This is the world's first variable graduated ND filter

Aurora Aperture has just introduced a very interesting little piece of photography gear: the world's first variable graduated neutral density filter. Variable NDs are fairly common, as are graduated NDs, but until now nobody had thought to (or at least managed to) mix the two ideas into one.

Enter the Aurora PowerGXND: a variable hard transition graduated neutral density filter with continuously variable range of up to 5 stops (ND 0 - 1.5). Here's a quick intro video to get you familiar with the new filter family:

And a 4K demo video that shows the filter in action:

Aurora has introduced, and is funding, this filter family through Kickstarter, where the PowerGXND is being offered in three sizes and with a variety of mounting accessories. You can get the filters in Large (105mm), Medium (82mm), or Small (62mm) sizes, which can be mounted onto a camera using either a "slim lens adapter" or a square filter holder adapter plate.

The filter also features hard stops at either end of the scale, multi-layer nano coatings to repel water, oil and dust, and a direct reading scale to help you dial in the exact stop value you're looking for.

To learn more about the Aurora PowerGXND, head over to the Kickstarter campaign where you can reserve your own (the project is already fully funded) for anywhere between $95 for the 62mm 'slim' kit to $340 for the 105mm w/ 130mm holder kit.

Press Release

Aurora Aperture Introduces World’s First Variable GND Filter Family

Irvine, California, January 15th, 2018 - Aurora Aperture Inc., a Southern California company specialized in photography filters, today has introduced the world’s first variable graduated neutral density (GND) filter family, the Aurora PowerGXND.

The PowerGXND family is an hard transition GND filter with a continuous range up to 5 stops (ND 0 - 1.5). GND filters are widely used in photography and videography for balancing a high contrast scene for proper exposure.

“The Aurora PowerGXND family is the world’s first variable GND filter,” said Jeff Chen, founder and CEO of Aurora Aperture Inc. “offering a wide range of light balancing capability for both photographers and videographers. Until now users need to carry multiple fixed stop GND filters with light reduction values of one, two, and three stop with no fractional stop value. With our variable GND filters, all you need is one filter and just rotate the filter until you see the desired result, it is truly that easy.”

The Aurora PowerGXND filter is based on the innovative Aurora PowerXND variable ND filter introduced in 2016. While keeping the original thin frame profile, a new hard stop feature is added to limit the filter rotation within the minimum and maximum settings. Another new feature is a direct reading scale so users can quickly dial the filter to a stop value easily.

Designed in California by Aurora Aperture, the Aurora PowerND filters are made from Schott B 270® i Ultra-White Glass. Filter surfaces are applied with PFPE hydrophobic and oleophobic coatings to repel water, soil, and dirt. With these multi-layer nano coatings, the Aurora PowerGNXD filters are capable of answering the demands of 4k videos and modern high density sensors.

There are three sizes available, S (62mm), M (82mm), and L (105mm) to cover lens filter thread size from 37mm to 82mm. Adaption plates and square filter systems (75mm, 100mm, and 130mm) are available for using the variable GND filters on different lenses.

Availability and Pricing

The Aurora PowerND family will be available through Kickstarter starting in January

2018. Dealers and general availability will start in May 2018. List price starts from US$149 to $329, depending on filter sizes.

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This is the world's first variable graduated ND filter was originally posted by proton T2a