Variable ND Filter Shootout - Polariod Genus Lightcraft Tiffen Singh-Ray Heliopan

[@jeylful]

Great comparison of the ND filters. I disagree with people saying that the video is too long - I think it has the right duration because I like to see what tests are being performed and what the individual outcomes are. I actually wouldn't trust as much a video that just quickly goes through the candidates and just selects one as potentially biased. Thanks Dave for putting this together!

[@DaveDugdaleColorado]

Thanks I appreciate the comment on the video length.

[@rsmrt]

I noticed these reviews are getting better and better. Enjoyed it yet again. Thx!

[@SuperSetCA]

Fantastic test Dave! I bought the Tiffen after having gone through the same comparison so great to hear that you got the same result. Merry Christmas!

[@Apullensg1]

This is hands down the best ND filter review I've seen after hours of looking online. Thank you so much for your time Dave!

[@joeallam]

Thank you for such a thorough review of each of the filters! The way you approached this test has me browsing through all your other videos now to see what other great content you have. Thanks!

[@DaveDugdaleColorado]

For the 24mm test I did not use a step up ring, only on my 70-200mm lens and it didn't have an issue.

[@MrAlvoeiro]

Even after more than three years this video was a great help. Thank you Dave.

[@DaveDugdaleColorado]

Because I like to work fast and a variable ND filter is great for fine tuning your exposure in smaller than 1/3rd stop increments.

[@jmiclovesyou]

Excellent review and production quality! You've come a long way, Dave, and you've helped sooo many people, including me!

[@NanoFilmstertainment]

Thanks Dave for making this shootout. i was always looking around for a good ND filter that wont spoil the image quality. I went for the Tiffen and it gave extremely pleasing results as you said, it keeps the image sharp on my GH3 with the Olympus 17mm 1.8 on.

[@horrorview]

Got a used Genus in mint condition on E-bay for $60 bucks. This thing is amazing! I use it primarily to smooth out water and the like. I used to have to employ three other ND filters for specific situations but, save for those times when I need an exposure over 3 minutes (that's when I resort to my B+W 110), the Genus covers pretty much everything. Really well made piece of kit.

[@DIYCameraGuy]

I wonder how many viewers know how much work goes into a video like this? I just bought a 77mm Lightcraft Variable ND from B&H. I wish I would have gotten the 82mm Tiffen. I am working on a test of the iRig Pre for use in filmmaking. I am pretty impressed with its performance so far, especially for a $40 price point. I should have the video up at the end of the week.

[@DaveDugdaleColorado]

Great question, I used a full frame for the test. I have not tried it on my crop sensor yet.

[@JoeGP]

thanks for the video Dave, i could have searched the entire internet and not found a better comparison

[@happyjack363]

This is most useful review for Variable ND filter I ever saw! Thank you for go thru so many details! Great Job!!!

[@dssmag]

Thanks for this great shootout! Just ordered the 77mm Tiffen! Can't wait!

[@KylerMcCormick]

Thank you! I recently received the Genus eclipse 77mm ND fader. It has worked great! I would recommend it, great build quality!

[@DaveDugdaleColorado]

Yes! I plan on doing one next year since I need one.

[@bluesmokegamer272]

Surprised by the Singh Ray results. I just picked up the Tiffen and can't wait for it to get here.

[@DaveDugdaleColorado]

Yes if you click through with that link and buy anything it will help me out. Thanks, I appreciate the support.

[@JulianBati]

thank you very much. I am from Argentina and my girlfriend is in B & H today so your video has been essential for me. so many thanks to you

[@kaleti]

it's so great to find some real profesional reviews. Just I missed a Hoya's test but thanks a lot Dave!

[@3bd0o0l]

You have a unique style on doing reviews! Really great job! I really appreciate you effort, it helps me a lot.

[@AllenNegreteFilms]

Thanks for this test! Helped me pick out the Tiffen. It seems like the Tiffen is really the best bang for the buck at approx. $145 And you're going to really want to spend an extra $200 to obtain absolute clarity with those more expensive filters such as the Heliopan, Singh-Ray or Formatt-Hitech.

