ND Filtering: How do you do it?

TheReverend

TheReverend

Well-known member
Currently we use AF100s in our production environment and are very happy with them and the HDSDI output specifically. But being that as it may, I really have awesome respect (and some jealously:love4:) for the FS100 and it's 1) lowlight capability, 2) S35 sensor. But the one thing I think of everytime that still makes me glad we use the AF100 is the ND filters. I can't even imagine what to do for ND filtering with different lenses coming in and out. I suppose a mattebox with ND is the best way? But then, that also means that you need ALL the gear that goes with that including the glass and a swing away matte box.

Anyways, I'm curious how you guys solve ND.
 
For run-and-gun work, I use my Singh-Ray Vari-ND, usually on the 18-200mm kit lens.

For narrative work, it's the O'Connor O-Box Matte Box with a variety of 4x4 and 4x5.65 filters.
 
Heliopan variable ND filter. It is absolutely, completely the BOMB. I was lucky enough to read about it on Philip Bloom's blog (where he called it the best variable ND he has ever used)
and happy I did, because I then bought it for the FS-100. It is even BETTER (in some ways) than built in ND because you can dial in EXACTLY what you want as far as exposure. With built
in ND, you have 4 choices, and you might not be able to get the exact F stop you want. With the Heliopan, you can get the exact F stop you want, it works like a iris ring on a broadcast
TV lens, smooth exposure change, just sweet as all get out. However, it is not nearly as convenient as the built in ND as you have to screw it on whatever lens you are using. That is
a royal pain sometimes. But far as quality, it is the best I've seen (in variable ND's) for not introducing any color cast or any loss of sharpness. It is really close to being
as good as a 4x4 flat filter! Course, it cost upwards of $400 as well. Other downside is it is hard to get, as every FS 100 shooter around is buying one......I was lucky to get one
of the first FS-100's so I beat the wave to buy the Heliopan. Now, looking on their website, they say the following:

Please Note: the first TWO shipment of filters have been sold out. Please contact us before purchasing so we may advise of the next shipment dates.
Sorry for the inconvenience, as Heliopan themselves did not anticipate this incredible demand.

Bottom line, the FS-100 is a great camera, but...so is the AF100! I sometimes wish I had chosen the AF 100 with it's built in ND filters as well :-) But we make our best
informed choice on what we think will work for us, and then use the camera we chose. I think you can't go wrong either way. I know my FS-100 paid itself off in less than
two months.
 
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I used the Light Craft Workshop Fader ND mk2 and i have a couple different step down rings to use it with separate lenses. so far no hassle yet, but i also haven't been in any time presses situation and never really am usually. I did a small test with the kit lens and i notices a very very very small color shift and very very small sharpness diference, only noticeable at 1080p on my 27" screen.

I chose this over the heliopan because of price, the lcw is 300 dollars less and 300 dollars to me is another lens i need so i went with the budget route and i am very pleased.
 
Been using the heliopan for 2 weeks and I'm liking it. Probably going to buy it, renting at the moment. Otherwise it's a couple of .6 and 1.8 circular nds.
 
Got an old arri 4x4 mattebox on ebay for $200 and an ND set. Today was stacking a pol and ND9, actually missed my GH2/7D for a moment knowing I could set the ISO down to 100/160, this camera is SENSATIVE!
 
+1 on ordering soon.

My UK supplier says end of September. Sigh.

Finding 77mm variable NDs in the UK - HelioPan, Vari-ND, LightCraft, all sorts of makes - feels like finding rocking-horse poo on an interstate motorway.

I've been putting up with a Genus matte box on the DSLR rails but looking forward to the lighter, more elegant and flexible solution.
 
I have a set of Lee graduated ND filters with screw-on adapters for each of my lenses, but for situations where I will need to work fast and without assistance, I bought a little bitty circular ND filter from Edmund Optics, that has an outside diameter that is just slightly smaller than the inside of my Novaflex lens adaptor. I will attach it to a threaded plastic ring that I will have my machinist make to size from PVC or nylon, and then when need be, I will pull the Novaflex and drop them inside as a single piece.

