Variable ND Filter that DOESN'T soften the image...

NorBro

NorBro

Major Contributor
I've used the Genus and Fader ND (LCW)...both definitely soften the image. I want that crisp, sharp look. Has anyone had success with a variable filter that doesn't do this, or is this pretty much what you should expect?
 
The Heliopan is the best I have used. The difference in sharpness is almost un noticeable unless you are really looking. It's on of the most expensive faders, but for a reason, it's the best in my opinion and worth the money.
 
I think I've said this roughly 10000000 times now. Get. The. Heliopan. It's expensive.....over $400. But if you want a variable ND
with no color cast AND no softening of the image (this is really where the Heliopan separates itself in my opinion), it's the one
to get. Here's a link I have of the Heliopan being used at different focal lengths, compared to no Heliopan at the same focal
length. It was made to compare the more shallow depth of field you can get by being able to 'open up' the Fstop, but you can
also compare stuff shot at 100mm or 200mm with and without the Heliopan. The only softness is from the more shallow depth of
field 'defocusing' the background. But you can see, that the mailbox (which was my focus point) remains sharp, even at 200mm.
This was all shot with the kit lens.

http://exposureroom.com/members/alaskacameradude/14d879d0c3924609974edd0388478689/
 
i have an LCW faderND mk2 and honestly, if you really wanna be able to tell a difference between sharpness, you have to be very picky. Your video isn't going to be viewed in a high quality format at 1080p. On vimeo at 1080p, you wont be able to tell the difference after the compression. i cant justify spending almost 500 bucks on a nd filter when my 125 dollar one works just fine.
 
NorBro said:
You don't think the LCW makes the image noticeably softer?
Click to expand...

If you shot with and with out it on the same subject, then open up both raw files and zoom in on sections, yes you would be able to tell the difference. But, if you're producing dvds or for the internet, hell even blueray, i doubt you'll really be able to notice a difference unless you nitpick at the image. If i have some time in the future ill see if i can test this out. I tend to try and use my faderND on the lower settings because i think it gets a little softer at the max ND. But nitpicking aside, i dont think you'll really be able to tell a difference, IMHO.
 
It softens the image at tele. I wouldnt use one if i was shooting past 100. Imnot even sure if 00 wont be soft
 
Look at it this way, why spend $5000 on a camera body and throw some cheap glass in front of it, when you can spend a few hundred more and get the right piece of gear.
 
What do you guys think is the fastest shutter you can use to control the exposure without the image starting to get all stroby??
 
Doug Jensen said on another forum that in his testing, he could find no softening or colorcast using the Genus. Doug is a seasoned pro, and though I have no experience with any of the filters as of yet, I respect his opinion.
 
DrHST said:
Doug Jensen said on another forum that in his testing, he could find no softening or colorcast using the Genus. Doug is a seasoned pro, and though I have no experience with any of the filters as of yet, I respect his opinion.
Click to expand...

On a short focal length lens such as 16-35/f2.8, you can hardly see any softening effect when using a vari ND or fader ND.

But on a long focal length lens such as when shooting 70-200/f2.8 at 200mm, Genus Vari ND filter is NOT usable at all... unless all you need is a foggy look. This filter would turn a green grassland shot into a green carpet/texture look, due to loss of details (all grasses blurred into a texture).
 
I solved this problem by going with a step-up ring and two fixed 77mm ND's from Hoya, .9 ND (three stops) and 1.5 ND (stops). Alone or combined, these two will allow small, medium, or large apertures in any light at any shutter speed. If you want finer adjustment, you can add a .3 ND.
 
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