Fader ND Mk.II is still kinda "meh" for telephoto
- Thread starter shaocaholica
- Start date
jambredz
Veteran
here
shaocaholica
Well-known member
85 Looked OK when I did another test. I haven't had a chance to do anything in between because I've been swamped at work.
shaocaholica
Well-known member
**IMPORTANT UPDATE**
I emailed my results to LCW a few days ago and they go back to me yesterday. They said that the results I'm seeing are not consistent with what they believe is normal. I think they are going to test on their end at 400mm and get back to me. So until then, please take my test (The one in the first post) with a grain of salt.
I emailed my results to LCW a few days ago and they go back to me yesterday. They said that the results I'm seeing are not consistent with what they believe is normal. I think they are going to test on their end at 400mm and get back to me. So until then, please take my test (The one in the first post) with a grain of salt.
Here's a test I did with on a Canon 85mm f1.8.
Tiffen ND 6, Original LCW Fader ND, LCW Fader ND Mark 2 (New version).
It was filmed at f2.2, ISO 100
The tiffen is the sharpest for sure. There is no difference between the original LCW Fader and the new one. They are definitely softer. You can see much more of the dot patten on the package with the tiffen filter. The other two shots, the dot pattern is blurred out.
I noticed at around f 5.6 and above, the softness starts to go away and you can really tell the difference. But wide open, the softness is there for sure.
With that said, I do love the Fader and Bonafice at LCW is awesome and they are a good company. I just hope they figure this out.
I did this test quite a few times and it always came out the same. Tiffen sharpest, no difference between the old LCW Fader and the new one.
At 200mm on another test, the sharpness loss was more apparent.
I tried to attach a pic, but not sure if it works, but here's the URL to the shot
http://www.builtbyugene.com/images_client/VideoF2.2_ISO100_Shtr60.jpg
Tiffen ND 6, Original LCW Fader ND, LCW Fader ND Mark 2 (New version).
It was filmed at f2.2, ISO 100
The tiffen is the sharpest for sure. There is no difference between the original LCW Fader and the new one. They are definitely softer. You can see much more of the dot patten on the package with the tiffen filter. The other two shots, the dot pattern is blurred out.
I noticed at around f 5.6 and above, the softness starts to go away and you can really tell the difference. But wide open, the softness is there for sure.
With that said, I do love the Fader and Bonafice at LCW is awesome and they are a good company. I just hope they figure this out.
I did this test quite a few times and it always came out the same. Tiffen sharpest, no difference between the old LCW Fader and the new one.
At 200mm on another test, the sharpness loss was more apparent.
I tried to attach a pic, but not sure if it works, but here's the URL to the shot
http://www.builtbyugene.com/images_client/VideoF2.2_ISO100_Shtr60.jpg
Zissou
Well-known member
sure let me get my kit together. i have no ND filters with me, just the FaderND and D300, with 70-300VR. ill also take a shot wide open with a 50mm f1.4 wide open. only variables will be faderND on/off and ISO
Last edited:
Lenilenapi
Carbonite Member
You may not see too much difference at 50mm. Try 200 - much more apparent
ecking
Veteran
Stephen Mick's test while good isn't enough in my opinion because 200 may not be long enough to feel the real effect. shaocaholica's test with a 400mm prime and the Vari-ND could very well perform drastically different at 400 then it did at 200. Plus one was inside and one was outside potentially changing the amount of IR pollution, because of the amount of ND dialled in. We really need to test these in as close an environment as possible.
to be honest i dont really know what were hoping for,fader nds have loss of sharpness as we've seen already a couple of times,some guys claim they dont have any loss but so far no pic from them ,up to the 200mm i could accept fader ND if it would not degrade resolution.Vari ND performs better but for this price ...
shaocaholica
Well-known member
If anyone wants to send me their Vari-ND, I'll gladly do a daylight 200/300/400mm side by side.
200mm (Tamron 70-200/2.8 Latest Version)
300mm (Tamron 28-300VC)
400mm (Tokina 400/5.6 AT-X)
Also, I should be hearing back from LCW about what they think is the problem and maybe they'll send me a replacement filter.
200mm (Tamron 70-200/2.8 Latest Version)
300mm (Tamron 28-300VC)
400mm (Tokina 400/5.6 AT-X)
Also, I should be hearing back from LCW about what they think is the problem and maybe they'll send me a replacement filter.
Stephen Mick
Totally Usable
PM me your address, shac.
shaocaholica
Well-known member
PM sent.
shaocaholica
Well-known member
Still waiting on LCW to get back to me after their tests. Sigh.
I ordered a Linear Polarizer from B&H and I was going to make a DIY Fader to test against the Fader Mark 2.
After I put the new polarizer on top of my circular polarizer, I realized they mailed me the wrong thing (a second circular polarizer), so I gotta wait a week until the replacement Linear arrives.
With that said, with the 2 polarizers (even though it was 2 circulars) stacked on top of each other on my 70-200 f2.8, there was no resolution loss. So there is hope. But I can't really say until I get the proper part.
I did more tests and on the Canon 17-55 f2.8, there was NO loss of resolution at 55mm with the Fader Mark II which is exactly the same as the original Fader which I also tested..
On the Canon 85mm f1.8, there started to be a noticeable softening, but not too terrible.
At 200mm, the softening was very apparent.
I'll let you know how the DIY Fader does when I get the correct part.
After I put the new polarizer on top of my circular polarizer, I realized they mailed me the wrong thing (a second circular polarizer), so I gotta wait a week until the replacement Linear arrives.
With that said, with the 2 polarizers (even though it was 2 circulars) stacked on top of each other on my 70-200 f2.8, there was no resolution loss. So there is hope. But I can't really say until I get the proper part.
I did more tests and on the Canon 17-55 f2.8, there was NO loss of resolution at 55mm with the Fader Mark II which is exactly the same as the original Fader which I also tested..
On the Canon 85mm f1.8, there started to be a noticeable softening, but not too terrible.
At 200mm, the softening was very apparent.
I'll let you know how the DIY Fader does when I get the correct part.
thepiecesfit
New member
Looks like i need to run some tests. I just received my Fader ND II from lightcraft I have 28-70 L 2.8 , 17-40 L f4 and 135L f2
^Don't even bother. Send it back. You've got incredible lenses. Why stick a piece of plastic in front of them?
Gene: I believe you could have reversed the glass on the outer CPL instead of sending it back for a linear. In any case, I look forward to seeing your results. Did you order B+W filters? This is the route I'm considering, though I'm not sure if I'll get two CPLs or one CPL and one LPL.
Gene: I believe you could have reversed the glass on the outer CPL instead of sending it back for a linear. In any case, I look forward to seeing your results. Did you order B+W filters? This is the route I'm considering, though I'm not sure if I'll get two CPLs or one CPL and one LPL.