Tiffen Variable ND filter review

The Tiffen VND filter offers ND filter strengths from two to eight stops and has a budget-friendly price, but is the now 13-year-old filter showing its age?

Tiffen Variable ND filter product shot
(Image: © Future)

Digital Camera World Verdict

Launched back in 2011, the now 13 year old Variable ND filter is showing its age. It has a nice solid frame and handles sharpness well but we’d prefer a hard case instead of its soft pouch. It’s larger at the front than it is at the back so it’s awkward to attach it to your lens plus there’s no hard stops at the extremities preventing you from twisting the strength past the intended parameters. That said, even sticking within the designated Min and Max markings still result in some very unsightly X Bar defects where patches of the image appeared darker than others, particularly when the strength was set between 6-8 stops. For our money, it’s worth splashing out on Tiffen's latest magnetic MCS VND which is brimming with new features and handles image quality much better, too.

Pros

  • +

    Smooth transitions for video

  • +

    Versatile 2-8 stop range

  • +

    Available for most common filter threads

Cons

  • -

    No front cap for protection

  • -

    Prominent X Bar effect at maximum strength setting

  • -

    No hard stops at the extreme strengths to prevent user error

  • -

    No screw-in handle for easy turning

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    Awkward to attach and remove

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A Neutral Density filter, commonly called an ND for short, acts a bit like sunglasses for your lens to block out light and extend your shutter speed, or to control lightflow when shooting video. A Variable Neutral Density (VND) consists of two polarising filters which when turned against each other reduce the light flowing in through the lens and hitting the camera sensor.

Doing so has many useful applications for both photography and videography, including achieving slower exposure times in still images to create movement. They're also handy for controlling the light when you’re shooting video as the shutter speed will be fixed, where changing the ISO or aperture would have an adverse effect on image quality and depth of field. I got hold of Tiffen’s Variable ND filter, first launched back in 2011, and put it to the test to see if you should add one to your kit bag.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Filter typeVariable ND
Strength2-8 stops
MountScrew-in
Thread diameter range (mm)52, 58, 62, 67, 72, 77, 82, 95mm
Filter materialWaterwhite Glass
Frame materialAluminium
Thickness12mm (10mm when mounted)
Swipe to scroll horizontally
FeaturesThe Tiffen VND offers 2-8 f-stops, de-clicked for video, but lacks hard stops, a handle, and water repellent coating.★★★☆☆
DesignThe large front ring makes grip difficult, causes knuckle pain, and prevents lens cap fit, risking damage during adjustments.★★★☆☆
PerformanceThe filter is awkward to attach, lacks features for video, and the image quality is inferior compared to Tiffen MCS VND.★★☆☆☆
ValueTiffen VND filters start at $105; affordable options exist, but consider dedicated filters or Tiffen's magnetic MCS VND for quality.★★★☆☆
Image

Tiffen’s newer 1.5-10 stops MCS VND filters is a little more expensive but has some desirable upgrades including a wider range of strength settings, magnetic design, compact magnetic filter caps and case as well as a smooth de-clicked strength ring with a detachable metal handle for easy adjustments when recording video.

PolarPro PMVND Edition II

Is this the ultimate VND filter? The PolarPro PMVND Edition II demands top dollar but has exceptional image quality and build. Its Defender360 system doubles up both as your filter caps and weather-sealed hard case when stowed away, and it has a clicked strength ring for haptic feedback.

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Dan Mold
Deputy Editor

Deputy Editor on PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine, Dan also brings his technical wizardry and editing skills to Digital Camera World. He has been writing about all aspects of photography for over 10 years, having previously served as technical writer and technical editor for Practical Photography magazine, as well as Photoshop editor on Digital Photo

Dan is an Adobe-certified Photoshop guru, making him officially a beast at post-processing – so he’s the perfect person to share tips and tricks both in-camera and in post. Able to shoot all genres, Dan provides news, techniques and tutorials on everything from portraits and landscapes to macro and wildlife, helping photographers get the most out of their cameras, lenses, filters, lighting, tripods, and, of course, editing software.