Fotga Slim Fader Variable ND filter review

Decided to purchase a cheap variable ND filter on ebay and came across a Fotga Slim Fader for around $10. Checked some of the reviews and it was quite the bang for the buck. Here's my personal review of the item.




The variable filter has a 10-stop adjustable ring and there's a 'min' and 'max' indicator so you'd know which end is which.

Now for the actual usage testing. I tested several shots all taken at F1.4, 1/125, ISO 1600.

Image captured without filter:

With filter at the minimum:

Filter at 4-stops:

Filter at 7-stops:

Filler at 10-stops:

Next I test the images at the same stops, but try and get the same exposure on each of them by adjusting the shutter speed. This will check if the filter will give any sort of colored tint or vignetting like some of the ND filters in the market.

Again, here's the original image without using any filter:

1/125

4-stops:

1/30

7-stops:

1/10

10-stops:

2 secs

At 'maximum' stop: 

2.5 secs

Conclusions:

1. Color tint - none based on my observation even at 10-stops
2. Vignetting - slight vignetting is seen at higher stops. Wasn't able to test 8th and 9th stop, but based on 7th and 10th, not noticeable at 7, and noticeable at 10th.
3. Non-usable at maximum dial.

For a cheap $10 filter, I'm loving it so far and can't wait to get some slow shutter shots with it.