ND Filters: Single/Multiple screw-on Vs Variable?

[Otavio]

Hi. Just needing to buy some ND filters, aiming mostly to obtain waterfalls longer exposure on bright days. I have the following doubt, though, (pros and cons I've heard of) and would appreciate any opinion from you guys:

1 - Single screw-on ND filters:
Pros: Cheap, small/thin, tend to give better quallity.
Cons: Have to carry some of them (2 or 3), to have the desired effect (maybe a bunch of them).

2 - Variable ND filter (found some on internet varying from ND2 to ND 400)
Pros: One single piece, also not expensive, give the desireable effect to every light intensity (until what a ND 400 can handle, of course).
Cons: I've heard they tend to deliver worse quality when compared to the single or combined filters.

So, what are your experience with ND filters? Would you recommend going for a variable or a bulk of single ND filters?

Thank you in advance! Regards,

[Donald]

Like a number of things (although by no means all), I do believe that with ND Filters you get what you pay for. So, it's a case of deciding what your budget is and getting the best you can at a price you have pre-determined.

I was fortunate at being in the position whereby I could purchase a Singh-Ray Vari ND. I do think that it is the very top of the range when we think about NDs. But that is reflected in the price. I would advise against going for a cheapish, poor quality Vari ND. Much better, I suggest, to go for two or three NDs as part of a modular system; e.g. Lee.

But I will be interested to read the views of other members.

[rpcrowe]

I tend to try not to use more than one filter at any time... However, there are times when I combine a CPL with a ND filter (simply because I don't own more than one ND filter). Shooting at ISO 100, this combination gives me the slow shutter speed that I need.
I cannot recommend or not recommend the two polarizer system but, here is a reference in case you are interested.
http://digital-photography-school.co...density-filter

[Otavio]

Like a number of things (although by no means all), I do believe that with ND Filters you get what you pay for. So, it's a case of deciding what your budget is and getting the best you can at a price you have pre-determined.

I was fortunate at being in the position whereby I could purchase a Singh-Ray Vari ND. I do think that it is the very top of the range when we think about NDs. But that is reflected in the price. I would advise against going for a cheapish, poor quality Vari ND. Much better, I suggest, to go for two or three NDs as part of a modular system; e.g. Lee.

But I will be interested to read the views of other members.

Hello, Donald. Very helpful feedback. I really appreciate it. It is pretty much what I had in mind, but that was based on what I read on the web. Much better "hearing" this from an experienced guy like you. Let's wait for other member's view.

Again, thanks a lot!

Rgds,

[Nancy Moran G]

Octavio,
I am also in the market for some filters, glad you asked the question.
You may have already read it, but there is a tutorial on CIC, that I found helpful in explaining filters. But I do think I am a little behind you in experience! I do not know how to link, but it is under, surprise...Tutorials!

Nancy

[Otavio]

I tend to try not to use more than one filter at any time... However, there are times when I combine a CPL with a ND filter (simply because I don't own more than one ND filter). Shooting at ISO 100, this combination gives me the slow shutter speed that I need.
I cannot recommend or not recommend the two polarizer system but, here is a reference in case you are interested.
http://digital-photography-school.co...density-filter

Hi, Richard. Thanks for your feedback. I like the idea of combining a CPL with a ND filter. Cheers,

[Otavio]

Octavio,
I am also in the market for some filters, glad you asked the question.
You may have already read it, but there is a tutorial on CIC, that I found helpful in explaining filters. But I do think I am a little behind you in experience! I do not know how to link, but it is under, surprise...Tutorials!

Nancy

Hi, Nancy. I am glad this thread will be useful to you, too! And yes, I took a look at the tutorial here in this website, thanks for recommending it!

[Colin Southern]

I've used the Singh-Ray Vari-ND for many years -- it's an extremely high-quality piece of equipment, and I wouldn't part with it for love nor money.

In comparison with conventional ND filters - frankly - there is no comparison; image quality is identical but the variable attenuation simply blasts conventional ND filters clean out of the water (it isn't even close). With a Vari-ND you just dial in the shutterspeed you need for motion effect, dial in the aperture you need for desired DoF, and then just adjust the Vari-ND to balance the exposure.

Keep in mind also that quality landscape is invariably shot in the golden hours - and in the golden hours the light levels change constantly. Tweaking the attenuation to accommodate that is easy with a Vari-ND, but MUCH more work with separate filters if you're still trying to control both SS & Aperture.

A work of warning though, in as much as the Singh-Ray Vari-ND is superb, there are others that aren't as good (although they are much cheaper).

I've written a few articles for the Singh-Ray blog that may give you a better idea as to how I use them ...

http://singhray.blogspot.co.nz/searc...lin%20Southern

[Otavio]

I've used the Singh-Ray Vari-ND for many years -- it's an extremely high-quality piece of equipment, and I wouldn't part with it for love nor money.

In comparison with conventional ND filters - frankly - there is no comparison; image quality is identical but the variable attenuation simply blasts conventional ND filters clean out of the water (it isn't even close). With a Vari-ND you just dial in the shutterspeed you need for motion effect, dial in the aperture you need for desired DoF, and then just adjust the Vari-ND to balance the exposure.

Keep in mind also that quality landscape is invariably shot in the golden hours - and in the golden hours the light levels change constantly. Tweaking the attenuation to accommodate that is easy with a Vari-ND, but MUCH more work with separate filters if you're still trying to control both SS & Aperture.

A work of warning though, in as much as the Singh-Ray Vari-ND is superb, there are others that aren't as good (although they are much cheaper).

I've written a few articles for the Singh-Ray blog that may give you a better idea as to how I use them ...

http://singhray.blogspot.co.nz/searc...lin%20Southern

Colin, thanks for taking your time. It is a valuable feedback. I do appreciate it. Your images, from the link you shared, are wonderful!

Regards,