ND Filters

[JT Thurlow]

Hi there,

I recently come into possession of a Kippertie Revolva ND as part of a bigger purchase and am thinking of selling it as it is worth so much and I rarely use NDs.

Since I do use NDs occasionally, and definitely need to upgrade the ones I have, I am wondering what NDs are really good enough, i.e. do not introduce issues that are in any way noticeable or will ultimately compromise images (or if it might be worth keeping the Revolva in case I do need something as good as that). I'd probably be looking for one or two screw-in filters, as I rarely change lenses and often shoot guerilla style.

Many thanks

 

[M Harvey]

Be prepared for an avalanche of recommendations! But if you need no issues whatsoever, start by looking at the newer (and pricier) models from the usual suspects like Schneider and Tiffen.

I use Nisi, which I find to be very good on color neutrality-- I don't notice a big jump when cutting between non-filtered and filtered.

 

[Phil Holland]

I'm currently rolling with the Epic NDs from Golden Age Lab w/ Breakthrough Filters X4 in my Monstro kits. I have tested in depth every neutral density filter on the market. I measure deviation of spectral, color reproduction, white point, saturation, contrast, and intensity. (an actual pain in my butt when I do these tests)

Expanded. Tokina, Schneider Rhodium, Tiffen Nat, Firecrest, etc. All very reasonable solutions as well. ARRI FSNDs worth looking at, but there is a color dip at higher strengths, even noticeable on the internal filters. They are "very similar" in spectral response to Mitomo, which are also decent. Nisi isn't bad and likely on par in my rating with Firecrest at this point with their newest offerings.