Breakthrough Photography
Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density
$139
Released 2017
Best Nd Filters · head-to-head
Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density vs Tiffen Variable ND Filter
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Tiffen Variable ND Filter is cheaper at $109. Every spec and price links to its source.
Tiffen
Tiffen Variable ND Filter
$109Cheaper
Which is better: the Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density or Tiffen Variable ND Filter?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Tiffen Variable ND Filter is the cheaper at $109.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density | Tiffen Variable ND Filter |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $139 | $109 |
| Brand | Breakthrough Photography | Tiffen |
| Released | 2017 | — |
| Filter type | fixed | variable |
| Density range stops | 3, 6, 10, or 15 (separate fixed-density SKUs) | 2 to 8 (ND 0.6 to ND 2.4) |
| Common thread sizes (mm) | 39-112, plus 100mm/150mm square | 52, 58, 62, 67, 72, 77, 82, 95 |
| Coating | MRC16 (16-layer Multi-Resistant Coating) + Nanotec nano coating | ColorCore glass construction (no nano/MRC branding stated) |
| Color cast note | Manufacturer states spectrally flat transmission targeting color-neutral results | No manufacturer color-neutrality claim published; independent reviews note some warm cast at the high end of rotation |
| Front filter thread | Yes | — |
| Magnetic | No | No |
| Glass type | SCHOTT B270 optical glass | optical glass (Tiffen ColorCore) |
Sources — Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density: breakthrough.photography (verified 2026-08-16). Tiffen Variable ND Filter: tiffen.com (verified 2026-08-16).
What's the difference between the Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density and Tiffen Variable ND Filter?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (6 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.
- Filter type: Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density fixed vs Tiffen Variable ND Filter variable
- Density range stops: Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density 3, 6, 10, or 15 (separate fixed-density SKUs) vs Tiffen Variable ND Filter 2 to 8 (ND 0.6 to ND 2.4)
- Common thread sizes (mm): Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density 39-112, plus 100mm/150mm square vs Tiffen Variable ND Filter 52, 58, 62, 67, 72, 77, 82, 95
- Coating: Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density MRC16 (16-layer Multi-Resistant Coating) + Nanotec nano coating vs Tiffen Variable ND Filter ColorCore glass construction (no nano/MRC branding stated)
- Color cast note: Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density Manufacturer states spectrally flat transmission targeting color-neutral results vs Tiffen Variable ND Filter No manufacturer color-neutrality claim published; independent reviews note some warm cast at the high end of rotation
- Glass type: Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density SCHOTT B270 optical glass vs Tiffen Variable ND Filter optical glass (Tiffen ColorCore)