ND filter for video

I bought a $60 chinese ND Filter and it doesn't look as bad as you guys are making it out to be. And producing videos primarily for the web, the artifacts aren't too noticeable.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VO6fTGbX1TE

My entire music video was shot with the Nature ND filter, but view around 30 seconds or so because i messed up with the slow motion shots and shutter speed.
 
mikecazzx said:
Correct me if I am wrong, Shanes article mentions nothing about sharpness testing or potential issues, he only addresses color?
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Part of the product description of Tiffen IR Water Whites:

" The CCD or CMOS sensor of a digital camera is inherently susceptible to infrared contamination, even when the manufacturer attempts to reduce this problem by adding an infrared absorbing filter on top of the image sensor. Blacks become magenta and greens a muddy brown. Infrared light focuses at a different vocal length than visible light; therefore, your images may seem a bit out of focus as well."

So the IR filters apparently help that.
 
My first T2i shoot was outdoors I had to scramble for ND (had always used the built-in on video cams) and got some cheap (glass) chinese filters.

You may find some softness/degradation shooting stills, but for video I noticed no difference in sharpness or color - I think the aliasing and compression is so extreme it negates most everything.

I used screw-on NDs of several strengths and a screw-on polarizer, even a screw-on ND fader and everything looked fine, 1080p at 100% magnification.

I've since gotten a nice matte box and quite a pile of 4x4's, but that was a very large investment. If you just can't afford that solution, screw-ons may be fine for you - even the cheap ones (glass, not plastic though).

Also, regarding faders - on small sensor cams, the more subtle faders have almost no effect, since you're shooting through the center only. I still grab a screw-on in situations where the sky is really blowing out.
 
To anyone who has tried the DIY approach: do you recommend uncoated, single-coated, or multi-coated filters? Most of my lenses are 52mm threads, except for my 18mm which has a 72mm thread. I'm looking at buying two 72mm Tiffen CPLs. I'm hoping I get no vignetting on the 18mm.
 
There is quite a long discussion over on the Red Forum about these and Tiffens Hot Mirror IR, as the RED apparently has a weaker IR filter. Dont know what sort of IR filter is on the GH but here is an interesting/frightening/expensive overview on IR ND filters & solutions ... and I thought the rest of the kit was the biggest cost :Drogar-Shock(DBG):


dtjohns1 said:
So no one can account for these tiffen ww's? I think im going to bite the bullet tom.
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roei z said:
so i don't get it !
they advertise with all those official reviews on their ebay page- so how come those reviewers loved it so much ? it made me order it ! (too late)
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You can't return it? Out of all the ND solutions I think Singh-Ray variable or a set of P series filters will be your best bet. The P series will be more affordable.
 
naaa... wouldn't know about those ebay policies of sending back this item from HongKong or whatever, and i haven't even received it yet..
i just tell them it's defective and send it back?
 
roei z said:
naaa... wouldn't know about those ebay policies of sending back this item from HongKong or whatever, and i haven't even received it yet..
i just tell them it's defective and send it back?
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Well, if it gives you color shifts and fuzzy images then it's defective.
 
What do you guys think, indiSYSTEM matte box with Tiffen or some other brand ND filters, or Singh-Ray Vari-ND with a lens hood. The Vari-ND with lens hood would be much more convenient and cheaper, but I must admit that I love the 'pro' look of having a matte box on the front of the camera.
 
Hmnn..ive shot with my LCW on and off and when the scenes have been put together I didnt even notice a difference :-?

Ill have a check tomorrow and report back on this mysterious green.
I didnt even notice a difference in sharpness either.
 
I just ordered a 72mm Variable Fader ND2-ND400 from eBay seller she-in for $60.

I'll report back with thoughts when it arrives.
 
Checked earlier, there is a green tint. on a 50mm
Isnt that what white balancing is for though?

Im not to discouraged from using it, im not usually in the position of having oodles of time for setting up shots so the thought of having to keep swapping over ND's for me right now is not something in my work flow.
 
Has anyone tested with Genus Fader ND ?

What are the outcomes of stacking a few (Tiffen) NDs together AND using a stepdown ring ? is there any change in light distribution ?

Thanks
 
What about Hoya and B+W? I only see this available in my country. If they are worse I will order international.
 
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