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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Quality of Visico ND filters?
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Showing posts 1 - 9 of 9, (reverse)
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 11/16/2007 08:24:35 PM · #1
I'm thinking of buying some ND filters and I'm wondering if anybody knows the quality of Visico filters (of any kind)? I'm on a fairly tight budget and there's a few places on eBay that sell Visico ND filters for fairly cheap.

Or -- is there any decently priced (read: cheap) ND filters that people have been satisfied with?

The filters are for my Sigma 10-20mm, 77mm.

Thanks
 11/18/2007 05:01:49 PM · #2
Bump.

I'm also looking for a good, inexpensive ND filter. Anyone...?
 11/18/2007 05:07:18 PM · #3
Don't buy tiffen. It changes color. Green becomes yellow.
 11/18/2007 07:30:21 PM · #4
I recently bought a 77mm UV Hoya filter from this guy on eBay EBay I have not had the opportunity to do extensive tests to check the quality but Hoya is one of the better known, here is the actual auction which I got for $14.99 plus shipping of $2.99 Hoya 77mm UV Filter
He sells a lot of stuff so it might be worth a look see. Also remember that the ND filters come in different densities, what are you wanting this filter for? If it is for lens protection then a UV might be better?

Message edited by author 2007-11-18 19:33:16.
 11/18/2007 08:35:44 PM · #5
Thanks Nikolai and Lori,

I want the ND for cutting down on light. I recently did a shoot of scooter billboards. The scooters were black, and in all shots where they were properly exposed the sky was completely blown. I have a polarizer, but it wasn't enough. Any suggestions for a good density for something like that?
 11/18/2007 08:59:35 PM · #6
Originally posted by rox_rox:
Thanks Nikolai and Lori,

I want the ND for cutting down on light. I recently did a shoot of scooter billboards. The scooters were black, and in all shots where they were properly exposed the sky was completely blown. I have a polarizer, but it wasn't enough. Any suggestions for a good density for something like that?

You will want to buy a graduated neutral density filter, not just a neutral density filter. A regular ND filter will lower the light evenly through out the image, so in your case the sky would still be too bright but you will just have a slower shutter speed. A graduated ND filter will be darker on one end then the other end. I use Cokin filters which work pretty well, but get scratched easily and need a special holder to hold the filter which is a square piece of plastic.
 11/18/2007 09:30:52 PM · #7
You're better off:
- Shooting from tripod
- Bracketing exposures and combining in post (HDR)]

or:
- Shooting RAW at lowest ISO and exposing right
- Bringing the black scooters up a little in post, e.g. with shadow/highlight

or:
- Find a time when the sign is front-illuminated by the sun and shoot it then. The sky problem will be much less severe.
 11/18/2007 10:00:14 PM · #8
Originally posted by kirbic:
You're better off:
- Shooting from tripod
- Bracketing exposures and combining in post (HDR)]

or:
- Shooting RAW at lowest ISO and exposing right
- Bringing the black scooters up a little in post, e.g. with shadow/highlight

or:
- Find a time when the sign is front-illuminated by the sun and shoot it then. The sky problem will be much less severe.


Thanks kirbic, very helpful tips. So, I guess you're saying that an ND filter is not my magic bullet? Darn it! I was shooting in RAW and did expose to the right on many shots (just by sheer luck). That link is great and I will study it. I was really hoping to avoid a bunch of post, because of my limitations; but that sounds like what I'll need to do.

Thanks too, jdannels. I may end up getting one just to experiment with.
 12/11/2007 11:36:38 AM · #9
So anyone have any comments on the question:

Are Visico Filters okay?
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