ND Filtering: How do you do it?

Kraut69 said:
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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Not sure where you read that. I can definitely see a difference between the Heliopan and ANY other variable ND (haven't tried the new Tiffen yet though).
 
Another issue I had to deal with in the Heliopan vs others choice, I have one important lens that uses an 82mm filter, and that narrowed the choice. For a second variable ND, I can go lower than 82mm.
 
Kraut69 said:
Another issue I had to deal with in the Heliopan vs others choice, I have one important lens that uses an 82mm filter, and that narrowed the choice. For a second variable ND, I can go lower than 82mm.
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Yeah, the biggest they make the Heliopan is 77mm I think. The Tiffin which I've heard good things about is only in 77mm as well if I remember right. Really though, although I think
the Heliopan is just amazing, if what you have works for you, that's what matters most. I have just heard a lot of bashing on variable ND's in the past, because someone bought
a cheapo one and decided that 'variable ND's suck'. Some do, and some don't.....not surprisingly, when you spend more money on them, the quality of them improves
(as a general rule). So, I have been trying to point out that all variable ND's are NOT the same, some are pretty freaking good.
 
If you go longer than 120 mm a Heliopan is the only VND in the moment, that can handle this without getting mushy IMHO.

Up to 80mm most VNDs work to some degree.

Frank
 
Thanks for that observation, had not thought of evaluating VND's in reference to focal lengths, but it was indeed a zoom in shot that I first discovered that my cheapo Chinese VND was not as good as I had thought.
 
Postmaster said:
If you go longer than 120 mm a Heliopan is the only VND in the moment, that can handle this without getting mushy IMHO.

Up to 80mm most VNDs work to some degree.

Frank
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The problem I see is the Heliopan vignettes below a certain focal length, of which I have heard multiple things. It sounds like I need 2.

1) Heliopan for where there is no vignetting and up

2) My current one, Lightworks, for below that focal length.

Once question I had is if the heliopan has enough ND for the FS100 if I have a 30mm F1.4 on, out in sunshine, with 0dB gain.
 
Rick Burnett said:
Once question I had is if the heliopan has enough ND for the FS100 if I have a 30mm F1.4 on, out in sunshine, with 0dB gain.
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Yes Rick, the Heliopan 0.3-2.0 will suffice. I'm using it with my 50 and 85mm F1.4 lens in bright sunshine with no probs, and can even fully open those lenses!
 
Nice! That's what I wanted to know. I guess I'll just need to pick one up and do some testing to see at what focal length the vignetting is noticeable.
 
Rick Burnett said:
Nice! That's what I wanted to know. I guess I'll just need to pick one up and do some testing to see at what focal length the vignetting is noticeable.
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Rick,

I have not really noticed vignetting with my Heliopan, if it's there it's pretty slight.....but you can check and see if you see it yourself on my test video I did with it at:

http://exposureroom.com/members/alaskacameradude/14d879d0c3924609974edd0388478689/

One of the issues, is that if you have the wrong size Heliopan filter, you need step up rings, which put the filter out further, making it easier for there to be some vignetting.
Of course, this depends somewhat on how thin your step up ring is as well as how 'wide' your lens is, which is why I think different people are getting different results.
I was wondering if getting the 82mm Heliopan would give some extra room on the wide end so you would not vignette. However, it may be that you would need TWO step rings
to get the filter on which may negate the extra size of it!
 
I'm just going off of what Phillip Bloom said about the 11-16 Tokina. This lens is I believe 77mm so it wouldn't need a step up ring for a 77mm filter. I have this lens as well and use it quite a bit. What I don't know is if the 82mm would solve this problem or not.

How much it vignettes I don't know either. Might be so slight I don't care either.
 
MattDavis said:
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?
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I'm not sure anyone answered you but generally I feel the same way.
 
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