GH5 Is there a trilogy of ND filters - ND16, ND64, ND1000? Which two of the three?
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Imamacuser
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Many camcorders offer built-in 2 stop, 4 stop, and 6 stop ND filters, so that should give you a good base line.
There are so many variables in this day and age that I can't really commit to just two ND filters. Cameras differ in their native ISO, and your lowest ISO setting may change based on whether you choose to shoot in log or not, not to mention that certain regions or locations will require significantly more attenuation than others.
Maybe a 4 stop and 6 stop if I was forced to narrow it down to two. In my opinion, for certain shoots a high quality variable ND is sufficient, so you might not need a whole set of NDs, depending on what you shoot.
There are so many variables in this day and age that I can't really commit to just two ND filters. Cameras differ in their native ISO, and your lowest ISO setting may change based on whether you choose to shoot in log or not, not to mention that certain regions or locations will require significantly more attenuation than others.
Maybe a 4 stop and 6 stop if I was forced to narrow it down to two. In my opinion, for certain shoots a high quality variable ND is sufficient, so you might not need a whole set of NDs, depending on what you shoot.
I have two variable ND, Hoya and Tiffen. Both have been useful but provides different color casts. I am trying to match my footage as close as possible and minimise color shift as I am still learning color correction and grading and getting my eyes to understand what I am seeing.
I have decided to invest in Benro Round SHD as I have heard online that they provide none to almost negligible magenta color cast. I am going to try the 4 stop for now and once budget allows, get the 6 stop.
Would you consider 7 stop a better match to the 4 as using ISO should be safe for around 3 stops before moving to the next ND? I am using the GH5 and Canon 5D Mark III.
I have decided to invest in Benro Round SHD as I have heard online that they provide none to almost negligible magenta color cast. I am going to try the 4 stop for now and once budget allows, get the 6 stop.
Would you consider 7 stop a better match to the 4 as using ISO should be safe for around 3 stops before moving to the next ND? I am using the GH5 and Canon 5D Mark III.
Imamacuser
Veteran
I not sure if I'm thinking of the same VND as your are, but I found this Tiffen to perform very badly, see this DPReview post.
You might be able to control the color cast to some extent by adding a rotating ring between your lens and VND, see this DPReview post.
I'm not at all familiar with Benro filters, I didn't even know they made filters, or maybe another makes the filters and Benro stamps their name on them.
I don't think you can go wrong with B+W/Schneider, but they're rather expensive, so I find Hoya to strike a pretty good balance between price and performance.
If you go with the 7 stop and raise the ISO for correct exposure, you'll lose some dynamic range and probably raise the noise floor on the GH5. I suppose you could shoot a test using aperture or shutter speed to see how drastic the difference is.
You might be able to control the color cast to some extent by adding a rotating ring between your lens and VND, see this DPReview post.
I'm not at all familiar with Benro filters, I didn't even know they made filters, or maybe another makes the filters and Benro stamps their name on them.
I don't think you can go wrong with B+W/Schneider, but they're rather expensive, so I find Hoya to strike a pretty good balance between price and performance.
If you go with the 7 stop and raise the ISO for correct exposure, you'll lose some dynamic range and probably raise the noise floor on the GH5. I suppose you could shoot a test using aperture or shutter speed to see how drastic the difference is.
Bern Caughey
Veteran
As mentioned 2, 4, & 6, stop NDs are the conventional choice, & what I’d recommend.
As to brands I suggest...
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthrea...Camera&p=1986802654&viewfull=1#post1986802654
In my testing these are much better at remaining neutral across the various strengths than my B+W ND sets, & as a bonus, less expensive.
As to brands I suggest...
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthrea...Camera&p=1986802654&viewfull=1#post1986802654
In my testing these are much better at remaining neutral across the various strengths than my B+W ND sets, & as a bonus, less expensive.
Thomas Smet
Veteran
If I had to pick just two I would aim more towards a larger adjustment of ND. We tend to use ND because closing the aperture can cause diffraction is used too much. Only time that really happens is in extreme daylight. Only shifting one or two stops likely isn't enough to force the camera to aperture levels that will cause diffraction. For example if I'm at f4 and need to adjust to f8 chances are the image will still be very good with aperture.
Since diffraction isn't really an issue until around f16 and larger (smaller hole) that's about 3-4 stops higher than the sweet spot of lenses. f4-5.6. Thats why if I absolutely only had to pick two ND filters I would go with options that would help prevent diffraction at the extreme sunlight situations.
If the aim is to always target a specific f stop like the sweet spot of f5.6 then good luck. Light changes a lot and two static ND filters are going to be a pain to use without riding the aperture at least a little bit. Targeting f1.8 is even more extreme and rarely is ever possible outdoors where one would ever consider using ND filters. It is very unlikely any situation would call for a 1-2 stop ND filter to get to f1.8 outdoors. Most of the time even f5.6 is too much and that's 3 stops higher.
I use ND outdoors because f22 sucks on just about any lens and I typically find myself in situations where sometimes even that is too bright. I live in AZ plagued by too much sun. I need 4 stops to get back down to f5.6 and 7 stops to get to f2.0. Thats the only reason why I say if you must have only two ND filters its better to get them on the stronger end of the spectrum to cover those bright situations where you have no choice but to use ND filters or break all the laws of the universe and start adjusting shutter speed which will likely cause death. If you find yourself at f2.8 and just want to get to f2 don't even bother with ND. It honestly is not worth the hassle.
Since diffraction isn't really an issue until around f16 and larger (smaller hole) that's about 3-4 stops higher than the sweet spot of lenses. f4-5.6. Thats why if I absolutely only had to pick two ND filters I would go with options that would help prevent diffraction at the extreme sunlight situations.
If the aim is to always target a specific f stop like the sweet spot of f5.6 then good luck. Light changes a lot and two static ND filters are going to be a pain to use without riding the aperture at least a little bit. Targeting f1.8 is even more extreme and rarely is ever possible outdoors where one would ever consider using ND filters. It is very unlikely any situation would call for a 1-2 stop ND filter to get to f1.8 outdoors. Most of the time even f5.6 is too much and that's 3 stops higher.
I use ND outdoors because f22 sucks on just about any lens and I typically find myself in situations where sometimes even that is too bright. I live in AZ plagued by too much sun. I need 4 stops to get back down to f5.6 and 7 stops to get to f2.0. Thats the only reason why I say if you must have only two ND filters its better to get them on the stronger end of the spectrum to cover those bright situations where you have no choice but to use ND filters or break all the laws of the universe and start adjusting shutter speed which will likely cause death. If you find yourself at f2.8 and just want to get to f2 don't even bother with ND. It honestly is not worth the hassle.
Imamacuser
Veteran
I try not to stop down past F/11 to avoid diffraction. It's nice to see people invest in NDs, as I once shot stills along side a RED owner who didn't have the foresight to buy ND filters, and we were in bright snowy conditions for most of the shoot.
Bern Caughey
Veteran
My rule of thumb is not to stop down below f/8 on m4/3 lenses due to diffraction. Only time I ignore this is when the Sun is in the frame, & I want a “starburst” effect, in which case I’ll stop the aperture all the way down.
Imamacuser
Veteran
I suppose I should clarify that my F/11 limit is for APS-C sensors.