ND Fader

Rainbowsend

I have recently tried using a ND fader, which is supposed to give
between 2 and 8 stops. I am using it on a 35mm f2 lens but when
I move the fader to max ie 8 stops all I get is a large black cross.
Am I doing something wrong or is it just not compatible with wide
angle lenses? Any help anyone?

pixbyjohn

All Brands of Variable ND filters are made from 2 polarizers,
When using Ultra Wide's you will get the same uneven "polarization" with the Variable ND effect as you will get using any circular polarizer or linear polarizer on any ultra wide lenses. You will also get strange results if you operate any Variable ND outside the marked range on the vari's filter mounting rings.

If you need to control Depth of Field on a ultra wide, it is still best to use regular solid ND filters now up to 7 stops.
When you go past 4 f/stops on many brands of HD SLR cameras you will sometimes get a spike in the IR light range, causing strange colors
Your regular ND filter or ND Vario is holding back so much of the visible light, the built in IR filters on the sensors are not strong enough to correct the color. Then it is best to use ND solid filters with IR filtration built in or add a Hot Mirror IR blocking filter along with the Variable ND

chisel

Yes - don't go to the max, and they do tell you this in the instructions. Go to here you notice the X and then back off a little.