Tiffen 77mm Variable Neutral Density
The 77mm Variable Neutral Density Filter from Tiffen offers a unique way of maintaining total control over your depth of field as well as presenting an efficient way to create some special effects. The filter is designed with a built-in rotating ring that controls neutral density ranging from 2 - 8 stops (0.6- 2.4). The heavier the density, the slower your shutter speed will be. This longer exposure allows the shutter to remain open long enough to record the same amount of light but will also create movement within the shot. Another major benefit of this filter is the elimination of having to buy and carry around individual neutral density filters. With this one filter, you can rotate to the degree of ND you want - a real time and money saver.
Simply mount the filter on your lens, set it to "Min" density then frame and focus. Care must be taken with focusing at heavier densities to make sure focus is accurate. However, if it isn't, switch to manual focus and rotate to the desired degree of filtration.
For example, if your standard exposure without the filter is 1/500 @ f/8 and you then set the filter to "Min", you change the shutter speed to 1/125 at the same aperture - thereby losing 2-stops of speed while gaining a hint of "blur" in the image. If that's not enough filtration, continue rotating the filter until you reach the shutter speed you desire. Using the above example, you can even get down to 1/8 second @ f/8 (8 stops). It should be noted that the calibration marks on the filter ring are to be used only for reference and should not be regarded as accurate settings for specific densities.
A Neutral Density filter is used to create some unusual special effects such as capturing the "blur" of the rippling water of a waterfall or the swirling effect of city traffic. Since it allows the use of slower shutter speeds in bright light, it becomes possible to create these special effects that would normally not be possible to capture without the filter. And, since it can also help to control your depth of field, it permits you to shoot at wider apertures. Ultimately, its value is in helping to prevent bright, overly washed out images shot in bright light.
The ColorCore process allows Tiffen to control the color and density of their filters, and the characteristics of special effects filters with much greater accuracy than typical dyed-in-the-mass filters, which usually exhibit color and density variations. In this way, Tiffen can better control the various densities of their filters and thereby create more exact degrees of filtration.
- Thin Profile Ring (9mm) - The wider front filter ring helps reduce the possibility of vignetting (the darkening of corners) at wide angle
- 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
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
- ColorCore Technology
- The ColorCore process allows Tiffen to control the color and density of their filters, and the characteristics of special effects filters with much greater accuracy than typical dyed-in-the-mass filters, which usually exhibit color and density variations. In this way, Tiffen can better control the various densities of their filters and thereby create more exact degrees of filtration
- Tiffen, a leader in the filter industry, proudly makes its filters in the USA and backs up its products with a solid 10-year warranty
| Type | Variable Neutral Density |
| Size |
77mm 9mm thick |
| Grade | Not Applicable |
| Filter Factor | 2-8 stops |
| Multi-Coated | Not Applicable |
| Rotating | Yes |
| Effect | To use high speed ISOs in bright light |
| Application |
Nature, travel, outdoor photography To create special effects such as movement, blur, within the shot |
| Color Temperature | Not Applicable |
| Construction | ColorCore glass |
| Front Filter Thread Size | 86mm (approx) |
| Front Lens Cap Size | 86mm (approx) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 15 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
92%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Easy to use (9)
- Improves picture quality (7)
- Compact (5)
Cons
Best Uses
- Shooting outdoors (10)
- Panoramic filming (4)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Tech savvy (3)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (11)
Most Liked Positive Review
Works very well but get the wrench
Good construction, takes some getting used to to find the amount of ND you dialing in, but then is very effective. I noticed no vignetting on my 28-200mm lens,shooting rapids on the...Read complete review
Good construction, takes some getting used to to find the amount of ND you dialing in, but then is very effective. I noticed no vignetting on my 28-200mm lens,shooting rapids on the Potomac.
Two suggestions: Tiffen should include a lens cap with this filter. Otherwise, when mounted on lens, especially in the field, very hard to keep clean. Also, filter can easily become too tight on the lens barrel. Filter wrench can remove, but a trick I learned is to run a sharp pencil along the filter threads. Graphite acts like a lubricant.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Does not work as intended!
Bought this for use on my 5DII on my 24-105 canon lens. Simply put, you will not get usable ND filter between 2-8 stops. Beyond about 3.5 stops or so, there ...Read complete review
Bought this for use on my 5DII on my 24-105 canon lens. Simply put, you will not get usable ND filter between 2-8 stops. Beyond about 3.5 stops or so, there is CLEARLY nonuniform blotchiness. Sure you see the dreaded black "X" beyond 8 stops (revelation: you actually see it at about 6-7 stops). So, if all you want is a good ND filter from 2-4 stops, this will work fine; of course, I'd save the money and buy a couple of individual NDs and skip this thing. Oh, at 24mm, borderline vignette; stack even the thinnest of filters on top, major vignette.
Reviewed by 15 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-15
Pros
- Easy To Use
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Tiffen 77mm Variable Neutral Density:
This ND filter by Tiffen does exactly as I expected. I really like this filter. Too bad I didn't know about it sooner. I would definitely recommend it to a friend.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Tiffen 77mm Variable Neutral Density:
You can ONLY use this filter on long lenses. Anything wider than about 50mm renders it useless. You get an 'x' across the frame.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Tiffen 77mm Variable Neutral Density:
Great concept, but only for the smaller sensors used for DX, not usable past 2 stops on a full frame lens..
