Formatt-Hitech Multistop ND
£130, $145 for 77mm fitting
The advertised stopping power of this variable density filter is less than that of the Light Craft Workshop filter, at two to six stops. In our tests, however, both gave practically identical maximum reductions at varying focal lengths. The Formatt-Hitech’s construction boasts ‘highest quality broadcast glass’ built into to an aluminium housing.
The overall build is quite chunky, based on a pair of rings, one fixed and one rotating. However, the front ring is considerably larger in diameter than the rear one, which helps to avoid vignetting when attached to wide-angle lenses. The colour accuracy and overall image quality produced are practically identical to those of the less expensive Light Craft filter, but the Formatt-Hitech feels a little more robust.