Simmod Variable Density Filter – Fader ND With A Twist

Lens Filters

by Tim FokJune 28^th, 2018

Simmod Lens has entered the Fader ND market with the Simmod Variable Density Filter. Made using high quality German glass, offering greater control over your polarization & stop. Plus ships with a super trendy leather case.

Simmod Lens specialize in offering products for modifying vintage lenses. You can pick up hard mount conversion kits, 80mm fronts as well as follows focus gears and an aperture de-click service.

They have now entered the filtration market with announcement of the Simmod Variable Density Filter.

Simmod Variable Density Filter

It’s a 77mm screw-on Fader ND, offering 0.4-1.8 levels of neutral density (1.3 to 6 stops) and is made from German made Schott glass (ZEISS owned I’m told).

The filter is multicoated, anti reflective, anti scratch and has a water resistant coating.

Sounds familiar, right? There’s a ton of Variable ND filters out there, what makes this one different.

What’s Unique?

Well there are a couple of features that makes the Simmod Variable Density Filter interesting.

There is an outer collar to the filter that enables you to securely tighten the filter thread irrespective of the front glass position. This is good for two things.

First, you can align the marker where you like around the lens so that you can see precisely how much neutral density you are applying.

On a conventional Fader ND you simply screw it on until it is tight, meaning the marker can end up on the bottom of the lens out of sight.

Second, you can control the amount of polarization occurring by positioning the glass where you want.

Adding to precision, there are also hard stops. Not entirely unique but this feature is overlooked by most variable density filters; having hard stops on the filter ensures you don’t encounter the dreaded X pattern when you twist ‘too far’.

There’s also a handy lever on the side to easily adjust the filter.

Affordable

Combining the above features certainly gives this filter credibility in a very crowded market.

It’s also affordable at $125, and with that price comes a lovely leather pouch (everyone loves a leather pouch).

I’m told a 82mm version is imminent. You should always build your filter collection to a single thread size; a good rule of thumb is select one size up from your largest lens (for future proofing). This will save you money in the long term.

UPDATE

Simmod has since announced an 82mm version, plus here’s a video review below:

If you’re interested in just a circular polarizer, Simmod announced one of those also.

Both available now on the Simmod Lens website.