HELP! - Is my new 1 Stop ND Center Filter defective?

[robert_hurd]

Hi, All,

 

Today, I received my new 77mm Neutral Density 2x Center filter (to

put on a 65 mm lens for 4x5). I special ordered a 2x MC Marumi brand

filter (lowest price), and it is supposed to have a 1 Stop difference

in ND Shading from the filter glass center to the filter edge.

 

Question 1: For a One-Stop Center filter, shouldn't I be able to

visually "see" the ND shading with the naked eye, by simply placing

the filter against a sheet of white paper for example?

 

Question 2: When testing the center filter with a Sekonic Digital

Spot Meter and a Gossen Digital Spot Meter, as well as a Nikon SLR

Camera, shouldn't there be a marked F-Stop difference between the

center and edge of this filter? (Both of these spot meters and SLR

TTL meter are unable to "see" any noticeable difference from center

to edge.)

 

Even though the filter ring reads "MC-Center ND", is it possible that

the filter glass itself is not correct? (It kinda looks like just a

multicoated UV filter.)

 

Thank you in advance,

 

Robt.

[ronald_moravec1]

Never seen one myself, but photos of the indicate a dense center and gradual fading towars the edges. One stop should be about 1/2 the density of a pol filter.

 

Measure some evenly lit subject through the center of the filter. You should have 1 stop more required than without. If it doesn`t, it`s just a clear filter and a manufacturing defect. Of course you could just shoot a pic with it at f16 and see if it works. I believe these are designed to work at a specific aperture and that is why I never bought one.

[peter_dendrinos1]

I have a couple nd center filters, and there is no question when looking at it. If you cant see it, and you cant measure it, it?s not there!!

 

Send it back and get a different brand.

 

Good Luck

 

Pete

[peter_dendrinos1]

that ? should be its

 

Sorry

[robert_hurd]

Thanks!

 

I called B&H, and they agreed to take the Marumi filter back, even though it was a special order. (I love B&H!) Then, I special ordered the Hoya ND Center Filter.

 

FYI...here is a link to an image of a Hoya ND(x2), and in this image there is no mistaking the ND shading.

 

http://www.thkphoto.com/products/hoya/oef-06.html

 

Robt.

[peter_dendrinos1]

Yup thats what it should look like

 

Pete