This 55mm Soft-Edge Graduated ND Filter 55mm 3-Stophelps darken specific areas of an image while allowing for a normal, unaffected exposure in the other parts. The filter is densest at the edge and tapers to clear by the middle, with a soft-edged line of transition between the two areas. This filter is particularly useful for images that do not have a strongly defined transition between the sky and foreground.

The filter features glass optics and an aluminum filter ring threaded on both sides. A rotating ring allows precise positioning of the gradation along the horizon line.

0.9 Optical Density    Glass Optics and Aluminum Filter Ring    Front and Rear Filter Threads    Soft-Edge Line of Transition    Rotating Ring for Gradation Positioning    Reduce Exposure in Selective Areas

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. Does this filter have hard stops?

A: Not for the intermediary stops.

Q: 2. Want to use on a canon ef 100-400 mm to photograph an eclipse. Will it fit/work?

A: Yes,your ND filter will work with solar eclipse. But, that is the least of your problems. If will give the impression that it reduces the light from the sun. It does for visible light, but does NOT reduce the permanent eye damage from UV, which will past through your ND filter as if you had no ND filter. If you do use it for solar eclipse, you MUST, to keep your vision, add add a CERTIFIED solar eclipse filter to stop the very damaging UV light. Without the solar filter, you'll most likely burn out your camera's sensor, along with your vision. Permanently. Wishing you great luck with your solar photos. Respectfully submitted, Bill Edmundson

Q: 3. I regard to the question about the front threads:Note that the specs supplied by B&H say that the mfg has not provided that info. Upon receiving this filter hoping I could add the the Nikon R1C1 flash system to it (the reason I bought this unit instead of others that had no front threads) I can tell you that the threads are well over 77MM wide. I should have figured that out when the description states the filter is oversized.

A: The front threads are approximately 81mm on the XS-Pro 77mm Digital ND Vario. While it will not be possible to use the R1-C1 mounted on this filter, the flashes on the R1-C1 separate off the ring and the system comes with stands. You could mount the flashes onto stands and ultimately a tripod and light the subject in this manner, and just use the system without having the flash on the camera.

Q: 4. I have a Nikon 50mm f/1.4 lens with a good. The lens cap fits inside the lens and it says 58mm. Will this lens filter fit this lens?

A: Yes, any 58mm filter will fit.

Q: 5. Does this filter have front threads so I can attach it to a matte box or an additional filter? Thanks!

A: Yes it does have a front thread of 77mm.

Q: 6. What lens caps fit?

A: this should work , ZEISS 86mm Front Lens Cap B&H # ZEFLC86

Q: 7. I purchased this filter from you earlier this month. The filter ring is oversized . Can you recommend a lens cap that would work with this filter? Thank you. - Michael

A: The front filter thread size of the B+W 72mm XS-Pro Digital ND Vario MRC nano Filter is 77mm. As such, any 77mm lens cap should fit onto the filter. If you need a particular recommendation, then I would recommend the Sensei 77mm Center Pinch Snap-On Lens Cap, B&H # SELC77, for your stated needs.

Q: 8. Can I mount this filter on my zeiss planar f 1.4 50 mm ?

A: If you own the Zeiss Planar T* 50mm F/1.4 ZF.2 Lens, B&H # ZE5014ZF2N, which has 58mm filter threads, yes, the B+W 58mm XS-Pro Digital ND Vario MRC nano Filter would be compatible for use with your lens.

Q: 9. any noticeable loss of image quality (especially sharpness) with this ND filter? Thank you

A: I was just now looking at the same subject shot with and without my Bower 52mm variable ND. And I didn't see the filter adding any softness at all. I'll do some more testing but I just don't see a problem at this point. Seems like a great value for 25 bucks. I suspect people may be shooting wide open, getting suboptimal sharpness, and blaming the filter.

Q: 10. The description says that this filter features a thin, oversized mount which helps to reduce the likelihood to vignetting when used with wide-angle lenses. To use this filter with a smaller diameter lens, what step down ring size would I have to use to be able to use it on a smaller lens diameter - - 77mm or 82 mm to hold this filter?

A: The size step-up ring that would be required for use on your lens would depend on the filter size of your lens. Unfortunately, you did not list the lens you own or its filter size. As the B+W 77mm XS-Pro Digital ND Vario MRC nano Filter has 77mm rear filter threads, you would need a step-up ring that has 77mm front filter threads. If you need assistance with locating the proper ring for your equipment, you would have to send an e-mail to askbh@bandh.com with the above information and we will assist you with your inquiry.