Why ND-Filter?

[sirk]

... can't I just set the shutter to 1/500th for example?

[pix2pixels]

... and then you'll start complaining that it looks choppy, home video like, nowhere near the movies you see in cinemas...
It's all about motion blurrrrrr.

[djkarn105]

Not to mention having to shoot a f22 negates one of the main reasons to use this camera in the first place: Shallower depth of field

[mrmoe]

So you can Stop down and maintain DOF. Try Hoya Filters .3 .6 .9 for outdoor shots.

[Ian-T]

^^^^^What they said^^^^^

[Mike@AF]

The Hoyas will actually be 2x, 4x, and 8x when you go looking for them. They correspond to .3, .6, and .9 though.

[Nitsuj]

I got a PL filter that seems to be a 2 stop difference but still not enough in most daylight situations. I went to a local photography store and they had no ND filters. Almost seemed like it wasn't a common thing in photography. They had a ton of UV filters though, which I don't understand. ;) Oh well, guess it is down to ordering online.

I am finding it is a total must have at most situations.

I am curious though... is there a recommended must out of the 3 to start with? Or is it totally necessary to get all 3?

[Stephen Mick]

Again, I'll throw my support behind the Vari-ND from Singh-Ray. 2-8 stops of ND, easily controlled by turning the front element. Expensive but worth it.

--SM

[haojan]

Anyone with a good hands on experience of stacking linear and circular polarizers together?

[SteveF]

I have the Vari-ND from SR. Works great, and being able to adjust the degree of light blockage on the fly is so much easier than switching ND's.

[petersr]

The inexpensive "Fader ND" variable ND filters came back in stock again today on ebay.

[Chibs]

Do remember that these filters use polarizing glass, which also effects your image, eliminating any reflections depending on the angle (When 'fading', the polarizing effect might change as well). It might not always be what you want.

[SteveF]

Do remember that these filters use polarizing glass, which also effects your image, eliminating any reflections depending on the angle (When 'fading', the polarizing effect might change as well). It might not always be what you want.

I'm not at all trying to plug a product - just wanting to make sure things are clear.

The SR vari-ND does not polarize.

They do have a newer version that you can add a polarizer to, if you wanted.

[sammysammy]

Guys quick question if I may please.. I went to the beach the other day,very sunny day, no nd filter yet, had to shoot at almost 3000 fps to get the right exposure, i looked at the clip when i went back home, and saw lots of ghosting (i dont know what else to call it)on pans or when people move or walk, this is one of the side effects of not using nd filter to get the fps closer to the 100's and down, Im I correct?

[my0t1]

I have a stupid question ... I was reading Philip Bloom's blog about Fader ND and vari-ND. He mentioned of vignetting effect on his 77-82 step up ring with his vari-82 ND filter.

Will the vignetting effect be more significant on the GH1 with 62-77 step up and 77mm vari-ND filter than with two step up rings (i.e. 62-67 and 67-77) and 77mm vari-ND filter?

[pix2pixels]

Maybe you shot with 1/3000 sec shutter speed.

[Martti Ekstrand]

this is one of the side effects of not using nd filter to get the fps closer to the 100's and down, Im I correct?

Yes. For the umpteenth time, with the NTSC use a 1/60 shutter, with the PAL 1/50. Unless in 720 mode and certain you use the take in slow-motion then use 1/125 on NTSC and 1/100 on PAL. Otherwise you don't get enough motion blur to smooth out action and camera movement. And it can choke the AVCHD encoding with effects like you describe and 'mud'. Of course there are exceptions where you want a short shutter to achieve a strobe feel to the image but very few situations benefit from this and then it's better to use the MJPEG mode.

[kaplanfx]

Again, I'll throw my support behind the Vari-ND from Singh-Ray. 2-8 stops of ND, easily controlled by turning the front element. Expensive but worth it.

--SM

I'm looking at the site and they claim to have 77mm and 82mm vari-nd. Does this mean you aren't shooting video with the 14-140 (I thought it was 62mm). Is there a similar filter for 62mm?

-kap

[Stephen Mick]

I am using the kit lens with the Vari-ND.

I've got the 77mm size, and I'm using it with a simple 62mm to 77mm step-up ring. (I've also got a 52mm to 77mm step-up so i can use the Vari-ND with my Olympus 50mm f2.0 Macro lens.

Another benefit of this is that I'm not buying any 62mm filters. I can use the same 77mm filters I use on my EX1 with the GH1.

--SM

[kaplanfx]

I am using the kit lens with the Vari-ND.

I've got the 77mm size, and I'm using it with a simple 62mm to 77mm step-up ring. (I've also got a 52mm to 77mm step-up so i can use the Vari-ND with my Olympus 50mm f2.0 Macro lens.

Another benefit of this is that I'm not buying any 62mm filters. I can use the same 77mm filters I use on my EX1 with the GH1.

--SM

What about the vignetting issue that was asked about above? Any problems?

-kap

[Stephen Mick]

Zero vignetting problems for me using the 62-77mm step up ring.