Genus Variable ND at DVinfo.net

John Godwin · July 30th, 2011, 11:01 AM

I have a 77mm Genus variable ND. It works well through most of the range, but when it gets to the maximum darkness a pattern appears instead of uniform darkening. It's sort of a soft and diffused H, darker in the center and feathering out. I went back to the place I bought it and tried a different Genus and had the same problem, just a somewhat different pattern.

So, I wonder of this is a design problem with these, or did I just happen to buy one bad one and find another bad one to test?

In the meantime, I expect I'll just buy a 77mm 3 or 6 ND and stack them instead of replacing the variable ND with something else. Much cheaper for now.

On a completely unrelated note, if you're buying the FS100 and not shooting in a manner that you can swap lenses at will, just go ahead and get the kit lens. After doing some run and gun shoots I ended up buying it separately because the aperture control turned out to be essential.

Thanks....

Galen Rath · July 30th, 2011, 12:33 PM

The LCW fader ND Mark II does this according to the product info, at its max setting, a dark cross will appear. It says the exact point when it appears is related to the focal length of the lens. Wide angle lenses are more likely to see this below the max setting.

Alister Chapman · July 30th, 2011, 03:10 PM

That is normal performance for an ND Fader. You should not exceed the marked max position on the faders ring to avoid the cross effect.

John Godwin · July 30th, 2011, 04:51 PM

Thanks for the replies. Having never in my long career used a variable ND before I was less than blissfully ignorant.

July 30th, 2011, 11:01 AM	#1
John Godwin Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 190	Genus Variable ND I have a 77mm Genus variable ND. It works well through most of the range, but when it gets to the maximum darkness a pattern appears instead of uniform darkening. It's sort of a soft and diffused H, darker in the center and feathering out. I went back to the place I bought it and tried a different Genus and had the same problem, just a somewhat different pattern. So, I wonder of this is a design problem with these, or did I just happen to buy one bad one and find another bad one to test? In the meantime, I expect I'll just buy a 77mm 3 or 6 ND and stack them instead of replacing the variable ND with something else. Much cheaper for now. On a completely unrelated note, if you're buying the FS100 and not shooting in a manner that you can swap lenses at will, just go ahead and get the kit lens. After doing some run and gun shoots I ended up buying it separately because the aperture control turned out to be essential. Thanks....

July 30th, 2011, 12:33 PM	#2
Galen Rath Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 323	Re: Genus Variable ND The LCW fader ND Mark II does this according to the product info, at its max setting, a dark cross will appear. It says the exact point when it appears is related to the focal length of the lens. Wide angle lenses are more likely to see this below the max setting.

July 30th, 2011, 03:10 PM	#3
Alister Chapman Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire, UK Posts: 4,957	Re: Genus Variable ND That is normal performance for an ND Fader. You should not exceed the marked max position on the faders ring to avoid the cross effect. __________________ Alister Chapman, Film-Maker/Stormchaser http://www.xdcam-user.com/alisters-blog/ My XDCAM site and blog. http://www.hurricane-rig.com

July 30th, 2011, 04:51 PM	#4
John Godwin Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 190	Re: Genus Variable ND Thanks for the replies. Having never in my long career used a variable ND before I was less than blissfully ignorant.