Question about Vari-ND filters at DVinfo.net

Kajito Nagib · March 28th, 2011, 10:41 AM

Just wondering how much better optically is the Singh-Ray
77mm Vari-ND Variable Neutral Density Filter over the Fader ND and how do they compare and
does the thin mount for the Singh-Ray help any with reduce vignetting?
I already have the 77mm Fader ND and I'm happy with it just wondering if it's worth the upgrade.

Daniel Weber · March 31st, 2011, 08:04 PM

I attended Philip Bloom's workshop in DC a few weeks back and he was saying that the new Genus VariND is pretty good and costs about $200 or less. The SingRay is the best but expensive.

Daniel Weber

Kajito Nagib · March 31st, 2011, 11:09 PM

thanks i did a search and found this.
Loving the Fader ND and Singh Ray Vari ND. Life savers in New Delhi! | Philip Bloom
philip says there's no drop in color reproduction or sharpness that he could tell in video mode but
my photography friends say there is a color shift on the ND fader but doesn't matter i wouldn't use
a Variable Neutral Density Filter for taking stills. anyway i will do my own test when i get a chance.
thanks for your input.

Kajito Nagib · March 31st, 2011, 11:21 PM

also found this.
http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/canon-eo...ive-worth.html

Nigel Barker · April 1st, 2011, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kajito Nagib

also found this.
http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/canon-eo...ive-worth.html

Dan Brockett wrote that review when the Singh-Ray at $400 was the only variable ND filter on the market. It's a very good review of why a variable ND filter is so useful but the Fader NDs are decent & a quarter of the price of the Singh-Ray.

Inna Lantsman · April 2nd, 2011, 09:32 AM

Genus

Genus ND Fader Filter 77mm - Genus Video and DSLR products

It does absolutely fine job as Singh Ray but more then twice less cost.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/676824-REG/Genus_GL_GNDF_77_77mm_ND_Neutral_Density.html
Right now some has 77mm filter on eBAY for $134.00 with free shipping

http://cgi.ebay.com/GENUS-77mm-Neutr...item4cf61dcaaf

Ben Winter · April 2nd, 2011, 10:51 AM

I use the Genus and it works fine. Don't waste the extra money on the Singh Ray.

Liam Hall · April 2nd, 2011, 10:51 AM

Neither perform particularly well when compared to using a normal ND filter.

Kajito Nagib · April 2nd, 2011, 10:56 AM

yeah i think i'm going with the Genus.

Nicholas de Kock · April 2nd, 2011, 03:59 PM

Don't fool yourself the Singh Ray is much better than the Genus. I own a Genus simply because I can't afford the Singh Ray however my friend has the Singh Ray and there is quite a bit of sharpness lost with the Genus compared to the Singh Ray. I was filming a wedding the other day with a Canon 70-200MM 2.8IS stopped down with the Genus when I noticed how soft my images was when I zoomed in to focus, I decided to film at F4 instead without the filter for the particular shot I was doing.

The Genus is an affordable all round product that works wonders if you're on a budget but you do lose image sharpness as you stop down, as with all things in life you get what you pay for. Given the choice I'd buy Genus again for price vs function however the Singh Ray stays sharp.

Kirk Candlish · April 2nd, 2011, 07:16 PM

I've compared the Genus to the Singh Ray and found no loss in sharpness whatsoever.

Having spent thousands over the years on B+W and Singh Ray filters I do know what to look for.

Hurlbut is endorsing Tiffen ND filters. In my experience they make very low end filters. Maybe things change.

Tiffen and HV Collaborate To Make Extraordinary Images with Water White Glass | Hurlbut Visuals

Kajito Nagib · April 2nd, 2011, 08:13 PM

I have a fader ND I'm happy with it but I'm wondering if its worth spending the money to get the Genus will I be able to see a difference in sharpness are they both about the same?

Nicholas de Kock · April 3rd, 2011, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirk Candlish

I've compared the Genus to the Singh Ray and found no loss in sharpness whatsoever.

Kirk what glass did you use to test? I was quite surprised how much sharpness I lost, I wasn't doing any tests though I was simply filming and observed it.

Kirk Candlish · April 3rd, 2011, 04:01 AM

Nicholas I compared the two filters using the 24-70 L, 70-200 2.8 L IS and 85 1.2 L.

I shot identical setups with both filters.

