Ultimate Buyer's Guide to ND Filters

Neutral Density Filters are a necessary tool for exposure control, but does their price tag really affect their quality? Today Griffin sits down with 23 ND filters that range in different price tiers from $5 all the way to $580 to see!
Today we hard tested 23 ND filters for their color and image quality, flare resistance, and their usefulness in timelapse situations. We test a range of ND’s from a set of general purpose ND3 filters, to Variable Density Filters, to heavily graded ND10 filters for their use in time-lapse photography. While every type of ND filter has it’s own use, we mainly set out to see if the price tag really affected image quality, and whether variable ND’s were much worse than single glass ND’s.
Below are all the ND filters we tested! ND Filters of denser grades (6 stops), that were not pictured on screen can be expected to have similar quality to their less dense counterparts (3 stops).
Check out the Cheap Thing Vs. Expensive Thing gear: kit.com/IndyMogul
Variable NDs (77mm):
* [2-8 stops] $20 GB Optics “Slim Variable ND” bhpho.to/2NswFwt
* [2-8 stops] $130 Tiffen “Variable ND Filter” amzn.to/2U51N7Y
* [1-5 stops] $300 B+W “XS-Pro Digital ND Vario MRC-Nano Filter” amzn.to/2Eag1Oa
* [4-8 stops] $580 Singh-Ray “Vari-N-Trio Variable ND Filter (Thin Ring Mount)” amzn.to/2U4d6x4
Solid NDs (77mm):
* [3 stops] $5 Yashica “0.9”
* [2 stops] $30 Ice “ND4” (part of $80 bundle) amzn.to/2XmiUUu
* [3 stops] $30 Ice “ND8” (part of $80 bundle) amzn.to/2XmiUUu
* [4 stops] $30 Ice “ND16” (part of $80 bundle) amzn.to/2XmiUUu
* [5 stops] $30 Ice “ND32” (part of $80 bundle) amzn.to/2XmiUUu
* [6 stops] $30 Ice “ND64” (part of $80 bundle) amzn.to/2XmiUUu
* [10 stops] $30 Ice “ND1000” (part of $80 bundle) amzn.to/2XmiUUu
* [3 stops] $34 Tiffen “ND 0.9” amzn.to/2EoU133
* [3 stops] $39 Hoya “NDX8” amzn.to/2E7CdIm
* [3 stops] $59 B+W “SC 103” amzn.to/2SX6YKB
* [6 stops] $97 B+W “SC 106” amzn.to/2EeRWFJ
* [3 stops] $159 Breakthrough Photography “X4 ND” amzn.to/2E4tF5m
* [6 stops] $169 Breakthrough Photography “X4 ND” amzn.to/2EqnARV
Solid NDs (100x100mm):
* [3 stops] $237 LEE Filters “ProGlass IRND” amzn.to/2U2yx1p
* [6 stops] $237 LEE Filters “ProGlass IRND” amzn.to/2EoKTMb
* [10 stops] $237 LEE Filters “ProGlass IRND” amzn.to/2EpWpH3
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#VariableND #Polarizer #Tiffen

[@KwasnikPictures]

You've done something not many filmmakers want to do... test A LOT of ND's! We appreciate your time and budget. haha Thanks Griffin!

[@andrewehyang]

The over exposed intro was pretty great imo.

[@GriffinHammond]

Andrew Yang I'm glad you liked it! I was wondering, how long can this gimmick be on screen before people think I'm terrible with exposure?

[@scriptosaurusrex]

Seconded.

[@ToonTVDerek]

I agree! It really put into perspective of what an ND is really for if you didn't already know of course 😅

[@Adammedias]

+1

[@diegoquintanafilms498]

Andrew Yang ill vote for you

[@OneCheapEric]

I only use dropped NDs so I appreciate the flare test on the dropped filter. :)

[@SunDevilThor]

I would have loved to have seen K&F Concepts thrown in there to test as well.

[@raredreamfootage]

Other aspects to consider are: 1) How easy is it to turn the variable ND (some models and batches are super hard to turn). 2) Can you clean the inside of the filter yourself or do you need to send it back to the manufacturer? 3) Does it have a front thread so you can use a lens cap? 4) Does it exhibit any effects when shooting toward light (I found the B+W to exhibit a solid purple glare).

