Variable ND Filter Comparison

Thank you for your comparison. I shoot cinematic documentaries and short films where I have enough time to use hard stop neutral density filter. When I saw the difference in quality, I decided to get several good ND filters instead of variable ones. Your comparison gave me a clear idea of what I need. Right now I am using a cheap VND which is horrible when it comes to skies.

this was EXACTLY what I needed ❤ using regular ND filters is the only way 😂

Kenneth - As a video Run an gun shooter, have you tried the Freewell VND system or the H&Y Revoring system ? I switch back from video to stills at sporting events all day long , and a reliable rapid removal system would be heavenly. What's out there for us hybriders ?

Good episode. And if someone would invent a great filter holder that would simply flip up out-of-the-way for us hybrid shooters, that would be the ticket. Please comment if you know of a reliable one.

I've been using Tiffen and Cokin filters for 30+ years...

I am using the Polar Pro/Peter McKinnon 2-5 stops. Have you ever done a test with vertical and horizontal images. I am noticing a hugh color shift from vertical to horizontal. Would there be a better filter option that would not do the color shift at much.

I have tried several ND filters included the Tiffen, PolarPro and Neewer but I have vignatting in all of them in bright day. How I can shoot videos in bright day without ND filters? Thanks in advance for your answer.

Thanks guys, you talked me into keeping my 3 budget non variable filters.

Thank you for actually testing these with actual numerical results and visual samples!

I saw a review of a 1 to 5 stop variable ND where the reviewer complained that 5 stops was insufficient for video with large apertures on bright days. Do you know if it works to put an ND64 filter on first and then add a variable ND in front to 'dial in' the right darker density to suit the brighter light? Great video btw.

Haida & Nisi??

Hi, thanks to share the interesting video. Out of curiosity: do you not think a variable ND filer is more convenient if it has a lever on the ring to be able to move the lens more easily to shoot videos? Thank you

Was the polar pro that you reviewed the version 1 or version 2?

B+W does not stand for Black and White as you mention.
Bad Kreuznach, having previously been based in Wies baden. Under the umbrella of Schneider-Kreuznach ....that is where the B and the W comes from.

The moral of this story is that variable NDs are terrible

Great review/comparison!

Thanks a lot for saving me the headache of that cross hatching, do you also have any videos on selecting which stop you need for when? :)

This was great. Would love to see the same comparison but for portraits. Its tough to shoot a 2.8 or wider in the middle of the day. Would love to see how the color and sharpness affects portraits. I think that would be a great follow up video, since some of use do not do videos or landscape photography.

Thanks for the info!👍

Thanks for this, great video. Proper ND's it is!

Would it have helped correcting color in post, if you put the B+W VND on, then white balanced, then corrected in post? Rather than only correcting in post? I'm torn between the B+W VND and the solids...

Nice work guys. Thanks for the review - very helpful. I've been using the Promaster 77mm variable nd and find it very satisfying - not much vignetteing and good color overall, but now I'm looking for a 114mm variable nd to us eon Canon CN-E lenses. Any thoughts or recommendations? After seeing your review I'm considering just using standard 114 filters but the time saving (I shoot video) is a big factor.

but when you take long exposure picture, there is no way around not using ND even if you don't want it, there is no way your camera can take a picture that is not over exposed without ND. I use ND only on specific type of picture, not on everything... or video with fixed shutter...if you want low f stop, you have to use ND...

Thank you slanted lens for presenting a good comparison of various variable neutral density filters. I myself have a tiffin and will certainly go through these particular test maybe not as extensive but will attempt to do them. As for video I like Sony's electronic ND let me know what you think and you've also really pushed me towards looking at the FS6 as opposed to the A7S3 thanks.

Very helpful. I watched this after buying the Freewell 6-9stops and I don’t regret. No big issues with the X pattern or color shifting and affordable comparing to the Polar Pro and other more expensive VND filters.

For outdoor flash portrait, what non variable nd filter stop do you reccomend?

Great video, very detailed!

I've found the solution to my problems in video thanks to a fixed ND64 (+ ND8 stacked if I'm filming at f1.4) and with the full frame sensor with dual ISO capabilities...I never have to swap ND filters in this way!

