Ki Rin Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 Guys, I'm wondering if you can advise me about Variable NDs for video. The prices of these vary wildly. Is there any reason a cheap $20 one will be significantly worse than a $200 ? Surely they are just a device to block light... ? Are there any specific things I should look out when purchasing a variable ND? Thanks~! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Kotlos Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 The typical caveats of cheap ND filters is color cast and excessive flaring. I started with a $20 variable on the E-M1 but when I moved to A7rii the quality loss due to color cast was just too much so I moved up to the ~$60-80 price range in order to get acceptable results for my use. If you want to buy just once and have the best results then you will have to spend the money cause it does make a difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shirozina Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 Cheap ones kill resolution. Even expensive ones ( eg Tiffen ) have color casts, only the most exotic have coatings to reduce flare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Sewell Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 Also, the cheaper the ND, the more likely that it will produce a weird cross effect across your image at its darkest settings. After trying a couple of cheaper ones I went to the next level up, buying the SLR Magic variable ND, which is excellent with none of the aforementioned issue and very little IR pollution that I can discern. There are, of course, other, more expensive, solutions available! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grimor Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 1 minute ago, Tim Sewell said: Also, the cheaper the ND, the more likely that it will produce a weird cross effect across your image at its darkest settings. After trying a couple of cheaper ones I went to the next level up, buying the SLR Magic variable ND, which is excellent with none of the aforementioned issue and very little IR pollution that I can discern. There are, of course, other, more expensive, solutions available! Doesnt the slr magic have the cross effect at darkes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Sewell Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 Not that I can see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hijodeibn Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 Don`t waste your money and time with cheap chinese crap, get a Tiffen, they are very good for the price, I have a variable ND and I can assure you will satisfy all your needs... Davey and jcs 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bioskop.Inc Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 The Dugdale vid is quite old. The two best out there for the money, which i've used are the SLR Magic or Genutech Eclipse - the rest have problems, be that image or price Dustin 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davey Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 23 minutes ago, hijodeibn said: Don`t waste your money and time with cheap chinese crap, get a Tiffen, they are very good for the price, I have a variable ND and I can assure you will satisfy all your needs... This. I have two Tiffen VNDs (52mm and 77mm) and any colour cast - only discerned it once, perhaps because of poor exposing - is easy to correct in post. Orangenz 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ki Rin Posted March 27, 2017 Author Share Posted March 27, 2017 Thanks for the advice guys. It seems like I should go for a more expensive one like the tiffen. All the brands mentioned here seem around the same price. Does anyone have any experience with any of the Japanese brands like Kenko? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhessel Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 If you don't already have a or filter you may want to look into a variable IRND, tiffen makes one if I am not mistaken. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustin Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 I bought the Genustech model but I've only used it like a few times. I don't shoot outside much. Also color casts are usually easy to fix in post. Just don't go super cheap and you will be fine! Grimor 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Kotlos Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 I also got the Genutech Eclipse and its only problem is the flaring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
64mulford Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 This might be bad advice but after using every type of ND filter possible I've decided to not use them and control exposure by cranking up the shutter. Cue the 180 degree purists to unleash on my technique but honestly it works for me and I've been shooting professionally for over a decade. Been doing this for a year and it's so liberating not having to screw on ND's when shooting an event or a wedding. Side note - this works really well on my a7sii - cant tell the difference between this and using an ND but on my GH4 I'll admit the effect is noticeable. Comes down to 'motion cadence' I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inazuma Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 11 minutes ago, 64mulford said: This might be bad advice but after using every type of ND filter possible I've decided to not use them and control exposure by cranking up the shutter. Cue the 180 degree purists to unleash on my technique but honestly it works for me and I've been shooting professionally for over a decade. Been doing this for a year and it's so liberating not having to screw on ND's when shooting an event or a wedding. Side note - this works really well on my a7sii - cant tell the difference between this and using an ND but on my GH4 I'll admit the effect is noticeable. Comes down to 'motion cadence' I guess. Heathen! hansel and 64mulford 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emanuel Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?134930-Best-ND-Variable-Filter-(that-doesn-t-cast-color-or-soften-image) http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?116985-Questions-about-Neutral-Density-Filters!! http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?92036-Variable-ND-Filters http://www.bmcuser.com/showthread.php?283-Neutral-Density-Filters-options Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buggz Posted March 28, 2017 Share Posted March 28, 2017 I just got the SLR Magic one. I'll be using it next week at the beach. I have the Color Passport and the Video Color Passport. Should be fun, should be good... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRenaissanceMan Posted March 28, 2017 Share Posted March 28, 2017 No complaints with the SLR Magic VND. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ntblowz Posted March 28, 2017 Share Posted March 28, 2017 SLRMagic VND is pretty nice, I got Zomei VND with MC coating and it is nice too, no more ghosting/reflection from lightsource vs uncoated VND. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ki Rin Posted March 28, 2017 Author Share Posted March 28, 2017 Well it seems like Variable NDs aren't a thing in Japan. I've just been to a big camera store and they didn't even know what they were! After I explained it to them, they understood but said it would have to be special ordered from the manufacturer and could take quite some time... I guess I'll have to order off ebay then. 1 hour ago, ntblowz said: SLRMagic VND is pretty nice, I got Zomei VND with MC coating and it is nice too, no more ghosting/reflection from lightsource vs uncoated VND. Have you compared the Zomei to more expensive ones? It is only about $25, seems like it would be too cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.