[@alainhalimi3821]

what nd filter would you recommend on these parameters? thanks!

[@nowitsokgaming5130]

Interesting video. At around 2:55 you said something interesting to me, something like without the side by side comparison I wouldn't notice the cheap filter is a little soft. This may be true. However, let me first say that I'm 65+ and something came to mind when you said that. Although that may be true, when you look back at these pictures/videos in 10, 20 years or more from now, will you think the same. Answer probably yes. The reason the came to mind was recently I was looking at some old family photos, of my parents and grandparents and although at the time they were professional done photos, by today's standards they aren't very good quality. I guess my point is, being we have the technology we have today, shouldn't we strive for the best we can? Of course we SHOULD, BUT all our pockets aren't the same DEPTH. Therefore most of us can't afford to buy the best, but a few extra dollars (especially if we are selling our photos/videos) may be a worth the investment. Just a thought to ponder over. Nice video and it got me thinking.

[@AdamMurtland]

The wine pricing comparison is a very good take. Definitely agree. Thanks Griffin!

[@c0pyimitati0n]

Adam Ruins Everything proved that supposed wine connoisseurs are full of it. They couldn't tell the difference between expensive wine and cheap wine when the bottles were switched 😂

[@JoseMendozaENT]

I seriously woke up in the market for an ND filter and this shows up!

[@TheFunnyCamGuy]

Same here, looked it up once on Amazon and then this popped up when I've never had a recommendation video on any type of filters before

[@HR-wd6cw]

I think in certain situations, like landscape, you may not see a difference between no-filter and one of these more expensive ones that very near to true color. Obviously, as I mentioned on another video, I don't think any filter can produce 100% or even 99% accurate color. I don't think it's possible given the fact that you are placing another piece of glass in front of a lens that basically is coated. But regardless, I do agree that for the most part, you get what you pay for. Now the differences on the high end, say between $150 to ~$200 per filter is likely not going to be a huge difference but you may see a difference between a $50 filter and a $150 filter. I had the B+W 10-stop ND filter and frankly, had the same results. Just tried out a Breakthrough Photography x4 ND and it's much better. There is a slight color shift, but in my test, I could have done something wrong, but am still pleased at the results over the B+W I had, which cost $90 (so it wasn't cheap, but not quite the $160 I paid for the Breakthrough filter, but IMO, the extra money for Breakthrough was worth it).

[@camicees]

Sorry but that dramatic sequence when the ND fell to the floor absolutely killed me ahahha

[@marcofazio1318]

Interesting result, but I would like to see the consistance performances between Variable ND filters as well. What I found a lot of time when you rotate a Variable ND filter, besides exposure shift, lots of time you have also colours and polarisations shifting too. And this is a big problem when you are outside, you do your WB (so even if the filter has some colour shift in that point you minimise it with te WB) but as soon as you change amount of correction, you start to see colour shifts that are not consistent and It make very hard match the shoots during those shooting. You can't really update the WB any time you rotate the ND filter, it's crazy! A even bigger problem is the polarisation, Variable ND filters are usually 2 polarised filters using in tandem for drop the exposure. When you do that, you also polarise the reflections in several ways depends of the amount of exposure correction. This could be a even worse problem for matching shoots and especially skin tones that appear unnatural and "plasticky". Although your test is very interesting and useful, I would like to see how a very expensive Variable ND filter versus a cheap one performs. And how those problems above are controlled by the filters you tested in this video.

[@bethaniesteph472]

I fully endorse breakthrough photography filters, doesn't affect my sharpness or add a weird color cast, pretty much done for life.

[@aetius31]

Nice video! comparison between cheap medium and expensive makes more sense than just cheap vs expensive.

[@alexingloire]

thanks for your time man! I will buy ndx8 for my video purposes

[@RCwithAdam1]

Thanks SO MUCH!! I had always been told that if you didn't drop serious cash on variable ND filters, you'd get trash. This will help a lot!!

[@EverlastingEclipses]

amazed at how breakthrough x4 is always praised by different photographers.. breakthrough really do make solid nd filter :D

[@ivan90988ify]

Thanks! I have a yellow tint with my Tiffen Variable ND 72mm filter.

[@scriptosaurusrex]

Hoya are truly amazing. I wish they made a filterkit with holder and square filters. It seems for those you still need to cough up to get something good.

