Singh-Ray Filters

[ddt0725]

Hi All -


I was wondering if anyone is using any of the Singh Ray filters. If so, which one and is it really worth the extra $$ to you? I currently have a variety of B+W filters but this morning I was looking at the Singh-Ray for the first time. There are a few of them that really have my interest but man they are expensive! The rings justscrew on like the B+W one's I have and the square ones are for use with Cokin filter holders, correct? I don't know much about those holders but the reverse graduated ND filter seems cool & I think it only comes w/ needing a holder.

Any input on these filters appreciated and if anyone has photos taken using any of these, I'd love to see them!

Thanks Much!

Denise

[Jonathan Huyer]

Oh I'm a big fan of these filters. I also follow the Singh-Ray blog which is really good:
http://singhray.blogspot.com/
I own the Vari-ND duo, which is a combo polarizer and ND filter that is adjustable up to 8 stops darkness. It is rather thick so I can't use it below 35 mm focal length on my full-frame camera without vignetting. I also have a few of their 'Galen Rowell' ND grads, in 4x6 format. These are my favourite by far. Yes they are all rather pricey... I can't understand how they can charge that much for a piece of smoked plastic, but they sure work and there is zero distortion, even when you stack them.

[ddt0725]

Hi Jonathan,


Thanks for the link to the blog! I am currently looking at getting the LB ColorCombo Warm Polarizer/LB Color Intensifying Filter and the Vari-ND Filter. I just think they would be great to use especially come fall and catching the intense colors of the leaves ...fall colors in Wisconsin are awesome! But at these prices, I would think they would have to be pretty magical!

Denise

[Sean Setters]

Oh I'm a big fan of these filters. I also follow the Singh-Ray blog which is really good:
[url="http://singhray.blogspot.com/]http://singhray.blogspot.com/[/url]
I own the Vari-ND duo, which is a combo polarizer and ND filter that is adjustable up to 8 stops darkness. It is rather thick so I can't use it below 35 mm focal length on my full-frame camera without vignetting. I also have a few of their 'Galen Rowell' ND grads, in 4x6 format. These are my favourite by far. Yes they are all rather pricey... I can't understand how they can charge that much for a piece of smoked plastic, but they sure work and there is zero distortion, even when you stack them.
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Does autofocus work adequately with the Vari-ND duo on? I have a Fader ND Mark II and the camera never seems to nail autofocus when using the filter (I'm using it with portraiture...so a "little bit off" is quite noticeable. The following shot was taken using manual focus and live view:





Canon 7D, 85mm f/1.8 -- f/2, 1/200, ISO 100

[Jonathan Huyer]

That's right, auto focus doesn't work at high ND settings. So I learned to operate the Vari-ND duo this way:
- first set the ND effect to minimum
- adjust the polarizer ring as desired
- focus the image, then switch the lens to manual focus to essentially lock it in position
- adjust the ND ring to desired level, and take the photo


Obviously, this isn't so convenient when taking a portrait picture! So far I have only used it for landscape work.

[deltasun]

The spending never ends! Thanks for this tip, folks. I am so close to purchasing this Vari-N-Duo now.

[ddt0725]

The spending never ends! Thanks for this tip, folks. I am so close to purchasing this Vari-N-Duo now.
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Isn't it amazing! I thought I was near done for awhile ...that is until I ran across these!! I could really have used a couple of them this past weekend!