Solid ND Filter Shootout 

I never actually comment on videos, but i've spent the afternoon looking for a decent in depth review for a fixed ND and this is it. Fair play!

Thanks for “filtering” out the best filters for us! I’ve really been liking the PolarPro Quartz ND filters. I’m impressed with how resilient and durable they are.

Thank you. Very nice comparison. Can't wait to see the variable vs fixed reviews. Should be interesting. Oh, that green cast - was handed some footage a while ago and couldn't for the life of me figure out what the deal was. Now it makes sense - crappy filter must have been on the cam.

I struggled for a long time with my Sony EX-1 and IR. It was a known problem. The folks who shot weddings were especially peeved as any black fabric would turn a plum or burgundy color. Happened under daylight and tungsten lighting. The later IRND hybrid filters helped a LOT!

Hi Dave - great video - when I screw filters on, I usually turn them backwards a little until I hear/feel a little click; that's when the start of the two threads meet and then it is quite easy to screw them on :-)

I had the those Tiffens from Years ago , and they had a slight magenta cast, then I bought more and the exact same models came to me with the Green cast you show. So I bought the Formatt Firecrest for some of my small primes I use on my drone, and thought they looked pretty neutral to my eye. I'm bummed they didn't even get to stay in the running here. Those things were expensive!

This video made me laugh about my personal experience with NDs. When I was starting out I purchased the Tiffen variable ND after watching your original review. I subsequently purchased 3, solid Tiffens and was horrified by the color cast as well! Thank you for compiling another broad selection and showing how they affect the Sony colors! FWIW, I replaced my Tiffens with ZOMEi HD variable NDs which are available on Amazon and specify: "Original SCHOTT Glass from Germany, Compare B+W" - I have noticed little color cast and good sharpness. They are also very affordable. Keep making informative videos, we were missing your uploads for a while!

I always loved my Hoya Pro 1 'digital' multi-coat filters, and my Genus variable ND filter. Pricey, but good.

Thumbs UP for bringing up the cleaning aspect. I struggle getting my hoya ND filters smudge free, especially here at the beach with the salty air.

wow ... I recognized this "bokeh patterns" in my images recently. Maybe it's my new B+W clear filter - have to try this out ... thanks for your review!

I worked in a camera store for decades and a quick way I’d compare neutral density filters, and polarizing filters too, was lay them out on a sheet of white paper or on a light table. Color differences showed up easily. Rumor was that Tiffen used green glass with their filters. You might even see the difference comparing clear or UV filters. Another demo I’d used to show the advantage of multicoated filters vs mono or uncoated filters was to stand across the room holding one in each hand and asked which was more transparent or had fewer reflections. It was obvious the multicoated one was much better.

I’ve been using the Hoya IRND filters for a couple years now. I’ve been really happy with them. I’m not tempted by the Breakthrough hype.

Thanks for the great review! May I ask what is the difference between the Hoya IRND and ProND?

Thanks for this review Dave! It helped me decide which one to get!

The Irix Edge ND might be a very good filter, too. I will try this filter soon, because I'm not very happy with my Haida ND filter.

As for low cost option,I do recommend tryout Haida from China, minimum color shift and very sharp

Thank you! I'd really like to see your review of a range of stops for Benro fixed ND filters.

I have a heliopan filter, it’s a full 3.0 and seems to work well, though I haven’t tested it like you have. I went with it because at the time, it was one of the few 86mm thread filters. I think there are more now though. I think I’ll look into those filters and see how they compare.

Color cast is important, but contrast and flares are as well. At the beginning I purchased a couple of Dörr variable ND filters. I'm wish I never did. They cost me like 30 € each and they are the worst!! Very interesting video, as always, Dave.

Great work Dave many thanks. I have been using Hoya ProND filters for some time (not the Hoya pro 1 digital) and would love to know a comparison between the new Hoya ND that came out best in your tests and the Hoya Pro ND. You might want to try using the Xume magnet system for your filters it makes it such a breeze to change in the field and I find I don't get the fingerprints on them as it is so simple and quick to change

Thanks so much for the detailed review!!

Great work as always Dave - wish that I had seen this one "$1000.00 in ND filters" ago! LOL

Wow, great video. Thanks for doing that tedious work!

odd about the Breakthrough filter. At least their CPLs are the best I have ever tried.

yeah Varibale ND Part 2! :) I have the LCM and it is NOT good... the B&W one is way better in terms of color. I have a Formatt Hitech 10 Stop filter and it is true the highlights are all blue.

