Best "cheap" alternative to the Singh-Ray vari-NDs...

J

JimNastics

Active member
I know the Sing-Rays are considered the best vari-NDs, but I just can't justify the price right now, as I need to be other equipment as well. So, what cheaper options are considered the best? Are the Lightcrafts any good? Maybe a Cokin-P system with filters, or I've heard the Formatt system is good. This obviously isn't a vari-ND, but it also gives me a nice budget matte-box style option. I hear people talk about the Polaroid vari-ND... any good??

I know there are most likely plenty of threads on the separate options, but I got overwhelmed by all the different threads and opinions. It would be very handy to me, and I'm sure many others, to bring this together into one thread.... covering all the vari-ND options for GH1 / GH2 users, with their pros and cons.

So, what do you recommend?
 
Thread size is totally dependent on what lenses you plan on using it on. If you only plan on getting one, best to probably get the one for your largest lens and then have the necessary step up ring(s) to use on your smaller glass. I have a 77mm for use on my wide Tokina and for now, am using a step up ring when I switch to my Canon 50mm (which is a 58mm thread size). It's a hassle though to switch it back an forth, especially when I might be missing potential action. Definitely need to get a second, smaller filter to maximize efficiency during a shoot.
 
"Thanks chaps, is that the Lightcraft Workshop FaderND?"
yes.

"Definitely need to get a second, smaller filter to maximize efficiency during a shoot."
that's what i did. those filter rings are tricky to take off sometimes! much easier to have 2.
 
Just ordered the Lightcraft in 52 mm and a step up 46 - 52 mm adapter on Amazon for the 20 mm pancake.
 
I have the Lightcraft Workshop 72mm for the 14-140 with a step up ring and like it very much. I also recently purchased a Nature variable ND that I found a link for through cheesycam and got it in a 52mm so that I could use it with a step up for the 20mm pancake as well as just screwing on to my 24mm and 50mm FD lenses. I really can't tell the difference between it and the LCW variND. They both look good.

Tony
 
Tiffen glass laminated nd set (with 2,3 & 4 stop NDs) is cheaper than a fader nd and hugely better image quality, albeit not as fast to use.
 
Is there vignetting to 62mm variable nd fader @ 14mm(kit lens 14-140) wide angle or should I go to 82mm fader nd?
 
I was on the same route when I saw this thread http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?213006 I think this was a product that was not fully tested and endorsed by someone. So it went like a wildfire. I am surprise that until now people are recommending it that much. If you intend to shoot below 50mm it might be ok but above it is going to start to affect your image. There is another test here http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?220405 which shows result with the Vari ND and that it is much better than the fader ND. It shows that the principal is good and that it is the material use that are not so good.

After a little research, what I still find more astonishing is that you can normally buy a tiffen Linear and Circular polariser for much less than the Fader ND. A 77mm set at BH would cost you about $ 90 to do a diy version. This is the route I intend to do.
 
Danielvilliers said:
I was on the same route when I saw this thread http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?213006 I think this was a product that was not fully tested and endorsed by someone. So it went like a wildfire. I am surprise that until now people are recommending it that much. If you intend to shoot below 50mm it might be ok but above it is going to start to affect your image. There is another test here http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?220405 which shows result with the Vari ND and that it is much better than the fader ND. It shows that the principal is good and that it is the material use that are not so good.

After a little research, what I still find more astonishing is that you can normally buy a tiffen Linear and Circular polariser for much less than the Fader ND. A 77mm set at BH would cost you about $ 90 to do a diy version. This is the route I intend to do.
Click to expand...

Well, this is the kind of reply I was dreading! You get a lot of people recommending the FaderND, then all of the sudden you get a post like this which shows that the quality of the FaderND leaves a lot to be desired. Those stills are pretty damn awful.

On the GH1 / GH2, would 2 x LP work because they use contrast based auto-focus? You can generally get better quality LPs than CPs for the same cost.
 
Would I get with 2x pol filters (DIY version) vignetting with 14mm, I have a none slim version so only a linear would be missing ? Anyone did test this ?
 
Danielvilliers said:
I was on the same route when I saw this thread http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?213006 I think this was a product that was not fully tested and endorsed by someone. So it went like a wildfire. I am surprise that until now people are recommending it that much.
Click to expand...

I remember reading Philip Bloom saying that he had the Singh Ray ad loved it and that he had heard reports that the Fader was almost as good for a fraction of the price, but that he had bought one but hadn't tested it himself yet. That'll get it selling for sure.
 
JimNastics said:
Well, this is the kind of reply I was dreading! You get a lot of people recommending the FaderND, then all of the sudden you get a post like this which shows that the quality of the FaderND leaves a lot to be desired. Those stills are pretty damn awful.

On the GH1 / GH2, would 2 x LP work because they use contrast based auto-focus? You can generally get better quality LPs than CPs for the same cost.
Click to expand...

You have got a thread here which shows that the DIY seems to be very good http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?215105-DIY-Fader-vs-LCW-Fader-ND-Mark-2 . You can buy two tiffen linear 77mm linear polarizer for $ 40 to test if you want. It seems that as the gh2 is contrast based auto-focus it won't affect it.
 
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