The best Variable ND filter I have used?


Today I got to use the German made Heliopan Variable ND filter and I have to say it’s probably the best out of them all and I have tried them all!

Solid construction, glass apparently from Zeiss. Light control of 1-6.6 stops (0.3 to 2.0 ND density). Markings with hard stops (NOT clicks, it is still smooth, it just has hard end points) so ND is repeatable. It’s also very thin so will vignette on only the widest of lenses. I tried it on my Tokina 11-16 at 11mm on the T3i and only the very corners showed signs of vignetting. It’s tack sharp with no colour shift that I can see!!

It’s surprisingly heavy, actually i would say reassuringly heavy! Though of course there is a downside. It’s not cheap, but few really good things in life are!

You can get it at Amazon.com below or special order from your local retailer. I have the 77mm one, probably the one to go for and you can use step rings for smaller filter lenses.

I managed to get it much cheaper than the below price in Portugal, I paid 225 Euros which is about $330. The Singh-Ray thin 77mm my main Variable ND filter does not vignette at all at 11mm on the Tokina but there is a slight colour shift and it’s not as tack sharp as this or precise but it retails for for just under $400.

On a budget then the newer batch of Light Craft Workshop Fader NDs are still good. I used their superb 4×4 drop in mattebox fader filters on the Alexa shoot and they were superb. Otherwise the new generation of Genus Fader ND filters are also good. It’s just if you want absolutely pin sharpness then this Heliopan is the clear winner.

Nice.

 

 

134 comments

      1. yes, thanks…the heliopan is 60$ more. I’m in the process of buying one, now i tend to the helopan filter…

        I had the genus nd fader, and I felt it made my prime glass worthless, soft image, vignetting and slight color change. So what do you folks think, is it possible to retain prime lens quality with a nd fader or do you suggest using a normal single filter (not vari nd) as mentioned below?

  1. Looks nice and I can see the benefits of the click stops and low profile compared to my Genus which limits my 24-70 to about 28 on the 5D. I completely and wholeheartedly agree with the bit about it not being cheap.

  2. Hello, this is the first time I’ve said anything after reading your site for about a year now. Thank you for all the time you’ve spent helping those who are less knowledgeable than yourself.

    What is the difference between this and the Singh Ray you used to advocate?

  3. Thanks for the tip! I just bought the Fader ND Mk2 and I must say I’m extremly dissapointed as it softens the image quite alot and has a huge green tint. I find it useable for the first 1-2 marks but no further than that. For narrative/fictional work I’d use normal single filter any day.

  4. Thanks mate! I’m just in the process of choosing a variable ND for my Nikon D7000 and Sigma 50mm 1.4. So good timing. This reaffirms that I am the centre of the universe 😉 Loving your blog from Byron Bay, Australia!

  5. Good old german products. Chinese equipment may be cheaper, but your test once more proofs that you obviously get what you pay for. Although 400$ (or around 200€ here) for a filter… that’s harsh.

      1. Actually the “smooth way” like in the Fader ND was allowing me to “run&gun” and change aperture if needed in a smooth way while using an electronic Canon zoom lens (17-55mm).

        Apparently both methods has their strength and weaknesses…

        1. I think you are confusing what I mean by hard stops with clicks. It is totally smooth just with hard end stops like a hard stop focus barrel or a hard stop iris as opposed to continuous like the fader, singh ray etc…

  6. I’m surprised nobody has mentioned the recent Schneider’s product (True Match vari-nd kit). I guess it is not the best solution for SWA lenses but anyway it looks very promising. Filter holder made by Lee, glass by Schneider, “11 stops of attenuation with no blue color shift at max density” they say.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPlLmJcbH0s

    Has anybody tried it?

  7. Hi Phil,
    After using NDs from LC and Genus for over a year, I’ve been experimenting with shutter speed to act as an ND. For outdoors it works a treat. It only becomes unstuck when you’re filming indoors with lights or monitors at 50/60Hz. The difference in using NO ND is significant with the 5dmk2.
    rgds
    Kostas

  8. One Gripe that I have with these Variable NDs is that , When I start pulling focus. It shifts. Can somebody please design something which stops this from happening?

    1. Hi, Charles. I did experienced what you refer to in your post, with my Canon 50mm f1.8. As I also have a wider thread LC ND fader as well, I could solve it with this second one, through a step-up ring. Then it sort of “frees” from the focus pulling movement and both can work well independently. Hope it helps, though it would mean to have another ND fader… 🙁 Greetings. Ana.

