Zomei Variable Filter review

Zomei's variable filter is a circular filter that can be rotated in order to change the strength (intesitivity of the filter).

But I was not impressed when I first got the filter by hand - even with the eyes I could see something was wrong.

This problem occurs because the construction is optically not possible - at least not at the level Zomei specifies.

On the filter there's a level indicator from minimum to maximum in strength with 18 dots. In that way you can see which strength the filter has at the certain rotation. If you put the strength at minimum - the first dot - the strength should be as a ND2 filter. From here you can increase strength up to 18 dot which would be as effective as a ND400 filter.
But this is where something goes wrong, as you can clearly see below where I took the same image on each level on the scale.

Taken at the first dot = (level 0) = ND2

 Taken at level 2

Taken at level 4

Taken at level 6

Taken at level 8

Taken at level 10

Taken at level 12

Taken at level 14

Taken at level 16

Taken at level 18

















As it clearly shows the pattern occurs already at level 12, if not earlier, and therefore cancels any proper work with the filter at those levels. Therefore, I won't recommend a Zomei variable filter if you want a ND filter with high strength - it simply can not be done. Personally, I just swapped this Zomei filter out with a set of Cokin filters that are not variable, but just glasses you put in front of the lens using a filter holder. And my first impression of that solution is much better than Zomei's variable filter.

All in all, Zomei's filter is only functional on the low ND values, meaning that you easily gets disappointed when purchasing with slow shutter speeds in mind. I certainly can not recommend this product because the "variable function" simply doesn't stretches over a wide enough range for it to work easier than standard filters as Cokin's. Using the filter with small ND values only ​​is the only option where the product can be useful, but I strongly recommend to sacrifice more money on either a better quality product or a set of fixed filters.

I give this product 2 out of 5 stars