Quality of ND filters

[bellimages]

I'm in the market for a couple of neutral density filters. I spend large sums of money on the best gear that I can get my hands on. But is it worth spending over $200 for a ND filter? I see at B&H that the Schneider brand retails for well over that price. While the same size Tiffin ND filter is between $15 and $60.

[Paul Sumi]

I'm in the market for a couple of neutral density filters. I spend large sums of money on the best gear that I can get my hands on. But is it worth spending over $200 for a ND filter? I see at B&H that the Schneider brand retails for well over that price. While the same size Tiffin ND filter is between $15 and $60.

Higher quality ND filters (I would also include Lee and Singh-Ray among others) are definitely worth the premium.  Tiffin ND filters can have color casts and are not truly neutral.

One caveat (which I have not experienced personally): evidently certain frequencies of light filtered through NDs will interact with digital sensors to create a reddish effect on parts of the image at long exposures.  I've used my Singh-Ray Vari-ND down to 30 seconds without seeing this effect.

Paul