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Compact Design
- Easy To Use
- Improves Picture Quality
- Interfaces Well With Camcorder
- Neutral color
Cons
Best Uses
- Creative photos
- Shooting Outdoors
Comments about Tiffen 77mm Variable Neutral Density:
Helps to produce deliberate motion in your photos (moving water, panning shots, etc.) to create stunning photos not possible with your camera even at the lowest ISO setting and the lens fully closed down (f/22 or f/32).
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
- Nonuniformity
Best Uses
Comments about Tiffen 77mm Variable Neutral Density:
Bought this for use on my 5DII on my 24-105 canon lens. Simply put, you will not get usable ND filter between 2-8 stops. Beyond about 3.5 stops or so, there is CLEARLY nonuniform blotchiness. Sure you see the dreaded black "X" beyond 8 stops (revelation: you actually see it at about 6-7 stops). So, if all you want is a good ND filter from 2-4 stops, this will work fine; of course, I'd save the money and buy a couple of individual NDs and skip this thing. Oh, at 24mm, borderline vignette; stack even the thinnest of filters on top, major vignette.
Comments about Tiffen 77mm Variable Neutral Density:
ND filter was great, but after trying to find lens hood to fit over the filter plus step up rings I finally gave it all up, returned and purchased a Matte Box. Using Tiffen 4X4 filters. Quality is much, much better.
Pros
- Compact Design
- Improves Picture Quality
Cons
- Can give spotty results
- Cannot use hood when usin
- No numbered markings
Best Uses
- Long Exposure
- Shooting Outdoors
Comments about Tiffen 77mm Variable Neutral Density:
this filter does the job for being able to shoot either narrower DOF or longer exposures when required. It is very good from 1-2 into the range and 1-2 from the end of the range. If you go to far in either direction, you get spotty results. The other problem is that I could not use my lens hood when using the filter because you cannot manipulate the filter adjustment. Takes some learning, but it pays off once you get the hang of it.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Improves Picture Quality
Cons
Best Uses
- Close Up Filming
- Panoramic Filming
- Shooting Indoors
- Shooting Outdoors
Comments about Tiffen 77mm Variable Neutral Density:
Does everything it says it does. Very well build. Very easy to use.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Improves Picture Quality
Cons
Best Uses
- Panoramic Filming
- Shooting Indoors
- Shooting Outdoors
Comments about Tiffen 77mm Variable Neutral Density:
Love this filter for video. Big issue - can't find a lens hood to fit the outer thread diameter. I have tried 4 brands, none work. Still searching. In the meantime I am buying a matte box. Still cheaper than buying 4 X 4 filters plus this has the variable control.
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Improves Picture Quality
Cons
Best Uses
- Limit depth of field
- Shooting Outdoors
- Special effects
Comments about Tiffen 77mm Variable Neutral Density:
Good construction, takes some getting used to to find the amount of ND you dialing in, but then is very effective. I noticed no vignetting on my 28-200mm lens,shooting rapids on the Potomac.
Two suggestions: Tiffen should include a lens cap with this filter. Otherwise, when mounted on lens, especially in the field, very hard to keep clean. Also, filter can easily become too tight on the lens barrel. Filter wrench can remove, but a trick I learned is to run a sharp pencil along the filter threads. Graphite acts like a lubricant.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
- Recommended:
- filter wrench, lens cap
Pros
- Easy To Use
Cons
Best Uses
- Shooting Outdoors
Comments about Tiffen 77mm Variable Neutral Density:
I wish somebody would have told me about this years ago!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Compact Design
- Improves Picture Quality
Cons
Best Uses
- Beach Portraits
- Shooting Outdoors
Comments about Tiffen 77mm Variable Neutral Density:
I use this for the obvious purpose of inducing motion blur in images due to the ability to significantly slow down my shutter speed. I also use it for beach portraits on bright days -- allows me to shoot at "full power" sync speeds with my flash but still have an underexposed background.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Compact Design
- Easy To Use
- Interfaces Well With Camcorder
Cons
Best Uses
- Panoramic Filming
- Shooting Outdoors
Comments about Tiffen 77mm Variable Neutral Density:
this is the filter I have been looking for. 8 stops of flawless nd filters in just one filter. This thing is the best for filming on DSLRs. I highly recommend it. Basically it does everything it says it does and it does it well. Best product!
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Improves Picture Quality
Cons
Best Uses
- Shooting Outdoors
Comments about Tiffen 77mm Variable Neutral Density:
This Variable ND filter is just what I need! I am a wedding photographer and on a Bridal or engagement shoot I constantly want to lower the ambient light and use flash to give my subject that bright snappy look. With this filter in bright daylight I can keep my shutter speed at the flash sync speed and still blur my background, use my flash and get the shot.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Compact Design
- Easy To Use
Cons
- None
Best Uses
- Panoramic Filming
- Shooting Outdoors
Comments about Tiffen 77mm Variable Neutral Density:
The Tiffen variable ND filter works excellent for slowing shutter speeds in bright light. The filter easily changes between 2 to 8 stops. I would strongly recommend this product.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Displaying reviews 1-15
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
- Black Nylon Pouch
- 10-Year Warranty
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