Bright ambient light = base ISO + ND64
Medium ambient light = Second circuit ISO + ND64
Low ambient light = No filter

I really enjoyed this video, but I have to say that I have never known a subject with such differing opinions and test result as that of VND filters. When initially researching to get one for video on my Lumix G80/85 I was so confused but eventually decided to go with the Tiffen and I have not regretted it. (I am just a hobbyist but still want my videos to look the best I can). But after watching this and reading some of the comments, I decided to do a test myself for colour accuracy, as this was one of the biggest criticisms of the Tiffen. I took a series of photos fixed on a tripod with and without the filter. I set exposure THEN white balanced for all the shots and they were all consistent in colour with no light or dark patches. If you didn’t know, you honestly wouldn’t know which had the filter and which didn’t. I find myself distrusting some reviewers now but based on my own experience, I would definitely say, that I not only enjoyed this video but would trust it too.

I have the Freewell VND which is comparable to the PolarPro but I think it does better in the middle range. There seems to be less vignetting.

if you find a Lynch you'll be Wall Street :D

Great review, I use Hoya Vari ND and I must test them like you did, I also got some a hoya ND8 I will use to see the difference between them.

Great video & very detailed comparison!
I would really like to have seen Freewell vs Peter Mckinnon (Polar Pro)
There are some videos out there, but a lot of them seem biased or not very detailed.
Keep up the good work! :)

I'm actually interested in buying a 2 in 1 Vari-ND + C-Pol filter as those exist now and are suuuuper helpful for run and gun filmmaking

Hey there! Thanks for the video. I did have a couple thoughts though while watching.
First, I'm not sure how you measured the stops of reduction on the filters, but I consistently get 8.33 stops on the PolarPros, not 7.33. When I use a spot meter or histogram, it's always around 8.33 stops. And I have two sets and I checked them both.
Secondly, I agree that the B+W filters are outstanding, but I don't believe the name stands for "black and white", instead I believe it represents the names of the partners involved: Biermann and Weber.
Lastly, while the Tiffen may be tempting from a price to performance ratio, I've experienced pretty terrible quality control and overall ergonomics with their variable NDs and would strongly advise against them. If budget is important, there are much better options that cost even less such as K&F for example.
Also, I generally find that comparisons of colour casts should always be followed up with a friendly reminder to redo your white balance in camera after adding any filters, which of course reduces most of the issues experienced, save for the cross polarization.
Hope that's helpful! 🤓👍

This presentation helps in an unexpected way; I've been using an inexpensive polarizer for a while, and today had cconditions for a very nice image. Using the filter to accentuate a blue sky, when I processed the picture, the colors were terrible. I went back to reshoot, without filtration and the result was much better. Your video helped me understand why. I'm replacing the polarizer this week. BTW, my ND filters, one Lee and one Hoya, work well. They are not variable.

Good review as always !

Have you tried Hama? They seem pretty good to me.

Sounds like ..the Tiffen for 1-5 and the polar pro above that..?

Well done! Coincidentally I've been looking for a ND filter solution for still photography the last few days but honestly didn't have a clue which brands would provide the best results. This comparison video gives me some great information to help make a decision.

How on earth you didn't include Freewell var ND?

I bought 2 years ago a B+W nd 6 stops and the quality it's really great! One year before I got a tiffen polarizer and it's really good, if you give it to much not, it has a sweet spot! Recently I bought in keeckstarter a REVORING with Polarizer and ND ,, I hope that it's god like the others!
Thanks for your time

interesting on stacking the 3 + 6 for 9... hmm haven't thought of that... great tip.

The freewell ones are the best I’ve ever used.

I used the tinted windows in my mustang once when I hadn’t packed a Nd filter.

What about reduction in sharpness? Colour can be correct in post, but you can't get lost detail back.

Haha, I can't believe this video came out the day after I bought a Freewell VND! Now it sounds like the Tiffen would have been a better bet! Up until now I've been using a Tyfoto VND ($50) and it is amazing, so not sure how it compares to Freewell or Tiffen

@KennethCMerrill - Non-variable will always beat variable but I would suggest Freewell Variable NDs for your video solution. I find them o be the best. I'm surprised they were overlooked for this comparison. These are better than Tiffen.

Personally, I can't stand Pete McKinnon as he's a blowhard who loves to hear himself talk. I do own a Tiffen variable but rarely use it. My main go-to nd filters are from Ice and I haven't noticed and color shift with those filters.