How to tell number of stops with variable ND filter?

5 years 5 months ago #617592 by Ontherocks
I'm looking at one of those Kenko variable NDX filters and all they have are a bunch of dots on the side of the filter from small to big.  Is there a way to know how many stops you are at with this filter?  


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5 years 5 months ago #617605 by effron
It should come with instructions.....

Why so serious?
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5 years 5 months ago #617613 by garyrhook
+1 on the above.

That said, it's likely a 1 - 10 stop.

As for using it, I figure out my exposure with the filter as open as possible, then dial it in until the light meter shows the required reading. Then I take the shot.  Tweak and repeat.


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5 years 5 months ago #617618 by Ontherocks
Ahhhh, gotcha.  Well I haven't bought yet.  Trying to figure out how easy these are to figure out before I make the buy.  

Just saw another one - Aurora-Aperture PowerXND 2000 Variable Neutral Density Filter 4 to 11 Stops

www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1272901-R...d_2000_variable.html

This one goes from Min to Max, so again not a clear 2,6,8,10 stops settings.  


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5 years 5 months ago - 5 years 5 months ago #617619 by Nikon Shooter
Say you're ready to take a shot, knowing you'll use the VND
filter, and you read ƒ 5.6, 1/200s and ISO 100.

As soon as you set the VND on, the light meter will reflect its
presence and degree of density… no approximation.

Test a few before purchase so to get a really neutral AMAP and
always use a WB card

Light is free… capturing it is not!
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5 years 5 months ago #617637 by effron
My Tiffen is a 2 to 8, however from about five to eight introduces an X factor on the image....Shop wisely, read many reviews.

Why so serious?
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5 years 5 months ago #617791 by Sawyer
This should help you out


Canon 5D Mark II | Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM | Canon 35L | Sigma 85 1.4 | Helios 44M-6 58mm(M42) | Zeiss 50mm 1.4 (C/Y) | Canon 135L | (2) 430EX II
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5 years 5 months ago #618027 by Roblane
The only thing I don't like about variable ND's is the 'X' that shows up in the photos 


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5 years 5 months ago #618048 by garyrhook

Roblane wrote: The only thing I don't like about variable ND's is the 'X' that shows up in the photos 


Only with cheap ones. I don't have that problem.


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5 years 5 months ago #618177 by CatherineW
Once you use it a few times you'll start knowing what each notch means for number of stops. 

***Remember 9/11***
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5 years 5 months ago #618360 by Finn

CatherineW wrote: Once you use it a few times you'll start knowing what each notch means for number of stops. 



+1 pretty much best advice you can give. 


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5 years 5 months ago - 5 years 5 months ago #618368 by Troponin
Just got mine yesterday. It’s a matter of simple math. I just divided the number of dots to the max claimed stop rating (10 on mine) and discovered mine is 2 stops for each dot, 


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