[@TonyFernandezjkdjedi]

I'm surprised the Light craft did so bad..but happy you made this video, sending the Hoya and Light Craft BACK!!

[@pleitgeb]

What a great field test. Thanks for the great info on these filters Dave. Would love to get my hands on the Tiffen.

[@StephansBilderwelt]

You are getting better and better, great test! Thanks

[@JonInLondon]

One other thing to consider is it seems some ND filters lose sharpness much more quickly as the focal length goes up. For example go to the light-craft-workshop-fader-nd-mark-ii-review on the quantumpie website and scroll down to "Resolution Test at Longer Focal Lengths". BTW I got a 77mm Heliopan in 2011, but was cheaper than you are talking about (though not cheap). One other advantage was it had a minimum of 1 stop, so I could AF f4 lenses on it rather than having to remove the filter to AF.

[@schweinhund227]

Nice comparison video Dave! one thing! I would have like to see how BAD the Polaroid ND filter did overall... being ejected from the round up so fast tells me ! don't waste your money! I have one of those and didn't quite understand why my photos had gone soft... Now I know, Thanks to you! I appreciate the fact that you mentioned at the end that cheap ND filters could do... for beginners with kit lenses ! a learning tool maybe? Thanks for the reviews !

[@SuperKenshabby]

Really good review, I bought an early Genus in the UK a couple of years ago and it was terribly soft. It seemed to a be common problem at the time and they replaced it no questions. When I finally got a replacement it was way better. Like you suggest if you don't have brilliant glass in the first place, you don't always need the best filters. Cheers

[@eladbari]

yup, Dave! I wonder how this Viewfinder performs.. Also, when u review it..dont forget about throwing a word or two about if this thing gets foggy or not. [Even Zacuto's Z-Finder that ive tested in B&H got foggy quite quick. tho i went with the Varavon Loupe EX for my 5D, and it performed better. No fogging. Your Carry Speed viewfinder is 100% based on the Varavon model, I'm pretty sure of that :]

[@DaveDugdaleColorado]

I like using primes too, but zooms fit my shooting style a lot better.

[@simonlchung]

You review came just in time! Just looking into which variable ND filter to buy. Thanks Dave.

[@alexordanis]

I just want to give you a shout out for making such a well done review. Tip of the hat sir!

[@ken547]

Thanks so much for posting this review Dave. Very informative. It is a shame that there is such a bothersome color cast. This is the main reason I went with a 6 and a 4 stop Hoya ND filter. I can stack them resulting in a blue color cast, but not nearly as bad as what I am seeing here. The filters by themselves are actually fairly neutral and need a small tweak if none at all in WB to correct. To me you lose the convenience factor once you have to do a custom WB.

[@Pinoysoundmachine74]

Thank you for the efforts of comparing these ND filters. I have been doing some researched and reviews on which one is right for me as well as affordability. However, I have decided to chose the tiffen which has the best overall results. Once again, thank you for this review. I go for the stiffen. Cheers!!!

[@ThorsteinBerg]

If I'm not mistaken, I heared you say you got the vignette problem with your Tamron 24-75mm lens. This is a problem I've encountered my self with this lens at the wide setting, and it's not just with screw in filters. The problem get worse if you employ both a screw in polarizer (with thin frame) and a filtersystem. I tested this in comparision to my Nikon AF 28mm f2.8 D, and I had no vignetting at all using both a standar frame polarizer and filtersystem. The camera I used is a Nikon D800.

[@FoVITIS]

Ja, so ein ND Filter ist praktisch! Muss ich auch irgendwann mal kaufen ^^ Das mit der Bildqualität hatte ich gar nicht bedacht. Wieder ein netter hilfreicher Beitrag. Thanks.

[@virtualvirtue]

Thanks, Dave, that was of great help. Had I been in the US, I would have definitely bought my gear from you. Just one small point: it's Singh Ray not Sting Ray. The latter is a fish.

