Tiffen Variable ND Filter | 52mm, 2 to 8-Stop

This 52mm Variable ND Filter from Tiffen provides a distinctive method for managing your depth of field and offers an effective means to produce special effects. The filter features a built-in rotating ring that adjusts the neutral density from 2 to 8 stops (0.6-2.4). The greater the density, the slower the shutter speed will be. This extended exposure permits the shutter to remain open long enough to capture the same amount of light, while also introducing movement into the shot. Another significant advantage of this filter is that it removes the need to purchase and transport individual neutral density filters. With this single filter, you can adjust to your desired level of ND, thereby saving both money and time.

To utilize the filter, simply attach it to your lens and adjust it to the "Min" density setting. Afterward, frame your shot and focus accordingly. It is important to exercise caution when focusing at higher densities to ensure that the focus remains precise. If the focus is not accurate, you may switch to manual focus and adjust to the required level of filtration.

For instance, if your typical 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 while maintaining 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 desired shutter speed. Referring back to the previous example, it is possible to reach a shutter speed of 1/2 second at f/8 (8 stops). It is important to note that the calibration marks on the filter ring are intended solely for reference and should not be considered precise indicators for specific densities.

Neutral Density filters are employed to produce unique special effects, such as capturing the motion blur of flowing water in a waterfall or the dynamic swirl of city traffic. By enabling the use of slower shutter speeds in bright lighting conditions, these filters facilitate the creation of effects that would otherwise be unattainable without them. Additionally, they assist in managing depth of field, allowing for shooting at wider apertures. Ultimately, their primary benefit lies in preventing images from becoming overly bright and washed out when captured in intense light.

The ColorCore process enables Tiffen to maintain greater control over the color and density of their filters, as well as the characteristics of special effects filters, compared to conventional dyed-in-the-mass filters, which often display inconsistencies in color and density. This method allows Tiffen to achieve more precise control over the various densities of their filters, resulting in more accurate degrees of filtration.

Thin 9mm Profile Ring

• The wider front filter ring helps reduce the possibility of vignetting (the darkening of corners) at wide angles and is not deep enough to accommodate a lens cap
  
  
• It allows you to have continuous control over the amount of light coming through your lens in an approximate range of 2 (ND 0.6) to 8 (ND 2.4) stops
  
  
• This filter features a 62mm front thread for mounting additional filters or other accessories. Due to the slim nature of the design, not all accessories will fully thread onto the filter. Also, the use of additional filters and accessories may result in vignetting.
  
  

Neutral Density Filters Have Four Main Uses

• To enable slow shutter speeds to be used, especially with high-speed ISOs, to record movement in subjects such as waterfalls, clouds, or cars
  
  
• To decrease depth of field by allowing wider apertures to be used, which helps separate subjects from their background
  
  
• To decrease the effective ISO of high-speed film (above ISO 400) and allow it to be used outdoors in bright situations
  
  
• To allow cine and video cameras (which have fixed shutter speeds) to film snow, sand, or other bright scenes which could cause 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
  
  

Made in the USA

• Tiffen is a leader in the filter industry and proudly makes their filters in the USA