Filter problems

[appletart]

I purchased this the other day, and it arrived today.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230597972700#ht_1289wt_905

Whilst i wasnt expecting miracles, i was expecting to atleast be able to get pictures of an ok quality...

my questions are, it say that i can get ND400. does that exist? on its very darkest setting, i can get a 30 second exposure. i was expecting a lot longer than that!

secondly, when on the darkest, i get a massive cross in the picture... totally ruining it.

is it a faulty lens, a peice of ****, or both?

 

[hollis_f]

secondly, when on the darkest, i get a massive cross in the picture... totally ruining it.

Yup, I've tried two of the cheaper variable NDs and they both gave this problem at wide angles. Even the expensive ones have the same problem. At 10mm the maximum effect I could get was around 2 stops.

 

[TCR4x4]

These fader things are useless, its well documented. You can get a Lightcraft workshop ND500 9 stop filter for £50 and will be a darn sight better than that junk.

All those are, are two polarsiers acting against each other, hence the cross.