ND filter advice

Well, you need to consider filter size.

Are you going to use this filter with the stock lens? If so, 62mm is the right diameter.

A step-up ring does exactly what the name implies. It screw in your lens and gives a larger thread.

For example, if you have several lenses, with 55, 67 and 72mm diameters, you buy filters for the largest size and fit the smallers with step-up rings.

I also like the Cokin P solution, it's a sweet filter holder. I bought some 'el cheapo' on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320560604664&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....592696&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_3276wt_911

Hope it's clarifying.
 
Do yourself a favor and save up either $340 or $390 and get the Singh-Ray Vari ND filter. Its like having 6 or 7 different ND filters in one. It will give you a range of 2 2/3 to 8 stops. Plus, unlike a single ND filter, you don't have to set the shot up, set the exposure, and focus BEFORE you can even slip on the ND filter (otherwise, the ND filter makes it too dark to be able to focus). With the Vari ND, you just rotate the dial to the lightest setting, do all your composing and focusing, and then rotate the dial again until your camera meter says you have the correct exposure. Simple as that. I've been using it on my GH13 with the 20mm f1.7 pancake lens shooting in bright sunlight as low as f2.8 with absolutely no problems. This thing is a Godsend. As long as you don't go past the "minimum" and "maximum" markings on the dial, you won't get any cross patterns or weird polarizing artifacts.

There is also the Fader ND for half the price but, there is a thread on here that a guy posted where he was using the Fader ND on a zoom lens and the Fader ND made the image way too soft and fuzzy when he was zoomed in. So far, nobody has had that problem with the Vari ND. You get what you pay for!

There are plenty of videos on Vimeo of people shooting outdoors in bright sunlight with the Vari ND and the images look great. Just type Vari ND in the search box. There are even a couple of videos where the person was shooting with the GH1 and the Vari ND filter. Good luck!
 
Thanks guys - Pickles that one I linked to is a variable filter too - you do realise that? And one hell of a lot cheaper.

i would love to know if any one had experience of these cheapo versions. I have also been advised to look at the lightcraft workshop ones which look cool... but again.... pretty dear.


Just to check - what is the size filter I need for the pancake lens?
 
Lightcraft Fader ND=$75, you could spend more but I didn't and absolutely no complaints, in fact it saved me a couple weeks ago on my shoot during a heatwave in L.A.
 
Pickles, I've been recommended the Singh-Ray Vari ND Filter before but forgot about it. Seems like it would save a bit of time. Thanks for jogging my memory!
 
What's up, doc? Sorry, I couldn't resist. Filter size of the pancake lens is 46mm. I bought the 77mm size Vari ND and bought a 46 to 52mm step up ring and then a 52mm to 77mm step up ring. I get ABSOLUTELY no vignetting with this set up and that's with using the thicker Vari ND filter for $340. You can get the newer thin Vari ND filter but, then you can't stack on another filter because it doesn't have threads. The thicker one has threads, that's why I got it, so I can stack on another ND filter since I do time lapse photography as well. It is a great investment. By the way, I have a Hoya UV filter attached to my thick Vari ND filter (for protection since I'm currently shooting in a windy/sandy environment right now) on the 20mm f1.7 pancake lens and STILL no vignetting whatsoever! Spend more, buy right the first time, and never look back. Trust me, the $340 price tag is worth it.
 
I hear you pickles - but it is just too much for me! Thanks for the advice though - if I was pro/ semi pro I would take it.

Instead I have gone for the 62mm lightcraft varifilter and a step up ring from 46-62 - so with 2 bits of kit I can filter my pancake... my kit lens and get 2-8 stops of filtering. All for about 60 pounds total.

I can report back if anyone is interested in my experience with it.
 
the doc said:
I hear you pickles - but it is just too much for me! Thanks for the advice though - if I was pro/ semi pro I would take it.

Instead I have gone for the 62mm lightcraft varifilter and a step up ring from 46-62 - so with 2 bits of kit I can filter my pancake... my kit lens and get 2-8 stops of filtering. All for about 60 pounds total.

I can report back if anyone is interested in my experience with it.
Click to expand...

I've heard some good things about the Lightcraft. Let us know how you like it. I'd like to maybe get a couple for a class I'm teaching and the school would pay for them but they're not gonna pay $400 for a filter.
 
