ha,, ha...never have found a photographic challenge I did not like.

The point of a variable ND is speed and convenience. I'm sure you could stack NDs out the wazoo and crop out vignette and make it work, but you'd still be screwing filters on and off in the field, worrying about dust and so forth. That said, there was a company doing cool work with rare earth magnet mounts for filters that could solve some of the convenience issues around stacking filters. Like PB said, different purposes depending on what you're shooting; stills, video, landscapes, portraits, etc.

Stacking filters can cause problems, in direct sunlight there can be a lot of flaring. I have a vari ND filter as well, and it degrades sharpness more, but it has a different purpose.

I like the idea of a Vari filter but for $390 i can get 3 or 4 filters and maybe an extra battery. As far as stacking. Say you had 77mm filters could you use step down rings to say 62mm or 52mm to stack or not and would that help with vignetting or would it cause some other problem? If you stack filters does the distance between each filter glass cause a problem? Maybe $390 is not so bad.

msmoto said:
@ tcole1983

The SinghRay is 10.5 mm thick and is a stacked filter set which rotates. Each Hoya is only 4mm, combined 8mm, so actually thinner than the Singh-Ray. And, the price is $390 vs. about $130 for both of the Hoya filters.... And when one is used, it would seem logical that the optical performance would be better.

Any experience with either?

Good point...I am just talking mostly :) Sorry no experience with them yet. Because of the cost and all my lenses using different sized filters I haven't invested in a set yet. Maybe after we see what bodies are released and if I need a new zoom lens or not.

@ tcole1983

The SinghRay is 10.5 mm thick and is a stacked filter set which rotates. Each Hoya is only 4mm, combined 8mm, so actually thinner than the Singh-Ray. And, the price is $390 vs. about $130 for both of the Hoya filters.... And when one is used, it would seem logical that the optical performance would be better.

Any experience with either?

Msmoto...seems to me you would be better off with a variable ND filter like the singh ray then stacking filters like that. I can't comment on the performance, but from my knowledge the more is not the merrier...and vignetting would obviously be more of an issue with multiple filters.

Here is my plan...as I have had good results with Hoya, I am planning on Hoya ND filters, 77mm, one 8X (3 stops) and one 64X (6 stops). My thoughts are if I want less light reduction I can use one , and a full 9 stops of reduction, use both. Thus, it would seem that in many cases I would be going through only one piece of glass, while with a variable filter one always goes through two filter elements, four surfaces.

The issues of vignette will always be present with almost any multiple filter setup on a very wide lens.

Any thoughts on this? Negative results with Hoya? Recommendations?

Thanks guys, Adamz I would like the screw on 77mm Vari ND Filter from Singh Ray and will purchase one probably next year in January or so because of the cost. That takes care of my ND problem. I believe Fargo is right and that 2 stops is not enough, but soft edge is the way to go over hard edge because the results are more forgiving. Therefore I'd like to get a Galen Rowell 3 stop softy and place it in Cokin Holder. Thats a Cokin Holder only so Adamz, thats just the Holder from Cokin, which I already have. This Rowell graduated ND is $99 and then I'd like a Daryl Benson 3 stop reverse for $120. $90+$120 I can do right now. Thanks tcole and yeti as well for your insights. Donaldejose that video is so true! How many great shots are had after the sun disappears? For example I was out last night shooting our last sunset before a Typhoon the size of Poland hits us today called Bolaven and wow the results after everyone else packed it in early were astonishing. Check this out! Shot with an ND 0.6 by the way.

I never got a ND filter although I mean to at some point. I was just looking at some in a camera store here last friday, but they wanted $200 for an off brand which seemed a bit steep. My friend has a variable ND filter that he is going to let me use when we go camping at the end of September...luckily the same size to fit my 17-55 and his 16-35. I am not sure if I would use one enough to justify the cost...that being said I already have the picture in my mind that I want to try out with it :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0wkp9aRFZ8&feature=em-uploademail

http://www.adorama.com/searchsite/default.aspx?searchinfo=vivitar+variable+neutral+density+filter

My experience with Singh=Ray is excellent. A two stop seems to work ok with me, and as Fargo811 indicates a soft transition is very useful. Would like to try a reverse ND filter at some point.

I use the 2 stop soft edge ND grad from Singh Ray, and it does work well. I have found more and more though that I find a need for a 3 stop soft edge, so that is on my list of future purchases. I have the 3 stop hard edge, and I find that I don't use that one all that much, because it is much harder to work with the transition, especially on wide angle. I mostly shoot landscapes that don't typically have a flat transition line (like a sunset on water), so the soft edge ones work better for me.

