4x4 Fader ND?

[sibero80]

Ok, i've been a DSLR shoother for about a year or so... and most of that year I havent had the right equipment to do so.. just 6 months away, i got my Fader ND, , later I got my CoolLCD monitor, and just a month or so, finished my DIY follow focus...
Since im from Colombia, i just cant buy everything that comes before my eyes.. so got to plan every purchase veeeeery in advance.. and save a lot..

So.. recently I had my eyes on a Matte box... but I said to myself.. what would be the purpose of a Matte Box, without filters... looking pro never worried me too much. So began looking for the basic Filters.. ND at first.. and a basic 5 ND (0.3 - 0.6 - 0.9 - 1.2 - 1.5) Costs like $250 (Cavision). Throw in a Circular polarizer, and it is $150. the price is now $400... now.. there's another issue... sometimes you'll need more ND strenght.. so you'll need to use 2 ND filters at a time.. that leaves the polarizer out..

That put me thinking... I dont have that kind of money to spend on 6 filters... and just thinking on the handling... changing filters.. gave me a headache and just made me love more my FADER ND.. but soon i'll be growing my lens family.. and screwing and unscrewing constantly the filter isnt the nicest task when changing lenses.. (that's why i wanted to buy a mattebox in a first place)..

So I decided to write to LightCraftWorkshop.. the ND fader are just 2 polarizing filters spinning.. ( mind the "just") .. so what if they could come out with a 4x4 version? If you have a matte box with 2 rotating filter holders.. you would have yourself bot a Fader ND, and a Circular polarizer! and if you just have 1 rotating filter holder, well.. thats a 4x4 Fader ND...

Days went by and I lost my hope on that mail... BUT...

They replied me.

In small words they told me they were VERY interested on my proposal, and that their engineer would be working on it... but they were wondering what would be the interest on this?

So, im asking you guys... am I the only one that would love to see a 4x4 Fader ND / Polarizer?

Cheers to you all.

 

[twotonepunkkid]

I'm game for a fade ND/polarizer. I tinker with the idea of buying several nd filters or step up and down rings or just a single 4x4 and a mattebox, and I decided on a cheap mattebox and its working great. Would love one of those filters tho. Count me in!

 

[sibero80]

That makes two of us in line! hehe, anyone else that could share some thoughts?

 

[Patryk_Rebisz]

Yo don't need all those filters you mentions - you can get away with only ND 2 and 3. But Cavision won't cut it - research about those to see varying differences in hues - you got to get good glass - so you are thinking about $130/filter = $260 + 4x4 matte box (about $200).

 

[sibero80]

Hey there Patryk, I get what you mean about not needing all those filter sets.. but woulndt it be too cripling just having those 2 filters? I mean.. if you are a previous ND fader user.. and you are shooting outdors, sometimes you dont need all that light stoped down...
The whole nd fader thing is about versatility... specially If you are not terribly worried about top notch quality glass.. and you know your material is going to be graded afterwards..

 

[Patryk_Rebisz]

I work on some pretty high end shoots and only rarely i have the safety of knowing for sure that the footage will be properly graded in the post. Post is expensive thus you try to minimize the necessity for it (by using high end glass in the first place).