Ultimate Buyer's Guide to ND Filters
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Date: 2022-09-13
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Comments and reviews: 20
fanjoy
I think in certain situations, like landscape, you may not see a difference between no-filter and one of these more expensive ones that very near to true color. Obviously, as I mentioned on another video, I don't think any filter can produce 100% or even 99% accurate color. I don't think it's possible given the fact that you are placing another piece of glass in front of a lens that basically is coated. But regardless, I do agree that for the most part, you get what you pay for. Now the differences on the high end, say between $150 to $200 per filter is likely not going to be a huge difference but you may see a difference between a $50 filter and a $150 filter. I had the B+W 10-stop ND filter and frankly, had the same results. Just tried out a Breakthrough Photography x4 ND and it's much better. There is a slight color shift, but in my test, I could have done something wrong, but am still pleased at the results over the B+W I had, which cost $90 (so it wasn't cheap, but not quite the $160 I paid for the Breakthrough filter, but IMO, the extra money for Breakthrough was worth it.
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I think in certain situations, like landscape, you may not see a difference between no-filter and one of these more expensive ones that very near to true color. Obviously, as I mentioned on another video, I don't think any filter can produce 100% or even 99% accurate color. I don't think it's possible given the fact that you are placing another piece of glass in front of a lens that basically is coated. But regardless, I do agree that for the most part, you get what you pay for. Now the differences on the high end, say between $150 to $200 per filter is likely not going to be a huge difference but you may see a difference between a $50 filter and a $150 filter. I had the B+W 10-stop ND filter and frankly, had the same results. Just tried out a Breakthrough Photography x4 ND and it's much better. There is a slight color shift, but in my test, I could have done something wrong, but am still pleased at the results over the B+W I had, which cost $90 (so it wasn't cheap, but not quite the $160 I paid for the Breakthrough filter, but IMO, the extra money for Breakthrough was worth it.
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NOWitsOK
Interesting video. At around 2: 55 you said something interesting to me, something like without the side by side comparison I wouldn't notice the cheap filter is a little soft.
This may be true. However, let me first say that I'm 65+ and something came to mind when you said that. Although that may be true, when you look back at these pictures/videos in 10, 20 years or more from now, will you think the same. Answer probably yes. The reason the came to mind was recently I was looking at some old family photos, of my parents and grandparents and although at the time they were professional done photos, by today's standards they aren't very good quality.
I guess my point is, being we have the technology we have today, shouldn't we strive for the best we can? Of course we SHOULD, BUT all our pockets aren't the same DEPTH. Therefore most of us can't afford to buy the best, but a few extra dollars (especially if we are selling our photos/videos) may be a worth the investment.
Just a thought to ponder over.
Nice video and it got me thinking.
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Interesting video. At around 2: 55 you said something interesting to me, something like without the side by side comparison I wouldn't notice the cheap filter is a little soft.
This may be true. However, let me first say that I'm 65+ and something came to mind when you said that. Although that may be true, when you look back at these pictures/videos in 10, 20 years or more from now, will you think the same. Answer probably yes. The reason the came to mind was recently I was looking at some old family photos, of my parents and grandparents and although at the time they were professional done photos, by today's standards they aren't very good quality.
I guess my point is, being we have the technology we have today, shouldn't we strive for the best we can? Of course we SHOULD, BUT all our pockets aren't the same DEPTH. Therefore most of us can't afford to buy the best, but a few extra dollars (especially if we are selling our photos/videos) may be a worth the investment.
Just a thought to ponder over.
Nice video and it got me thinking.
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TMacD
Thanks Griffin. a helpful segment. Also, I wanted to thank you for introducing me to some of the most important elements of video. many years ago. I still very much appreciate the content you create today and learn things every time I tune in. BTW. IMHO, your wine analog was spot on. Like so many of our esoteric pursuits, it is easy for people to default to cost = quality (as a certainty) and some will exploit people's ignorance (or embarrassment) accordingly. What? Griffin, really. you can't taste the essence of southern slope eucalyptus with a hint of burnt sugarcane? That's ok, not everyone has a palate for it. :)
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Thanks Griffin. a helpful segment. Also, I wanted to thank you for introducing me to some of the most important elements of video. many years ago. I still very much appreciate the content you create today and learn things every time I tune in. BTW. IMHO, your wine analog was spot on. Like so many of our esoteric pursuits, it is easy for people to default to cost = quality (as a certainty) and some will exploit people's ignorance (or embarrassment) accordingly. What? Griffin, really. you can't taste the essence of southern slope eucalyptus with a hint of burnt sugarcane? That's ok, not everyone has a palate for it. :)
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Kenneth
I don't know about that particular brand, but real japanese stuff doesn't officially sell outside japan.
Anything with english is not real japanese goods. If you see any product that claims to be japanese and it has english written all over it or it doesn't have a valid full japanese address of the manufacturer (where is is made, it's most probably a fake knock off from China.
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I don't know about that particular brand, but real japanese stuff doesn't officially sell outside japan.
Anything with english is not real japanese goods. If you see any product that claims to be japanese and it has english written all over it or it doesn't have a valid full japanese address of the manufacturer (where is is made, it's most probably a fake knock off from China.
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Matt
I've recently started vlogging and I'm mostly using a Sigma 16mm 1. 4 on my Sony a6500. I have a variable ND for it but I have no idea why, if I'm shooting on f1. 4, I can't get my shots to expose properly unless the ND is fully closed which adds a weird vignette to the shot. It overall just looks awful if I'm in the sun. What gives? Do I just need a better ND filter?
