I’ve been terrified of Variable Neutral Density Filters for years as Im worried they’re going to badly effect or ruin my footage. But this has all changed recently.
For years our team have only ever used fixed ND filters to film our content, as typically variable ND filters, while being far more flexible, have carried a number of issues, from strong colour casts, vignetting, and the infamous variable ND X pattern that can appear in footage. So for years we’ve stuck clear of VND’s, in preference of fixed ND filters no matter how much we sought that flexibility in shooting.
Over the last few years there’s been a lot of work put into improving VND’s, and removing almost all of these issues which the older VND generation has suffered from. And one of the brands developing these new and improved range of VND’s is Sandmarc. This right here is the Sandmarc Motion Pro VND and full disclosure they have not paid me, but they did send this to me, but I have total control over the review and can say anything I like about the product. And because this isn’t really a topic anyones talking about, I’m going to be comparing this Variable ND to my Fixed Tiffen ND’s and focus on the topics of image quality and flexibility in a real world application, as I know Im probably not alone in my reliance on fixed ND’s, but really wished there were viable VND options available.
In testing I have not noticed any tangible colour casts, have had absolutely no weird X patterns appear, and have not seen any differences in vignetting from this VND to my fixed ND filters. Now all ND filters carry some form of colour cast, it’s in their very nature and no matter how much you spent this can’t be avoided, but in the past, VND’s have usually suffered a lot more from this issue than their simpler, fixed ND competitors. With the Sandmarc however, I really can’t see a difference, and I haven’t noticed any issues with my colours in any of the environments that I’ve used the filter in. I’m not going to get scientific and jump into colour charts, as many others have already tackled this topic with the Sandmarc performing very well, but I can say that in the real world, on client projects the Sandmarc has not suffered from strong colour cast issues. Particularly no more so than the fixed ND’s I’ve used for years.
It also doesn’t have any crazy vignetting that older VND’s had, and I believe that this is due to the refined range of the new generation of VND’s which usually only cover around 3 stops. The filter I’m using is an ND 8 to 64, which is a 3 stop range. And while it does occasionally have very slight vignetting, to my eyes it honestly has less of a vingnette than my fixed ND filters which were very minor. So again, another of my main VND fears are overcome. Similarly there’s been no weird patterns like the infamous X pattern appearing in any footage, again likely due to the 3stop range.
So as far as image quality goes, the Sandmarc does a fantastic job, it’s incredible sharp, and is actually less impaired than my fixed filters, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, I prefer the image with it over my Fixed ND filters.
It’s also built really well. It’s got a metal surface that feels really nice, It’s got a good heft to it without being too heavy, it feels durable, and it’s got a defined minimum and maximum stop range which is a huge plus for VNDs. So in my mind it’s truly almost perfect. But, there’s one small issue.
Unlike my tiffin Fixed ND’s where I can put a lens cap on right over the top of it, A lens cap cannot be used with the Sandmarc. This means that every time I put my camera way in the bag, move to a new location for a new shot I have to take the filter off, put it away, then take it back out, clean all sides before putting the filter back on. And this is such a bummer for me. Variable ND’s are incredible tools for run and gun filmmakers due to their flexibility. They’re designed so you don’t have to change filters all the time, but as I can’t put a lens cap on the Sandmarc it removes a lot of this flexibility, and means the filter cannot live on my camera, like my Tiffens used to.
It’s such a small detail in an otherwise perfect filter. And I know I am very particular about lens caps in general, and there are also solutions to this, like lens socks and things that would work great with this product. My only critique is that I wish this filter could live on my lens, as it truely is otherwise fantastic.
For more visit my website: www.tomparkphotography.com
& check out my Instagram www.instagram.com/tomsunderwaterphotography
Camera Gear Used:
Sony A7SIII
Sony A7III
Atomos Ninja V
Sony 16-35mm f4
Sigma 24-70 f2.8 Art
Sony 12-14mm G
Sony 50mm f1.8
Sony 18-105mm G F4
Sigma 35mm F1.4
Isotta Underwater Housing
Sea&Sea Underwater Housing and Domes
OrcaTorch D950v and D910v Video Lights
Zhiyun Weebill S Gimbal
DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone
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