Polaroid 58mm Fader Variable ND Filter - Reviews
(3.5)
103 reviews
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For Polaroid 58mm Fader Variable ND Filter, 103 customer reviews collected from 1 e-commerce sites, and the average score is 3.5.
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14.9.2011
I have just received this variable ND filter and I am very pleased with it. The build quality is good and solid. At first the filter appeared far too large for my lens but then I realised they have constructed it in such a way as to avoid vignetting when used with wide angle lenses.The product description on Amazon and on the box imply that the filter works in discrete steps. This is not the case and it is infinitely variable between 2 and 8.667 stops reduction (ND4 to ND400 or optical density 0.6 to 2.6). I got these figures from the images I produced while testing the filter. (I managed a further 1 stop reduction by attaching my polarising filter then the variable ND.)I have uploaded some photos to the product page that illustrate the effect of the filter.
7.11.2011
I have to say I am pretty pleased with this purchase and for the price it is good but there is an issue that some may not be aware of when using it with zoom/telephoto lenses and that is any softening inherent in your lens is multiplied when using this filter.I tend to use my EOS 550D with a Sigma AF 70-300mm f4-5.6 DG Macro Canon Fit Lens as I like the fact it is good for general use but when I added the Variable ND filter to this particular lens the outcome is particularly poor. There is a drastic reduction in picture quality and the sharpness is undermined somewhat.This is not so apparent on the kit lens Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens and I am happy with the units performance with
1.8.2013
On a 50mm 1.8 this is glorious, allows me to shoot wide open in sunny daylight. I purchased a cheap 52-58mm step up ring so I could use the 58mm filter on both of my lenses.On the 18-55 kit lens, there are some artifacts at shorter focal lengths when maxing out the ND filter. However,it's only at the densest settings, and others still easily add on several stops of exposure time.So far I've used it mostly for video and I'm extremely happy with the results. There is a slight warm colour cast, and your white balance may need to be adjusted slightly to compensate, but personally I like the warming tone it adds.I've yet to test it on long exposure stills properly, however after some quick shots I'm relatively impressed.
21.7.2011
I was a bit skeptical about buying this item, but thought that if it is made by Polaroid then it can't be that bad right?On receipt, the filter came in the usual 'flip open' plastic case that most are supplied with. after holding it up to a bright window and rotating the ring, I was amazed-the window was almost completely blacked out. The movement of the ring is very smooth too. Overall I'd say this filter has a range of at least 5 stops (thats how far Ive used it so far) If you want to take those beautiful long exposure pictures of the sea or coast before the sun has completely set or get some great light trails of traffic moving through streets - then this will work just fine.
9.8.2013
This product was recommended to me by a blogging friend who is a very good amateur photographer. He has produced some excellent results with this filter, so I ordered one.The quality of the filter glass and threads are very good, as I would expect from the Polaroid brand. It was easy to fit and turn the filter and see the dramatic change in the amount of available light that is allowed or blocked. The only disappointment is that I was expecting clear number markings relating to the often quoted filter densities that I read other photographers mention, but there is only a series of markings to use as a reference, no familiar numbers like ND1,ND2 or ND10 for example.With a bit of practice and experimentation it would be possible to use this successfully,
10.9.2014
It's OK. Does what it says up to a point which is fair enough. Problem is it's very easy to go beyond that point.This variable ND filter is basically two polarisers that you rotate to block out more and more light. It will rotate the full 360 degrees and there is a range marked on the filter that tells you where you should be using it. The temptation is to push these limits a little. I suggest you avoid this as if you do you'll end up with artefacts on your images. The most extreme of which is a massive black X from corner to corner across the frame.Other than perhaps the addition of a hard stop for the recommended limits, which would obviously push up the price, I can't think of anything amiss with the filter.