[@pete49327]

Dave as always you have the best tutorials, thank you so much. Regardless of these results and the Tiffen, I'm sticking with my solid (non variable) B+W ND filters. I'm thirsting for the GH4 and I've got some 35 year old Nikon Nikkor prime lenses and BW filters, most with 52mm filter threads that I'll be able to keep using when mated with GH4/Nikon mount Metabones Speed booster.

[@101Exit]

really appreciated the time you took to make this... its a very important issue and now B&H will be takin my money. ;)

[@avishekdas8978]

best comparison in d market till date....keep up sir...Ur d boss ...awesome

[@DaveDugdaleColorado]

Thanks, I really like to hear that I am improving.

[@Supercon57]

I have a 77mm Vivitar Variable ND that is awesome with maintaining color as you go to darker ND stops but my 58mm Opteka Variable ND starts to turn more and more blue as you get close to the X

[@ruebencruz-tokar3279]

You're videos are always awesome and relevant Doug! Keep up the amazing work :)

[@MarcelloScotti]

Great job, Dave! Thank you. Just one detail if you allow me ... It would be really important to state the range of density and/or stops of each. I myself am looking and comparing and reading to find the best I can afford, and became conscious about that the ND variable filters have different ranges, and at least for taking my decission that is a crytical factor. I am not sure but I guess that the best ones have taken away the higher stops not to have any trouble and complains with the "X factor". Nevertheless, their ranges are never equal.

[@ROCKnROLL4NGEL]

I own the Genus ND variable and I found it outstanding for the price... I got it stuck to my ND filter the. First time I used it. I learned never over tighten a loose hand tight is best.

[@MrGoofee121]

Dave, For your step up rings and really and thing that you have metal to metal etc. I used "Frog Lube" it worked wonders on even my cheap step up rings. They dont stick to the filters at all and add just enough lubricant to hang on and come off easily. Hope this helps. P.S. Love your vids. They have helped me so much. Thanks a Bunch.

[@CamCrunch]

Do the step up rings push the filter further than the standard filter threads? If so, that may have caused the crazy vignette at 24mm.

[@samsen3965]

I ordered a Tiffen 77mm ND variable today from BH! Generally, I trust all you do and say (Even that Canon Actuation count software that was later on found to be a hack or whatever from a genius guy in Iran!, that actually worked very well for me without any data bridge or damage to my computer, unlike what others were afraid of!!!!) so can't wait to put a hand on it and freeze all the running bodies of water in my vicinity, then start to see mid-day isolation and great bokeh, by virtue of large F and may be counter lite daytime flash or very long night exposures to have good moving light tracings! or likewise Thanks, pal.

[@minglumpee]

Nice shootout. I've done the same comparisons of all those as well plus Lightcraft's newer HD and the Kenko NDX (the most expensive one on the market). The newer Lightcraft one is very close to the Genus, which improves upon a lot of the issues that were plagued on the original fader. The Kenko which is the most expensive is the premium choice and beats them all, but the price is it's Achilles heel.

[@Roshambo3]

Excellent video thanks for putting so much time into this one. Would love to see more videos even if they're less involved. Just sharing a project and talking about it for 5 mins is very enjoyable and helpful to watch :)

[@cquevedo10]

You should get a 72-77mm step-up ring. Sensei makes decent step up rings that won't break the bank. At those focal lengths you won't have any vignetting from using a step-up ring, so you should be good to go.

[@CamCrunch]

Awesome, thanks for the clarification! I guess your comparison proves that, sometimes, you don't get exactly what you pay for! I'm sure you've save a ton of people, including myself, from spending $500+ for a variable ND filter. Thanks, Dave!

[@neirad537]

I got a Cameron ND filter and is really good at least in video mode, but It seems like they don't sell it any longer. It was a great price and so far no problem.