[@CONACINE]

The $20 GB Optics ND is sold out, and I'm sure it's because of this video :)

[@diogoalmeidavisuals]

Don't forget to disclaim that variable NDs cause "unwanted" polarization.

[@spamsfilms]

I’m so happy this show is back, thanks for putting all your hard work into this

[@jesseb.2128]

Great video! I just bought a used Sony a7sii and was searching for ND filters. This video caught my attention at just the right time! Thanks for the recommendation at the end. Maybe I'll start there.

[@MedTHCOntario]

Just bought a Hoya UV filter today for my 24mm. Just needed some protection but some of those higher end filters sure do make a difference.

[@pgoconn]

Learned quite a bit with this one. Polarizers soon?

[@PassOnPassion]

The firecrest ND filters have been the best I've used and they're not very expensive... depending on the size you get.

[@fathersun5765]

Thanks. Been looking to get one for my new Fujifilm XE3 and BMPCC4K and while trying to figure out if I could just get a set of lenses that will fit them both, I realized I needed to research ND filters and polarizers so this is perfect timing

[@haileepaige2858]

I just ordered the Tiffen yesterday, should be in tomorrow. Not sure that I'm going to be a big fan of the yellow tint. Just an extra step in post to take it out.

[@AlChemicalLife]

I agree ,I like having more of a blueish tint in my photos and videos than yellow...

[@WalcomS7]

Been learning a lot recently on ND Filters, this video came at the perfect time.

[@T3GMedia]

SUPER HELPFUL! Incredible information, thanks so much. I've been wishy-washy about NDs for ages. The step-ups are huge, too.

[@toddwmac]

Thanks Griffin...a helpful segment. Also, I wanted to thank you for introducing me to some of the most important elements of video...many years ago. I still very much appreciate the content you create today and learn things every time I tune in. BTW...IMHO, your wine analog was spot on. Like so many of our esoteric pursuits, it is easy for people to default to cost = quality (as a certainty) and some will exploit people's ignorance (or embarrassment) accordingly. What? Griffin, really...you can't taste the essence of southern slope eucalyptus with a hint of burnt sugarcane? That's ok, not everyone has a palate for it. :)

[@jimmysgameclips]

Thankyou so much for this it really helps. I did not consider the point about just buying the larger filters that's such a great idea

[@creativesymon]

These are the sort of things viewers of video content are looking for. We all have various budgets and the middle budgets are where we all end up looking. We need to save at every possible item because, as we all know, the spend really ads up.

[@VariTimo]

You missed the best one!! The very best is the Heliopan Vario ND (not the slim version). It’s $200 but the IQ is amazing, it has hard stops, you can use the your lens cap and most cheap varios can looks fine but can cause extreme rainbow reflections on wet surfaces and windows. I once bought a small 43mm one for like ten bucks and I never had problems but it was a no name brand I couldn’t find it again.

[@Jin-Ro]

7:59 the Hoya looks better than the control. That makes me feel better, I've just switched to Hoya from B+W

[@MichaelWTurner]

That was good. I always use moderately priced ones because I'm cheap, but I've been curious if there was difference. Now I know. Thanks!

[@luckyxu]

Thanks a lot! Really informative video! Please keep up the wonderful work!

[@jaywalker.]

I miss these videos from Griffin! Perfect persona for this stuff.

[@esanford]

Thanks for posting a very useful, content rich vid. So many manufacturer's et. al. make claims about their products. So few users actually do a straight forward test. This was precise and to the point. It is also useful cost saving information.

[@Pietje_Piraat]

Now this is info that is actually extremely usefull. I never quite understood the use of ND filters. Thanks Griffon!

[@omaryng]

THANK YOU for this. was just buying ND filters now

[@ToonTVDerek]

I honestly love Gobe filters. The price is insane for the quality. And they plant 5 trees per order 😊

[@csc-photo]

I'm surprised Gobe wasn't featured here, very popular brand

[@NaijaBoiTellEm]

@@csc-photo Same here. I've used Gobe and like the quality. I'm sure they don't make the best filters but given the humanity factor, I don't see myself deviating away from them. Shopping right now for ND filters.