  9. I have to agree that the Lightcraft Fader ND MK 2 is way too soft. I regret buying it. This one looks more promising. Has anyone tried the new Fader ND from Tiffen?

    1. I am also interested in hearing more about the Tiffen. Supposedly no color cast as well. Holding sharpness at longer focal lengths is the key criteria for who will get my money!

    1. they dont work quite the same way as the underside of the filters are coated in a particular way to make then work the way they do. Also two filters on top of each means vignette for anything wider than a 35mm

  10. Do you also use pola filter? If so, when ND and when pola? Can you recommend a good pola? Thanks Philip! Btw you made me wanna save for an Arri Alexa, but by the time I get the amount together the iphone probably makes better images!

  11. Is the LCW Fader NDmk2 soft? I’ve never had this issue. I’ve used it for video (on a 5dmk2 with Canon’s 200mm F/2.8L wide open) as well as RAW time lapse stills (on a Tamron 17-50mm F/2.8 non-VC). Sharpness seemed fine. I actually had to add softness in post for some of the video shots for a more dreamy look. I don’t know what’s going on here. Could it be fake copies? LCW is always talking about how there are “imposters” or something out there.

  12. Variable ND filters are great until you use them on any lens past 85MM… They simply can’t produce a sharp image. Is this one any different? My Fader ND MKII is not even close to usable with my 70-200 2.8 IS II past 85mm. Please post a test using the 70-200 at 200mm both with and without the filter Philip! I would be highly interested in this if it produces significantly sharper results at telephoto lengths than the Fader ND MkII. Thanks!

  13. http://philipbloom.net/2009/07/22/loving-the-fader-nd-and-singh-ray-vari-nd-life-savers/comment-page-1/#comment-130768

    would really love to use a VND filter on my 7d and the canon 100-400m. i used the 1st LC Fader on the last surftrip, but it ruined the footage above 200mm… i’m really interested if there’s any solution. would also spend more money. i’m thinking of the Singh Ray or the Heliopan Variable ND mentioned here. Any advice?

    Salute,
    Larry

  14. I have a question I’m surprised no one has addressed…

    With Fader-ND’s, their size is not really what they advertise. For example, a 72mm is actually a 77mm with a step-down ring permanently attached. This means you can’t attach the lens hood.

    My question is, are the Heliopan 72mm and 77mm “really” 72mm and 77mm? No step-down rings attached?

    If so, I would buy the 72mm immediately…

  15. I have the thin singh-ray and live by it. I was just getting set to try the new Tiffen to keep on a second lens… at half the price. Back to fence sitting.

    Thanks, Philip, for the review.

  16. I recently purchased a GH2 and picked up a voigtlander 25mm F0.95. Now I’m in desperate need of ND filters/variable ND filter.

    Firstly, if I were to buy 77mm ND filters and use a 77-52mm step down ring would this in any way be detrimental to using 52mm ND filters? I’m looking at B+W NDs, but obviously I don’t want to shell out for new filters when I eventually get more lenses.

    Secondly, I bought the camera and lens with shooting video in mind (although I cant stop taking pictures!)Would it be advisable to go the variable ND route for video? The stuff I have in mind will be controlled with plenty of time to set up (i.e NOT run n’ gun)so I’m looking for better results over speed.

    Lastly, thanks in advance for replies and cheers Philip for your inexhaustible knowledge and advice.

    1. Sam,

      I use 77mm filters and step-up rings on all my lenses for the GH2 (except the Panny 46mm lenses–that looks crazy). For me it’s a good strategy because I can buy much better filters than I could afford at multiple sizes. Also, I expect I’ll still be shooting with these filters when the GH2 is long obsolete. (Which is probably in a few months!)

      I don’t have any problems with this arrangement, especially using multi-coated filters. Hold them up to the light–if the reflections are green you’re good to go!

  17. If you’re on a super-tight budget the Polaroid Vari ND is insanely cheap (about £35) and does the job, albeity with slightly off markings and a temperature shift! Slightly soft but for the money it’s a bargain.

  18. Philp: Having tried them all, what do you think about the Cameron vari-ND filters?

    I’ve been using a 77mm on my Tokina 11-16 for about a week now and can’t find a problem with it. $80, 1-8 stops, and no optical issues so far (supposedly the glass is from Hoya)…not even vignetting…which I’m surprised is an issue on a $400 filter!