[@cquevedo10]

From what I've read it looks like a wide angle + step up rings WILL have vignetting at wider angles (11-12mm) but will go away after about 13mm. However, since the Tokina is so wide (and basically everything's in focus) I probably won't need to use the Fader ND much on this lens. My (hypothetical) set-up: Lens w/58mm thread + 58-77mm step up + 77-82mm s.u. + 82mm Fader. This should give me a lot of flexibility for any future lenses, thread sizes, etc, and I'll only have to buy one ND filter.

[@Dragonuver]

If you're going wide enough it doesn't matter how much your body crops. If you're going for say, 77mm threaded lenses, 16mm on a crop, 24mm on a full frame, you should theoretically get roughly the same area of vignetting. What you're probably confusing this with is simply crop sensors don't use the full area of glass on a full frame lens, which can improve vignetting at the same usage.

[@cquevedo10]

The only situation where I WOULD use a Fader ND on a wide angle (like the Tokina 11-16) is if I wanted to slightly adjust the exposure over the course of a shot (for instance, over a LONG time lapse). In that case, I'll just zoom in to 13mm (to get rid of any vignetting) and move away from my subject until I can recompose to my liking. Seems like a small price to pay in order to save money in the long run. :)

[@adepew]

thanks for this. For those who need a 77mm filter the Tiffen is on sale through 12/20/12 at B&H for only $130. Not bad!

[@Scias]

Great honesty in your vids Dave!

[@richyearle007]

Hi Dave...I realise you had so many N.D filters to review but i would have loved to have seen how the b+w filters stacked up..Very informative video/review...thanks again...cheers

[@Q2k]

Good review.. I made my own ND with 2 PL filters. And It also produces the same color cast as the same Vari ND filters. and its a tiny soft like the genus..

[@kirayamato10astrike]

I am following your videos and it really helps me a lot most of all I enjoyed very much. keep posting.

[@DaveDugdaleColorado]

Yes, part of this video was done with two rebels.

[@DaveDugdaleColorado]

It is the Carryspeed and the lens is the Tamron 24-70, check out my gear page.

[@fearlessandfar]

Just a heads up that the Genus link in the Show Notes links to the Tiffen Page. Great shootout. Appreciate this!

[@DaveDugdaleColorado]

I did see that Ryan reviewed that one. It might be awhile before I do.

[@ngonzale3]

I noticed you used a new lcd vf for your canon dslr. Which one is that? Many thanks for your time and work.

[@NanoFilmstertainment]

i bought the 58mm one from amazon about the 130usd. just used a 46-58mm step up ring on the lens and itl work well.

[@DelosJohnson]

Very nice vid. Thanks for the effort and you've help me decide on the Tiffen.

[@forresttindall]

thanks for taking the time to test them!!!

[@cooldaddypmg]

havent even watched the vid yet....just wanna say keep up the good work....

[@HaydenGoldsworthy]

Awesome! I have a Rokinon 14mm for my wide angle and it doesn't have thread, so I wouldn't be able to use it with that anyways. Something I'm confused with though is the difference of a step-down or step-up. My Rokinon 35mm is a 77mm, and my Rokinon 85mm is a 72mm. Do i get a stepdown ring from 77 to 72, or a step up from 72-77?

[@DSLRguide]

would love to see a review of that carryspeed viewfinder shown in this video, i'm looking to get that soon. Great video by the way, very timely. I had no idea about LCW bokeh issue!

[@rubenfernandezn]

yeah they do, check them out at B and H

[@DaveDugdaleColorado]

Sorry I only have digital downloads and streaming right now, my t3i course should be coming out soon.

[@PapaD104]

I recently bought the Tiffen, but hadn't seen your video first. Have to say I was a bit nervous! Better to be lucky than good I guess. Great review. Thanks Dave!

[@ImagineVideoclips]

Question: lots of people buy a large filter and then use use step up or step down rings. But don't you create an extra -potential- issue by placing a larger or smaller piece of glass in front of the actual lens itself? The light hits the lens from different angles than the original lens size. I can imagine it could cause more vignetting or light defractions with possible color shifting as a result. So there is perhaps a case to be made for only using filters the same size as the lens itself...

[@DaveDugdaleColorado]

The G3 works great on its own.

