the heliopan vario nd 77mm used to cost twice the price. Recently heliopan retailers have dropped the price to more or less match the Hoya Vari ND price.
Heliopan vari nd is heavy, feels sturdy. It rotates smoothly.
note one:
As most vari nd filters, Heliopan can be rotaed even a bit past it's max value (12 on the filter's scale). However, rotating past 12 is generally a bad idea, as discolorations and blackened areas will appear in the photo. I noticed that this is particularly true when you attempt to combine a high filter setting (10+ and especially above max (12+)) with a high aperture number (=small aperture) such as f16+.
Why would you combine a high aperture number with a blackened vari nd filter? because you are trying to take a long exposure in a sunny day and the filter alone does not "buy" you enough shutter time.
I would therefore advise a "safe combination" of vari nd setting not higher than 10-11 and aperture number not higher that f14 - f16.
the appearance of magenda lines and or blackened areas is also dependent on lens used. I have found that wide angle lenses (such as 24mm) are more prone to show discolorations. On the other end a 300mm lens may produce a good photo even with a "not safe combination" as described above.
Finally this is not a heliopan issue... I had similar findings with my previously owned LCW Fader ND Mk II filter, which I had to replace after accidentally sitting on it (!!) which resulted in dismounting one of the polarizer glasses...
note 2
my nikon d800 is able to auto focus even with the filter fully blackened. Amazing... However when using a vari nd filter the best way is to prefocus, then turn to manual focus, blacken the filter and press the shutter release.
Now here is a catch... Since you have already composed your image, you may want to press your shutter release (possible on a remote control to avoid camera movement) while standing away from the camera. Now, the camera reads the light and determines exposure info just before opening the shutter. As a result if you press the shutter release while standing away from the camera, light getting inside through the viewfinder's prism will confuse the light meter and result in a wrongly (under)exposed photo. Solution, either use the viewfinder's curtain lever or press the shutter release while looking (and therefore keeping your face) next to the viewfinder.
| Package Dimensions L x W x H | 11.6 x 9.4 x 2 centimetres |
|---|---|
| Package Weight | 0.35 Pounds |
| Product Dimensions L x W x H | 11.4 x 9.6 x 2.1 centimetres |
| Item Weight | 0.35 Pounds |
| Brand | Heliopan |
| Colour | black / grey |
| Model year | 2011 |
| Part number | 20991077 |
| Water Resistance Level | Not Water Resistant |
| Photo Filter Effect Type | Neutral Density |
| Photo Filter Thread Size | 77 Millimetres |
| Guaranteed software updates until | unknown |
