GH2 Vari ND or not?

S

swanny

Well-known member
Looking to get an ND for a GH2, and I'm wondering whether or not to get a variable. I had some good info on some filters a few weeks ago, didn't bookmark the page and now I can't find the thread on it. Any suggestions? I heard IRND's are the way to go???
 
I recently got the Fader ND Mark II and I do like it. I know that the main complaints with it have been softness, but you are generally ok if you are not pushing the telephoto too much. I've had some reflected ghosting, but I was near the window of a moving vehicle and I haven't experienced it since.

I thought this was a good review of the Fader, where you can see the degradation at longer focal lengths: http://www.quantumpie.com/light-craft-workshop-fader-nd-mark-ii-review/

I'd say having a static ND on hand for that sort of thing would be best.
 
I used to like them but now I'm of the opinion they are way overpriced for what is in effect a polarizer + an ND filter. I can achieve just about any shot outdoors with an ND2 and an ND8 stacked or separately.

-Noah
 
NoahK said:
I used to like them but now I'm of the opinion they are way overpriced for what is in effect a polarizer + an ND filter. I can achieve just about any shot outdoors with an ND2 and an ND8 stacked or separately.

-Noah
Click to expand...

Are all ND filters stackable? I was under the impression some worked better than others for this. I may be wrong.
 
I have panny lenses (14-140, 100-300) none of which go wide enough for any 'creative' use of shallow dof. I tend to use hoya pro ND4's and ND8's for bright days, and they work just fine.
 
I use the Singh-Ray Vari-ND and I have never looked back. The thing works like a charm. I've gotten some beautiful shallow DOF shots with it in bright sunlight without any polarizer vignetting whatsoever. I will tell you though that you will get a little bit of polarizer vignetting on the sides of the picture when you point your lens at the sky, especially early in the morning when the sun is still rising. When I say polarizer vignetting, I mean the blue sky will be a darker blue on either edge of the frame. Other than that, I have no complaints about the Vari-ND, whatsoever. I noticed there is some very minor color change when using the ND filter but, nothing that is that noticeable. I just happened to notice it when I shot some footage with it on at f5.6 and then shot the same exact scene with it off at f22. And, that was after using it for a year without noticing any change in the colors.

I have been shooting a short (which is quickly turning into a feature as I add more and more scenes... haha) with it over the past year and a half and it has gotten me exactly what I wanted out of it. I have been using it with my GH13 and GH2 on both the Leica 14-140mm lens and 20mm pancake lens. I have gotten stunning results using it on my Leica 20mm pancake lens. Whatever ND filter you decide to get, just get the one with the largest thread size so you can use it on any size lens using step down rings. That's what I do.

By the way, I'm sure if you go to Vimeo and Youtube and type in Vari-ND or Fader ND in the search box, you will be able to see some videos that people have shot using either one. That will give you a good idea of what each ND filter is capable of. Good luck!
 
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Another option instead of the screw-on, the Cokin P Series is a quick way for changing out filters. I'm hooked on this system now.
 
swanny said:
Are all ND filters stackable? I was under the impression some worked better than others for this. I may be wrong.
Click to expand...

In general sure- I have the screw in type and go that route. It's even easier if you use a matte box and a filter tray but that's more to carry and more $.

Noah
 
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