VariND question: Singh-ray or Heliopan

F

Fellipe

Active member
So, I'm looking for a good variable nd filter and I read I should order the largest (77mm) and then use step down rings if needed.
At B&H Photo there are current 3 versions of 77mm Singh-Ray filters:

1) http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/609253-REG/Singh_Ray_RT_86_77mm_Vari_ND_Variable_Neutral.html
2) http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/619625-REG/Singh_Ray_R_86_77mm_Vari_ND_Neutral_Density.html
3) http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ISRM_77mm_Vari_N_Duo_Polarizing_Variable.html

And I also have the option of the heliopan, which is more expensive:

1)http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/765517-REG/Heliopan_707790_77mm_VARIABLE_GRAY_ND.html

Which of these filters should I order?

Thank you.
 
Bloom sais Heliopan but then again he's not the chart guy. Both these brands needs to be put up for a proper resolution test.

actually made a test today with my chinese fader setting it at max & letting the camera expose for a bit, what a got damn piece of junk... 1 dollar plastic filters are a MILLION times better
 
I have just received the 77mm variable Heliopan and it appears to be excellent.
Interestingly on the scale from 1 to 12, apparently the light loss effect is very subtle (if any) from 1 to 8, and then the effective scale appears to be from 8 to 12.
Interestingly, a cheap fixed ND8 filter appears to give the same light reduction that the Heliopan gives at setting 8. So empirically from 1 to 8 = 3 stops and from 8-12 = 7 stops.
So it gets a bit more difficult to fine tune the desired setting, you need to be more precise.
Is this normal?
 
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