Edmund makes all their circular filters in .3 .6 .9 versions and in many diameters, at about $30 each in this diameter.
 
You can buy it in Poland with no probs, like here: http://www.stopfoto.pl/Strona-Glowna(24,,).aspx

But:

I have tested my 77mm Heliopan for just a couple of days, and mainly with my fast Canon FD primes. Today for the time I put it on the (otherwise surprisingly good) kit zoom lens, and - unfortunately - there is some vignetting at the lens' widest, and the Heliopan "closed down" more than half way...

Anyone noticed that before? Strange I didn't come across any such comments - I'd have bought an even larger diameter (if it exists, that is).

Opinions?
 
moldcad said:
Today for the time I put it on the (otherwise surprisingly good) kit zoom lens, and - unfortunately - there is some vignetting at the lens' widest, and the Heliopan "closed down" more than half way...

Anyone noticed that before? Strange I didn't come across any such comments - I'd have bought an even larger diameter (if it exists, that is).

Opinions?
Click to expand...

My 77mm LCW fader ND doesn't vignette on my kit lens...
 
moldcad said:
Today for the time I put it on the (otherwise surprisingly good) kit zoom lens, and - unfortunately - there is some vignetting at the lens' widest, and the Heliopan "closed down" more than half way...
Click to expand...
I wonder what the thickness is of your 67-77mm step-up rings, Guys? Please post your measurements here, if you will. Mine is the the Marumi brand (made in Japan), and is only some 3,5 mm thick (excluding the thread) - and yet I can see shadows at the frame extremities...
 
Phillip Bloom did mention that he saw vignetting with the heliopan when used on the Tokina 11-16, so it doesn't surprise me.
 
I'm using a Genus matte box with Tiffen Pro 4x4 NDs. It looks great and sharp with no color cast, but it's a pain to set up and not great for run-n-gun. I have a LCW Fader ND at 77mm but I'm not too happy with it; there's a discernable sharpness loss and some color cast. I'm going to get the Heliopan when I can for those situations where the Matte Box isn't reasonable (mostly run n gun). In the meantime, I will rarely suffer with the LCW when I have to and try to cover its deficiencies up in post.
 
NeedCreative said:
I will rarely suffer with the LCW when I have to and try to cover its deficiencies up in post.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that. My Genus matte box is a right royal pain, but it gets the job done - your experience helps the wait for a HelioPan.

I'm just going to float this little air-biscuit: anyone tried Cokin or Lee filters in a stills-style holder?

My matte box experience says that every layer in front of the lens knocks back your expensive look, and that any filter that's 'unshaded' robs your lens of contrast and therefore perceived sharpness. And sharp colourful pictures are what earns money in the corporate world.

Screw-ins or slot-ins same quality as matte box filters? The best quality camera is the one you take with you. The best quality filters are the ones you use. I hate the clunkiness of my matte box, and lazily end up having it pre-filled with an ND grad and a Pola (which acts as ND if I am not rotating it).

I remember the ease and speed of using Cokin when I was but a humble photography student (making money on the side as a photographer). Anyone use the Lee or Cokin system over a matte box for Run & Gun?
 
I used the LCW 82mm ND fader on the stock lens with step up rings, plus a 86 to 95 mm step up ring on top of that (which is not possible on the heliopan) to get a better finger hold. No vignetting so far. I am getting a cheap $20 95mm metal lens hood, round, to put on the outer step up ring, too for a even better finger hold. I am really pleased with how easily the ring on the LCW filter turns (I had a cheap Chinese fader before that had issues in that regard), that smooth turning feature is essential.

Rick, I see that you are changing brands. From what I have read, you shouldn't see any better results with a Heliopan at twice the price. My shooting requires a second ND filter, I will be getting the GENUS brand, I can't go above $200 per filter in my budget.
 
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