Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: Neutral Density filters  (Read 3971 times)

NigelC

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 583
Neutral Density filters
« on: May 27, 2010, 05:23:07 am »

Having real difficulty sourcing ND filters here in UK (77mm size) - everything seems to be on back order. Originally planned to get B&W but long wait for delivery. Other option is Lee square filters but also long wait (don't say Singh Ray - not obtainable in UK). Calumet UK have something called a Genus variable ND filter - seems by turning can increase ND effect - anyone heard of these - colour shift/optical flatness?). Also what are Tiffen ND filters like? - can get set of 3 glass of varying strengths. I'm beginning to think rectangular filters are a better option because I can mix an all over ND with an ND grad.

Any views/experience on this?
Logged

dmerger

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 680
Neutral Density filters
« Reply #1 on: May 27, 2010, 10:13:59 am »

Have you considered ordering from B&H in the US and having the filters shipped to you?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Graduate...73/N/4289364502
Logged
Dean Erger

NigelC

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 583
Neutral Density filters
« Reply #2 on: May 27, 2010, 11:39:23 am »

Quote from: dmerger
Have you considered ordering from B&H in the US and having the filters shipped to you?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Graduate...73/N/4289364502

Unfortunately the stronger B&W non-grad ND filters are unavailable or on back order at B&H, even if they will ship to UK
Logged

walter.sk

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1433
Neutral Density filters
« Reply #3 on: May 27, 2010, 12:03:17 pm »

Quote from: NigelC
Having real difficulty sourcing ND filters here in UK (77mm size) - everything seems to be on back order. Originally planned to get B&W but long wait for delivery. Other option is Lee square filters but also long wait (don't say Singh Ray - not obtainable in UK). Calumet UK have something called a Genus variable ND filter - seems by turning can increase ND effect - anyone heard of these - colour shift/optical flatness?). Also what are Tiffen ND filters like? - can get set of 3 glass of varying strengths. I'm beginning to think rectangular filters are a better option because I can mix an all over ND with an ND grad.

Any views/experience on this?
I've been using a Singh Ray 77mm variable neutral density filter that has over 8 stops of density change, continuously variable by turning the outer ring of the filter.  My version has a built-in polarizer, and I love the filter.  Singh Ray has several models: without polarizer, with polarizer, and super-thin.  They are quite expensive.  However, when adding the cost of getting several individual filters the difference didn't seem prohibitive.

Given the flexibility and excellent optical quality, I am glad I bought the filter.  Do a Google search and you'll find their website.
Logged

acktdi

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 79
    • alvinchanphoto.com
Neutral Density filters
« Reply #4 on: May 27, 2010, 12:50:53 pm »


Try http://maxsaver.net  
They're based out of Hong Kong and ship worldwide.  I've purchased 2 B+W 77mm Kaesemenn Circ Pols and several UV filters from them in the past and haven't had any trouble.  Shipping is a little slow, took 30 days to receive them.  I just placed an order for a ND 1.8 last week.

stamper

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 5882
Neutral Density filters
« Reply #5 on: May 28, 2010, 03:23:10 am »

Try here. I have used them and they had a next day delivery service.

http://www.morco.uk.com/latest/b+w_filters_nd.htm

Re rectangular filters. They can cause vignetting and light leakage around the edges.
« Last Edit: May 28, 2010, 03:26:03 am by stamper »
Logged

Jeremy Roussak

  • Administrator
  • Sr. Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 8961
    • site
Neutral Density filters
« Reply #6 on: May 28, 2010, 01:01:23 pm »

Quote from: stamper
Try here. I have used them and they had a next day delivery service.

http://www.morco.uk.com/latest/b+w_filters_nd.htm

Re rectangular filters. They can cause vignetting and light leakage around the edges.
I'll second them as pleasant people with whom to do business. I've not bought filters from them but I have bought paper (Ilford GFS). Their prices are pretty keen, too.

Jeremy
Logged

MarkL

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 475
Neutral Density filters
« Reply #7 on: May 28, 2010, 06:49:43 pm »

Look at http://www.formatt.co.uk/ they supply high end filters to the motion picture industry.

As for variable ND filters I bought the FaderND filter advertised around under various brandings and it was a pile of sh!t. I bought it mainly to try the concept and it worked well but I tested filtered and unfiltered and then listed it on ebay immediately (for what I bought it for) because the quality degradation was so bad.
I then ponied up the £s for the singh-ray version at horrific cost (then add $52 shipping to the UK and 17.5% VAT!). I need a variable filter because I use ND to get shallow dof at weddings with flash in bright light, for landscapes etc. where things are not so fast paced and you don't need to change the ND so much I'd go for 3 screw in filters and save a whole pile of cash.

Grads are a whole different story altogether, you need a rectangular filter and a holder to move the grad line. Don't go cheap or you will buy twice.
« Last Edit: May 28, 2010, 06:52:05 pm by MarkL »
Logged
Pages: [1]   Go Up