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Variable ND Filters

howiebrou

By howiebrou
in Leica M Lenses

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howiebrou

howiebrou

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I am looking for a variable ND filter for my 50mm Noctilux. There seems to be only one on the market for 60mm (Heliopan). Does anyone have any experience with this brand?

 

If I got a 62mm filter (which seems to be a much more common size) and an adaptor, would it interfere with the built in hood of the Noctilux. Thanks!

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darylgo

darylgo

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Variable ND use two filters, as  a general rule one filter (of good quality) will not degrade image performance.   Two filters can degrade so you need to test the filter.  My experience with the Heliopan Variable ND is it did degrade performance, whereas a cheaper Tiffen didn't.   Tiffen (consumer grade) is not a brand I would normally prefer and Heliopan would be, however Variable ND are variable in quality as well as ND, so test whatever you buy.  For the Noctilux I would attempt to purchase the 60mm but several years ago when I checked there were none, maybe someone has one now.   Your hood will not provide much function with these filters and 62mm adapted filters will prevent the hood function.  As an alternative I special ordered a 60mm 4 stop ND and am much happier with one filter rather than two, choosing to give up the abilities of the variable.  

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howiebrou

howiebrou

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Another premium alternative would be: B&W XS-Pro Vario.

Gregor

Thanks. B& W would be my go to source but I don’t think they make a 60mm?

 

I use Heliopan polarisers and have no complaints.

Thanks.

 

 

Variable ND use two filters, as a general rule one filter (of good quality) will not degrade image performance. Two filters can degrade so you need to test the filter. My experience with the Heliopan Variable ND is it did degrade performance, whereas a cheaper Tiffen didn't. Tiffen (consumer grade) is not a brand I would normally prefer and Heliopan would be, however Variable ND are variable in quality as well as ND, so test whatever you buy. For the Noctilux I would attempt to purchase the 60mm but several years ago when I checked there were none, maybe someone has one now. Your hood will not provide much function with these filters and 62mm adapted filters will prevent the hood function. As an alternative I special ordered a 60mm 4 stop ND and am much happier with one filter rather than two, choosing to give up the abilities of the variable.

 

That’s what I would be afraid of and since i have to have it sent to me, I would worry about sending it back if it didn’t perform well. A 3-5 stop ND would be great but not widely available. May i ask you where you special ordered your 60mm 4 stop ND? Thanks. Edited by howiebrou
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darylgo

darylgo

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That’s what I would be afraid of and since i have to have it sent to me, I would worry about sending it back if it didn’t perform well. A 3-5 stop ND would be great but not widely available. May i ask you where you special ordered your 60mm 4 stop ND? Thanks.

 

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=60mm%20heliopan%20nd&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

 

The 4 stop now appears to be a normally stocked item, 5 or 6 stop is special order.   4 stop is barely enough nd on a bright day to get 1/4000 at f0.95 at iso 100, so you might consider 5 or 6 stops to allow for headroom, my preference is always less nd.   Another brand you might check is Formatt Hitech, they are very responsive to emails and may be able to help, their filters are exceptional but may not be brass, so inquire about the mount also.  Lastly, don't worry about multicoated, single coating is good enough unless you're always shooting high contrast subjects and want the slight improvement it might afford, normal subjects test the same with single and multicoating.  

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M11 for me

M11 for me

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https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=60mm%20heliopan%20nd&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

 

The 4 stop now appears to be a normally stocked item, 5 or 6 stop is special order.   4 stop is barely enough nd on a bright day to get 1/4000 at f0.95 at iso 100, so you might consider 5 or 6 stops to allow for headroom, my preference is always less nd.   Another brand you might check is Formatt Hitech, they are very responsive to emails and may be able to help, their filters are exceptional but may not be brass, so inquire about the mount also.  Lastly, don't worry about multicoated, single coating is good enough unless you're always shooting high contrast subjects and want the slight improvement it might afford, normal subjects test the same with single and multicoating.

 

Why should it be brass? I think that does not matter.

 

Further: Why not to buy the Leica ND 16x filter? This is the requested 4 stopp filter for the f/0.95.

 

This is maybe a rethoric question as I am just switching to Formatt Hitech and I am very satisfied (as satisfied as with the 100mm Lee ND filters). I believe the the Leica product is of inferior quality. Anyway much worse than Lee or formatt hitech considering the color shift.

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darylgo

darylgo

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Why should it be brass? I think that does not matter.

 

Further: Why not to buy the Leica ND 16x filter? This is the requested 4 stopp filter for the f/0.95.

 

This is maybe a rethoric question as I am just switching to Formatt Hitech and I am very satisfied (as satisfied as with the 100mm Lee ND filters). I believe the the Leica product is of inferior quality. Anyway much worse than Lee or formatt hitech considering the color shift.

re: brass.  The only reason I mentioned this is that I had recently purchased a Formatt Hitech filter expecting brass and the mount was somewhat flimsy, made of aluminum.  I prefer brass, many times it doesn't matter but it does when shooting landscape in difficult situations where my hands are numb and it has been a long arduous day.  

 

re: Leica 16x ND.  Thanks for the heads up, I wasn't aware of these.   The Leica UV filters test very good, but so so expensive.   The Leica aluminum rings may be the best I've ever used.

 

My inclination is the same as yours, buy filters from a filter manufacturer.  

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M11 for me

M11 for me

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Thx. I understand your points. Re aluminium rings from Hitech: I did not think of anything when I got my first Hitech the other day. I just went to look again how the handling is. I think that there is no difference to thre Leica. That is actually good news. I think that there would be nothing to worry sbout aluminium with hitech

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darylgo

darylgo

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As an alternative to 60mm you could use a 58mm with a step down ring, vignetting may occur with thicker filters such as polarizers and variable ND, but likely not with a single type thinner filter.  When I did a quick test it was difficult to see any greater vignetting with the 58/step down combination on the Noctilux.  Although not ideal it is an alternative to buying a filter you possess in a smaller size and then crop any vignetting.  As an unintended consequence the added vignetting is quite often a nice effect when subtle.  

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