26.8.2011
Being an amateur photographer, I was keenly interested in what a Variable ND Filter might allow me to achieve.I was definitely skeptical about this one because of some unfavorable reviews.However...when I started to work with it I realised that my misgivings were unnecessary. This filter allows variable exposures that enable clear images. I like High Dynamic Range images. This filter helps achieve HDR with very good quality.My results were very pleasing, and I look forward to using this filter more as I learn its strengths and how to make the most of them.The price is very good compared to similar filters costing up to 3 times as much. I certainly wouldn't want to equip very many lenses.This is a value for money filter,
8.9.2011
Let me make this clear.If you use you DSLR for video, you NEED this kit. Your aperture and shutter speed need to be constant, so this is all you have to control exposure. It turns your DSLR into a filmmaking machine, simply by taking exposure responsibility away. Obviously it can't overexpose, it's not magic but the gradation is smooth so you can expose precisely.One issue was the way it screwed into my lens meant I couldn't actually see the indicator dots because they were on the bottom as opposed to the top. This is isn't really an issue though, as I expose by eye, but if I need to remember an exposure then I'll have to find a way around it.Polaroid have done really well releasing a variable ND filter for such a low price,
23.4.2012
This is an excellent ND filter for those that do not want to hassle of the slide in ND filters which are probably more commonly used.Although the pros would probably argue that slide in filters offer more flexibility and better final image quality (and they are probably right) this circular filter is still a very good choice and well suited to beginners or those on a tight budget.I have taken several photos using it now, using the ND filter to help me creatively blur running water, do zoom bursts and just generally increase the exposure time and have had some very good results.My only really complaint is that my lens cap does not fit on to the filter which means I either have to leave the cap
3.5.2014
This ND Fader is perfect, it just has the quality of a professional filter!I've seen comments of other people saying that it is uneven and that it leaves purple marks is because they are using it wrongly. We have to pay attention to the arrow on the side of the filter, that indicates wich density we are using, if the density marks are on the opposite side of the arrow, of course it gets those marks and gets uneven, but if we respect those marks and don't use it too much over the maximum mark it get's you perfect pictures.It is also excellent for guys like me that like to film with DSLR's in manual mode, you can be always adjusting the exposure very fast and without changing your camera settings,
6.10.2018
I wasn't sure about what ND filter to get i had looked for months seeing some range up to £200 but however I then had a week of work experience with the BBC and I started talking about filters to the Camera assistant and he reccomend me this one he told me to be daunted by its cheap price for a filter but that it is probably one of the best value filters out there for its quality. For anyone doing film or photography and don't have a filter I recomment just going for it and impulse buy this. It has helped me out so much. as you can see in the picture above if I didnt have the filter there would be a massive amount of over exposure and it wouldn't look as good as it does.
5.1.2014
I have found this to be a superb filter that doesn't seem to degrade the picture quality at all. I have tested the full range of the filter on a cheese grater to see whether picture sharpness etc is affected and can honestly say that I cannot tell the photos with and without the filter apart. The quality of the filter itself is excellent and it screws/unscrews very smoothly as does the adjustment rotation. I was contemplating purchasing a much more expensive equivalent filter as I was worrying that this cheaper option would be of poor quality but I am very glad I chose this one. I can't see what would be gained by buying one for more than twice or even four times the cost of this one.
11.7.2014
I ordered this and a much cheaper Neewer make variable ND filter and so far have found very little difference. However reviewing this as it is I have to say I am pleased with the initial results and for the occasional use I will be giving it I am more than satisfied, certainly I couldn't justify the £50 or more being charged by some mainstream brands for a filter I may use twice a year.So all in all I think this is a good value/performance option. Like the Neewer branded one just moving your position slightly in relation to the sun can make a difference in reducing the minor optical flaws I found when fully closed down.
21.7.2011
For the price of this filter it offers exactly what i wanted - the ability to get those longe exposure sea/clouds/trees shots that seem to be all the rage at the moment. TBH i was amazed at just how much light it is capable of blocking out when i first rotated the ring. Getting the exposure correct takes a little trial and error but this kind of image does anyway and is easily balanced out by the convenience of its size and adjustability - look at the cost of some of the "quality" brands single grade filters and tell me this isnt a bargain!
10.8.2013
Does anyone know what the size of the front thread is on the 77mm filter? I have screw in covers for top and bottom of my filters so I can stack them together but the front thread is larger than 77mm so the cover does not fit. What size do I need to get?I also have a 58mm variable density filter. This works slightly better than the 77mm. When taken past the maximum setting the 77mm can form an uneven X though by moving one piece of glass over the other it can be reduced. The 58mm one does not do that.