I bought a inexpensive variable neutral density filter, this ND2-ND400 variety. I wasn't expecting a whole lot because of the very low price point, but I think I'm either using it incorrectly or my unit is defective. Do I simply need to back off the maximum filtering setting until the results are acceptable? It seemed to provide very minimal filtering when I reached and acceptable point, maybe ND8 or so. Is this cheap ND filter only usable up to something like ND8? I am shooing with a full frame camera and a 17-40mm lens.
17mm, approximately maximum ND filtering:
40mm, approximately maximum ND filtering:
17mm, less then maximum ND filtering: