Tiffen Variable ND Filter | 58mm, 2 to 8-Stop

The Tiffen 58mm Variable ND Filter provides a distinctive method for managing your depth of field while also facilitating the creation of special effects. It features a built-in rotating ring that adjusts the neutral density from 2 to 8 stops (0.6-2.4). As the density increases, the shutter speed decreases, allowing for longer exposure times that capture the same amount of light while introducing motion into the image. Additionally, this filter eliminates the need to purchase and transport multiple individual neutral density filters. With this single filter, you can easily adjust to your desired level of ND, resulting in both time and cost savings.

To use the filter, attach it to your lens and adjust it to the “Min” density setting. Afterward, frame your shot and focus. When working with higher densities, it is important to ensure that the focus remains precise. If you encounter difficulties, you may switch to manual focus and adjust the filter to achieve the desired level of filtration.

For instance, if your standard exposure without the filter is 1/500 at f/8, setting the filter to “Min” will require you to change the shutter speed to 1/125 at the same aperture, resulting in a loss of 2 stops of speed and introducing a slight blur to the image. If this level of filtration is insufficient, continue to rotate the filter until you achieve your preferred shutter speed. Following the previous example, you could reduce the shutter speed to 1/2 second at f/8 (8 stops). It is important to remember that the calibration marks on the filter ring are intended for reference only and should not be considered precise indicators of specific densities.

Neutral Density filters are utilized to produce unique special effects, such as capturing the motion of flowing water in a waterfall or the dynamic movement of city traffic. By enabling slower shutter speeds in bright conditions, these filters facilitate the creation of effects that would otherwise be unattainable. Additionally, they assist in managing depth of field, allowing for wider aperture settings. Ultimately, their primary benefit lies in preventing overly bright and washed-out images in well-lit environments.

The ColorCore process employed by Tiffen enhances their ability to regulate the color and density of their filters, as well as the characteristics of special effects filters, with greater precision than conventional dyed filters, which often display inconsistencies in color and density. This method allows Tiffen to achieve more accurate control over the various densities of their filters, resulting in more precise degrees of filtration.

Thin 9mm Profile Ring

The broader front filter ring minimizes the likelihood of vignetting, which is the darkening of the image corners, when using wide-angle lenses. Additionally, it is not sufficiently deep to hold a lens cap. This design enables you to maintain consistent control over the light entering your lens, with an adjustable range of approximately 2 stops (ND 0.6) to 8 stops (ND 2.4).

Neutral Density Filters Have Four Main Uses

• To facilitate the use of slow shutter speeds, particularly with high-speed ISOs, for capturing motion in subjects like waterfalls, clouds, or vehicles.
• To reduce depth of field by permitting wider apertures, thereby enhancing the distinction between subjects and their backgrounds.
• To lower the effective ISO of high-speed film (exceeding ISO 400), enabling its application in bright outdoor conditions.
• To enable cine and video cameras, which operate with fixed shutter speeds, to record scenes involving snow, sand, or other bright environments that may lead to overexposure.

ColorCore Technology

• Allows control over the color and density of filters, and the characteristics of special effects filters with greater accuracy than typical dyed-in-the-mass filters, which usually exhibit color and density variations
• Offers better control over various densities of filters and creates more exact degrees of filtration