Variable ND Filters

A Variable ND (Neutral Density) Filter is all about controlling light. It's super handy for managing how much light gets into your camera. You can adjust its density to suit various lighting situations, which is great for pulling off creative effects like motion blur, even when it's really bright out.

To adjust a Variable ND filter, you just need to rotate its two polarizing layers. This is done by turning the outer ring, which changes the filter's density. This way, you can control the light passing through your lens, adapting easily to whatever lighting conditions you're facing.

While it's technically feasible to stack a polariser and a variable ND filter, it's generally advised against. Both filters influence the polarisation of light, and using them together can lead to undesired effects such as uneven polarisation, colour shifts, and diminished image quality. For combined effects, a singular filter that integrates both polarising and ND features is recommended for more consistent outcomes.

A standard ND (Neutral Density) filter offers a fixed level of light reduction, consistently dimming the scene. In contrast, a Variable ND filter provides adjustable light reduction through the rotation of its outer ring, giving you more flexibility in responding to varying lighting situations without the need to interchange the filter.

It depends on the conditions you’ll be shooting in and the effects you want to achieve.

Our Variable ND2-32 is made for low-light, our Variable ND2-400 and ND8-128 are for low-light and bright light, and our ND64-1000 is specifically for harsh bright light and long exposure.