Heliopan 72mm Vario Neutral Density Filter
Using the rotating 72mm Vario Neutral Density Filter from Heliopan, can reduce the exposure on your film or digital camera anywhere from 1.0 to 6.6 f/stops. When shooting with high ISOs, this filter can allow you to shoot under bright lighting conditions such as at the beach. This is also an ideal filter for creating long exposure special effects such as capturing the "blur" of running water. It also permits you to control your depth of field by helping isolate your subject from its background by using a wider aperture. A convenient index scale on the filter ring makes exposures repeatable and exact. Neutral density filters appear gray and have no effect on color.
The filter is thin enough (8.7 mm) to use with wide-angle lenses without vignetting (the darkening of the corners of the image). It has been tested on a Canon 16-35 "L" lens without vignetting down to f/16. Another advantage of this filter is that it saves you the expense of having to purchase individual neutral density filters. This, too, is a time saver since you won't have to search through your bag to find the filter you want. Just rotate the Vario Neutral Density until you achieve the degree of ND you desire.
The filter is made with world-renowned Schott glass that is supported by a rugged black brass filter ring that is less prone to jamming than traditional aluminum filter rings.
Heliopan has been a leader in the filter industry since 1949. They are known for their high-quality and production standards. Their slim mounts facilitate using them with wider angle lenses. Heliopan offers most of their filters with either their standard hard coating or with their industry leading SH-PMC 16 layer multi-coating that transmits over 99.5% of the light striking it on to the image plane for the lowest flare and greatest color saturation.
- ND variable from 1 to 6.6 stops (0.3 to 2.0 density)
- Calibrated, repeatable settings
- Color neutral regardless of ND value
- Very thin mount to prevent vignetting
- Even density across the frame
- No artifacts with wide angle lenses
- 8.7 mm thickness from front of lens to front of filter
- Numerically calibrated with index
- Black anodized rings with stops at both ends of the ND range
- High-quality solid brass rings
- Can be stacked with Heliopan High Transmission circular polarizer with no color shifts or artifacts
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 situation
- To allow cine and video cameras (which have fixed shutter speeds) to film subjects such as snow, sand or other bright scenes which could cause overexposure
| Type | Variable Neutral Density |
| Size | 72mm |
| Grade | Not Applicable |
| Filter Factor |
1-stop = 50% light loss 2-stop = 25% light loss 3-stop = 12.50% light loss 4-stop = 6.25% light loss 5-stop = 3.12% light loss 6-stop = 1.6% light loss |
| Multi-Coated | Not Applicable |
| Rotating | Yes |
| Effect |
To use high speed ISOs in bright light Create special effects such as blurs when shooting fast moving objects |
| Color Temperature | Not Applicable |
| Construction | Schott glass |
| Front Filter Thread Size | Does not have front threads |
| Front Lens Cap Size | Not Applicable |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 3 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
- Was this a gift?:
- No (3)
Reviewed by 3 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-3
Pros
- Clear Optics
- Easy To Use
- Firm Mount
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Inconsistent Effect
Best Uses
- Video
Comments about Heliopan 72mm Vario Neutral Density Filter:
Sharp, neutral, this filter is the best vari ND filter made. Only drawbacks are the lack of front threads and the strange affects with wide angle outside, which is an issue with all vari ND filters.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
- Filter change needed
- May need step-up ring
Best Uses
- Shooting Outdoors
Comments about Heliopan 72mm Vario Neutral Density Filter:
because it's variable, i can set the lens aperture and adjust the filter to set exposure. very convenient and useful. i used it on a 52mm dia lens with a step-up ring, also by heliopan. fits perfectly. and good quality. clean images even with the filter.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Improves Picture Quality
Cons
Best Uses
- Shooting Indoors
- Shooting Outdoors
Comments about Heliopan 72mm Vario Neutral Density Filter:
This is one of the best variable ND filters out there. Heliopan took care to calibrate the filter and limit the angle of the rotation (yet you still can remove the limit by removing a small screw) so you do not get weird color shifts. Once you white balance with the filter on (it differs slightly from where there is no filter)the white balance will stay valid throughout the adjustment range. There is no noticeable clarity loss as far as video image is concerned. Not sure about the stills as I use it for video only.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Displaying reviews 1-3
Filter pouch
-
- Original: $9.95
- Save: $0.99
- Price: $8.96
Care & Cleaning
-
- Original: $4.99
- Save: $0.50
- Price: $4.49
Caps & Wrenches
- Price: $14.95
What's in the Box
- Limited Lifetime Warranty Against Manufacturer's Defects
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