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Assistance with Variable NDs for Komodo - Which Variable filters do you recommend ?

Nick Vera

Nick Vera

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Hey everyone,

Looking into Variable NDs for the Komodo. I know of the Canon RF Variable ND adapter, which looks great. Only thing I don't know about it is how many stops can the filter cut. Any one know the answer? The only issues the adapter seems to have is, ND stop labeling on the wheel, you need a clear filter, and it has a blue tint at the darkest stop.

Has anybody tested or used these variable ND filters?

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...68_031177_77mm_True_Match_Vari_ND_Filter.html

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1141532-REG/b_w_1083006_95mm_mptv_mc_nd.html

Any recommendations on your experiences would be great for the camera. Thank you for your help. Stay safe and healthy .

Best Regards,

Nick
 
So since no one really helped out, I did more hunting. Looks like the Schndeider filter is 8-9 stops, rather than 11. The B&W is 5 stops. The RF adapter is 9. So at that point the Canon RF adapter is the better variable nd filter for ef lenses. Less color shift (mostly happens in the extreme end), no x pattern in the far end, 9 stops, goes behind the lens, which is better for flares. Hope that helps some people down the road. Not sure how to close the thread. So I would just close it, if no one comments. Stay well.

Best,

Nick
 
There are lots of old threads on variable NDs.
I ended getting the Schneider 77mm True-Match Vari-ND, after getting recommendations here. It works fine for me, but I haven't really compared it to anything else.
Last I heard, people were speaking highly of the Tiffen.
 
Akin A said:
There are lots of old threads on variable NDs.
I ended getting the Schneider 77mm True-Match Vari-ND, after getting recommendations here. It works fine for me, but I haven't really compared it to anything else.
Last I heard, people were speaking highly of the Tiffen.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your input! Wanted to see if there was anything new in the Variable ND world for Komodo. Used to have the Tiffen years ago. I think the Schneider you got is definitely better. It might possibly be the best screw on variable nd filter from comparisons I have seen over the years. Most likely going to get the Canon RF adapter with the internal variable nd filters and for higher paying jobs rent a matte box and a set of full spectrum ND.
 
Variable NDs are two polarizing filters sandwiched together. If you are one person in a one-person crew and have 50 shots to get before lunch then perhaps they can be beneficial. If however you care at all about image quality, color shift, EQ, skin tones, etc my recommendation is to avoid them like the plague.
 
Adrian Jebef said:
Variable NDs are two polarizing filters sandwiched together. If you are one person in a one-person crew and have 50 shots to get before lunch then perhaps they can be beneficial. If however you care at all about image quality, color shift, EQ, skin tones, etc my recommendation is to avoid them like the plague.
Click to expand...

What would you use instead with the komodo? ND filters 4X5.65in on matte box?
 
Domingo Lamarre said:
What would you use instead with the komodo? ND filters 4X5.65in on matte box?
Click to expand...

Generally my advice is to always go Panavision Sized 4x5.65" NDs and filters in general. They can serve you a lifetime if well cared for.

However, if you have the means and are focused on staying small. 4x4 NDs to work on smaller lenses. And some lenses do have threads. And these days there's even magnetic ND filters.

To set you up for success for all cameras, go 4x5.65" and build from there.
 
Phil Holland said:
Generally my advice is to always go Panavision Sized 4x5.65" NDs and filters in general. They can serve you a lifetime if well cared for.

However, if you have the means and are focused on staying small. 4x4 NDs to work on smaller lenses. And some lenses do have threads. And these days there's even magnetic ND filters.

To set you up for success for all cameras, go 4x5.65" and build from there.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the knowledge Phil! I am looking at the 4X5.65" Arri or True ND. But yea, will definitely go that size to have a long lasting investment. The Arri's are not cheap!
 
Stay away from VariND. Too many annoying issues with color casts and whatnot.

I used to use 4x4 filters to keep things compact but now I've moved to 82mm screw on (with stepUp rings if necessary) to keep things even more slim. That's what I would use if I was getting a Komodo.
 
Yes I would agree with Andree. If you are building out for a full crew shoot and studio setup proper 4x5 NDs like the True or Arri's are great. But if the majority of the work is small with almost no crew using less expensive screw-on NDs works like a charm and provides superior results over variNDs.