    The min-max stop is a nice feature I admit…but not a $300 deal breaker for me.

  19. Hi Phil,

    Just wondering how you rate the Heliopan variable compared to a good quality fixed ND filter with regards to sharpness etc? Will be using the filter for video and still photo work if it is up to the task.

    Ta

      1. I believe there have been issues with the Canon 24-105L and the Genus Fader ND… any reason to think that the Heliopan might have issues with this lens as well?

  20. Hi Philip

    I have a quick question, re Variable ND’s & Filters
    I started out as a still photographers assistant and helped set up 1Ds and the like, for Automotive photography.
    The snappers (they don’t like been called that i know, butits better than Togs in my mind)
    All of them had in there kit bag big square filters with Grad’s & ND’s they would pop them in a Filter holder on the front of the lens much like a matt box.
    My Question is.
    As you don’t rotate the Camera when shooting video as you want it landscape.
    Why do you prefer Variable ND’s over the Filter option?

    I now shoot car videos and often want to make the sky a bit moody, it is better to do this in post and shoot with a Variable ND over the whole of the image and darken up the sky in FCP?? than to go down the Filter route or would you have a Variable ND screwed to the front of the lens and still use some extra filters???

    not sure wether to buy Variable ND’s or Square Filters and a Filter holder, just know I need something soon as at least the Z1 had built in ND’s

    Cheers

    Dai

  21. I’ve tried the Genus, Cameron and LCW variable nds with so so results. Especially the tendency to be soft at long focal lengths. My best effort resulted in combining an old 77mm HELIOPAN linear polarizer combined with a TIFFEN circular polarizer. it is quite sharp with a slight blue shift at it darkest setting.
    It’s quite heavy but when you need to run and gun it’s a great solution.

    I am ready to purchase your recommended HELIOPAN Vari-ND filter. If it can produce a sharp image through all focal lengths I’m in. Thanks you Philip.

  22. Hello Philip, i was wondering if you can recommend a budget ND filter for me, i have just started shooting video with DSLR, i have the Canon EOS 60D.
    Thank you

  23. I think one of the main questions with this is, how is the filter at 85mm or longer? I have a FaderND mark 2 which is good up until about 70mm, but 85mm and onwards it is really quite soft which is a shame as everything else is spot on. I would definately purchase the Heliopan version if the sharpness is still very good at the longer telephoto.

    1. Just to update on this, because of Philips review, I have now bought a Heliopan 77mm Vari Filter and can say using at 105mm on a 24-105mm lens on a 5D the hit in sharpness is hardly noticeable (and this is at 100% crop, you would never be able to tell on print). What a superb filter, massive difference compared to the lightcraft fader at the telephoto range. Wonderfully made filter aswell, feels very high quality!!!

      1. Sam,
        Have you tried the Heliopan at longer focal lengths – for example on the 100-400mm? My primary reason for getting an ND Filter is to shoot surfing using my zoom lens. Tried the Fader Mark II but was terribly soft, as well as greenish cast.

  24. I just received my heliopan Variable ND filter 82mm version, but it is marked above 0.3 – 1.8ND and not ND-0.3 ND-2ND is normal for this version ?

    someone with 82mm there a ND-0.3 ND-2ND ?
    thank you

    1. I got this reply from the seller, when i asked him the same question:

      Originally, these filters were labelled as 0,3-2,0 but for technical production reasons, the 2,0 could not be guaranteed, so the manufacturer has changed the description of the filter to 0,3-1,8. It is still exactly the same filter as you would have bought a few weeks or months ago. The 1,8 is guaranteed and it is possible that the filter you receive goes up to somewhere between 1,8 and 2,0.

    2. Hi Richard, I bought the 77 from amazon (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004Y7FFI2) this turned out to be the ES 77 ND 0,3 – ND 1,8 “Slim” I was hoping for Phils version i.e. 0,3-2,0.

      I’m new to Phillip Bloom but if his admin people are reading this please thank him he’s awesome, I’ve learnt a lot from him, he’s totally watchable and a great communicator, his video, editing etc is just perfection, no wonder Lucasfilm wanted him, Phil should be on Leo Laportes Mostly Photo site talking about video.

      I’m a Phil fan ! Oh also is my ND 0,3 – ND 1,8 going to be wildly different than Phillips ND 0,3 – ND 1,8, I want to have what Mr Bloom has 🙂

  25. Hi Philip,
    I believe I just bought it in the same shop 🙂
    Anyway, can I ask you a question?
    I find my Heliopan 77mm slightly sub par compared to what you’re describing here, so would you be so kind as to confirm a couple of points please?

