GH4 SLR Magic variable ND mki mkii

I

ichidomo

Member
I have been diving deep on the web about var ND and came across the SLR Magic var ND mark 1 and 2.
On bmcuser there has been a thread about it http://www.bmcuser.com/showthread.php?11193-SLRMagic-Vari-ND-thread
A short review on YT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFypsh1zjt8 on the MKii version
Side-by-side comparison with Tiffen on vimeo https://vimeo.com/125507165

I'm new in gh4 territory but I don't want to just compromise image quality by just slapping on any random variable ND and not getting the quality this camera is capable of. I have the gh4 metabones sigma 18 35 setup. I am well aware of the quirks a var ND brings in terms of polarization but sadly there's not enough info on the web about this var Nd from SLR magic or side by side tests with other nd's, genustech/hoya etc.
Will the SLR magic's be ok in terms of IR pollution and eliminating the polarizing effect? I don't want totally flat and waxed skin tones. Will it retain glare as much a possible? Will 6 stops be enough for most situations? Or should I look into another direction and are these links just hidden marketing tricks by the manufacturer? Any feedback and/or suggestions are very welcome.
 
When in search for documentation and video's I also came across your vimeo channel :), nice traveling footage, especially Sri Lanka since I have been there too for a month 2 years ago, love that country.

It's weird IMO that it is so badly documented/tested on the web. At first I had my eye on the Heliopan but then I came across this test with clearly shows some bad moire artifacts > https://frankglencairn.wordpress.com/2012/12/08/nd-fader-shootout-heliopan-vs-the-new-genus-eclipse/

The mark 1 version is currently on sale in Europe, would still love to see some more tests somewhere but I am strongly leaning towards the SLR Magics ND now.
 
The SLR Magic VariND is the only Variable ND filter that does not just use 2 quarter-plate polarizers against each other and that's why it has so much less color shift and degradation than all the other Variable ND filters out there.

Plus SLR Magic is a VERY serious lens company themselves. They know what they're doing.

I have both the MK 1 version and the new MK II version. Both are equally fantastic. The newer one just allows you to control any potential polarization angle you want.

The first version is really really good....the new one is even better.

I use these filters VERY frequently even though I also have dedicated Hoya ProND filters as well.
 
Better image quality will be derived by using coventional ND(s). There will be much less chance of reflections, & no polarization. Add Xume Adapters to swap strengths quickly. Suggest pairing them with Hoya's ProND(s), or Formatt-Hitech's Firecrest, filters.

Search the main GH forum for "Xume" & you'll find some in-depth posts.
 
I also looked into that option before making this post but it's way more expensive. It will cost me at the very least around 350 euro's (400 dollar) (ex tax and duties when shipping abroad).
 
ichidomo said:
I also looked into that option before making this post but it's way more expensive. It will cost me at the very least around 350 euro's (400 dollar) (ex tax and duties when shipping abroad).
Click to expand...

Bern is right - dedicated Hoya ProNDs will be better.

...but not by much. Like I said - I have both. And I HATE things that mess with my image quality. I hated almost every expensive ND filter I ever bought until I got the Hoyas and The SLR Magic.

Start with the SLR Magic, and be happy.
Then when your happy leads to more happy later, you can buy some Hoya happy too.
Now....aren't you happy?
 
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