Tiffen 82VND 82mm Variable Neutral Density Camera Filter|2 to 8-Stop|Light Control|Film and Digital/Video/Photography

Got this to use with my Rokinon 12mm F2.0 manual ultra wide angle lens and it has been fabulous. I'm just a beginner in photography, and it's just a hobby I enjoy. I love having the variable ND filter as I don't need have a ton of these on hand and figure out which one I want- I just pop it on and rotate it to what I need for the settings and conditions I'm shooting at the moment. Works great. I'm sure there are other options too, but I've gotten great results with this filter when shooting out in the middle of a sunny day. I think that even as I grow in skill, I will still be using this filter for those slower shutter speed shots.

I've bought every brand of filter in the world, including lots of the expensive European brands. I have many, many filters that cost more than many SLR lenses. But after 40+ years in photography and video, I have decided to standardize on Tiffen filters whenever possible. That means, whenever a Tiffen product is available in the size I need it, deliverable on the day I need it.Some brands of filters cost many multiples of Tiffen prices, but I got burned a couple of years ago in buying a premium, super expensive European ND filter, and liked it less than a comparable Tiffen I owned in another size. My problem was a pronounced color cast in the European brand, so bad that I could not intercut HDSLR video footage.I think anyone shooting video with a HDSLR camera is well advised not to intermix filter brands. The video files produced by DSLR camera simply do not have enough "elasticity" to be match graded in post. The critical thing in HDSLR video production is to get everything as nearly perfect as possible in camera, and avoid as much color grading as possible in post.I am currently planning to replace all my Lightcraft Workshop Fader ND filters with Tiffen. I've seen reviews online which highly rate Tiffen Variable ND filters, and I am inclined to believe them given decades of experience with this brand. I only wish Tiffen had not been so late to market with a product of this type -- it would have saved me a lot of money.Tiffen is a trusted brand, and I like the fact that the are Made in America.

Turning the filter does produce the dreaded cross, but that's when set at an extreme adjustment. In fact, I purposely try to get the cross, and then just dial back and get clear and clean images.

I purchased this for video use. I am a non-professional hobbyist when it comes to videography. I mostly film run and gun style family moments.Pros82mmSix stops of coverageConsThicklack of hard stopsLack of protection when on camera and not in useAs a consumer at this price point, I think this is a great purchase. I helped me control light and get my desired shutter speed. I feel that the image quality is great. There is a slight color cast, but nothing I can't correct in post. I color correct all of my footage, so this is not a setback for me.When I purchase filters, I always buy in 82mm and use step-up rings to size to my smaller glass. I like that this unit came in the 82mm width. Secondly, the coverage is an excellent range for stops 2 - 8. It is easy to use, and I have not noticed artifacts while using.A few features that I do not like and that I do not think would be expensive to fix. While the filter is easy to use and use while rolling, it does not have a tactile indicator telling you that you have hit a stop or endpoint. This likely keeps things smoother while filming, but it would be nice to have a hard stop at the endpoints.The filter is thick. You can see this in pictures compared to other filters with similar functionality. I did not think of this when purchasing, but it makes it difficult to put in my filter sleeve to carry multiple filters/step-up rings. It is a tight squeeze for just the filter, a filter with a ring attached does not fit; this requires a complete disassembly every time which dissuades use.Lastly, an 82mm lens cap does not fit this filter once attached to the camera. I'm not particularly eager to leave my glass unprotected when not in use. Not being willing to leave the filter attached due to lack of a protective cover means I miss opportunities because I have to assemble first. This may be an amateurish complaint, but I do not make money off of my gear. I have to treat it with care so that it lasts.Overall, I would purchase this filter again. I think it provides great utility, especially when used for video. I've spent more words on this review detailing cons, but it is a reliable variable ND filter that performs as expected. The best gear is the gear you use.Tiffen if you monitor the comments. I know I would get more use of this filter if it had a protective covering. Following that, please figure out hard stops.

This is by far the best Variable ND I've worked with.I was shooting on a sunny day at f1.4 with this set to 8 stops, footage came out beautifully.The body is nice durable metal, and the ring turns smoothly, making it easy as pie to dial in the exact amount of nd i need.One thing to note, do not rotate past the indicated areas, past that point will cause splotching in the image.definitely worth your money, even if you have smaller lenses, just get adapter rings, you wont regret it.