Which way....Hoya or Tiffen?

[SDB777]

Been searching all over the 'net. I have seen the specs of both variable ND filters.....but

That said, how do you chose? It's just down right confusing! Although, variable makes more sense to me then having 8 or 10 different filters to carry around.
Is there a better filter around the same price point?(the Lee big/little looks great, but the price is seriously outrageous for someone that is never going to make a living shooting)

I want to be able to get nice results on waterfalls(moving water)....not so much worried about cloud movement.



So, that said....which one would you get if doing it again??






Scott (or have I missed a better one) B

 

[D-B-J]

I went with the Lee for the quality, but I've heard amazing things about the Singh Ray Variable ND... But I think that ones pricey too. I've had good luck with tiffen filters, but no experience with the VND.

Jake

 

[CAP]

Singh Ray is the way to go, I love mine so much i have all most every filter they make.

 

[Derrel]

Hoya vs Tiffen is a lot like Ford vs Chevy, I think. Or well, more like Coke vs Pepsi. I guess that would be more accurate.

 

[snerd]

Just looked at the Singh Ray filters............. wow! Very expensive!! But very cool, too! Time to start saving.

 

[Ido]

Dave Dugdale did a comparative review of many variable ND filters... Check it out: Variable ND Filter Shootout
I think he wound up choosing the Tiffen, if I remember correctly.

I have three filters: Hoya ND 0.6, Tiffen Circular Polarizer, and Tiffen ND 3.0. I bought them in that order.
The polarizer already blocks out 2-3 stops of light, depending on strength of polarization, so I barely use the Hoya anymore. I love the polarizer, it's really a fantastic filter, especially for the money.
Because I had such great experience with the Tiffen polarizer, I decided to go the Tiffen route when I wanted a strong ND. That was a mistake. Every shot is pretty much completely magenta. It's impossible to restore color by changing the RAW file's WB, so much color is lost for good. This ND 3.0 was around $35-40, if I remember correctly...

 

[astroNikon]

Dave Dugdale did a comparative review of many variable ND filters... Check it out: Variable ND Filter Shootout
I think he wound up choosing the Tiffen, if I remember correctly.

I have three filters: Hoya ND 0.6, Tiffen Circular Polarizer, and Tiffen ND 3.0. I bought them in that order.
The polarizer already blocks out 2-3 stops of light, depending on strength of polarization, so I barely use the Hoya anymore. I love the polarizer, it's really a fantastic filter, especially for the money.
Because I had such great experience with the Tiffen polarizer, I decided to go the Tiffen route when I wanted a strong ND. That was a mistake. Every shot is pretty much completely magenta. It's impossible to restore color by changing the RAW file's WB, so much color is lost for good. This ND 3.0 was around $35-40, if I remember correctly...

The Magenta is probably from light leaking in through your eye piece,
You need to cover the eye piece. In higher end cameras they have eye piece shutters, which closes the eye piece to prevent light leakage on longer exposures which the sensor ends up seeing and casting a weird magenta shade over the image.
Cover Your Eyepiece - Digital Photography School

I've done it many times too ... and have many examples lol

 

[astroNikon]

On VNDs be careful as they can cast a "X" on the image. Just search for "variable ND X"
Such as this article half way down
An In-Depth Comparison of Two Variable Neutral Density Filters - Tuts+ Photography Article

or this shows off the Tiffen VND Issues
Tiffen Variable ND Filter Review

I've found out when I was looking at them that the top end ones were pretty good, but insanely expensive.

I just use regular ND filters instead but always wonder how a good B+W VND would be as my NDs are B+W and I spent a good chunk of change on them anyways.

After you get used to them, you end up looking at a scene and know which ND to use for what outcome. Of course, I end up carrying 5 NDs with me instead of one VND.


FYI .. for waterfalls test your concept and put your aperture to f/22. This should give you a good photo of flowing water without a ND.
And you can combine one or two NDs with closing down the aperture to make your own simplified Variable with NDs.

btw, I have ND 0.3 (1x), 0.6 (2x), 1.8 (6x - Little Stopper), 3.0 (10x - Big Stopper) and a CPL. Not "8 or 10".
The 1x is good for bright days, so in essence for water flow I only have 3.
If I were to buy only one I would probably get the 0.9 (3x) or 1.8 (6x)

FYI, I have B+W filters. But it only gets more confusing after that. As they have SC (Single Coatings) and MRC (Multi Resistant Coatings) which had a big price difference. Then there's slimline (for wide angle), F mount etc etc. I don't know if Tiffen and Hoya are the same with multiple offerings for the same thing.

So also look if you use a Wide Angle lens, as that may limit your selections (you need a slimline filter to minimize vingetting)

 

[Ido]

Dave Dugdale did a comparative review of many variable ND filters... Check it out: Variable ND Filter Shootout
I think he wound up choosing the Tiffen, if I remember correctly.

I have three filters: Hoya ND 0.6, Tiffen Circular Polarizer, and Tiffen ND 3.0. I bought them in that order.
The polarizer already blocks out 2-3 stops of light, depending on strength of polarization, so I barely use the Hoya anymore. I love the polarizer, it's really a fantastic filter, especially for the money.
Because I had such great experience with the Tiffen polarizer, I decided to go the Tiffen route when I wanted a strong ND. That was a mistake. Every shot is pretty much completely magenta. It's impossible to restore color by changing the RAW file's WB, so much color is lost for good. This ND 3.0 was around $35-40, if I remember correctly...

The Magenta is probably from light leaking in through your eye piece,
You need to cover the eye piece. In higher end cameras they have eye piece shutters, which closes the eye piece to prevent light leakage on longer exposures which the sensor ends up seeing and casting a weird magenta shade over the image.
Cover Your Eyepiece - Digital Photography School

I've done it many times too ... and have many examples lol
View attachment 78404

It's definitely not from the viewfinder, because it's an EVF.
I shot a white wall to see if it's even, and it certainly was. Strong, cheap NDs aren't really neutral.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Braineack]

I went with the Lee for the quality, but I've heard amazing things about the Singh Ray Variable ND... But I think that ones pricey too.

really? it's only $420 in the size I'd need...

 

[astroNikon]

It's definitely not from the viewfinder, because it's an EVF.
I shot a white wall to see if it's even, and it certainly was. Strong, cheap NDs aren't really neutral.

Yup, or cheap filters.
One reason I bought B+W.

 

[SDB777]

Thanks everyone, appreciate the links and answers!!!

Watched the video, and read the articles linked too.....
Seems no matter what, I'll have 'issues' or expense, or both. Not sure if I am more confused now, or better informed with confusion....

Guess I'd really like to meet someone in my local area that uses any of these products. Then I could see first-hand what is what, then listen to their opinion. That said, anyone in the central Arkansas area using a variable ND feel like doing some teaching? I will probably also check out the local camera shop in NLR, to see what they have on the shelf and if they allow a hands on demo in the store.....



Again, thanks for the links and articles...if there are anymore, I like to read, watch and learn.








Scott (willing to learn) B