Very helpful👍

Thank you for the comparison Dave. Would you be willing to do a video about NDs for Wide angle lenses like Fotodiox WonderPana and the Aurora Aperture, especially the rear mounting ones.

I can easily fit the lens hood on my Sony 24-105 with the 77mm HOYA variable density filter on. Only problem is that you can’t turn the filter with the hood on.

Thabks for this Dave! Please tryout the new Hoya Solas X variable ND 🙂

Marumi makes some of the highest quality filters I have been told, Lee filters are great also.

lf you want to test color shift, use a Nikon D40. My D40 is much more sensitive to ND filter color shift than any other camera l've had.

MVP! Great review

Very useful info Dave! Thank you! Please tell me what is the best variable filter. Thank you.

Hi, thanks to share this interesting video. I need to ask a question please: I shoot only 4K videos in V-Log with my GH6 and Leica 12-60mm. Which solid ND filter (3 stops) can you suggest in outdoor please? Thanks

Great comparison, I've got two Marumi ND's and theyre great no cast that i can see.

I'm just learning about IR pollution and it's noteable that the Benro Master Series is specified as having IR cut in their ND filters. (Obviously the Hoya IRND ones do also.) I wonder if IR pollution is a bigger problem than just the older Blackmagic cameras?

Mmmm.. I appreciate the info as always =) but I was hoping you would've included the Polarpro Quartz also.

You definitely took the best filter out of the running with the Breakthrough filter. You should have put it through all the test against the other filters. I have that Hoya you tested and the Breakthrough and there is no comparison. The Breakthrough blows the Hoya away in real in the field usage.

Thanks for your comprehesive review! For those who are thinking about getting the Benro, I just checked on TMall(the Chinese amazon) where Benro claims an effective infrared coating to block out infrared and reduce color cast with this filter. It could be that B & H just overlooked this feature in its specs sheet. If you're interested in having a look at the chinese site, here's the link goo.gl/nRV288. It's listed as the 2nd feature in the triple protection poster.

Dear Dave, get Rodenstock variable ND if you can, for the test :)

I have hoya pro ND and it's impossible to clean. Very hard.

Many thanks. please include the Marumi DHG ND 2-400 when you do another variable filter comparison.

Hi Dave, is it possible that with age and exposure to light more often, that the quality of the ND filter can change such as the color cast effect? Is there a large difference in age and use between the models you used in your test or are they all new? Thank you.

Does the Hoya have a front filter thread?

I have tested the 70-200 GM with 67mm filters and there was no problem at all while shooting video. So the problem with the hood has a work around ;)

You took the breakthrough out of the running for fluorescent lights..... are you kidding me Lol Dave come on! 😂

Tiffan? Tiffen?

Thanks.

Thanks for this Dave, in terms of intensity which one would you say is the best for general outdoor video shooting? (Like for shooting at F1.8 on a Sony FF, my guess is between 4-6 stops)

SIMMOD 82mm Variable Neutral Density I look at Instagram and I not sure if those are true review or not bud looks very good I haven't try it yet ! Dave did you heard anything about this one ? Thanks for creating this all for us

Great video! Which filter type (darkness) is the most usefull for video if the goal is to shoot wide open (F1.4 - 2.8) etc? I see filters that go up to 10 stops. Is this overkill for video needs? Would a 5stop filter (your top pick) be sufficient for wide open shooting?

Benro claims the ND filter does have IR cut (both on the website and in an email). I have a Blackmagic 4k and will need IR cut. Any chance you can test if it really does have IR cut? It is the same with the x4. They claim it does in an email, but it's not really marketed as IRND.

What about hoya prond 1000 filter? Is it as good as the one u reviewed apart from IR

Could you go into more detail on the Firecrest? I watched other videos that made it seem better than the Hoya IRND, but they were using Blackmagic or Red cameras. Wonder if it's due to different sensor?

Hi Dave, hope that this is OK ... If you own a Sony RX0, I've made a video on the filter adapter and filter selection that has been well-received: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-mKzwFN6RKCE.html There's also a companion video on the RX0 and filter vignetting: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-sMGBdxHdG5o.html

Wish you would've tried Zomei ones (Zomei store on AliExpress (or eBay); the Slim Pro II MC), I believe their good value on somewhat of a bottom dollar budget. Up from that I think the Rollei line-up offer interesting value and are worth checking out. And there's rectangular filters for holders too...