Cheap variable ND filter.

[towershot]

I have spent that much money on camera gear lately,that when someone was on about a Lee 10 stop ND and I looked at the price and waiting time ,I thought I would try a cheap variable ND filter one of the TPers had bought.
linky
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/77mm-ND-F...itu=UCC&otn=5&ps=63&clkid=4823710668658862697

I went to Ingleton Falls yesterday and tried it out,it was a dull day as I just missed the sun,but got some pictures that was OKish
Tried AP first but ended up on manual which was better.
first pic was with the filter set to minimum,

.40th second F/11. ISO 200

Second pic set to maximum.

showing 30 secs here but thought it was 15 secs ? F/11 ISO200
The colours are a bit different ,but I put that down to my poor P&P work :bonk: But there was no Strong colour cast in the original shots....

For the money and if you are not sure you will get into blurred water effect,I think it is a good buy with which to test the water ,so to speak (pun intended) At around £11 you cannot complain.

 

[DjLukeW]

I got a cheap 8stop on ebay, and when I was using it last week it was brilliant

JUst spend £36 on a polarizer so need to get out and use that

On pic 2, not sure what changed in the top centre but it keeps drawing my eye to it. Is that just from PP?

 

[towershot]

I got a cheap 8stop on ebay, and when I was using it last week it was brilliant

JUst spend £36 on a polarizer so need to get out and use that

On pic 2, not sure what changed in the top centre but it keeps drawing my eye to it. Is that just from PP?

Yep ,that'l be P&P working Luke,I'm not the best at it .

 

[ivandobski]

Actually easy to get that effect from the filter. I've got a similar filter and get much the same - I'm not sure of the exact reason but it's something to do with the light entering the filter at an angle and getting crossed over in between the two counter-rotating panes of glass. Somebody who knows more will no doubt explain better.

Having said that I've got some good results with it (my good, not tp good) but it's a bit of trial and error and knowing how to mitigate against that dark effect.

 

[gridlock]

See post 6 in this thread for a more extreme example
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=311064

OTOH could it be light leaking in the viewfinder?

 

[HoppyUK]

See post 6 in this thread for a more extreme example
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=311064

OTOH could it be light leaking in the viewfinder?

Yes, it looks like the dark pattern you get with the cross polarisers when they clash at, a) high densities, and b) with wide angles. It happens with all of these vari-type NDs, even those costing a few hundred $$$

They're v poor IMHO. Better off with a fixed density one.

 

[DoctorBob]

Would be a funny colour for that, but definitely worth considering. I seem to have deleted my old photos where I was using a ND filter without covering the viewfinder though..

 

[HoppyUK]

Would be a funny colour for that, but definitely worth considering. I seem to have deleted my old photos where I was using a ND filter without covering the viewfinder though..

It's hard to tell. Might not be, especially as the original pic doesn't look very wide, but you'll definitely get it to some extent with those vari-NDs.

But as you say, covering the viewfinder is essential. Fogging through there varies with different cameras (I've had anything from a fairly even fog to something a bit like a sunset!) but you almost always get something and it's never good

 

[Dangleman]

The cheapo ones are known to have colour cast issues. I recently picked up a semi cheap one in the scheme of things for about £70. It's 'nature' branded. I haven't actually used it yet, so a rubbish post from me!