    -The friction doesn’t seem to be always the same on my sample. The level of resistance is just right from markings 1 to 6, whereas it’s really loose from 6 to 12. Can you confirm?

    -The filter shows some severe vigneting past the 11 position. If I go all the way to 12, then I can see two ‘arc like shadowy shapes’ coming from the outside and converging towards the center, along with severe color shift (I’d post a picture but I don’t know how on your site). What’s the deal on your side?

    Thanx for clarifying this for me, as, never having used a vari version of nd filters before, I don’t know whether this is an expected behavior or if my sample is defective.

  26. Phillip!

    Do you like the looks that the SingRay DUO is able to achieve with the polariser tweeks possible on the fly?

    Thanks for maintaining your blog, it so important to alot of us.

  27. I have been looking for one for a while, and after reading your review, took the plunge. Most sites are asking $443 but I found it on amazon.co.uk for 95 GBP (about USD150).
    Thanks for the review.

  28. Phil thanks for sharing, I’m about to bite my d*ck and just go ahead purchase a SR vari nd DUO. You have any experience using this unit with the combined polariser?

    Just wondering the unique looks possible on the fly with it.

    Keep up the good work

  29. Ive tested just about every kind of filter out there and one kind stand out above and beyond all consistently and that is B+W MRC filters. Im a dealer for Heliopan, Horseman and Hoya Filters in Seattle, and Ive got SHPMC Heliopans on my Leica lenses, and they are great but I gotta say the MRC is where its at for heavy professional use in harsh environments.

  30. Phil thanks very much for sharing all your knowledge, yet again!

    I currently have a 60D and needed to buy vary ND filters on a budget for my Sigma 30mm 1.4 and Canon 17-55mm 2.8. Both Lightcraft and Genus have been mentioned. Recommend one over the other?

    Thanks again

  31. H Phillip, I just got one of these is great, I have a thread hole (possibly missing a screw) next to the word Germany no screw in the case, maybe it’s intentional for assembling these ? is yours the same?
    Cheers
    Jesse Springsteen

  32. Hi Phillip,
    Is the third photo of the filter on your Tokina 11-16mm, at 11mm? Im planning to get a vari ND for convience on a holiday and wouldnt mind using it on my Tokina 11-16mm and canon 17-55 for wide angle waterfalls, beaches, etc.
    If it is not a Tokina 11mm pic, are you able to post or email me one?
    Also have you tried the Tiffen vari ND as well, thats the other one Im looking at.

  33. I wonder if the LCW 4×4 Fader ND is as sharp as LCW claim on their website. I can´t find a single review of this (expensive) solution. Are these two glass blades even better than the Heliopan Variable ND, in terms of sharpness and color shift?

  34. I´m going to get this Heliopan Vario ND. Would the 55mm version be large enough to avoid vignetting on a Canon 35mm FD, which is attached to a GH2? Some people write about vignetting problems with fader NDs and wider lenses, so they recommend to get the largest version…

  35. Hi,
    just registered to your site. I’m interested in knowing how thick the Heliopan filter is in comparsion to the SIngh-Ray regular and thin mount filters.

    I tried to check the heliopan site for specifications, but there isn’t much info available.

    Mainly concerned about vignetting with wide angle lenses with a full frame sensor.

  36. I just got the Heliopan and started out with shooting a cloud timelapse in the broad daylight and snow covered mountains. The results were nothing short of unusable. I tried on the 7D with both the 24-105L at about 50mm and the Tokina at 16mm. They both gave the same miserable result; hour-glass darkening at correct exposure. I was using 1.3s shutter speed, but also tried at 0.5. The whole idea is that this thing is supposed to make for better timelapse by allowing the shutter to stay open longer though. Thoughts?

    Link to sample image:
    http://www.outdoorstash.com/images/reviews/heliopan-nd-variable.jpg

      1. This simply was not visible on-camera. When I am in the field (I film outdoor sports), how am I to know where “too far” is? I would hate to mess up filming a key sequence, but using high shutter speeds looks terrible (my only other option).

          1. No need to be overly apologetic. Your candid thoughts are why we all love your site so much! Armed with your input, I am going to do another trial under the assumption that the blazing sun in the snow made this result difficult to appreciate on-camera. I will report back.

