Fotga Slim Variable ND Fader Filter

• • 26 Comments

What happened to cheap Variable ND filters? So I recently picked up the Sigma 30mm lens for the Sony NEX-7 camera and it's been the only lens on the camera since. Today I decided I needed a Variable ND filter and did some online shopping. For cheap, normally the Nature ND filter (seen here on eBay) was pretty good, but today it's going for around $50 bucks. Even the purplish color casting Polaroid Variable ND filter on Amazon is now being listed for more than $35 dollars (seen here)..

Now the option for a cheap Variable ND Filter for under $13.00 dollars is the Slim Variable Fader ND version from Fotga. The listing on the product details claim to use high quality glass from Japan that avoids color shift when changing densities. I doubt it's that good, but I can correct a little color cast through a WB shift or in post. I know Fotga has some decent products, but so far there's no talk about these Variable ND Filters. Not many options now for cheap Variable ND filters, so to find out if it's any good, I went ahead and ordered a 46mm.

Fotga Variable ND Filter
find-price-button Fotga Slim Variable ND Filters

26 thoughts on “Fotga Slim Variable ND Fader Filter”

  2. Rafael

    @Emm

    Please use your Nex-7 also... I have here the same model.. and I´d know more about it... Tks !

  3. Emm

     Post author

    @Mark Linsangan - Already posted on the blog httpss://cheesycam.com/fotga-variable-nd-fader-filter-sample/

  5. Emm

     Post author

    @Mark Linsangan - I'll have to do better shots with my Sigma 30mm (46mm filter) later. Today you'll see some ugly tests on color and sharpness at F/2.8 on the 40mm.

  7. Emm

     Post author

    @Mark Linsangan - I'm not seeing any color cast. I only purchased a 46mm for my Sigma 30mm (on Sony NEX7) and forgot to bring that in today! So, I held it on top of my Canon 40mm pancake and ran a quick test. Uploading right now.

  8. Emm

     Post author

    @Mike C - Just got it today, no color cast. I'll upload a really short video test right now.

  9. Mike C

    How's the good ole backwards on the macbook pro test that you did with the others for color shift?

  11. Emm

     Post author

    @Rafael - Just got it in, but forgot my Sony NEX-7! I'll try to do a test on another camera though.

  12. Rafael

    Hi,

    I really would like to know if this ND filter works good.

    Looking forward to the review... Tks !

  13. Emm

     Post author

    @Mark Linsangan - Wow, I haven't received mine yet. I'll check the mailbox today or tomorrow.

  15. ProductUv

    I saw that you have been using the New Light Craft Workshop – Fader ND Digi Pro HD with the T4i on your Youtube channel but saw that it wasn't a post on Chessycam so wanted to point it out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuS1Em5RLUk&feature=channel&list=UL

    A quick update about the "New Fader ND Digi Pro HD" and your thoughts after using it for awhile would be great. Maybe a closer look mounted on the 24-105mm and T4i or 5D3 to show it off in action? Also what about sharpness with lenses in the 100-200mm range?

    Thanks Emm.....

  16. Emm

     Post author

    @Ali - Almost all variable ND faders will reduce sharpness because it doesn't work the same as static ND filters. Here's an article a few years ago that explains a few pros and cons httpss://cheesycam.com/variable-nd-filters-fader-filters/

  17. Ali

    Hi,

    have you ever compared the loss of sharpness with all of the cheap chinese FaderNDs?

    I did try out 10 different brands....all were crap...reducing sharpness and color casting.

    Finally, I bought a set of 3 ND Filters (ND2 ND4 ND8) from a A-Brand Company. No loss of sharpness and no cast. Not a varFader!

    Cheap chinese shit.

  20. Emm

     Post author

    @Ryan - Coming from overseas, i'm guessing it will be at least three weeks out. I'll keep everyone posted soon as it drops.

  21. Ryan

    I was just thinking about ordering this, I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on it.

  22. Sven

    Looking forward to the review! It says its not recomended for lenses below 24mm, is it so beacause it will result in vignetting?
    Maybe that can be solved by using a step-up ring and a bigger diameter ND-filter. Also if you want to use one of those rubber lens hood, is it best to have it before or after the variable ND?

  24. Emm

     Post author

    @Mike C - The square filters for Matte Boxes are much different. I'm sure these variable NDs are using glass. Just have to run it through some tests for softness and color casting.

  25. Mike C

    I've found some reviews of Fotga's matte-box ND filters, and folks are complaining of a resin-based unit, rather than glass that produces a pink hue. I wonder if this is the case for the variable ND you have?

  26. Mike C

    I just recently added the Nature 58mm to my Amazon Universal wishlist at $51 from that eBay vendor. Within a month's time, it's already up to over $10 increase. I wonder if this is a recent shift that will continue, or if there's any chance they will go back down. I can't see justifying paying over $60 for a 58mm Variable ND. I'd be happy to pay that, plus some for a matte box version, but this is a little silly.

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