Cheap vs Expensive ND Filters - Is It Worth The Upgrade?

[@SteveMack]

For those interested, I've just put up my Variable ND Filter Test #3, using Full Manual Camera Settings;kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHuoqot-nZiHbM0si=uTG8bvpmqI7IxDFp

[@mySeaPrince_]

04:26 🐾🐾🐾🐈 I've got a couple of Hoya Skylight 1B's & a Marumi MC UV L370 Haven't used them recently... The 1B makes the sky more blue & 50% UV. L370 seems to block more UV & no tint.

[@SteveMack]

Yep. I've always run with a UV or 1B skylight filter over every lens...if for no other reason than to protect the actual lens glass from scratches. 👍​@@mySeaPrince_

[@GizmosBushEscapes]

Yeah i now just use my action camera. Those big cameras are something i will never take on a hike. I like the idea of playing around with one of those cameras and filters etc. But i struggle to even get my little action cameras settings correct. Or even finding them for that matter. Point n shoot suits me best . I do have a 16 nd filter on my drone which suits most situations. Thats about as complex as it gets for me. Another helpful video Steve. Cheers mate😊

[@SteveMack]

Yep; for general vlogging type videos - such small cameras are hard to beat! They're light, compact, and even more importantly at times DISCREET! The video quality of most of them is amazing now! - Some are a bit lacking in audio quality, but there are also options in that respect for most cameras, like external mics etc. I find myself using my big DSLR less and less, except when filming at home; and even then - my next video up tonight; I chose to use just my gopro and phone, as it gave a more 'being there with me' feel to it I think...Cheers mate!

[@williamwilson5127]

I have a few of those, as well as a couple of other brands. They seem good enough, though as you said, the lens caps and hoods don't fit. As far as the caps go, I bought about fifty old caps from a camera store twenty years ago, so I've had no problems with that. I've given up on hoods for the time being, but at some point I'll get some circular thread-on hoods that will spin with filter. When I shoot video, I set the camera to manual with auto ISO. On a sunny day I turn the filter untill the camera starts to increase the ISO. At this point there is enough range to correct in log and get a good result. I can usually recover detail from the sky and shadows and acheive good colour representation. Oh yeah, on the nine stop VNDs, they actually seem to be eight and two thirds stops, each mark representing one third of a stop. I keep sunny sixteen in mind while I'm using them, just so I don't do something crazy.

[@SteveMack]

Yep; the old rubber (or plastic) screw-in lens hoods - I had a few of those with my old Canon film cameras. More useful with a single or prime lens I found vs 'zoom's, as need to ensure that on full wide, it doesn't obscure the shot. I intend to do a short test using full manual, and will put that one on one of my other channels that I mentioned; 'Steve Mack Clips and Bits'. I'm pretty sure I'll notice a difference, because using it in the modes that I did; I'm certainly not impressed. I still think etching the actual stop, would be a handy thing. Thanks for the comment. 🙂👌👍

[@OutandAboutwithCraig]

This video was fascinating! I enjoyed learning about the various filter applications on cameras and how they can enhance different aspects of photography. It’s amazing how the right filter can completely change the mood and quality of an image! 👍

[@SteveMack]

Glad it was helpful. I'll do a much shorter test and put it on my 'Steve Mack Clips and Bits' channel, with camera set to full manual mode, as Adam also thinks that in these tests, the camera was trying to compensate the exposure, which is why we didn't really see much darkening until almost maximum.

[@OutandAboutwithCraig]

@@SteveMack, that will be good mate. 👍

[@SteveMack]

@@OutandAboutwithCraig 👍

[@BrisbaneChannel]

Even the more expensive VND filters have that issue with the size being wider. I put the filter on after the hood, but that can be awkward, and the combo vnd/polarising filter has handle thingies that mean you can't use the lens hood at all, even if you put the hood on first. That's definitely a downside that I forgot to mention in my video. I don't use lens caps much, so that's not an issue for me. If it was, I'd just buy one a size up, but that's an extra purchase that shouldn't be necessary. My old vnd filter was the same size as the lens, so in that way, it was better.

[@SteveMack]

@@BrisbaneChannel That is an issue...I don't recall such issues in the old days; I think making filters 'slim line' isn't such a good idea, not deep enough. I was rather disappointed by the apparent lack of any noticeable change of density on this series, until way close to maximum 👀

[@BrisbaneChannel]

@@SteveMack Did you try it in fully manual mode? I'm wondering if the camera was adjusting for the exposure difference, and the darkening kicked in when the camera reached the limit of what it could adjust (eg. If in aperture priority, it reached the fastest shutter speed, so then the darkening kicked in as it couldn't compensate any more).

[@SteveMack]

@@BrisbaneChannel No I didn't, just for test 2, I set it to 125 ISO, in Aperture mode...I was wondering the same thing actually. Other tests on KZbin showed a noticeable graduation as the filter was turned...

[@BrisbaneChannel]

@@SteveMack I think that's what it'll be.

[@SteveMack]

I do too...I'll do an additional test this week. 👍​@@BrisbaneChannel

[@mpuppybreath]

Interesting information and introduction for me! Thanks for posting. I know this will be quite helpful to many. Have a great week, my friend!

[@SteveMack]

Cheers! A new 'short' video will be up today at midday Brisbane time.😉👍❤️

[@RyanDB]

I'm confused. The title is "STOP Wasting Money on EXPENSIVE ND Filters!", but the video shows you buying a very cheap ND filter and deciding that it's not good enough and is missing several useful features. The logical conclusion being that you SHOULD buy more expensive ones which actually work...?

[@SteveMack]

Yes; fair call! I was toying with A.I. suggested titles last night, and IT 'thought' this was better (my initial title was something like *'Are cheap ND filters worth it?'* ), I admit & agree: I've just now reworded it. MY conclusion THUS FAR with _THIS_ filter, is that I'm not blown away with it's range, however *I will do one last test* , that I'll put on my other channel 'Steve Mack Clips and Bits'; it will be with camera in full manual mode, as I expect (hope) that I will see better graduations that way, as it could well be that the camera is adjusting itself to counteract the ND positions, right up until near the end of the range. In one sense though, my other thoughts are, as mentioned; if one had to buy NINE separate filters - it would indeed cost vastly more money. Thanks for pointing out the incorrect use of title, much appreciated. 👌

[@SteveMack]

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