Anyone used a Lighcraft Workshop Fader ND filter?

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foolycooly

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Simon
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As in the title really

I'm looking for some new ND filters and came across the LCW Fader, which is essentially a 2-8 stop variable ND filter, and wondered if anyone and used one, and if there were any glaring IQ issues?
 
Just done a bit more reading and it doesnt do so well on UWA lenses, which is what I would use it on mainly

It is the same principle as the Singh Ray, which is indeed 2 polarisers, but you get a cross effect at focal lengths below 50mm for some reason....

Sent an enquiry in about their Ultra ND one (9-12 stops) as it doesnt state unsuitable for UWA on their site for that one
 
I've not used one of these, but I've had a go at making my own with two polarisers. In practise, the appeal of having a variable ND is outweighed by the downsides IMHO. Which is probably why the big brands don't make them.

For a start, they're not cheap. I just bought a B+W ten stops ND for £72 in 77mm. And that one doesn't vignette even on the widest wide angles, and is less compromised optically by having half the number of glass surfaces and less chance of flare.

I find that once you're in the long shutter speed zone you need with the filter, there is enough scope with f/number and ISO to get the result you want, no need for the variable bit. Maybe it's more useful for video :shrug:
 
foolycooly said:
Well I got a response this morning, apparantly the new slim versions are fine for UWA, I'm going to get one of the normal Faders and give it a go
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Sounds good. If it's slim enough, it should be fine :thumbs: Be interested to see how you get on.

With my DIY version, it was very sensitive to adjustment when it get really dark, like move it just a couple of mm would change it by a stop, and it went a strong blue at the very darkest point. It had a very usable range though, of about 4-9 stops or so as I recall.
 
My Fader arrived this morning, and initial tests on a Canon 10-22 show none of the Cross marks that I had previously seen in test shots.

However, if you move the dial past the Max mark on the side, this does show up.

I will be doing a more indepth test of it this weekend, but just pointing out my window, I can go from 1/20 to 2 seconds on the same view from minimum to maximum which is a five stop range so not bad
 
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