Heliopan 77mm Vario Neutral Density Filter
Using the rotating 77mm 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 | 77mm |
| 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
67%
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
Best Uses
- Image Manipulation
Comments about Heliopan 77mm Vario Neutral Density Filter:
I use this filter for multimedia work so I only have to carry one ND filter and can simply rotate the front to change the density. My favorite part is the built in stops. I've used other fader / variable ND filters that just spin and spin like a normal polarizer filter. With this filter you know when the filter is maxed out on either end. Perhaps the person in the previous review with the x-photograph had a faulty filter without proper stops. I also like that this filter has the same front threads allowing me to use the same lens cap. That's not the case with some filters, such as the Genus, which has a larger front. This also means you can't use your lens hoods (at least on the Canon 24-70 and 70-200 L lenses) with the Genus, but you can with the Heliopan. The ability to use my lens hood is invaluable, as I often work in harsh conditions, blocking not only the sun, but also dirt from motocross tracks, paintballs, etc. from my lens.
I compared the Heliopan, Singh-Ray, and the Genus Filters for both sharpness and flare blocking ability. Photographing a test target (tripod, shutter release, mirror lockup) I found the Heliopan to be the sharpest, with the Sing-Ray being very close. Both easily out-performed the Genus. The Sing-Ray did the best job at blocking flare, with Heliopan in second, and Genus in last.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Build Quality
Cons
- Created image artifacts
- expensive
Best Uses
- Limited ND effect
Comments about Heliopan 77mm Vario Neutral Density Filter:
I was really disappointed with the this product. As I increased the ND effect an obvious cross-pattern artifact appeared on the images. So much that the filter was only usable to about 3-4 stop of ND effect. I returned the product to B&H without a problem and they were fantastic.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Images shared by Andrew
At the maximum setting of ND filtration
(1 of 4 customers found this review helpful)
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Pros
- Compact Design
- Easy To Use
- Improves Picture Quality
Cons
Best Uses
- Shooting Outdoors
Comments about Heliopan 77mm Vario Neutral Density Filter:
perfect for on the go filming...not as nice as having regular nd but if you don't have time to switch a filter on and off this is great
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Displaying reviews 1-3
Filter pouch
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- Original: $9.95
- Save: $0.99
- Price: $8.96
Care & Cleaning
-
- Original: $4.99
- Save: $0.50
- Price: $4.49
Caps & Wrenches
- Price: $16.95
What's in the Box
- Limited Lifetime Warranty Against Manufacturer's Defects
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