Variable ND filters suggestions / Gobe anyone?

[Altea]

Hello Fellow forumers,

I am looking to purchase an ND filter, something that I can use to take some long exposures of waterfalls and where needed a longer exposure to give some cloud blur.

I don't have the budget to purchase the likes of Lee or Formatt Hitech. I was originally considering getting something like the Cokin Z-pro ND filter kit but now I'm thinking of a variable ND filter owing to the amount of use that I will be getting out of it.

Can someone please recommend a decent one that doesn't cost the earth? Has anyone tried Gobe filters?

I would like to use said filters on my ef-s 10-18 and ef-s 17-55 lenses. If I just get the larger size (77mm) would this be ok on the 10-18 with an adaptor ring?

Many thanks.

 

[GreenNinja67]

Get a 10 stop Hoya Pro HD.

I bought a Tiffen variable ND and it was awful (and bloody expensive).

Gave a purple cross over the image that I couldn't get rid off.

I'll never try a variable again

 

[Altea]

Get a 10 stop Hoya Pro HD.

I bought a Tiffen variable ND and it was awful (and bloody expensive).

Gave a purple cross over the image that I couldn't get rid off.

I'll never try a variable again

Thanks - I have a 10 stop but wanted the extra flexability of some other stops.

 

[GreenNinja67]

Buy a 6 if you can

 

[HoppyUK]

All vari-NDs use cross-polarisers to adjust density and when fitted to wide-angles at darker settings a black cross shape appears right across the image.

Suggest a six-stop filter as a good partner to a ten, then use aperture and ISO to get the shutter speeds you need.

 

[Mr Perceptive]

All vari-NDs use cross-polarisers to adjust density and when fitted to wide-angles at darker settings a black cross shape appears right across the image.

Suggest a six-stop filter as a good partner to a ten, then use aperture and ISO to get the shutter speeds you need.

you can also stack them and get 16 stops, if funds permit then I would add a 3 stop as well, giving you 3, 6, 9, 10, 13, 16 (and 19 if you really wish). 13 stops is surprisingly useful in the summer months.