Ianscreations
Well-known member
I need to purchase a variable ND filter. I'm looking for the 58 mm size and would like the best I can find within reasonable budget. Thanks for your help!
GH3 Need Help Buying a Good Variable ND filter
- Thread starter Ianscreations
- Start date
FrameFarmMedia
Veteran
I have found the Genus Eclipse is probably the best bang for the buck Vari-ND out there. It competes against the best for quality for far less money.
I have an older version Genus which is OK (just make sure to WB after fitting the filter). It does soften the image and can introduce a greenish cast if I forget to WB properly, but for most projects it's been acceptable. The newer Genus (Eclipse?) is said to be better but I haven't sampled it. You're welcomed to borrow my 58mm Vari ND to try out if you like
Ianscreations
Well-known member
I have seen the video, but thank you for reminding me about it.
Also..I can't find the 58mm Genus Eclipse through my usual channels. Does anyone have a link to an online source they trust/use on a regular basis that has this in stock?
Also..I can't find the 58mm Genus Eclipse through my usual channels. Does anyone have a link to an online source they trust/use on a regular basis that has this in stock?
I had to order mine directly from the Canadian GenusTech distributor and wait 3 months for delivery.
I would order the new Tiffen variable ND rather than wait for the Eclipse GenusTech, as the performance is pretty much the same.
FrameFarmMedia
Veteran
I ordered my Genus Eclipse (with the deal on a nice rubber hood which I love) in 77mm direct from the Genus website. Shipping was very quick. I have step up rings on all my lenses to 77mm so that one filter will work on all of my lenses.
I have a Genus and it's been great. Definitely the way to go if you're on a budget. However, it produces some strong ghosting when shooting indoors with over-blown windows in the background. Here's an example. See the ghosting in sofa cushion below the man?
That's why I invested in a B+W XS-Pro which has a multi-coating to reduce ghosting. And so far no ghosting. Also it has hard stops, meaning that the filter doesn't spin around and around, and there are markings for each 1x reduction in light. That's super helpful because the Genus would just spin around forever and I'd have to turn around the camera and look at the filter to get it positioned right.
I've also gotten a Cokin Pure Harmonie variable ND filter for my larger lenses. It also has a multi-coating and so far no ghosting. Although, it doesn't have hard stops like the B+W, so I miss that.
FYI, I tried the Tiffen but it didn't have front filter threads which was a deal breaker for me. I use screw-on sun hoods for all my variable ND filters.
That's why I invested in a B+W XS-Pro which has a multi-coating to reduce ghosting. And so far no ghosting. Also it has hard stops, meaning that the filter doesn't spin around and around, and there are markings for each 1x reduction in light. That's super helpful because the Genus would just spin around forever and I'd have to turn around the camera and look at the filter to get it positioned right.
I've also gotten a Cokin Pure Harmonie variable ND filter for my larger lenses. It also has a multi-coating and so far no ghosting. Although, it doesn't have hard stops like the B+W, so I miss that.
FYI, I tried the Tiffen but it didn't have front filter threads which was a deal breaker for me. I use screw-on sun hoods for all my variable ND filters.
Bern Caughey
Veteran
While it's economical to buy one large filter & use step-up rings to attach to various lenses with different diameter threads, it is often less than optimal to use oversized filters as it increases the chances of ghosting &/or flare. For this reason I mostly use filters the same size as the lens threads.
I use Heliopan & Tiffen VND when needed (and will look at B+W's due to their thin design), but rely on standard NDs for most my work, often attached with Xume Adapters.
www.xumeadapters.com
I use Heliopan & Tiffen VND when needed (and will look at B+W's due to their thin design), but rely on standard NDs for most my work, often attached with Xume Adapters.
www.xumeadapters.com
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Bern Caughey
Veteran
I have a half-dozen Tiffen VND & they all have front threads. Perhaps they manufacture both styles.
A nice feature of the Tiffen's is their front element is two steps larger than their back, so a 58mm VND's front threads are 67mm. This allows the Tiffen to screw onto wide-angles with less chance of vignetting. One example: a 58mm Tiffen will work on SLR Magic 12mm without having to use their goofy step-up ring (note I've only tested this on the GH3 & AF100, not the larger sensor GH2).
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Mike Lorushe
Active member
Those Xume adapters look cool. Thanks for the link. They would fix a problem that I've been having with my Vari-ND filters. Depending on the lens sometimes the ND markings end up on the bottom of the barrel and it's hard for me to see them. Now I'm really tempted to get some Xumes.
I use step up rings for my Lumix 20mm, Olympus 12mm, and Olympus 45mm so they'll all take 52mm Vari-ND filters. I don't see how the step up ring would increase the ghosting effect. I understand that the step up ring increases the distance between the front element and the ND filter, which would move the ghosting reflection further from the center axis of the lens, but even if that distance was reduced and the ghost reflection was closer to the lens' center, I think that it'd still be visible.
Here's a link to the 52mm Tiffen Vari-ND that did not have front threads, even though it says it does in the specifications (but if you look closely at the photo you'll see it doesn't)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/821123-REG/Tiffen_52VND_52mm_Variable_Neutral_Density.html
FYI, I've used the 52mm Genus Vari-ND on my Olympus 12mm / GH3 and it did not vignette. Same goes for the 52mm B+W XS-Pro. I'm using the 58mm Cokin Pure Harmonie on my Lumix 12-35mm and it doesn't vignette either.
I use step up rings for my Lumix 20mm, Olympus 12mm, and Olympus 45mm so they'll all take 52mm Vari-ND filters. I don't see how the step up ring would increase the ghosting effect. I understand that the step up ring increases the distance between the front element and the ND filter, which would move the ghosting reflection further from the center axis of the lens, but even if that distance was reduced and the ghost reflection was closer to the lens' center, I think that it'd still be visible.
Here's a link to the 52mm Tiffen Vari-ND that did not have front threads, even though it says it does in the specifications (but if you look closely at the photo you'll see it doesn't)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/821123-REG/Tiffen_52VND_52mm_Variable_Neutral_Density.html
FYI, I've used the 52mm Genus Vari-ND on my Olympus 12mm / GH3 and it did not vignette. Same goes for the 52mm B+W XS-Pro. I'm using the 58mm Cokin Pure Harmonie on my Lumix 12-35mm and it doesn't vignette either.
malibudutchie
Well-known member
Go the genustech 8 stop - perfect.
+1 for the xumes. theyre great. I have bought the tiffen to swap between my 12-35 and 35-100 and it didn't have a front thread or hardstops like my heliopan. I like the heliopan more for that usability reason but its a 77mm so it becomes a little impractical for run and gun. thats why i bought the 58mm tiffen to try.
I have a lightcraft workshop mk II, a tiffen and a genus tech. The tiffen is an earlier variety without the front filter thread and should provide the best image if cost is anything to go by, but I've found the genus tech to be virtually indistinguishable. Don't buy a lightcraft..
hth
hth
Bern Caughey
Veteran
Note Xume's FAQ page states "...we strongly suggest the use of an over the lens type hood at all times to protect your filter from an accidental detachment, especially when using heavier variable ND filters".
http://www.xumeadapters.com/faqs.html