Solid ND Filters

If you use a linear polarizer and circular polarizer what's the range on the variable ND? Would you really need to have separate ND filters? Here's what I'm looking at:

Hoya UV/Protection Super HMC Filter
Hoya 62mm 0.3ND HMC Filter
Hoya 62mm 0.6ND HMC Filter
Hoya 62mm 0.9ND HMC Filter
Hoya 62mm Circular Polarizer Super HMC Filter
Hoya 62mm Linear Polarizer Filter
Hoya 62mm Duto Glass Diffusion Filter
ExpoImaging ExpoDisc Neatral White Balance (nice find on that Kholi)
 
I don't know if you'd need regular ND's anymore. I think I'm gonna try out the Homemade Variable and let ya know.

My fear, though, is that it won't polarize anymore so you'll still need regular NDs for that situation. No problem, however.

THe Duto I have as well and it's AWESOME for softening. I saw a full on comparison test on the internet with lots of softening and diffusion, the duto looked to fit my tastes.

Also, I just ordered up a CBL White Balancing Disc to compare with the ExpoDisc I have here. CHeck the thread again, there's a comparison up. The CBL looks KILLER for skin tones.

WHy are you going 62mm instead of 77mm? That way you can use 77mm glass. Largest is 82mm, I was thinking about going that way and I probably should have.
Might end up revamping soon for 82mm thread.
 
I'll await your results on the linear/circular polarizer mix. I'm not planning on ordering any accessories until the camera arrives anyways. I want to be 100% sure I'm keeping the camera first.

I thought about going with the 77mm size and still have a list of them in case I change my mind again. I don't have any lenses right now and not sure I'll be getting any. I checked with everyone I know that has lenses and they're all SLR still lenses no faster than the kit lens. If I was going to get any other lenses I'd want at least f2.8 and they just get really expensive for what I'd want. I like the Nikon AF-S D ED lens, but they're $1,500-$2000. I'm trying to keep this expense as low as I can since anything major I do will be with a Red. This is just to do some smaller stuff and have some fun until I get those bigger projects going (which will hopefully be in about 3-4 months).
 
Is an ND a necessity for shooting in daylight with the stock lens, or just for specific situations like snow, beach, water, etc? The thing is pretty slow...
 
J Davis said:
What is the Homemade Variable ? can you elaborate?
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If you stack a linear polarizer and a circular polarizer, rotating the circular polarizer cuts light like an ND but in varying amounts depending on the rotation. I've never done it before and am curious to see/hear about Kholi's results.
 
Kholi said:
WHy are you going 62mm instead of 77mm? That way you can use 77mm glass. Largest is 82mm, I was thinking about going that way and I probably should have.
Might end up revamping soon for 82mm thread.
Click to expand...

I've been looking around more and can't find any 82mm besides my HVX200 lens. What is there that's 82mm?

Also, does it make sense that you could stack more filters if they're wider? Like you might be able to stack one more filter with 82mm than you could with 77mm? If so, might be a good reason to go with the larger size right there.
 
Ben_B said:
Is an ND a necessity for shooting in daylight with the stock lens, or just for specific situations like snow, beach, water, etc? The thing is pretty slow...
Click to expand...

Just a quick frame grab from yesterday around 19.00 when I went out to a local basket court where good pickup games are often played to test some faster action.

Shutter speed: 1/50
Kit lens zoomed ≈ 65mm: f/5.1
ISO: 100
CokinND8... + CokinND2!

So yes, NDs are a necessity for daylight unless you want crazy short shutters and I so need to get a variable ND :thumbup:
 

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PhilD said:
How do you mount a Cokin holder-adapter thing on the GH1 with the kit lens? All lenses are of a different lenght. Right now I'm trying to find the best, circular filters vs. Cokin
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That's why you get the holder adapter, so you can use the filters on all your lenses. The holder slides on to a little adapter that you fit to your lenses. The kit lens is 62mm. All my other lenses are 52mm. The holder I bought came with the 62mm ring and I bought a 52mm one for 9 dollars.

J Davis said:
I had always thought that combining ND's (aka stacking) was a big NO-NO because it softens the image.

It was a post on reduser I read many months back where someone said it.
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Well all of the Panny HD cams and the DVX come with two ND's built in that you "stack" if you turn both on. Don't know if that means anything, but those cams are getting away with it somehow.

Kholi said:
...

Circular Polarizer I got was also Hoya, it's done quite well so far. Think I'm going to pick up a Linear Polarizer to go with my Circular Polarizer for a Variable ND.
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I heard you weren't supposed to use a linear polarizer for video because it will interfear with auto focus?
Ben_B said:
Is an ND a necessity for shooting in daylight with the stock lens, or just for specific situations like snow, beach, water, etc? The thing is pretty slow...
Click to expand...
Absolutely. You'll be stopped down to f22 (worst aperture for the lens) or have crazy shutter speeds. It's almost like someone took your manual controls away without an ND because you will be forced to shoot in ways you don't want. Forget shallow DOF, you'll be stopped down to f22. Forget average film shutter speed, you'll be way up there, etc.

For the action short in my sig I used the Cokin filter holder, ND.9 and circular polarizer.
 
Jack Daniel Stanley said:
I heard you weren't supposed to use a linear polarizer for video because it will interfear with auto focus?
Click to expand...

And the light meter (i.e. auto exposure). I guess if you're going to be using in manually (by choice or because of lenses) though it doesn't matter. Still a good thing to keep in mind.
 
Jack Daniel Stanley said:
That's why you get the holder adapter, so you can use the filters on all your lenses. The holder slides on to a little adapter that you fit to your lenses. The kit lens is 62mm. All my other lenses are 52mm. The holder I bought came with the 62mm ring and I bought a 52mm one for 9 dollars.
Click to expand...

Can you tell me what Cokin holder you used?
 
PhilD said:
Can you tell me what Cokin holder you used?
Click to expand...
Holder
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/474682-REG/Cokin_CBA40062__A_Series_Filter.html
modular hood
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t&Go.x=17&Go.y=13&Go=submit
The above holder comes with a 62mm adapter ring - the size of the lit lens, and then I got a 52mm adapter ring which will fit all my other lenses
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/14090-REG/Cokin_CP452__P_Series_52mm_Adapter.html
So you screw that adapter ring on the front of your lens then you slide the whole box, with all your filters and the hood on it, etc, off / on to the next lens.
 
Thanks

With the added weight (minimal, I'm sure), are you sure it won't "fatigue" the kit len's zoom motor if I put more than 1 filter?
 
Don't think so it's sooooo light. The filters weigh what they weigh, which hopefully Panny is anticipating you putting filters on their lense, and the box weighs about as much or less than a CD jewel case. Cheap plastic, but light.
 
Sold.

Just waiting for my FD lenses to see if I need Cokin A Series or P Series. Cannot find all lens diameters on the net.
 
Hey guys just a warning having used cokin p, the filters are not true ND, they do have a color cast-- slight warm purple look-- still photographers use the cokin p adapter and then use the better Lee or Sing-Ray P filters, I haven't tried it on the GH-1 yet so you may be able to adjust your white balance settings to compensate-- also some folks who have tried the cokin p filters and who have put more than one filter on the cokin adapter have found vignetting issues.
 
I heard if you stack them they turn pink or something. I'm seeing some odd color in the frame rate tests I did which I think was from the cokin .9 ND. So yeah, soundsl ike use the filter holder but put tiffens or something else in it.
 
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