What’s The Best ND Filter for DSLR Cameras? 4 Top Quality Filters Reviewed
If you’re a frequent nature or landscape photographer, you’ll often run into situations where you need a good neutral density filter. ND filters are used to reduce the amount of light entering the lens, without altering the hue or the color rendition of the image. This allows you to play around with longer exposure times in bright conditions, without running the risk of overexposing your images. You can achieve some cool effects by using ND filters. They are often used for photographing waterfalls or rough shores. if you choose the right settings, the water will look like a smooth flowing substance, or even a kind of fog. Cool stuff! But in order to get these great looking effects, what kind of ND filter do you need? Are there any differences between them? The answer is: yes. As with all photography related products, there are differences between the cheaper and the slightly more expensive filters. However, this doesn’t mean that you have to pay a fortune just to get a simple ND filter. We’ve listed the 5 best ND filter for DSLR cameras, that are all reasonably priced. Check out our overview. Keep on reading below if you want more detailed reviews.
Best ND Filter for DSLR cameras – Top 4 Overview
DigitalGoja Neutral Density Professional Photography Filter Set (ND2 ND4 ND8)
Digital Goja offers a very affordable, yet high quality ND filter set. The set includes three screw-on filters. There’s a ND8 filter that reduces 3 f-stops, a ND4 for 2 f-stops and a ND2 that reduces 1 F-stop. By stacking filters together you can achieve a total decrease of 6 f-stops. The filters will fit on any lens with a filter thread, the sizes vary from 37mm to 77mm. User reviews of this filter set are good overall, however some users are reporting that the image will defuse a bit if you stack all 3 filters together. Also keep in mind that these filters are not made of glass, but are plastic.
- • Compatible with all lenses that have a filter thread.
- • Total exposure decrease: 6 stops
- • Available in several diameters: 37mm, 52mm, 62mm, 67mm, 72mm and 77mm.
- • Multicoated, reduces lens flares and ghosting.
- • Includes a free MagigFiber cleaning cloth.
- • Very reasonably priced.
Cons
- • Plastic material (instead of glass).
- • There are reports of image getting diffuse when all 3 filters are stacked together
Tiffen Neutral Density 0.9 Filter
This ND filter by Tiffen reduces your exposure with 3 f-stops. This is perfect for taking properly exposed pictures in really bright light conditions, while allowing a wider lens opening or slower shutter speed. Depending on your needs, a 3 stop reduction might not be enough. For instance, for taking smooth waterfall pictures on a very bright day, you’d probably need to stack an extra ND filter on top. The Tiffen ND filter has great build quality, it has a metal ring and glass filter. It will fit on any lens that has a filter thread and is available in sizes ranging from 37mm to 82mm
- • Fits with all lenses with a regular filter thread.
- • Diameter sizes: 37mm, 49mm, 46mm, 52mm, 55mm, 58mm, 62mm, 67mm, 72mm and 77mm.
- • Reduces exposure with 3 f-stops
- • Sturdy build quality
Cons
- • Depending on your needs, 3 f-stop reduction might not be enough
- • Filter causes a very slight yellow cast (but this can easily be fixed in adjustment software).
B+W ND Filter 0.6-4X Single Coating (102)
German manufacturer B+W is considered to be a premium quality brand when it comes to filters. Their filters are usually in a somewhat higher price range, but this model is actually quite affordable. The build quality of this neutral density filter is great, it’s made from Water-White Schott Glass and a metal ring. While other filters always tend to cast a very slight color, this one seems to be the most ‘color neutral’ out of our top 5. It reduces exposure with 2 f-stops, which might not be suited to your needs, if your going to be shooting in really bright environments (However, you can stack multiple filters on top of each other). It comes in a wide variety of sizes.
- • Compatible with most lenses (standard filter thread).
- • Diameter sizes: 37mm, 40.5mm, 43mm, 49mm, 46mm, 52mm, 55mm, 58mm, 62mm, 67mm, 72mm.
- • 2 f-stop reduction
- • Very good build quality (Water-White Schott Glass)
- • Very Color Neutral
Cons
- • 2 f-stop reduction is on the low side.
- • Heavier then other filters.
- • SOmewhat difficult to remove when screwed on too tight.
Polaroid Optics ND 0.9 Neutral Density Filter
We all recognise Polaroid from their sunglasses and cameras, but they also produce DSRL camera filters. This 0.9 ND filter is a fine example. It’s priced very low, though it offers good quality. The filter will reduce the lightness in your images by 3 f-stops. It is therefore not the darkest filter around, but the build quality is pretty decent. Polaroid claims they use special alloys to prevent the filter expands or shrinks due to temperature differences. The diameter range is 37mm to 77mm and the filters will fit on basically any lens with a filter thread. The downside of this filter is that it often causes a slightly noticeable red color cast. This can be fixed by adjusting your white balance or afterwards in photoshop.
- • Uses standard filter thread.
- • Comes in a variety of diameters: 37mm, 40.5mm, 43mm, 49mm, 46mm, 52mm, 55mm, 58mm, 62mm, 67mm, 72mm, 82mm.
- • Reduces light with 3 f-stops.
- • Decent build quality.
- • Low price.
Cons
- • Slightly noticable red color cast, but can be fixed in white-balance settings.
- • Made of plastic instead of glass, so it scratches more easily.
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