ND Filters

D

DDirector

Veteran
I want to upgrade to a FF camera.
I am looking at buying ND filters. But the camera I'm looking into is PL mount and I may want to get some pl lenses. But this is all in the future.
If I was upgrading my camera/lenses it would be the Red Pro Primes on some FF camera.

I'm wondering if 4x4 ND/POL filters would be good. Or do I need 4x5.65 filters?
Would be mainly at 2K. But hoping for a 4K even furthur down the road.
 
If you can afford it I would recommend 4x5.65 and never looking back.

Depending on the matte box you are using, lens diameter & lens FOV, and how close you can actually get your matte box to the front of your lens element, it's possible that the edges of the 4x4 filter will go into your frame.

This happened to me when I had a fully loaded shoulder mount rig with matte box, hand grips, follow focus and rail clamp for ext. LCD monitor. The matte box I was using could only sit at the end of the rail tips due to its design (red rock micro) so all my other bits had to go after it and with a wider-angle lens 4x4 was inadequate.

I should have tested it in advance but who would have thought right? After that I sold the 4x4 filters and started buying all 4x5.65. I will also consider a better matte box.

 
I was hoping on getting the new Tilta mattebox since they are cheap and look great. But I don't see 4x5.65 ones for sale anymore. Its all 4x4. Maybe its temporary, but even so, if I can stick with 4x4 and same some money now and be able to pull it off, thatll be awesome. Instead ill have to do some number crunching again.
 
I'm sure 4x4 will probably cover most of your situations, just make sure the matte box can clear the top of your 15mm rails so it can go right up to the front lens element - as NOT the case of the RedRock Micro box. :huh:
 
DDirector said:
Like... FF (5D) or Super35 (Sony fs700, f3)
Click to expand...
Super35 is not full frame (stills term). 5D is EF mount, not PL. Red primes wont fit on a 5D.

My advice: Just concentrate on what your needs are now, not what the future may hold. ND for stills lenses is as cheap as chips, don't waste money on accessories that won't affect the picture.
 
^ truth be told I'm mostly using 82mm screw on filters because I can do it fast and most of the time when you drop them they don't break. :happy:

I only bring out the matte box and 4x5.65 for more dog and pony show depending on the gig.

Get yourself a bunch of ring adapters, .3, .6, .9, 1.2 ND 82mm filters, and a polarizer for now and that's all you need.
 
As we're talking about filters here, anyone ever tested the Cavision 4x4 glass ones? I bought myself a set (0.6/0.9/1.5/Linear Pol) and I'm very happy with them. Very slight blueish tint, almost not noticeable. Any thoughts about them?
starcentral said:
I will also consider a better matte box.
Click to expand...
As for the mattebox, I have a cheap one that works for now, but eventually, I'd like to get a better one. Any particular recommendations?
 
No specific reco's. Go for one you can afford, 2-stage is good with 1-rotatable, and like I said make sure the lower matte box clears the rails all the way. As recommended in my first post try and go for 4x5.65 so you don't buy new matte box and filters later.

Do some research, let us know which route you decide to go.....
 
Last edited:
If you want to know, the industry standard at cinema/video rental houses are 4x5's. Also, the DP IR/ND of choice these days are Schneider Platinums.

This is probably not the information you were looking for, but you did mention going PL camera and PL lenses in the future, so if you are ever thinking of getting into the serious camera game, such as rentals and etc, you'll find if you go 4x4 and lesser brands now, you'll just be repurchasing the filters at 4x5 sizes and higher quality brands in the future.

It's really up to you. If you are going to just be using the equipment yourself, get what you think you need, and test test test. However, if you see yourself branching out with others, renting equipment or likewise, I've not seen a 4x4 filter in years. I think 5 years ago I bought some acrylic filters for fun that were 4x4. Everything since then has been 4x5 and 138 rounds. Again, I work in the rental cinema camera world, so ignore me if that is not on your roadmap.

I just want to warn people from buying the same thing twice. It may hurt the wallet at first, but buying the best gear first is likely the better investment than buying and reselling equipment two or three times on a long term upgrade path. Something to think about.

But then again, the Schneider IR/ND's are 400+/ filter. So hey. Everything has pro's and con's.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top