Hoya Variable Density II Variable density camera filter 5.8 cm (Y600102)

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 a 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 of densities that can be adjusted according to the desired exposure settings.
In still photography, variable density filters lower the shutter speed according to the photographer’s intentions when the shutter speed cannot be lowered due to camera limits.
Variable density filters can also increase the amount of bokeh when shooting in 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 a still image, a video clip is made of a sequence of still images. With a 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 footage, as shown in the image below.

Highlighted features
HOYA Variable Density II incorporates an exclusive rotatable frame construction that consists of a fixed frame and a rotatable frame. The rotatable frame gets wider compared to the fixed frame size in order to minimize the risk of vignetting when used on wide-angle lenses.

Lens cap compatibility
Due to the specific structure of the filter frame, HOYA Variable Density II can take a lens cap one size larger than the size of the filter itself. For example, a 77mm HOYA Variable Density II can take an 82mm lens cap, as shown in the image below.

<For longer exposures
Without changing the aperture, the HOYA Variable Density II provides the freedom to change the shutter speed according to the desired effect. 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 to 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 with a cinematic look
A Variable Density filter is a must-have item for video bloggers and professional video content creators. It allows cine/video cameras to set the appropriate exposures in bright lighting conditions to achieve a cinematic look. Hoya Variable Density II. Filter size: 5.8 cm, Filter type: Variable density camera filter. Quantity per pack: 1 pc(s). Product colour: Black