Pickles, have you noticed any mechanical wear on your pancake lens with all those filters and adapters?

Most of the forums I have checked advise against using even one step-up ring because it would put too much strain on the lens' motor.

I was going to use a 46-55mm step-up ring and two polarizing filters (one linear, one circular) as a variable ND filter, but decided against it. Do you have any tricks to make this work?
 
Hahaha! Yeah, the trick is to shoot completely manual, that way, the motor isn't even operating. I prefer to shoot manual anyway. The auto focus on the pancake lens is a tad bit too slow for me. Obviously, I don't have a 9" external HD monitor hooked up to the GH1 for pulling focus so, I set up all my shots so that any time the actors make big movements forward or backwards, I make sure I'm either shooting their profile (side view) or I use a smaller aperture so I have greater DOF so they don't go out of focus when they walk towards or away from the camera.

I forgot to mention, I also have a Hoya 46mm UV filter before the Vari ND filter. This helps to soften the ultra sharp image of the pancake lens a bit. So, my setup so far is:

Pancake lens, 46mm UV filter, 46-52mm step up ring, 52-77mm step up ring, Vari ND filter, 77mm UV filter (to protect my $340 Vari ND from scratches).

No vignetting, whatsoever. I plan on adding another Hoya thin mount 77mm 1.8 ND filter on top of the Vari ND to get 11 stops of ND so I can shoot 320 ISO in bright sunlight if I choose.

So far, no wear and tear on the lens at all. Of course, I baby all my stuff and handle it with the utmost care. :thumbsup:

As far as using two polarizer filters as a variable ND filter, I read in the same forums that a lot of people get weird polarizing artifacts and color problems using that method. That's why I just bit the bullet and paid the $340 so I wouldn't have to worry about it. If I were you, I'd just buy the Fader ND so you don't have to worry about the color problems and you don't have to spend $340. Just my two cents.
 
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Pickles said:
What's up, doc? Sorry, I couldn't resist. Filter size of the pancake lens is 46mm. I bought the 77mm size Vari ND and bought a 46 to 52mm step up ring and then a 52mm to 77mm step up ring. I get ABSOLUTELY no vignetting with this set up and that's with using the thicker Vari ND filter for $340. You can get the newer thin Vari ND filter but, then you can't stack on another filter because it doesn't have threads. The thicker one has threads, that's why I got it, so I can stack on another ND filter since I do time lapse photography as well. It is a great investment. By the way, I have a Hoya UV filter attached to my thick Vari ND filter (for protection since I'm currently shooting in a windy/sandy environment right now) on the 20mm f1.7 pancake lens and STILL no vignetting whatsoever! Spend more, buy right the first time, and never look back. Trust me, the $340 price tag is worth it.
Click to expand...

Did you buy the filter way big to prevent vignetting or just to use w/ other lenses? i'm gonna buy a singh ray filter but wanna make sure i make the right choices on size and step up rings to prevent any vignetting.
 
Thanks for your input, Pickles.

After being "spoiled" by the kit lens, I was disappointed by both the build quality and autofocus of the pancake. I do use it on manual a good deal, even though its fly-by-wire focusing requires too many rotations for smooth follow focusing.

It is quite sharp, though, and its compact and light. For the money, though, I feel they could have thrown in stabilization.

Every time you turn on the camera, the pancake lens moves out a few millimeters, then BACK INTO THE MOUNT too for a split second. I don't supposed you've had any problems with that...?
 
bonobored said:
I've heard some good things about the Lightcraft. Let us know how you like it. I'd like to maybe get a couple for a class I'm teaching and the school would pay for them but they're not gonna pay $400 for a filter.
Click to expand...

Maybe too late for you - but finally got a chance to take the filter out.

Well packaged... works well for bright beach shots. Very easy to change density.

Overall i think i am glad I didn't shell out all the extra for the Singh one.

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I AGREE
 
the doc said:
Maybe too late for you - but finally got a chance to take the filter out.

Well packaged... works well for bright beach shots. Very easy to change density.

Overall i think i am glad I didn't shell out all the extra for the Singh one.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: No media files are hosted on these forums. By clicking the link below you agree to view content from an external website. We can not be held responsible for the suitability or legality of this material. If the video does not play, wait a minute or try again later.
I AGREE
Click to expand...

Thanks Doc. Actually, we ordered four of them and are using. It was a good choice.
 
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