Variable Filters
 

I recently met a guy on a beach who was taking photos, like me, and we got chatting. We ended up chatting about filters and he showed me his 'cheap' variable filter and he was very impressed with the results. I had never seen one before, let alone heard of them, and have ordered one for myself. I paid under £20 so not expecting it to be much use.

Has anyone had much experience with them?

Heard of them but not tried them - will be interested to hear how you get on with it. I remember seeing a comparison review on youtube but can't remember what the outcome was.

Will let you know - you just seem to 'dial in' the amount of filter you want...guy on beach reckons (which I find hard to believe at that price) thats its as good as a lee big stopper

I've not heard of them, so will wait with interest to hear how you get on.
I have just orderd some hi-tech ND filters and reverse ND grads - got fed up with lack of availability and high prices from Lee. Hi-tech filters get good reviews, and are cheaper than Lee, so hopefully they will do the job for me.

I've used Hitech ND and ND Grads for some time and like them as a bit less than Lee but a bit more than cokin. Having just checked they do a circular variable in most popular sizes and claim the following

•From 1-7 stops of variable attenuation
•Allows filmmakers using 1/50th shutter speeds to shoot wide open for shallow depth of field
•The filter features an outer ring 5mm larger than the inner ring to eliminate vignetting
•The ring is very quality and features a series of markings on the outer rim so that you can measure and save attenuation settings
•Made from the world's highest quality optical glass, Schott Superwite
•Made in the UK using the world's most advanced, computer-controlled filter manufacturing technologies

Price: £144.95 !

I' used a cheap variable ND (~£20 from 7 day shop).
It does give a slight colour cast, but seems to do the job just fine, and the colour is easily corrected.
This one & its partner in my Gallery where taken using it.

BTW variable ND filters are made using 2 polarisers (a linear then a circular) because of the way they work they can give odd effects with wide angle lenses - especially with the sky which will darken more at 90° to the light source than elsewhere. This applies equally to the very expensive models!

Thanks guys. Petrochemist, the guy I chatted to on the beach who told me about them bought his from 7 day shop.Im excited for when it comes..this is the one I ordered....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3107109668...84.m1439.l2649

Less than a tenner so not expecting much but if I like the idea, will save for a better one.

Thanks Gidders. Well after watching that, Im guessing mines gonna be pretty pnts! However, as a 1st time user of one of these, at least i can play and experiment, whilst saving for a more expensive one.

Just on a quick footnote, I have a Singh-Ray variable ND with a 58mm thread which does not fit on my new camera. So if anyone wishes to try one for just the cost of posting, please add a reply here and I shall send a PM to fix up details/address etc.

I just place a linear polarizer behind my circular polarizer works very well.

Harry

Here here me me......

Would love to try it. How much did u pay for it???? Would love to try

Graham, thanks for the filter. I tried it out at the weekend. Took only a few minutes to work it out, but it was too windy for the shot I wanted. I was wanting a milky water shot, with a tree on an island as the main subject, but the wind was causing motion blur on the tree, and it didn't look right. However, I learned to set the shutter speed to what I wanted, then adjust the filter to expose correctly and achieved the milky water i wanted. Had fun and a less windy day will produce a nice shot. Will post my attempts when they are ready.

Hey... glad you're enjoying it. Look forward to seeing a long exp. shot from you :-)

That sound so wrong...haha