Help with GH2 and Variable ND filter

Grisnjam

Grisnjam

Well-known member
So I am a new GH2 owner and I recently got a Fader ND mark II variable ND filter and I would like some advise on how to use it.

I took a quick 1.5 hours at lunch the other day to test it out at a local park where I play disc golf near daily. I used the 14-140 kit lens (I have the 20mm but the step-up ring had not come yet to use the ND filter with it). Below please find the little toy video I made with the footage (only a few shots are the end are 20mm, the rest are 14-140; with ND when wide and without when telephoto-ed in):


I used the Manfrotto 561BHDV-1 on most of the shots, but I used it like a tripod. I would frame up the shot then use the bubble level to get the monopod exactly vertical and then start recording and take my hands off. This worked surprisingly well as the monopod was able to stand on its own on uneven ground. I only used software stabilization on the opening water shot and ending moon shot).

For the non telephoto shots I used the Fader ND in the following way:

I shot in 24p mode with shutter priority at 1/50 with the ISO set to 100. I had hoped that in that mode I would be able to see what the camera was setting the aperture to but I could not figure out a way to do that. So in order to push the F stop as low as I could I would start with the fader ND on minimum and then slowly twist it towards max watching the histogram, stopping once it started to shift left. I figured this would put me at the lowest F stop.

I am not quite comfortable going full manual mode yet but I guess that is really the way to go... Is my technique giving acceptable results?

Any tips on ND filter use with the GH2 (14-140 or 20mm) when outdoor in full sun?

Thanks for your time!
 
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1. Put the FaderND on your lens.

2. Choose Creative Movie mode.

3. Stop your lens down to the aperture you want -- the kit lens is pretty slow so try setting it for wide open, i.e. the lowest value. With the 20mm pancake I usually stay between f/1.7-4, 8 if I'm shooting a child running around.

4. Set ISO for 100.

5. By looking at the LCD, you can dial the FaderND in to nail the exposure you want. The histogram is especially helpful here, as it turns white when you've nailed good exposure.

6. For outdoor shoots I also like using the sky as a gauge -- dial the ND till the sky looks as deep blue as it does in real life. Then look at your subject and see if the exposure is still good. Play with it to get a good balance of well-exposed subject and blue sky.

7. Shoot, shoot, shoot. Dialing in your ND will become 2nd nature after a few shoots.

8. Go to Sam's BBQ on the East side and shoot me some video of the pork ribs. I miss them terribly.
 
shaveblog said:
1. Put the FaderND on your lens.

2. Choose Creative Movie mode.

3. Stop your lens down to the aperture you want -- the kit lens is pretty slow so try setting it for wide open, i.e. the lowest value. With the 20mm pancake I usually stay between f/1.7-4, 8 if I'm shooting a child running around.

4. Set ISO for 100.

5. By looking at the LCD, you can dial the FaderND in to nail the exposure you want. The histogram is especially helpful here, as it turns white when you've nailed good exposure.

6. For outdoor shoots I also like using the sky as a gauge -- dial the ND till the sky looks as deep blue as it does in real life. Then look at your subject and see if the exposure is still good. Play with it to get a good balance of well-exposed subject and blue sky.

7. Shoot, shoot, shoot. Dialing in your ND will become 2nd nature after a few shoots.

8. Go to Sam's BBQ on the East side and shoot me some video of the pork ribs. I miss them terribly.
Click to expand...

Agree with everything here except #8. I'd go to Franklin on I-35 for some brisket.
 
Franklin is new? I left Austin 20 yrs ago and haven't been back, but when I was there Sam's was my favorite in town, Southside Market if I had time for a drive. I was easily 20 lbs. heavier in those days.

Apologies to everyone else for the meat yak. Hard to mention Austin in any thread without starting a BBQ discussion.
 
shaveblog said:
Franklin is new? I left Austin 20 yrs ago and haven't been back, but when I was there Sam's was my favorite in town, Southside Market if I had time for a drive. I was easily 20 lbs. heavier in those days.

Apologies to everyone else for the meat yak. Hard to mention Austin in any thread without starting a BBQ discussion.
Click to expand...

I am more into the speed and efficiency of Rudy's myself ....

Thanks for the tips!
 
Use a hood with ND filter. For future proof, 77mm filter. But it may be too heavy on 20mm pancake. If you must, u can try 52mm filter on the pancake. 46 ring, 46-52 step-up, 52 filter, 55 hood. Haha. Then it's no longer a pancake. I don't use filter on pancake anymore.
 
stonebat said:
Use a hood with ND filter. For future proof, 77mm filter. But it may be too heavy on 20mm pancake. If you must, u can try 52mm filter on the pancake. 46 ring, 46-52 step-up, 52 filter, 55 hood. Haha. Then it's no longer a pancake. I don't use filter on pancake anymore.
Click to expand...

I have a direct 46 to 62mm step up and a 67mm hood I will use with the 20mm. Just was in the mail for this shoot.

46m to 62mm step up:
http://cgi.ebay.com/46mm-62mm-STEP-...es_CameraLensesFilters_JN&hash=item2eb348d23d

Fader ND mark II (62mm inner and 67mm outer)
http://www.lightcraftworkshop.com/site/page1000.html


Zeikos ZE-LH67 67mm Soft Rubber Lens Hood
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0029LH3TE/ref=oss_product

Thanks,
 
You'd need 46mm ring on the pancake to avoid jamming. All those extra weight on the pancake... I don't know.

I recommend 77mm. I got 72mm, and I'm regretting. If you need 72mm Fader ND mark II, we can make a deal.
 
stonebat said:
You'd need 46mm ring on the pancake to avoid jamming. All those extra weight on the pancake... I don't know.

I recommend 77mm. I got 72mm, and I'm regretting. If you need 72mm Fader ND mark II, we can make a deal.
Click to expand...

I have the above items and they seem to work fine.
 
excuse but there´s no barbecue in existence that would make me endure austins traffic - sorry but the nd question was well answered - ps-former austin lover who escaped circa 1986 which was one year past it´s last great year - I guess I could recommend fonda san miguel if it´s still there , and that´s the namesake of my present hometown !
 
"I shot in 24p mode with shutter priority at 1/50 with the ISO set to 100" ISO 100? How do you set the ISO to 100? The minimum ISO on my GH2 is 160.
 
Just got the same fader ND filter but I've been noticing issues with reflections of light through the ND filter. Really distracting. Is anyone else experiencing this?
 
Yep, I get those green flares at times. I think it's good to keep a static ND on hand if you run into this.
 
hows the quality of this vari nd? I just got a GH2 and am in the market for one. I have been looking at Heliopan since they are so highly rated but costly, too.
 
From everything I've read, the Heliopan and Singh-Ray are the top dogs. I've got a Fader ND Mark II, and it's ok for my needs. However, there is a loss of sharpness at longer focal lengths.
 
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