March 28th, 2011, 10:41 AM	#1
Kajito Nagib Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NYC Posts: 432	Question about Vari-ND filters Just wondering how much better optically is the Singh-Ray 77mm Vari-ND Variable Neutral Density Filter over the Fader ND and how do they compare and does the thin mount for the Singh-Ray help any with reduce vignetting? I already have the 77mm Fader ND and I'm happy with it just wondering if it's worth the upgrade. __________________ -kAj http://www.sweetproductionmedia.com/

March 31st, 2011, 08:04 PM	#2
Daniel Weber Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Maryland, USA Posts: 696	Re: Question about Vari-ND filters I attended Philip Bloom's workshop in DC a few weeks back and he was saying that the new Genus VariND is pretty good and costs about $200 or less. The SingRay is the best but expensive. Daniel Weber

March 31st, 2011, 11:09 PM	#3
Kajito Nagib Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NYC Posts: 432	Re: Question about Vari-ND filters thanks i did a search and found this. Loving the Fader ND and Singh Ray Vari ND. Life savers in New Delhi! \| Philip Bloom philip says there's no drop in color reproduction or sharpness that he could tell in video mode but my photography friends say there is a color shift on the ND fader but doesn't matter i wouldn't use a Variable Neutral Density Filter for taking stills. anyway i will do my own test when i get a chance. thanks for your input. __________________ -kAj http://www.sweetproductionmedia.com/

March 31st, 2011, 11:21 PM	#4
Kajito Nagib Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NYC Posts: 432	Re: Question about Vari-ND filters also found this. http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/canon-eo...ive-worth.html __________________ -kAj http://www.sweetproductionmedia.com/

April 2nd, 2011, 09:32 AM	#6
Inna Lantsman Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Dallas Texas Posts: 74	Re: Question about Vari-ND filters Genus Genus ND Fader Filter 77mm - Genus Video and DSLR products It does absolutely fine job as Singh Ray but more then twice less cost. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/676824-REG/Genus_GL_GNDF_77_77mm_ND_Neutral_Density.html Right now some has 77mm filter on eBAY for $134.00 with free shipping http://cgi.ebay.com/GENUS-77mm-Neutr...item4cf61dcaaf Last edited by Inna Lantsman; April 2nd, 2011 at 02:19 PM.

April 2nd, 2011, 10:51 AM	#7
Ben Winter Trustee Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 1,675 Images: 1	Re: Question about Vari-ND filters I use the Genus and it works fine. Don't waste the extra money on the Singh Ray. __________________ BenWinter.com

April 2nd, 2011, 10:51 AM	#8
Liam Hall Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: London, England Posts: 969	Re: Question about Vari-ND filters Neither perform particularly well when compared to using a normal ND filter. __________________ Writer-Director-DOP www.liamhall.net

April 2nd, 2011, 10:56 AM	#9
Kajito Nagib Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NYC Posts: 432	Re: Question about Vari-ND filters yeah i think i'm going with the Genus. __________________ -kAj http://www.sweetproductionmedia.com/

April 2nd, 2011, 03:59 PM	#10
Nicholas de Kock Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: KLD, South Africa Posts: 983	Re: Question about Vari-ND filters Don't fool yourself the Singh Ray is much better than the Genus. I own a Genus simply because I can't afford the Singh Ray however my friend has the Singh Ray and there is quite a bit of sharpness lost with the Genus compared to the Singh Ray. I was filming a wedding the other day with a Canon 70-200MM 2.8IS stopped down with the Genus when I noticed how soft my images was when I zoomed in to focus, I decided to film at F4 instead without the filter for the particular shot I was doing. The Genus is an affordable all round product that works wonders if you're on a budget but you do lose image sharpness as you stop down, as with all things in life you get what you pay for. Given the choice I'd buy Genus again for price vs function however the Singh Ray stays sharp. Last edited by Nicholas de Kock; April 2nd, 2011 at 04:46 PM. Reason: Additional Info

April 2nd, 2011, 07:16 PM	#11
Kirk Candlish Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Southern, CA Posts: 198	Re: Question about Vari-ND filters I've compared the Genus to the Singh Ray and found no loss in sharpness whatsoever. Having spent thousands over the years on B+W and Singh Ray filters I do know what to look for. Hurlbut is endorsing Tiffen ND filters. In my experience they make very low end filters. Maybe things change. Tiffen and HV Collaborate To Make Extraordinary Images with Water White Glass \| Hurlbut Visuals

April 2nd, 2011, 08:13 PM	#12
Kajito Nagib Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NYC Posts: 432	Re: Question about Vari-ND filters I have a fader ND I'm happy with it but I'm wondering if its worth spending the money to get the Genus will I be able to see a difference in sharpness are they both about the same? __________________ -kAj http://www.sweetproductionmedia.com/

April 3rd, 2011, 04:01 AM	#14
Kirk Candlish Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Southern, CA Posts: 198	Re: Question about Vari-ND filters Nicholas I compared the two filters using the 24-70 L, 70-200 2.8 L IS and 85 1.2 L. I shot identical setups with both filters.