77mm Fader ND Filter
 

I'm about to purchase a 77mm Fader ND filter which fits these three lenses:

17-40mm F4L
24-105mm F4L
EF-S 10-22mm F3.5

Does anyone know if this filter vignettes with any of these lenses and, if it does, how much? Thanks!

I can't comment on those lenses, but I can say that I went the cheaper route and bought a linear polarizer to stack with my existing 72mm circular polarizer and use it as a variable ND on my 28-135 lens. It works fine. If you have concerns about vignetting, why not just purchase a step up ring and the next size up of the filter you want? 77 to 82mm step up rings are less than $10 at B&H I believe.

The 77mm Fader ND is $108.

Thanks for the advice, but I currently don't have any 82mm filters. I'd need to purchase the step-up ring and both of the 82mm polarizing filters. How much would that cost? (I suspect far more than $108)

Where do you purchase a Fader ND? I can only find normal ND filters on B&H and Google searching only shows blog posts and discussion topics about them (including this thread).

Fader ND Purchase
 

Here is the link that I've seen to purchase:

Online Shop - Fader ND

I can't imagine encountering any vignetting with the 7D due to it's 1.6x crop.

You'd only have to worry about vignetting with EF-S lenses. But they usually have small thread diameters, so you'd be using a step up to 77mm, before the Fader ND. Vignetting is highly unlikely.

The 77mm Fader ND is basically an 82mm filter in a 77mm step-down ring so I would be amazed if there was any vignetting with the 1.6X crop of the 7D.

Has anyone here tried this fader ND? What is the quality like?

Richard

Like it. A lot. Like a second iris control on front of the camera. Shot all day with it and it worked great: excellent quality and no vignetting on a Canon 24-105mm. Only thing is that the lens hood has to go on the lens after the filter because of the 82mm filter size.

OK, thanks Nate.

Richard

Nate what hood do you have that fits over it?

Stock hood that comes with Canon 24-105mm F4L. Model number is EW-83H.

I might be more clear - the hood needs to go on first, then you need to screw on the filter somehow. My earlier post was misleading, my apologies, the lens has to go on after the hood.

I wonder how the Fader ND compares to the Singh-Ray. That's the one I was thinking of getting, along with a 58 to 77mm step up.

Singh-Ray | 77mm Vari-ND Variable Neutral | VARI-NDTHIN77MM

The Fader ND will work on all the lenses you list but on the 10-22 you might get some vignetting especially if using the camera for stills. In video the 16x9 frame crop should cut most of the vignette out if there is any.

Does that mean if I have a 77mm lens and get the 77mm Fader ND, will the original 77mm lens cap work still? Or would I have to get a 82mm lens cap to cover the 77mm Fader ND?

I also purchased a circular and linear polarizer and don't understand why anyone would purchase these more expensive ones, they are the same thing only thinner

Sorry for the dumb question, but how are they the same as a adjustable ND filter? I didn't think you could adjust a circular or linear polalizer.

A 82mm lens cap was included with my Fader ND. Just FYI.

Mike I'd like to learn more about what your suggesting. Are you saying that if you use a circular polarizer along with a linear polarizer it becomes and adjustable polarizer?

If so about how many stops do you gain?

Also if that's the case what and where could I find such a thing?

Hi Lloyd. Yes you can adjust a CP filter. It is in 2 parts, one screwed to the lens and one on the front that is turned to change the filtering effect.

Richard

A polarizer and an ND are two totally different filters that do totally different things. It just so happens that one side effect of the polarizers is light loss.

Mike, I think you answered your own question. The Fader is thinner, hence you can actually use it on wide lenses without vignetting. Also the faders are actually cheaper than most Cpl and LP combinations.

Graham,

A variable ND IS two Circular Polarisers back to back, that's how it works to give the ND effect.