For personal projects I have a set of 82mm Formatt HiTech Firecrest NDs. I bought a .3 - 2.1 during one of their web-special sales for the cost of maybe one or two 4x5 filters. They are fantastic filters for the price and are very easy to use with my Leica R set and Lomo standard speed set. I have small soft pouches for the filters and can carry them around with a full lens set in a small to medium sized lens backpack. It makes shooting much more effortless than lugging around a 4x5 mattebox, aks, and filters.
 
What's interesting to me, Philip Grossman says other manufacturers
will be offering NDs to fit Canon's EF to RF drop-in filter mount adapter
(hoping for Tokina, Formatt, Schneider, Nisi, etc.)

starting around 12min20sec mark of this video:

https://youtu.be/bWqydwq1q6w
 
Adrian Jebef said:
Yes I would agree with Andree. If you are building out for a full crew shoot and studio setup proper 4x5 NDs like the True or Arri's are great. But if the majority of the work is small with almost no crew using less expensive screw-on NDs works like a charm and provides superior results over variNDs.

For personal projects I have a set of 82mm Formatt HiTech Firecrest NDs. I bought a .3 - 2.1 during one of their web-special sales for the cost of maybe one or two 4x5 filters. They are fantastic filters for the price and are very easy to use with my Leica R set and Lomo standard speed set. I have small soft pouches for the filters and can carry them around with a full lens set in a small to medium sized lens backpack. It makes shooting much more effortless than lugging around a 4x5 mattebox, aks, and filters.
Click to expand...

Adrian, we do much the same. We have a comprehensive 77mm screw in set of NDs and creative filtration. Makes for a very low profile setup; ideal for lots of projects.
 
Billy Jim said:
What's interesting to me, Philip Grossman says other manufacturers
will be offering NDs to fit Canon's EF to RF drop-in filter mount adapter
(hoping for Tokina, Formatt, Schneider, Nisi, etc.)
Click to expand...

That would be amazing indeed! Now with the vari-ND and it's quality, the Canon mount is not really worth it.
Apart from this I kind of like the idea still to change filters (not just rotate like Revolva and have only three with an extending filter wheel, the latter being a problem especially on a tiny camera like the komodo) whilst keeping them really small. You could have a whole filter set fit the size of a soda can.

Wondering who got picked by Canon or showed interest in making these. My guess is it's not Tiffen or Schneider (especially the later, being late to most other stuff than usual format MPTV filters), perhaps Nisi or Tokina, Formatt is kind of in a strange market position right now, hard to even get their MPTV filters in Europe - despite being British.
 
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Hey Everyone....

I just recevied my Komodo and I'm definitely looking into ND Filters. Either the Canon Drop in Adapter with variable nd filters https://www.red.com/canon-drop-in-filter-mount-adapter or just a Tiffen 82mm Variable Neutral Density Filter https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/821128-REG/Tiffen_82VND_82mm_Variable_Neutral_Density.html/qa (for my canon 24-70mm ll L series)

Any insight woiuld be much appreciated. I know in the loong run it would be cheaper to get the Canon Drop Adapter with nd. But I'll probably only going to need ND's for 4 lenses.

THank you.
 
For komodo or a DSCM2 camera you cannot beat the Kippterie revolva system and if not going that route I would simply recommend to stick with 4x5.65 ND's and a minimalist clip on matte box like the bright tangerine misfit atom. As many stated above a good set of ND's and matte box will follow you with each each camera body you invest in throughout the lifetime of a career (unless you are using camera's with internal ND's obviously). Check out the new ultra cine superslim firecrests which are 2mm instead of 4mm that just came out. I personally use Nisi Nano IRND 4x5.65 ND's and polarizer filters, which are on the cheaper/middle of the line ND's but have had great success with them and have compared them with firecrest and tokina with very little difference. Fore a simplistic matte box the misfit atom is great and the wooden camera zip box is not bad either for keeping weight down. For ultralight gimbal or drone builds I recommend screw on ND's if necessary but I still have been able to get away with the misfit atom and 4x5.65 ND's with very little hassle on most jobs.
 
Sorry I konw this wont help, but I gave up on VND this year. Got myself some tokina irnd's and also a revolva. Coudln't be happier. I stopped using my polar pro base camp completely after this, not even a single time i wished i had it, and after a couple months of keeping it "jsut in case" i sold it yesterday.
 
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