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I've recently started vlogging and I'm mostly using a Sigma 16mm 1. 4 on my Sony a6500. I have a variable ND for it but I have no idea why, if I'm shooting on f1. 4, I can't get my shots to expose properly unless the ND is fully closed which adds a weird vignette to the shot. It overall just looks awful if I'm in the sun. What gives? Do I just need a better ND filter?
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Massiron76
Very interesting video, thank You very much. I have a little question. maybe You can help me
Why some time while using a ND filter for video using the VLOG profile it create a sort of noise/rumors
I use the basic rule: 30FPS --> 1/60 shutter speed but the results are not good, it seems there is a little thin rain on the footage: -(
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Very interesting video, thank You very much. I have a little question. maybe You can help me
Why some time while using a ND filter for video using the VLOG profile it create a sort of noise/rumors
I use the basic rule: 30FPS --> 1/60 shutter speed but the results are not good, it seems there is a little thin rain on the footage: -(
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veliharri
Can someone help me please? I have a canon 200d and the kit lens (18-55mm) that comes with it. If i buy 77mm nd filter how many step up rings i need and what step ups you recommend from amazon? I have never used nd's so this is a bit new to me. Thanks.
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Can someone help me please? I have a canon 200d and the kit lens (18-55mm) that comes with it. If i buy 77mm nd filter how many step up rings i need and what step ups you recommend from amazon? I have never used nd's so this is a bit new to me. Thanks.
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S.
Thank you for your nice video and effort. I am looking to get solid ND filters and find your video very useful. A question: for the image color shift, is it something you can correct by using RAW image and adjusting the white balance in post processing?
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Thank you for your nice video and effort. I am looking to get solid ND filters and find your video very useful. A question: for the image color shift, is it something you can correct by using RAW image and adjusting the white balance in post processing?
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Esteban
I have an ND Variable Hoya 82mm. I want to buy a Black pro Mist 1/4. If I want to use both on my 12-35mm Lumix lense for the GH5, should I buy the Pro Mist 82mm? Or I can use Hoya and then a step ring for a 77mm Pro Mist (is cheaper than the 82mm)
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I have an ND Variable Hoya 82mm. I want to buy a Black pro Mist 1/4. If I want to use both on my 12-35mm Lumix lense for the GH5, should I buy the Pro Mist 82mm? Or I can use Hoya and then a step ring for a 77mm Pro Mist (is cheaper than the 82mm)
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Brent
can anyone answer, do ANY step-up rings work for ANY filter, or do manufacturers make them to only work with proprietary rings? For example, do BW filters ONLY work on BW step-up rings, or will they thread into a cheap step-up from amazon?
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can anyone answer, do ANY step-up rings work for ANY filter, or do manufacturers make them to only work with proprietary rings? For example, do BW filters ONLY work on BW step-up rings, or will they thread into a cheap step-up from amazon?
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thej762000
I just picked up the Luzid variable ND filter ($100) along with the Kiorafoto WB filter ($10. works pretty well. Being able to nail the exposure and the WB is like an instant level up for those of us who are less skilled.
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I just picked up the Luzid variable ND filter ($100) along with the Kiorafoto WB filter ($10. works pretty well. Being able to nail the exposure and the WB is like an instant level up for those of us who are less skilled.
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Chunky
The reason Tiffen filters always have a green cast is they use regular glass (same stuff the windows in your cheap, cockroach infested apartment are made of. Schneider use white water glass which is neutral in color.
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The reason Tiffen filters always have a green cast is they use regular glass (same stuff the windows in your cheap, cockroach infested apartment are made of. Schneider use white water glass which is neutral in color.
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Dice
If was to buy one fixed ND filter. How many stops do you suggest for general use? I live in Texas and it gets really sunny here during the Summer. Sometimes that dont always work out to make the golden hour for shoots.
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If was to buy one fixed ND filter. How many stops do you suggest for general use? I live in Texas and it gets really sunny here during the Summer. Sometimes that dont always work out to make the golden hour for shoots.
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fractalife
Hi great review, im on the way of looking for ND filter, You mentioned 3 stops-4 stops etc, where the stop written on the packaging, I was on the shop and dint find the stops info. thanks
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Hi great review, im on the way of looking for ND filter, You mentioned 3 stops-4 stops etc, where the stop written on the packaging, I was on the shop and dint find the stops info. thanks
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Chrysothemis
So, if I want to do landscapes photography with a very low shutter speed (1 sec or maybe more, I should buy a 10-stop ND filter? Are there more than 10-stop filters?
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So, if I want to do landscapes photography with a very low shutter speed (1 sec or maybe more, I should buy a 10-stop ND filter? Are there more than 10-stop filters?
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Blender
the wrong assumptions. you didn't even know why you don't have to use variable ND vs solid ND this video is only cheap vs expensive and zeroes useful information
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the wrong assumptions. you didn't even know why you don't have to use variable ND vs solid ND this video is only cheap vs expensive and zeroes useful information
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RCwithAdam
Thanks SO MUCH! I had always been told that if you didn't drop serious cash on variable ND filters, you'd get trash. This will help a lot!
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Thanks SO MUCH! I had always been told that if you didn't drop serious cash on variable ND filters, you'd get trash. This will help a lot!
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Bethanie
I fully endorse breakthrough photography filters, doesn't affect my sharpness or add a weird color cast, pretty much done for life.
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I fully endorse breakthrough photography filters, doesn't affect my sharpness or add a weird color cast, pretty much done for life.
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Jimmys
Thankyou so much for this it really helps. I did not consider the point about just buying the larger filters that's such a great idea
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Thankyou so much for this it really helps. I did not consider the point about just buying the larger filters that's such a great idea
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Transcending
amazed at how breakthrough x4 is always praised by different photographers. breakthrough really do make solid nd filter: D
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amazed at how breakthrough x4 is always praised by different photographers. breakthrough really do make solid nd filter: D
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