Cheap filters, how bad can they be?

Moab Man

Senior Member
For grins, I decided to see how much of a difference this cheap CP filter (thrown in for free with a different lens purchase) would make to an image. Truth be told, I had used it many times before on my ultra wide angle lens and with that type of lens there is so much compression that I never really noticed and degradation. However, on a regular lens... WOW! No editing, straight from the raw file.

I think you can tell which bands are which.

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Lawrence

Senior Member
Other than free what is considered "cheap"
I ask this because until you have had some sort of experience - usually a bad one - you don't know what "cheap"is.

There's a wonderful saying in Afrikaans (South African) that when translated is:
"A cheap buy is an expensive buy"

This definitely holds true for many things. Better to buy quality first time round than waste money and then ultimately buy what you should have originally bought.
I am waffling today
 

Moab Man

Senior Member
I like that saying.

As to what is cheap? I find that pretty much any purchase I plan to make I always try to do local and before I actually buy I do a few test shots to take home and pixel peep.
 

Lovin Our Life

Senior Member
Along the same lines, I picked up a variable ND filter from my local camera store. At $90.00 I didn't consider it cheap, but not the best either I'm sure. I was quite surprised at the poor results. Now unless I did something wrong, this is what happened in bright daylight at the 8 stop setting.

Any ideas, or just a crappy filter.

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Moab Man

Senior Member
That is what happens on a variable neutral density when you go beyond the min max range.

If you're sure you aren't going beyond then I don't know.
 
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Scott Murray

Senior Member
Mine does the same thing at max setting, I am not happy with my variable but it still can be used. I am more likely to buy more Lee filters.
 

Lovin Our Life

Senior Member
Filter was not set beyond max range, so not real happy with the product either. Going to return it when I get back to OKC, see if they will exchange it for a regular ND. Thanks Guys.
 

SkvLTD

Senior Member
Now I can attest to how well they break and get stuck on lens threads - very; and this was a Nikon L37 no less.
 

Moab Man

Senior Member
Dedicated filters will have more consistency, but I wouldn't necessarily shy away from a quality brand variable. I would go to a physical store and see if they will let you do some test shots, pixel peep, and then make your purchase.
 
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