As you can see from the image below, unlike still image, a video clip is made of a sequence of still images. With low shutter speed, each still image will blur but will look smooth in the video sequence. On the contrary, a higher shutter speed will capture the object solid and sharp, but once in a video sequence all objects will appear separated, creating jarring and unnatural looking motion. We believe the best variable ND filter is the PolarPro 67mm variable ND filter. Continue reading to find out what makes it the best variable ND filter. Overall Best Variable ND Filter Stills shooters looking for big-resolution, high-quality images (think landscape photographers) will typically opt for a fixed ND filter. Videographers or photojournalists and street and travel photographers might opt for a variable ND filter. ND filters will either be made of glass or resin. Glass ND filters are higher quality. The provide a better optical quality and nicer colours; however, they are more expensive. They can also break quite easily.

Freewell 82mm Versatile Magnetic Variable ND (VND) Filter Freewell 82mm Versatile Magnetic Variable ND (VND) Filter

The Haida Intercahngable Variable ND is of excellent quality, and with two density ranges, 2-5 and 6-9 Stop to choose from you have everything covered. Like other variable NDs, this magnetic version is constructed with two circular polarisers, as the element is rotated the density is increased or decreased affecting the amount of light that falls through the lens and onto the sensor. Our final best variable ND filter is the Neewer 82mm variable fader ND2. This variable ND filter makes our list because it uses advanced technology to do its job. Features & Specifications If you do go for a round ND filter, you should consider buying a large filter and some step-up rings so that you can use it on several lenses. This could be a nice compromise. Glass vs resin ND filtersAll you do is turn the variable ND control to the amount of light passing through for either 2 through 8 stops. As long as you know what you're getting into, variable ND filters can be a tremendously useful tool. Here are, for our money, the best variable ND filters you can buy right now. The Moment Variable ND is a lens mounted filter and screws directly into the front of your camera’s lens; it can then be rotated to increase or decrease the effect. From the first moment you open the case, you can feel that this is something different. The red hue of the coating of the front element highlights that difference.

Best variable ND filter - Camera Jabber Best variable ND filter - Camera Jabber

There are plenty of Variable ND options out there, but not all come close to the convenience of the Haida offerings. As variable NDs go there’s little to fault with the optical performance, but what’s apparent is just how good an idea magnetic variable NDs are. The next best variable ND filter is the B+W 77mm XS-Pro digital vario ND with nano coating. This neutral density variable filter lets you set a density between +1 and +5 stops. Features & Specifications There aren't a lot of genuine surprises in the world of photographic filters, but H&Y's Revoring system is something else. This clever device is two filters in one – both a polariser and a variable ND filter, and what's more, its spring-loaded attachment mechanism means it can adapt to a huge range of filter sizes.

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The filter rotating ring goes between ND2 and ND400 to give you enough versatility to change light. Schneider Optics’ B+W XS-Pro Digital ND Vario MRC Nano is more than you’ve likely budgeted for a variable ND filter, but it’s the variable ND filter you should buy. What sets the B+W XS-Pro Digital ND Vario MRC Nano apart from others is a Multi-Resistant Coating that perfectly repels water. Rain or sea spray, droplets bead up nicely and roll off the filter. What’s more, this coating also effectively reduces ghosting and reflections. It’s best to use an ND filter or variable ND filter when you are shooting in strong daylight or other bright conditions and want to shoot with a wide aperture, for instance, to create a shallow depth of field effect. Without an ND filter in this situation you will probably blow out your exposure. An ND filter helps reduce the light coming into your lens, allowing you to shoot at f/2.8, for example, at a reasonable shutter speed.

82mm Variable ND Filter - CVP Tiffen 82mm Variable ND Filter - CVP

Customers like you enjoy this best variable ND filter, especially for outdoor shooting. You’ll love the quality of your photos and videos using this variable ND filter. In short, a fixed ND filter will deliver higher quality images, while a variable ND filter offers far more speed, flexibility and convenience. A variable ND filter will also save you a lot more money in the long run than buying lots of fixed ND filters at different strengths. Is a variable ND filter a polarizer?

Glass vs resin ND filters

Customers like you love this best variable ND filter because of its design. You’ll love that the quartz makes the filter protected against scratches, breaking, and fingerprints. And, with a lifetime warranty you don’t have to keep buying new filters. You’re set. Budget Best Variable ND Filter What’s more, because square and rectangular ND filters are wider than the diameter of your lens, there’s often less vignetting. On the other hand, square filters are more fragile and take longer to set up. Resin filters are much cheaper and more durable, but the trade-off is less clarity and sharpness. The dyes used in their production can also degrade over time. And while they don’t break all that often, the resin can scratch. ND filter coatings

Freewell 82mm Versatile Magnetic Variable ND (VND) Filter

However, the ability to adjust between these unique levels is dependent on the brand of the filter in use, and there are great recommendations like the Syrp Variable ND Filter, B+W XS-Pro Digital ND Vario MRC Nano, and many more. In video shooting, it is fundamental to keep the shutter speed fitting the frame rate setting. That is, to keep it equal to double the frame rate for optimal results. This is because, unlike still photography, an excessively fast shutter speed may create a jarring effect and produce afterimages that will not look good in the final video. There are some subtle differences in image quality between variable ND filters and traditional fixed ND filters. Stills shooters looking for big-resolution, high-quality images (think landscape photographers) will typically opt for a fixed ND filter. Videographers or photojournalists and street and travel photographers might opt for a variable ND filter. In most instances, a variable ND filter will deliver the image quality you want. But in a few conditions it can struggle. With reflective surfaces, for instance, a variable ND filter may produce odd tones as you change the strength. There’s also the issue that with a variable ND filter you are shooting through more layers of glass than you are with a fixed ND filter. This means you can sometimes get softer images. Then again, with a variable ND filter you might find that you get shots you wouldn’t ordinarily be able to achieve because you don’t have a full set of filter or the time to keep changing them one-by-one. In use the Kenko filter provides a stop of exposure extension at the minimum setting, and a blue X across the image at the maximum marked setting. Variable density filters can also increase the amount of boke when shooting in the over-lit conditions, thus, preventing the image from overexposure.

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We recommend that you buy a 6-stop filter to fit all your requirements for shooting. Your 6-stop filter with a longer shutter speed, you get 5 seconds, which the other speeds cannot compete with.