[@ToonTVDerek]

@@NaijaBoiTellEm I use their variable ND it's and definitely a safe bet. For some reason it creates slight black bar artifacts when in fluorescent lighting. But then again it only happens when I film at Ripley Grier studios in Manhattan.

[@NaijaBoiTellEm]

@@ToonTVDerek Good to know. I've been going back and forth with variable vs. fixed. I've wanted to get the Gobe Variable ND for a minute and will look to purchase soon. Thanks!

[@csc-photo]

@@NaijaBoiTellEm I bought a set of 3 fixed Gobe ND's (2-peak), and ended up exchanging them for the variable ND (2-peak). I think the fixed are better / clearer for still images, but my use is mainly video, and variable is needed there. That said, I'll experiment with stills as well.

[@chasingjaunts1515]

Yes! Thank you for clear side by side examples of ND filters. We jus got a GH5 and have new vlogs on the way :)

[@cmdcreativity]

This episode was super helpful! Thank you for all the tests and insight while comparing the various filters. Thank you for all you do! -Kyle :)

[@sandboxaperture7013]

Amazing comparison review. That Hoya looks like a great purchase in terms of color accuracy and clarity

[@chunkygroove9038]

Best way to combat flaring is not rely on a filter but to cut the light with either a French flag on the MB or a cutter.

[@RPPRods]

Thank you so much Indy Mogul for doing this test!!! Really appreciate the effort put here...!

[@jacksonhpeters_]

Would've loved to see an x-pattern comparison the variables at higher strengths. Here's hoping the small cameras will get internal nds like the fs7 in the next generation or two. Would love to downsize from a c100.

[@alexmedia8094]

I have cheap Neewer Variable ND filter which I use on the Canon 24mm f/2.8 lens + Canon 80D. It works just fine for now as I'm not a pro haha 🙌

[@gone4good]

ALL this in only nine minutes Griffin? WOW - thanks!

[@photographynerd5639]

Nice video. I always think of ND filters as a long shutter tool for capturing waterfalls and all sorts of moving water and clouds, but I've completely forgotten they come in handy for getting shallow DOF in portraiture during bright daylight which would help me isolate the subject from the backgrounds 🤦‍♂️. Thanks for reminding me. btw, I have two of those expensive Singh-Ray vari ND filters and I felt it was the biggest waste of money I have ever spent. At the maximum darkest setting I get an X pattern which I have now come to expect from all vari ND filters. I've since purchased cheap Chinese solid ND square filters from eBay and just color correct in post. I've heard good things about Lee solid ND filters, but wasn't sure if they were worth the cash until I watched your video. I might see if I can sell the Singh-Ray filters and replace them with solid ND filters from Lee.

[@Mintyseden]

Wanted to see this comparison for a while. Thank you.

[@cinergiflims]

SUGGESTION: Lav mic solutions from cheap 3.5mm dual mics, Rode filmmaker kit and throw in the instamic for something versatile and left field.

[@chunkygroove9038]

The reason Tiffen filters always have a green cast is they use regular glass (same stuff the windows in your cheap, cockroach infested apartment are made of). Schneider use white water glass which is neutral in color.

[@zasher4186]

Thanks for the vid, I’ve never really thought about ND filters before and this video gave me a good understanding of what they are and good pice points.

[@felipemvera]

UV Filters, and Polarizers next! Then 3rd party vs OEM Batteries!

[@rohansth]

Amazing review! The definitive ND filter comparison we never got.

[@Aznedoko5168]

This is great educational video I wonder why others click thumbs down :(

[@simonh3188]

Really great video. What would have been interesting though if you whitebalance each shot in post so they all kinda look the same so you can see what a difference the color shifts make. But really enjoyed it nevertheless and the result was not what i expected.

[@mikeboldtphoto]

One very dramatic difference will be if you use these for photos and the color cast and haze from long exposures will vary greatly between the difference ones. I somehow came here as a photographer and that's one thing people should keep in mind this is for video not photos.

[@ricardoabh3242]

Wow only 23 :) Great job

[@diegolomac]

I am LOVING this series so much

[@IslandFilmMaker]

God this just feels right! Don't know what happened with Tim but Indy Mogul plus Griffin Hammond makes it seem great again :)

[@meziens15]

Indy Mogul is back baby!

