Three cheap variable ND filters shoot-out - which one should I keep?

[heart0less]

Hello!

I've been looking to replace my 20$ Zomei variable ND filter for some time. It isn't unusable, but has its own quirks, which I was quite fed up with.

I decided that I don't want to spend more than 40$ for a new one ( high-rolling, ain't I? ).

So, after doing a little research I put my money on a K&F ND2-32.
In the meantime, while I was waiting to get it from China, I also managed to find a bargain on eBay: an used Genustech ND filter (not the Eclipse version, unfortunately).

Each of these filters cost me ~40$

 

Here is how they compare.

I used Panasonic G85 and Minolta 58/1.4 (set to f/2) on a dumb adapter, which roughly translates to 116 mm eqv.

 

Color cast:

White balance was set manually, each time I put on a new filter. To do it, I simply held a white card in front of my camera and let it save the results as a custom WB setting.

So, without any filter I got 5650K and +10 tint.

 

With K&F: 5250K, +21

 

With Genustech: 5100K, +25 (though it still looks yellowish to my eyes)

 

With Zomei: 5250K, +22

 

2. Sharpness and contrast

This was a bit tricky to evaluate, since Genustech acted as a some kind of a diopter. When I put it on, my focus point shifted just a little and I had to refocus the shot.

These are 100% crops from image above.

 

No filter (SS: 1/250 s):

K&F at ND2 (1/100 s):

K&F at its maximum (which, truth be told, is closer to ND16 than ND32) [1/13 s]:

Genustech at ND2 (1/100 s):

Genustech matching K&F max (1/13 s):

Genustech at its maximum (around ND 200 [7.5 stops]) [0.8 s]:

Zomei at ND2 (1/100 s):

Zomei matching K&F max (1/13 s):

Zomei at its maximum (also around ND200) [0.8 s) :

 

3. Bokeh

Both small and big 'balls'. Once again, 100% crops.

No filter:

K&F:

Genustech:

Zomei:

 

4. Other thoughts

What I really like about the K&F filter is the fact that it has hard stops at minimum and maximum. It's a shame it goes only up to ND 16.

Genustech doesn't really work as a polarizer. If you rotate it, it won't block reflections (both K&F and Zomei will). Instead, it changes reflections' color (from brownish to blueish).

 

I'm not sharing my conclusions since I don't want to influence yours.

Which filter would you keep with you, taking everything into account?

 

Regards.

 

 

 

 

 

[kye]

Which one makes you feel like getting out there and making kick-ass films?

[leslie]

great minds think alike it seems. i have some zomei filters and k&h adapters i just received a pack of nd and graduated filters with a raider brand name. i figure for $20  if their absolute crap it wont be a big deal. Wont get a chance to use them before thursday, If you dont mind i can drop a few photos in this thread for comparison

[Video Hummus]

All those are budget NDs that do well.

K&F is probably a better choice but it can have nasty flaring (as do all of these) and vignetting in shots of the sky.

If your custom WB balancing then color cast wont be a problem with any of them.

I’m thinking of getting a K&F for now. I like the PolarPro variable ND but the price...ouch.

[heart0less]

2 hours ago, kye said:

Which one makes you feel like getting out there and making kick-ass films?

Each of them do!

Finally, I can do it in a daylight, too. No more creeping in shadows, like a vampyr.

 

Though, yeah - very good point.
It's quite silly to stick to these technicals..

 

1 hour ago, leslie said:

If you dont mind i can drop a few photos in this thread for comparison

Go ahead!
I'm glad I could help.

 

1 hour ago, Video Hummus said:

I’m thinking of getting a K&F for now. I like the PolarPro variable ND but the price...ouch.

IMHO, it's the best choice.
The only thing I don't truly like is its range. I wish it could go further than 4 stops.

[MeanRevert]

I think you should try the SLR Magic VND.  It maintains decent sharpness and only a slightly warm color cast, which can be corrected if you put their Image Enhancer in front of it.

[heart0less]

17 minutes ago, MeanRevert said:

I think you should try the SLR Magic VND.  It maintains decent sharpness and only a slightly warm color cast, which can be corrected if you put their Image Enhancer in front of it.

I'd love to, but its price really puts me off.

170GBP? Wow. Some people recommend getting SIMMOD. It's a bit cheaper than SLR Magic, too.

 

But I think I'm done with what I already have.

[mercer]

Honestly, I think you’re splitting hairs. I’d go with the K&F of that lot for the hard stops. I really like my cheap Bower Variable NDs... hard stops, neutral color... based off the default numbers in Resolve’s Raw Panel, it’ll be within 100 Kelvin with WB and less than 1 with Tint from my target, they’re less than 30 bucks a piece, 2 to 8 stops of ND, they do soften the image a touch but I’d say it’s more like a digital diffusion.

I also have two B+W Vario NDs at my two most common filter diameters and they’re equally neutral as the Bower but do not soften the image as much... but they’re only 1-5 stops.

I’ve also heard good things about the Simmod Variable ND. If I decide I want a sharper ND than my Bower, for my 77mm filter thread lenses, I may give it a try, but for now, the cheapie works fine. But I can attest to Simmod as a company, they do really nice work and are very pleasant to deal with.

[MeanRevert]

BTW, while we're on the topic, where do you guys sell your used filters?  I have a few Tiffens, Hoyas and SLR Magic VNDs that aren't being used.  I wasn't sure if there's a market for them?

[heart0less]

eBay, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace and photo / video related Facebook groups.
It's not really difficult to find a buyer, if your asking price is reasonable.

[thebrothersthre3]

The Hoya ND's are pretty reasonably priced especially used. 

[heart0less]

2 hours ago, mercer said:

Honestly, I think you’re splitting hairs.

This may be right. 

Nonetheless, consider how much time and resources do we spend on our perfect lens set. We debate on their characteristics: sharpness, contrast (both global and micro), color renderition, bokeh, etc. 

All these can be altered by putting this thin filter in front of our beloved glass. 

 

I was just looking for an affordable ND that does what it's supposed to do, while being 'invisible'. 

[kye]

6 hours ago, heart0less said:

Though, yeah - very good point.
It's quite silly to stick to these technicals..

Not completely silly.

You have to understand the tech, and sometimes talking about it online makes you explore a topic thoroughly and sometimes other people notice things you don't, etc.  But then comes using the tech, and most of the time it's the tech you love using that will give the best result at the end of the day, simply because it's inspiration and creativity that win over purely technical aspects.

My recommended approach is to get into the tech and understand it, work out what it means for your style and approach to film-making, test it out and explore it and get to know it, then forget it and go make art.

[Andrew Reid]

Good test. Is the Zomei really that soft? Could be a good AA filter for Magic Lantern on 5D2 and 70D if so... Then it would be doubly a bargain

[Inazuma]

Great review, thanks

[heart0less]

Don't mention it.

I'm glad I could help somehow.

 

9 hours ago, Andrew Reid said:

Is the Zomei really that soft?

Yeah, unfortunately it is.