I would say though that if you are thinking about getting the soft ND grads, you should just get them. Yes, they are about 100 bucks a piece, but I use them all the time, and are very much worth it. I typically just handhold them in front of the lens, but they are really just wide enough, so you have to watch getting your fingers in the shot. If I were starting over, I might go for the larger Lee filters, which are easily wide enough to handhold.

@kanuck - sorry no help from me on this subject. I had an incident with Cokin filters in the past and was so unhappy with this kind of filters that stopped using them. prefer a little bit different approach: bracketing + PS job, though I know it's not a perfect solution but it works for me so far. As for the Singh Ray, I only can tell You that they manufacture good quality products.

OMT: have You though of getting a regular screw-in type ND and do some PP afterwards?

kanuck said:
Hello,

I want to buy a Cokin P Series graduated ND filter from Singh Ray so I would like to know people's experiences with them on this forum. Obviously they are very costly so I would I am thinking I would like to buy one Galen Rowell and one Daryl Benson version. I am concerned about the harsh contrast of dark to light on some of the hard stopped ones. However, the soft edged ones might not be enough. What I am leaning towards is a 3 stop soft step Galen Rowell for $99 and then a Daryl Benson reverse 3 stop hard step for $120. Most pros swear by a two stop 0.6 but it seems very slight especially the soft step ones for the Galen Rowell versions. The Daryl Benson reverse filters are available in 1-4 Stops.

Early next year I will purchase a 77mm Vari ND filter from Singh Ray (I'm firm on this one),but have to wait because of the higher cost. As I get closer to finishing up my schooling I will have the funds available to get back into my true love again^^

Thanks, I am certain someone will be able to clear this right for me very fast particularly msmoto, Skintbrit, AdamZ or Witty Nickname, and many others I am sure. I really appreciate it :)

And, now that we are here, I have just ordered a solar filter from Oceanside Photo & Telescope who have a lot of filters for astrophotography and the one I have coming is for shooting the sun. But, they are very helpful and may be able to give advice on other ND filters.

Gordon, do you mind if I post a copy of your photo here?

AHIKERAHIKER said:
I have not noticed any color cast. I can send you a photo taken at Mono Lake in Lee Vining, CA last June if you like. Send me your e-mail to (removed bu user)and I'll send you a .jpg of the picture.
Gordon Ripley
Rindge, NH

Digital Photo magazine here in the UK have just published results of their test on the "Lightcraft Workshop fader ND MK2" (April 2011 edition). In essence they like the idea, but gave it a 3 out of 5 star rating because, "The effect is variable from 2-9 stops, though there's a catch- it's strength is limited by focal length and diminishes the wider you shoot. With the filter attached to a 17-55mm lens on an APS-C format DSLR, it gave us a maximum strength of 5 stops at 17mm. Beyond this a noticeable dark cross appears, due to the polarising effect. As you zoom in the effect can be applied more strongly before the cross appears, and at 55mm we recorded 8 stops. The full 9 stop effect is achieved at around 100mm". They went on to say that vignetting and colour cast were not a problem, but setting the appropriate strength of filtration was difficult because the markings on the edge of the filter, did not accurately indicate the effect that would be achieved, and that the only way to be sure was to check the image on screen. This version seems cheaper than the ones you guys have mentioned at £99 for a 77mm.

Hope this helps.

Thanks, Gordon. I sent you an email. You might want to take your email off the forum post to avoid spam (or at least disguise the address a bit). If you send me the picture and you don't mind, I could post it here for you so others could see.

Thanks for the info guys! I think the money is worth it if I can shoot wide open in bright sunlight. Consider a couple of good ND filters can cost $200 it may be worth a little more to have the ability to vary the strength.

I have seen many china "off companies" making them but quality is questionable.

Well I found a few other companies that make these, I admit I am with everyone else sitting on the fence going...is it worth it???? (yes if the quality is there but no if I would be better off trying to win the lotto than get a good shot with one)

The ones I have found besides the ones mentioned already:

Heliopan 77MM Variable (1 to 6.6 stops) Gray ND Neutral Density Filter
Fader 77mm Mark II Variable Neutral Density Filter
Genus Neutral Density Fader Circular Filter System

I guess does anyone else make these or is that it?

Hope more people start to make them so the price might come down a bit (wishful thinking).