Just looking for some input on the variable neutral density filter by Singh-Ray. At the price I'd like to be sure that they come in handy. I'm sure the quality is top notch - but are they worth the price.
Well Aleksei,
I never had the opportunity to use the Singh-ray Vari-ND, nevertheless I'm quite confident the quality is top notch indeed. However, bear just in mind the following consideration, that might be useful with your choice regarding what to expect from 8 stops of ND.
If you want a strong ND filter for taking serious long exposures in broad daylight, I think 8 stops are simply not enough. On a sunny day when you have the classic 1/125 f11, with 8 stops of filtration you only get to 8" with 8 stops, while you reach 32" with 10 stops. As both Singh-ray vari-ND and Hoya 400 only give you 8 stops, I strongly recommend you the B+W 110, if that's what you want to get. Yes, it's not a variable filter, however consider that you can buy it for about 120$ (instead of 350$) with a diameter of 77mm and then you can use it with many lenses by mean of adaptor rings. And it's a once in a life buy, as it's made up with high quality glass, very resistant to dropping (personally tested!) and/or scratches. The image quality is only slightly reduced and, finally, its degree of filtration is actually 11 stops (tested on field), so when the available light is for 1/125 for f11, you'll be able to keep the shutter open for 1 minute at the same aperture.
Hope this note can be of some help with your choice.
Paolo
Posted by Scott Reeves on December 1, 2008 at 12:29 AM
I am exremely please with the quality of the SR vari-ND. I've rarely, if ever, found a need to use all 8 stops for long waterfall exposures, even in the middle of a sunny day, ISO 200. Maybe my shutter was less than 10" or maybe I went up to f/16, or whatever permutation of circumstances. The only drawbacks are the thickness/risk of vignetting at wide, and its weight is a bit heavy. (I think the vari-ND and Canon diopter add a fair amount of weight to my pack.) I noticed Joe McNally, in his recent book, mentioned a thin version. If SR is offering a thin model, I think it would be worth it relative to the thick model.
Posted by Rod Barbee on December 11, 2008 at 10:33 AM
The thin model isn't all that thin; it's still a pretty hefty filter. But I think the Vari-ND is worth it just for the creative options it gives you.
Using a polarizer with it is a bit of a pain as it seems you need to place the polarizer in front of the vari-nd for any polarizing to happen. With the thin vari-ND this means you have to hand hold the polarizer (no-threads at the end of the thin vari0ND)
Singh-Ray just came out with a new version that incorporates their warming polarizer. This would make things a lot easier.
Posted by Lisa Cuchara on December 13, 2008 at 1:05 PM
I love mine! It's a definite when I pack my camera bag for landscapes (especially water). I think that it is worth the price. Although my husband borrows mine ALL the time and we have not yet justified buying two.
Discussion
5 repliesJust looking for some input on the variable neutral density filter by Singh-Ray. At the price I'd like to be sure that they come in handy. I'm sure the quality is top notch - but are they worth the price.
Thanks for any help.
Alex
I never had the opportunity to use the Singh-ray Vari-ND, nevertheless I'm quite confident the quality is top notch indeed. However, bear just in mind the following consideration, that might be useful with your choice regarding what to expect from 8 stops of ND.
If you want a strong ND filter for taking serious long exposures in broad daylight, I think 8 stops are simply not enough. On a sunny day when you have the classic 1/125 f11, with 8 stops of filtration you only get to 8" with 8 stops, while you reach 32" with 10 stops. As both Singh-ray vari-ND and Hoya 400 only give you 8 stops, I strongly recommend you the B+W 110, if that's what you want to get. Yes, it's not a variable filter, however consider that you can buy it for about 120$ (instead of 350$) with a diameter of 77mm and then you can use it with many lenses by mean of adaptor rings. And it's a once in a life buy, as it's made up with high quality glass, very resistant to dropping (personally tested!) and/or scratches. The image quality is only slightly reduced and, finally, its degree of filtration is actually 11 stops (tested on field), so when the available light is for 1/125 for f11, you'll be able to keep the shutter open for 1 minute at the same aperture.
Hope this note can be of some help with your choice.
Paolo
Using a polarizer with it is a bit of a pain as it seems you need to place the polarizer in front of the vari-nd for any polarizing to happen. With the thin vari-ND this means you have to hand hold the polarizer (no-threads at the end of the thin vari0ND)
Singh-Ray just came out with a new version that incorporates their warming polarizer. This would make things a lot easier.