          2. OK, so the retest went better, but not great. I am only able to get up to 10/12 before the dark arcing starts to appear. It is very hard to see where it just starts to happen on-camera (at 12, yes, it is obvious with an LCD viewer). I do not understand why unusable levels are even available. It would be nice if I could use this with confidence. If it is pushed just a tiny bit too far (seems easy to do), nothing in post will fix it.

  37. Thanks for the great review Philip. I purchased mine because of you and thank god for your guidance because I had purchased three of them before-hand and results were so poor.

    Anyhow, I am getting the FS-700 so I will no longer be needing mine. If anyone here is having a hard time getting one, I am selling a 77mm off ebay along with some step-up rings shipping worldwide.

    http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=261036040766#ht_945wt_1398

    Sorry if it not allowed to advertise items for sale here… Just figured some people would be happy to jump on a perfectly fine used one instead. Thanks again and keep up the awesome work!

  38. (A newbie so this might be a silly question). I’m getting the tokina 11-16mm, the canon 50mm 1.4, and the canon 100mm 2.8 macro for 7d. I want to purchase a solid filter.

    Will the Singh Ray fit on all of these, or do I need to purchase individuals filters to go on all 3 lens? Seems like I read that there were rings to make the Singh Ray fit on all sizes?

    Thanks.

  39. A word of warning, I bought one of these from Amazon, it’s marked as a 0,3 ND – 1,8 ND, 77mm with screw size.

    The one I got has a deeper front ring than the one in the photos above. (The part with the numbers marked on it).

    I was getting quite a strong vignette with my 5d and 24 – 105 lens set to 24mm. The vignette goes away by about 35mm.

    I’m going to send this back and try the Tiffen instead.

  40. Hello!

    I’ve used only regular NDs so far, and I would like to ask if anybody has ever used a vari-ND together with a polarizer – could you have the long exposure and polarization effects in one and the same shot?

  41. Hi, first, thanks for your work here Mr Bloom.

    do you think this Heliopan variable nd filter / slim version in 82mm with 82/77mm step down ring would avoid the little vignetting on that same tokina 11-16 ?
    or would that end up with the same issue due to the distance added because of the step down ring ?

  42. Hey Philip,

    I’m about to buy the Heliopan Variable ND from Fotomayr and I’m wondering if I’ll have vignetting issues with the “normal version?” My widest lens is the Tokina 11-16. This is what a representative told me the distinction is between the two versions:

    “In answer to your questions, there are two different versions of the Variable ND: 1) the “normal” version (our article FI6940-82) which has a front thread to allow for a lens hood, etc. and 2) the so-called “slim” version (our article FI2199-82) which has no front thread and is approximately 2 mm less thick than the normal version – this can sometimes be important because of possible vignetting problems. If you let us know which lens you will be using, we can give you some advice about the possibility of vignetting.”

    I’d like to buy the normal version because it has front threads (which will allow for a lens hood). Which one would you recommend?

    Thanks,
    Mike

      1. No worries. If you have front threads that means you have the “normal version.” I think I’ll go with the “slim version,” though, because this is what a rep just told me:

        “I have checked with my colleagues from the technical department and they all agree that you will definitely have problems with the normal version if you use the 11-16 mm 2.8 lens. They also point out that there will most certainly be some vignetting even with the slim version if you use this in the 11 mm setting. All in all, to get the maximum out of the variable ND, it looks like you’d generally be better advised to take the slim version.”

        Thanks,
        Mike

  43. Colour correcting for Heliopan variable ND:

    After a quick test I found that, roughly, I needed to correct images in the following way in Lightroom with this filter that I received in the post today. This is to make images match an image of the same scene taken with the filter removed from the lens:

    400 kelvin colour temp shift towards the warmer end
    +13 shift towards magenta in Lightroom
    +10 shift in saturation in Lightroom

    Sharpness – probably case by case. I was changing the ISO to use the ND so it was hard to access this. Probably need to test with stills adjusting shutter speed and maintaining the same ISO. That can be my next test, unless anyone can shed light on that.

  44. Philip, do you get “laser point” like reflections with this filter when directly shooting into the sun?
    I can’t shoot into the sun with my heliopan at all. Kind of annoying. I thought maybe mine’s faulty?!
    Cheers

  45. Hello Philipp,

    this is the SLIM Version, right? If you use the 77mm Version it with an adapter on a Canon EF 50mm 1.2 L USM Lens, would you experience any vignetting or not?

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