Vari-ND Filters « Nikon Rumors Forum

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Vari-ND Filters

(38 posts) (19 voices)

Started 2 years ago by TaoTeJared
Latest reply from WaterEngineer
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kanuck

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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.

Posted 8 months ago #
msmoto

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Joined: Mar '10
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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?

Posted 8 months ago #
tcole1983

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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.

Posted 8 months ago #
msmoto

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@ 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?

Posted 8 months ago #
tcole1983

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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.

Posted 8 months ago #
parke1953

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Joined: Jul '12
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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.

Posted 8 months ago #
PB PM

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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.

Posted 8 months ago #
elvishefer

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Joined: Sep '10
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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.

Posted 8 months ago #
msmoto

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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.

Posted 8 months ago #
parke1953

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Joined: Jul '12
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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.

Posted 8 months ago #
proudgeek

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Joined: Oct '10
Posts: 222
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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.

Posted 5 months ago #
scoobysmak

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Joined: May '10
Posts: 226
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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.

Posted 5 months ago #
WaterEngineer

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Joined: Jan '11
Posts: 46
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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.

Posted 5 months ago #