variable ND filters

[wyogirl]

I want to start to dabble with nd filters and I'm looking at the variable kind because I don't have a lot of room in my bag and I'm not very serious about this "project".

I'm looking at 2 filters, and I know that the Hoya is better than the Polaroid one. I guess my question is, for my use (only occasionally and only for fun), which is the better choice? How much better is the Hoya?

Hoya 67mm Variable Density Filter A67VDY B&H Photo Video

Polaroid 67mm Neutral Density Fader Filter PLFILFDND67 B&H Photo

 

[tirediron]

I would consider the Hoya the absolute minimum. There's a reason that it costs three times what the Polaroid filter costs, just like there's a reason that the Vari-grad by Singh-Ray costs three times what the Hoya costs. Remember that this is going in front of your lens, and even if your not serious about the project, a cheap filter can have a SIGNIFICANT degrading effect on your images.

 

[wyogirl]

Point taken. So in that price range (of the Hoya `$120 or so)...

Hoya or Tiffen? I just saw that Tiffen has a 10 year warranty and the prices are comparable.
The Hoya is 1.5-9 stops
The Tiffen is 2-8 stops

Leaning toward Tiffen... I hate making buying decisions. Thoughts?

 

[Mach0]

Point taken. So in that price range (of the Hoya `$120 or so)... Hoya or Tiffen? I just saw that Tiffen has a 10 year warranty and the prices are comparable. The Hoya is 1.5-9 stops The Tiffen is 2-8 stops Leaning toward Tiffen... I hate making buying decisions. Thoughts?

I've never used the tiffen but the guy over at adorama swears by it. I've used a Hoya nd and had no issues.

 

[tirediron]

I've always found Tiffen and Hoya to be pretty much on par with each other. To be honest, I would probably buy whichever one was easier/closer in that case.

 

[astroNikon]

before you buy, research the "X" effect of cheaper variable ND filters. Just so you know before you buy.

FYI, you could always buy a couple regular ones and stack them too as a flexible alternative.

there's ton more on the internet with photo examples, but here's some quick info.
http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/...circular-nd-filters-1-variable-nd-filter.html

comparison tests
http://photography.tutsplus.com/art...-variable-neutral-density-filters--photo-8983

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=234338

 

[wyogirl]

Crap... now I'm looking at the Cokin P series... any good?? Lee is not in the budget at the moment.

 

[Tailgunner]

I've got a Hoya Variable ND filter and I'm lucky to get a keeper shot half the time. I'm sure I'm not using it right but I think I'm going to look into a standard fixed ND filter.

 

[tirediron]

Crap... now I'm looking at the Cokin P series... any good?? Lee is not in the budget at the moment.

Cokins are fine, except that when aiming at/toward the sun, they will tend to impart a red cast on the scene. This can be controlled by shading the lens/filter. I keep an 8x10 piece of matte black craft foam (Wal-mart, Michael's, <$1.00) in my bag and it works like a charm.

 

[Annabell]

Found out most of the variable Nd are not multi coated, and for those are sky rocket expensive.
I just tried with the Light Craft Rapid ND at USD$188, with multi coated glass and superb thin ring. Looks great with my 17-40 and no vignetting.

Light Craft Official Website-Professional photography equipment

They also got quite a lot of samples by users at their facebook:
www.facebook.com/lcwfilter

photo captured from their facebook