The verdict
The Tiffen Variable ND is the USA-made pick — Hollywood industry-standard brand for cinema.
Strengths
- +Least color cast at minimum settings
- +Made in USA
- +Affordable variable ND
- +Hollywood-grade brand
Watch-outs
- −Optically softer at extreme settings
- −Less sharpness retention than Hoya
- −Threads tend to cross-thread
How it compares
USA-made. Least color cast at minimum. Soft at extremes.
Who this is for
At a glance: video and cinema shooters wanting Hollywood-grade.
Why you’d buy the Tiffen Variable ND
- Least color cast at minimum settings.
- Made in USA.
- Affordable variable ND.
Why you’d skip it
- Optically softer at extreme settings.
- Less sharpness retention than Hoya.
- Threads tend to cross-thread.
Rating sources
Our 4.5 score is the average of these published ratings. More about methodology.