User Manual

Your New Tien
Variable Neutral Density
Basic User Guide
The Tiffen Company
90 Oser Avenue, Hauppauge, NY 11788
631-273-2500
www.tiffen.com
VNDINSERT
IMPORTANT:
Only use your Variable ND within its recommended 2
to 8 stop range. If you go beyond the “MAX”, you may
experience an uneven exposure or color shift that
appears as an “X bar” in the image. This is more common
when using higher densities on full frame cameras;
however, can be experienced on any camera. This is a
common issue– it’s the law of physics when combining
two polarizing lters; however, this issue can be
eliminated. First, adjust your focal length and then
reduce the density (stop value) setting by rotating the
lter ring until the color shift disappears.
The Tien Variable ND has a thin prole with a wider
outer ring to help eliminate vignetting when using
wide lenses. However, due to the vast number of combi-
nations of cameras, lenses, sensors and other factors,
we can NOT predict under what circumstances vignett-
ing will occur and to what degree. We suggest simply
adjusting your focal length, position and/or composi-
tion to remove the vignetting—use your digital
camera’s display for reference.
NOTE: The small indexed dots on the lter ring
between “MIN” and “MAX” density settings are intended
for reference only. They are not representative of a
specic density (stops).
Why use a Variable ND Filter?
Neutral density lters reduce the amount of light
going through the lens into your camera. By reduc-
ing the light you are able to achieve the following:
• Allows the use of slow shutter speeds, with
high speed lms or digital cameras, to record
movement/image blur in subjects such as
waterfalls, clouds or any fast moving subject
• Gives you full control over your depth of eld. You
are able to decrease depth of eld by using wider
apertures, which helps separate subjects from
their background (subject matter in focus while
your background is blurred)
• Allows you to shoot high speed lm (above ISO
400) in bright outdoor situations by reducing
eective ISO
• Enables cine and video cameras (which have
xed shutter speeds) to lm subjects such as
snow, sand or other bright scenes which could
cause overexposure
The Tien Variable ND lter operates on the same
principle as a Circular Polarizer – rotate until you
reach your desired eect and shoot. It allows you
to have continuous control over the amount of light
coming through your lens in an approximate range
of 2 (ND 0.6) to 8 (ND 2.4) stops – while maintaining
the integrity of your image. Note: The evenly
spaced indexing marks between MIN and MAX
do not represent calibrated stops. They are for
reference only, to be used as a density bench-
mark to return to a previous setting.
How to Care for Your Variable ND:
Your Tien Variable ND should be handled with
care to avoid dirt, scratches and ngerprints.
Store it in its protective pouch when not in use.
Your lter can be damaged by being dropped,
by overexposure to extreme temperatures or
humidity, improper cleaning, or by being left
unprotected in direct sunlight. Use cleaners that
are made specically for cleaning lters and
optical lenses and follow product instructions.
All Tien lters are made in the USA using
our proprietary ColorCore™ technology
and covered by a 10-year warranty.
www.tiffen.com