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Best ND Variable Filter (that doesn't cast color or soften image)?

Corey Benoit

Corey Benoit

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I am looking for a variable ND filter to use with my Dragon. I currently have the Fader Filter HD and it cost $200. Its in the fact that it doesn't shift color that much, I do notice that its a little on the soft side. Is the Tiffen any better? Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
 
I've used the Heliopan Variable ND to good success on run+gun doc type shooting. Through the range it doesn't color shift much at all, but I wouldn't use it on the extreme end. The more you close it down the bokeh does look a tiny bit strange. Overall though, still very sharp compared to the Fader or Tiffen that I've tried.

Here's a test from least to most ND on the Heliopan. Since there were no exact markings I did my best to compensate for the exposure. In a hurry I forgot to shoot a control w/o filter in the same exact spot.

attachment.php
 
Kaspar Hornikel said:
B+W! http://www.schneiderkreuznach.com/p...ter/produkte/filtertypen/graufilter/nd-vario/
We used 2 of them on a recent Shoot and didn't have any Colorshifts, textured Bokeh or something like that at all.
Click to expand...

I really like that one but I use mostly this when it comes to screw-in Vari-ND:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...68_031177_77mm_True_Match_Vari_ND_Filter.html
I own the Heliopan too but I really prefer the B+W or the True Match, both from Schneider.
 
I used the Tiffen as an easy alternative to buying expensive glass filters for my matte box. In the end, I sided with beginning a matte box filter collection anyway. The Tiffen filter had a largely dark green tint that contaminated a lot of my shoots outdoors. While it was easily fixable with color curves, it gave the overall image the impression that it was "missing something" color-wise. The variable ND did also seem like it softened my image a tad as well. I've been having much better success with looks using cinema filters.
 
Tiffen Variable ND is the way to go!
 
I have dumped completely all my Formatt's, Tiffen's and also my Schneider's at only exception of the Schneider True Circular Polarizer, just tired of bringing Magenta/Green color Tinted/Casted footage...

Now I went with the NiSi ND's and very happy, the color casts are gone... And getting the complete full set of all they make to go with...

I have not tested them via protection nor thru a color spectrometer nor thru a controlled environment shots and color charts, but Mark form Off Hollywood whom replied to one of my posts on Facebook, might do so, and I hope it does, this filters are no doubt the best ones I have ever used, so I truly want them to be really good and to pose no color shift or cast issues... But as far as reflections they are already doing a great job, made of a single piece of glass, instead of two sandwiches one with a film in the middle, they pose no issues to reflections and are in fact very resilient to it, even when i staked a 2.1 with a .9 behind a 138mm Circular Polarizer.

I look forward to some true lab color chart tests by now of us, but till then by my naked eye and what I see on the images, I am very happy with my choice.

And the only other filter I would be interested to see them compared against will be the new Formatt Firecrest.

Oh, and really love the nicely detailed leather pouches they come in to as well, and I guess there should be also a leather Box coming soon, and getting that too.


Should any one wish to contact them, talk to Rocky Nisi, and tell him you read my post about their filters, and hopefully He'll take care of you better, and if any one has the capacity and time to do a real closed and controlled environment Color test for pureness and neutrality of them, ask Rocky, and again tell him I said here on this forum that if you are that some one that can provide with such a test as a professional with no agenda, then He should assist in making such a test a possibility.


11705819_1654905688083433_8576963445075267588_o.jpg
 
When testing these filters for color shift, I suggest you guys test at the same aperture as you twist the filter.

From my lens testing with no filters, Dragon will have more of a green tint the more you stop down the aperture on both my Sigma Art and Rokinon lenses. I've tested in studio and natural light.
That observation probably deserves its own thread. Epic Dragon is the only camera I have at the moment, so I can't compare to other sensors.
 
Thanks for all the info everyone! Has anyone tried the True ND filters? Shane Hurlbut says they are the best with NO IR pollution and zero softening. He also states "they are the only ones that can do it, period". Does anyone agree?
 
Corey Benoit said:
Thanks for all the info everyone! Has anyone tried the True ND filters? Shane Hurlbut says they are the best with NO IR pollution and zero softening. He also states "they are the only ones that can do it, period". Does anyone agree?
Click to expand...

I do not agree there and he hasn't tested the Formatt HiTech Firecrests. As far as I can tell they have provided the best results on Dragon if filter color consistency is important to you.
 
Phil Holland said:
I do not agree there and he hasn't tested the Formatt HiTech Firecrests. As far as I can tell they have provided the best results on Dragon if filter color consistency is important to you.
Click to expand...

Wish someone would do a filter test like this for all the big players, instead of a select few (I don't know how he missed Tiffen). I hear so much of the Firecrests, and I'm interested in how they put up against TrueND. This test at least showed that TrueND is looking quite a bit nicer than Schneider's ultra-red cast.

http://www.ryanewalters.com/Blog/blog.php?id=6201317295579746489
 
Akin A said:
When testing these filters for color shift, I suggest you guys test at the same aperture as you twist the filter.

From my lens testing with no filters, Dragon will have more of a green tint the more you stop down the aperture on both my Sigma Art and Rokinon lenses. I've tested in studio and natural light.
That observation probably deserves its own thread. Epic Dragon is the only camera I have at the moment, so I can't compare to other sensors.
Click to expand...

No worries Akin,

Testing when done will be done properly, and I am sure if and when Mark from Offhollywood gets a set to test, they'll do a good job at it... :)
 
Corey Benoit said:
Thanks for all the info everyone! Has anyone tried the True ND filters? Shane Hurlbut says they are the best with NO IR pollution and zero softening. He also states "they are the only ones that can do it, period". Does anyone agree?
Click to expand...

Corey,

The True ND's will be something that actually Mark said He will be interested in seen the NiSi filters tested against as well, but I for one I would also like to see them tested against the Formatt Firecrest as I thing currently they are actually the filters which have set a really high standard.

Phil, if you want I can have Rocky NiSi form NiSi filters arrange to chat with you to possibly she out a set to you to test... Just say the word... Even so I know that you are also very busy... :)
 
But per the thread title - does TrueND make a variable ND? Do not seem to be easy to locate.
I think Formatt makes them.

I had recently used Heliopan on Leica R and Canon EF on Dragon and seemed pretty good.
 
In all honesty I did not paid too much attention, and didn't realize that it was about a "Variable" ND... And made my post contribution about standard ND's... :)

But also in all honesty I stopped using them, and only use regular and Soft/Hard Graduate ND's at all times with a Circular Polarizer.
 
I guess from a purist perspective "variable" may be a bit run and gun. But they sure can be handy and make for great spontaneity.
On the polarizer front - are there considered best and most neutral for Dragon on that score too?
 
Best variable ND filter - my first association with that question is "Motion Mount". Not exactly in the same price-range as other filters and all in all a different kind of thing, but isn't it the best variable ND for RED? ;)
 
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