Dan

I bought the Singh-Ray 77mm and got step rings to fit my other lenses. It works well and I'm totally happy with it.
Bruce Yarock

Oh cr*p, I did not know that. So with any vari ND, you may or may not also be getting the effect of polarization as well depending on the current amount of rotation?

Buy a linear polarizer and a circular polarizer. Screw the circular one on to the linear one. Mount both to your lens. Turn the outer ring of the circular polarizer...waalaaa! A fader ND. There are many brands to chose from but I got my two from B&H for under $100.

The 77mm version of the Fader ND is under $110 including shipping so you don't make much of a saving & purpose made variable density filter is thinner, more convenient & works better. The 58mm Fader ND is around $65 including shipping. The combination of two polarisers is still cheaper than the over-priced Singh Ray variable density filter & you do of course get a couple of polarising filters to use standalone. I bought a a CPL & LPL cheap from Ebay when the only option was that or the $400+ for the Singh Ray but now the Fader NDs are available at reasonable prices it's really not worth bothering with a DIY job.

I have the Fader brand and it seems well made and high quality, though I haven't used it much yet. Is it inferior in any way to the Singh-Ray?

I bought the circular and linear polarizer slightly bigger than my biggest lens. I bought step up rings for all my lens sizes. No vignetting. Cheap. Work as well as the expensive variable NDs but a bit thicker. Saving $70 - 300 for a little thicker filter.

No brainer.

I've got 3 ND 77mm filters for my 10-22 (4x,8x,400x) at 10mm you can only use one (removing the UV filter) if you zoom in a little (like 12mm) you can stack 2. Going over those numbers will get you visible vignetting. I've also got a 77-72 and a 77-62 adaptater to use it on other lenses.
The best tip I can give you is : keep them the cleanest you can. You will likekely use them with small apertures and long exposure, so any spot will be noticeable. I use only dry microfiber cloth.

Keep in mind that using a variable ND filter at it's higher settings can introduce purple into the blacks, and a hot mirror may be required.

All the Best!

You got a Circular Polarizer, Linear Polarizer and setup up ring for $40? Really? Because you can get a Variable ND filter for $110.

I'm a little confused about the possibility of vignetting. If I wanted a Fader ND for the 50/1.2L would I just get that thread size, i.e. 72mm, or do I need to go bigger (77?) with a step up ring?

thanks.

Best place to buy Fader ND?
 

This thread has convinced me I'd be better off just spendind a few extra bucks and getting a true Fader (albeit not the premium-priced Singh). Next question: Where to buy? Is it true you can get a serviceable Fader ND for ~$100? I'd love for people who've bought these online to post a current link. I'm looking for a 77mm for a Canon 70-200 f/2.8 IS, and then I'll buy some step-up rings for my other lenses.

So, where'd you buy, how was the purchase experience, and how'd you like the fader?

Anyone using a fixed ND filter before the fader? I'm thinking of trying that with a four or six stop ND.

ebay........

http://www.lightcraftworkshop-shop.com

Good experience. PayPal, cheap international shipping, etc. Probably the same seller as on eBay anyways. Nice product that comes with a spiffy little plastic case and fitted lens cap. Backordered for now though...

Well stap me! I never heard of that either .. I have enough trouble with one. With my earlier cams I used a Moose CP but no longer. With HDV I like to gather original colours and maybe screw around in post.
Cheers.

I bought mine on eBay for $109. It just arrived after ordering it on 3/25/10.

No problem with the 24-105 since it is a full frame 35mm lens on the 7D.
Very tiny vignetting in the corners on the 10-22. @ 11mm gone.

http://www.lightcraftworkshop-shop.com

Good experience. PayPal, cheap international shipping, etc. from eBay seller. Nice product that comes with a spiffy little plastic case and fitted lens cap. Backordered for now though...

Hi Allan. You can't really reproduce the effect of a CP filter in post. It is not just a colour or exposure change, it also reduces reflections from glass and water surfaces and lets you see "inside".

Richard