Hoya 52mm Variable Density II Filter

The Hoya Variable Density II Filter is a versatile tool for photographers and videographers who want precise control over exposure and creative motion effects in changing lighting conditions.

Offering an adjustable optical density range from 0.5 to 2.7 (approximately ND1 to ND512), this filter allows you to reduce the amount of light entering the lens without affecting color balance. It’s ideal for achieving motion blur in moving subjects like vehicles, or creating smooth, silky effects in waterfalls and flowing water, even in bright environments.

Designed with usability in mind, the filter features a dedicated control knob for smooth and accurate rotation, making it easy to fine-tune exposure settings on the fly. The convenient density scale and guide markers provide clear visual reference points, helping you quickly dial in the desired level of light reduction.

Its thin frame design minimizes the risk of vignetting, especially when used with wide-angle lenses, while still maintaining compatibility with standard accessories thanks to lens cap support.

Combining precision control, ease of use, and creative flexibility, the Hoya Variable Density II Filter is an excellent choice for capturing dynamic motion effects and maintaining proper exposure in bright shooting conditions.

Product Features in Detail

A density adjustable filter with an ND range from 1.5 to 9 f-stops (ND3-400).
HOYA Variable Density II is a density adjustable filter with an ND range from 1.5 to 9 f-stops (ND3-400).

The difference with the previous HOYA Variable Density filter is the newly designed rotatable frame with convenient knob, allowing for better operation.

WHY VARIABLE DENSITY FILTERS ARE IMPORTANT
Variable density filters are widely used because they can replace a set of solid ND filters by providing a range density that can be adjusted according to the desired exposure settings.

In still shooting, variable density filters lower the shutter speed according to the photographer’s intentions when the shutter speed cannot be lowed due to camera limits.

Variable density filters can also increase the amount of boke when shooting in the over-lit conditions, thus, preventing the image from overexposure.

In video shooting, it is fundamental to keep the shutter speed fitting the frame rate setting. That is, to keep it equal to double the frame rate for optimal results. This is because, unlike still photography, an excessively fast shutter speed may create a jarring effect and produce afterimages that will not look good in the final video.

As you can see from the image below, unlike still image, a video clip is made of a sequence of still images. With low shutter speed, each still image will blur but will look smooth in the video sequence. On the contrary, a higher shutter speed will capture the object solid and sharp, but once in a video sequence all objects will appear separated, creating jarring and unnatural looking motion.

By using variable density filters, the shutter speed can be adjusted to the proper value to get that natural and smooth looking motion requested in video footages

Advantages:
FOR LONGER EXPOSURES
Without changing the aperture, the HOYA Variable Density II provides the freedom to change the shutter speed according the effect desired. Effective for motion blurring effects like waterfalls, cars or blurred panning movement to make the subject stand out from the background.

FOR WIDER APERTURES
Allows wider apertures in over-lit conditions be used to decrease depth-of-field, literally focusing more attention on the subject.

PREVENTING OVEREXPOSURE
Even with a shutter speed of 1/8000 seconds, a large aperture of f/1.4 or f/1.2 can cause overexposure. With the HOYA Variable Density II filter, overexposure issues can be avoided by adjusting the light intake.

FOR SHOOTING VIDEO IN CINEMATIC LOOK
Variable Density filter is a must-have item for video bloggers and professional video content creators. Allow cine/video cameras to set the appropriate exposures in a bright lighting conditions to achieve cinematic look.

Notes:
The practical exposure range and light transmittance will vary depending on the situation. When using the filter near or at MAX a cross-like dark pattern will appear across the image and cannot be eliminated. This is a property of the filter and all variable ND filters.