[@nathanwabre]

Likin’ the wine analogy

[@dianaquinones4792]

Great reviews and AWESOME sense of humor. You gained a sub!

[@The14541]

I think now i know why some of my friends who do landscape photography always put up BW photos, since color shift not really apparent in it lol Anyway great comparison! Thanks

[@hilmethan]

Still thinking about grabbing a Tiffen variable ND, 77mm is about $85, the B+W ones are looking pretty good though.

[@ZilveriCosas]

Test the Peter McKinnon polar pro ND filters please!!!

[@c0pyimitati0n]

Amazing work, especially to do it in this arctic weather we've been getting here on the east coast.

[@geoffreymee7671]

Thx for the tests. All these tests relate to video and video never needs the same optically clear glass as stills does, by virtue video is always at 4k or less - stills is much greater resolution, so can you tell us about the sharpness of these filters for stills and enlarging (wall prints size). Thx, enjoyed the time and have subscribed.

[@LeafOfAutumn05]

Just before the ND filter you dropped hit the floor an add just popped up ... I thought it was transition 😂

[@AnakinMSMP]

Terrific video! Pretty well done

[@JoeBSanchezFilms]

I told my local store to order more Tiffen Variable NDs and give me a call. Than a few days later I watch this and might change my mind lol. Idk I do want to save money lol. 😂

[@thetrivium2261]

The Hoya is pretty great.

[@odyseuszkoskiniotis6266]

It's not about sharpness, but depth rendition with an additional piece of glass

[@samudranilchakrabarti]

I don't get it why people always include Peter McKinnon's reputation with polar pro and hype about it ! Loved your video , i appreciate it that you haven't done that 🙂

[@maruwaanmoses]

The intro alone deserved a thumbs up! 🤣

[@destinfarr]

I laughed out loud - then you put "LOL" on the broken $5 filter. 😏

[@MasMashFilms]

This was very helpful. Thanks!

[@1Vienas]

bought 2 really cheap nd filters and one made image realy purple other other one worked very good

[@TomJoeSHOW]

K&F variables are pretty decent for the price

[@tamaslehoczky]

thx for the hint. just bought one. they have good reviews

[@nicholasreese3982]

Breakthrough ND filters are the best!

[@GriffinHammond]

Porcelain Studio They look great, and very highly reviewed! Although I'm not sure I'd be willing to spend that much now that I see what $40 can get me with Hoya.

[@zombiecraft312]

Solid effort Griffin mate. Actually learnt something in this video

[@KeatonWard]

I

[@michaelfrymus]

Been trying to find a good comparison for 4x5.65" ND filters too The Leef Filters Proglass IRND looks like a great choice, but in the 4x5.65" size, its very very expensive. $600 ($800 cad) for a single piece. Damn. Looking for alternatives. Perhaps Schneider Platinum IRNDs?

[@CO8848_2]

Love the intro and the drip, all these videos need a little humor. Also the content is great. Subscribed.

[@RossJukesPhotography]

Really great, informative video...

[@maxramsey7860]

Great comparison.. one of the best i have seen

[@brycekoh6341]

Thank you so much, Ted and Griffin. this Is a God Send

[@PulledPinProductions]

Even though I already have a Fly Cam, I think you should test a glide cam vs one of those cheap knock off gimbals.

[@ejpmusicandvideo]

This video is just what I've been looking for!

[@imayellowfellow]

Great info on this one Griffin! And I've dropped a few ND filters in my time so I can relate :D

[@bluesunflower2007]

Thank you for your nice video and effort. I am looking to get solid ND filters and find your video very useful. A question: for the image color shift, is it something you can correct by using RAW image and adjusting the white balance in post processing?

[@kapilvora]

Great review...! Keep it up... What do you think about Revo Ring Variable ND + Polarizer?

[@Silentnight1979]

Wish you would have had the K&F Brand in there...

[@JohnLuna]

The part of the broken ND was hilarious 😅

[@maddercat]

need a test where you can see bokeh balls, all variable nd's i've tried leave x patterns in the bokeh balls.

[@TrapPhoneLoveMelodiesss]

Bro, appreciate you man, this is such an awesome video.

[@mitchellvalentin1982]

*drops nd filter* Really pleased by that for some reason haha subscribed!

[@nicholastanaka3867]

Thank you for the episode! This is very helpful