.9 ND Grad filter

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Dan_Lahav

Well-known member
I just saw the awsome Jeep footage from our very own Mr. Rich Lee. I'm totally digging the darkish/blackish gradient on that and was wondering if anyone produces a good 72mm .9 Grad filter (if one even exists) that can screw on to the lens? If so, is it possible to have my circular polarizer on there as well?...I'm hoping i dont have to fork out the cash for a mattebox! :o
 
Re: .9 ND Grad filter

What about the matteblox with an oversized french flag...thats a cheap mattebox..
 
Re: .9 ND Grad filter

Dan--you don't want a ND Grad that mounts directly to the lens--you can't move the transition up or down or tilt it.  A fairly inexpensive solution is to buy a Cokin P filter holder ($8), a 72mm adapter ring ($9), and a P-size resin ND Grad filter.  I like HiTech (aka Formatt) ND Grads ($40)--they're reasonably priced and excellent optical quality.  You can also buy a cheaper Cokin brand ND Grad ($18)--it's probably fine for video use.  The main drawback to the cokin ND Grads is that the density is not completely neutral--it may have a slight tint.  

You can mount the 72mm adapter ring to the front of the polarizer on your camera.  ND Grads usually come as hard-edged or soft-edged.  The soft is easier to work with, but the edge definition varies a lot depending on the manufacturer.  You can also buy inexpensive lens hood attachments for the Cokin P holder, or rig something of your own.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=14265&is=REG

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=14095&is=REG

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=111013&is=REG

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=238968&is=REG
 
Re: .9 ND Grad filter

wow! Thanks barry for the plethora of information. I really appreciate the post. Do you know if I can still keep my stock "sunshade" on the DVX with everything attached?
 
Re: .9 ND Grad filter

Hey barry . . . have you tried the cokin filters, they dont get too good a name round here, I was wondering if the pro version do actualy improve in quality and if you could ever fit any other better quality filters in those cokin holders?
 
Re: .9 ND Grad filter

Dan--you'll have to jettison your stock DVX hood if you want to mount the filter setup. Here's a link to the snap on hood for the Cokin P filter holder.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=14358&is=REG

A shallow hood is not as great solution (and this includes the stock hood), so be prepared to flag off any stray light falling on the lens. You could also probably velcro a Matteblox oversize flag to the Cokin hood for some good shading.

Theos-- I have used Cokin filters and have think the optical quality is actually ok--especially for a low-res application like DV. They are made of optical resin, so you need some care that they don't get scratched. However, some very fine filters in the still photography world are made of resin (Singh-Ray). And still photographer resolution requirements make HD look like snapshot quality. You can use any P-size resin filters in the Cokin holders. The Cokin XPro filters are glass and definitely cinematography-quality, but they're a huge increase in price.
 
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