Simple post here. One photographic item I have been playing with in 2023 is variable ND filters. All my previous filters had been fixed, usually 6 or 10 stops. As I have yet to buy a RF lens and I have an EF-RF adapter that allows drop in filters, I am playing with using those drop in filters to decrease the volume I travel with. I.e, 2 drop in filters instead of 6 different filters (CPL, 6 stop, and 10 stop NDs in 77 mm and 82 mm threads). At least, that was the initial idea.

In addition to taking up less space in my pack, I am also noticing that I shoot differently. For waterfalls, with a variable ND, I am setting my exposure, shutter speed, aperture, ISO, etc to what I want for creative effect, but then I am adjusting the variable ND to ETTR in the image. A nice little change.

An example:

1 sec, f/11, ISO 100

537A7077 by kayaker72, on Flickr

I currently have Canon's CPL and variable ND. I am noticing some color shift, especially at higher NDs. So, I might try breakthrough's variable ND, as it is finally in stock.