Singh-Ray Variable Neutral Density Filter

[Sideshow Bob]

Does anyone know how there are made? Is it just two polarized filters stacked together?

Gale

[Two23]

I think that's what they are. I bought a similar variable ND from B&H a couple of months ago and that's all it was. I ended up sending it back because it was hard to know how much density there was at any setting to figure exposure. My SHen Hao doesn't have TTL.


Kent in SD

[Mark Woods]

The variable Polas also are color specific and pretty amazing.

[msk2193]

Bob, one is a circular polarizer and the other is a liner polarizer.
The Vari-n-Duo is my favorite filter!

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[Bob Salomon]

In the case of the Heliopan Vario which goes from 0.3 to 1.8 density (1 to 6.6 stops) they are two of the new High Transmission Heliopan circular pols mounted back to back in a very thin mount.

[cdholden]

In the case of the Heliopan Vario which goes from 0.3 to 1.8 density (1 to 6.6 stops) they are two of the new High Transmission Heliopan circular pols mounted back to back in a very thin mount.

I was considering one of these variable ND filters to reduce weight and clutter in the bag. As I think about it, I come to one important question: By doing this variable filtering with two polarizers, isn't this combination filter actually modifying the light instead of just reducing it's throughput? It would seem the same for Singh Ray, as well as Heliopan if they're both using polarizers.

Chris

[Bob Salomon]

I was considering one of these variable ND filters to reduce weight and clutter in the bag. As I think about it, I come to one important question: By doing this variable filtering with two polarizers, isn't this combination filter actually modifying the light instead of just reducing it's throughput? It would seem the same for Singh Ray, as well as Heliopan if they're both using polarizers.

Chris

First, the Heliopan in 67 to 82mm goes from 0.3 to 1.8 which is 1 to 1.8 stops. Sorry for the confusion.

No it only changes the density. If you screw it into a polarizer then you can increase the density by 1 stop (with the Heliopan High Transmission Circ Pol) or 1 2/3rd stops with other types of polarizers. The amount of density change with a Heliopan Vario ND is restricted to the working range as the filter is hard stopped at either end of the density range.

[Daniel Stone]

bob, I think you had it right the 1st time:

.3 llll .6 llll .9 llll 1.2 llll 1.5 llll 1.8 markings on filter
1 llll 2 llll 3 llll 4 llll 5 llll 6 # stops of light removed

if I'm wrong, please correct me :)

-Dan

[Bob Salomon]

bob, I think you had it right the 1st time:

.3 llll .6 llll .9 llll 1.2 llll 1.5 llll 1.8 markings on filter
1 llll 2 llll 3 llll 4 llll 5 llll 6 # stops of light removed

if I'm wrong, please correct me :)

-Dan

When we originally introduced them they went from 0.3 to 2.0 which is 1 to 6.6 stops. They will now be 0.3 to 1.8 which is 1 to 6 stops. This only is true for the 67 to 82mm versions. 52 to 62mm are still 0.3 to 2.0.

[ljsegil]

Has anybody had any experience with the Light Craft variable density ND filters? Not quite as pricey as the others.
Larry