[@ByskanTube]

I might add that I'd be happy to support your work following your links, however I reside in Sweden and cannot afford buying overseas.

[@Foxtrotalex]

Hey Dave! Great review, and perfect timing for myself! I am now going to be ordering either the Tiffen or the Genus this week. One thing, B&H currently has the 77mm Tiffen on sale for a very reasonable price (129), while the 82mm one is still $250. The genus 82mm is $150. Do you think I will get vignetting on a 82mm thread lens with the 77mm? Should I spend the 250 on the Tiffen, or 150 on the Genus?

[@DaveDugdaleColorado]

Thanks, it is listed in the description..

[@EchelonArts]

Nice hat. I worked at New Belgium in Fort Collins for a while. I appreciate the review as I am considering an ND filter.

[@JacobSurland]

Great test - however did you test with really wide angled lenses? I have got the Genus ND filter (I have paid $450 for it in Denmark) for it when I bought. I have shot less than 20 shots with it. It doesn't "work" with wide angle lenses. The shading (like uneven vignetting across the whole surface) gets VERY uneven at less than 24mm. I shoot most of my shots wide angled below 24mm. I have ended up with a set Lee filters, which is much more inconvenient, but at least they work.

[@videodslrtutorial]

The Tiffen is definitely a great Filter. I have it and made a review specifically about it.

[@joynermark]

Best review I've seen on the variable filters. Nice work.

[@MrPutrifyingEagor]

Hi Dave,Im really enjoying all your videos,and I've decided on the Tiffen for myself-so thanks for this invaluable review/test. Just as a matter of interest what tripod are you using?I know this may sound like a pathetically stupid question,but when you go online to look at tripods,all you see the majority of the time are silly little pictures and names that dont equate to anything,and i very much like the look of the build quality of yours!Regards from England!

[@drumvannelle69]

Hi Dave, great video. I jsut wonder why you did not include B&W ND filters. They are supposed to be top of the line. Also, could you pls let me know what was stuck at the back of your camera - it looks very intriuging :-)

[@pavelbtn]

Well done Dave, excellent video. Very informative and in depth

[@skorptheengineer]

Dave I love your videos man... and all of your names

[@PatoCrioyo]

I would've liked to see how the Polaroid performed in video. I own a GH2 and that's the reason I bought it and the mode that gets the most use. While resolution for stills wasn't enough it could've been just fine for video, even the GH2/3.

[@dagkjetsa8486]

The sensor is not only sensitive to visible light, but also to the ultraviolet spectrum, which can contaminate the blue channel and cause image quality problems. I'm not sure, but I wouldn't be surprised if there is some sort of UV reduction algorithms going on in the camera itself, in order to minimize this issue. So, normally this is not a problem.

[@formattester6]

ha i watched this awhile back but have watched it again as I'm ready to purchase another VND filter. great review.

[@CalvinSAS]

Great comparison thanks! I'm considering a Heliopan for portraits. Is there any loss of image for a variable filter compared to a fixed one?

[@MrAvnTv]

Can I know with which camera and lens you filmed this review? And maybe a video post-production and rendering tutorial, that will be awesome. BTW, great review Dave!

[@melkordy]

Thanks Dave for this informative video.. but I would like to ask you a critical question (for me at least :))) Is it better for a 67mm lens to buy a 67mm variable ND filter or to buy a 77mm variable ND filter with a step up ring. will the second setup reduce vignetting? Thanks in advance :)

[@Canon1dsII]

very well put together. Keep going. Are you planning to review other brands like B+W and Hoya ND filters, I wonder how they stack up vs Tiffen for example?

[@CSantosMusic]

Hi dave, please tel me how do you get this video quality even at 360p. I have a 60D and use premiere to edit the videos but i can´t get this quality when viewing at 360p. Can you give me some advices? Thanks

[@troyvolanti6530]

Great video as always Dave. Are you planning on testing circular polarized filters in the future?

[@hellion_spitfire]

Hi Dave! If you want great filters try the Lee filters, it's expensive, but very very good. The best filters imho.