GH3 Waste Of Money Putting an ND filter on a Wide Angle Lens?

J

Jonathan L Roberts

Active member
Hello guys. I have a Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 which I use with a speedbooster. I'm planning to buy ND filters separately for each camera lens. Would it work or vignette? My filters will be Hoya PRONDs. All being in 2 stop, 4 stop and 7 & a half stop. Thank you.
 
It's extremely handy to use step up rings to a common larger diameter. In my case I have all my lenses with 77mm fronts so my filters fit all my lenses.
 
David W. Jones said:
Buy your ND filters to cover your widest diameter lens, then use step rings on your lenses of smaller diameter.
Click to expand...

You think Genius is a good NDfader versus Hoya? People have said it has a cross effect at the end, that's why I was wondering about going with the single filter route. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1025474-REG/genustech_g_eclipse77_77mm_eclipse_nd_fader.html


One more thing. DO I have to change my white balance if I get the genustech nd filter or any ND filter? Thank you.
 
I have a Singh-Ray Vari-ND filter but I only really use it for work that folks like to call run n gun. Variable ND filters are what they are. I also have a complete set of IR ND screw on filters, as well as a complete set of 4x5.65 ND filters for my matte box. That way I have my bases covered for exposure control.
 
I have a Genustech Eclipse and a Tiffen variND. I've had no cross hatching with either, but prefer the neutrality of the Eclipse
 
My thoughts.... If speed trumps quality, then a variable ND filter is very handy.

If you have the time and quality is of the essence, then dedicated ND filters get the call.
 
Just something that might interest you and future proof your NDs

I use a Lee Wide Angle Hood which takes 2 4X4 filters ( you can also put 4 X 5.65 in it), you can probably also adapt their polariser ring to take a vari nd as well.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/146769-REG/LEE_Filters_WALH2S_Lens_Hood_Wide.html

It works really well, its a LOT lighter than a Matte Box ( unless you can afford a really good one ), pops on and off all your lenses in a sec, all you have to do is buy the adapter rings for your lenses. Folds down flat so can be packed away easy, even into a large jacket pocket !

I bought it 3 yrs ago, because at the time matte boxes were costing a fortune, and I thought it would do the job until I could afford one, and I would only have to buy one set of NDs which would work with lenses and matte boxes. But now, I honestly can say, it practically does everything I need it to do, without the extra weight, size and expense. Yes I would love a top of the line Matte Box but $1500 can buy a lot of other kit.
 
Generally you're using an ND filter so that you can get a more shallow DoF.
However, UWA tends to have everything in focus already anyway.... thus arguably an argument from that perspective could be made that if you're on a tight budget you don't need one for your UWA.
 
One more thing. What if I wanted to buy the Xume rings? I have a 58mm lens ( 3 ), 62mm ( 1 ). Should a buy 77mm Xume holder or how does it work? Thanks.
 
You would then need 3 x 58mm to 77mm step rings, and 1 x 62mm to 77mm step ring, along with 4 x 77mm Xume lens rings, and how ever many 77mm filter rings depending on the number of filters you intend to use. It will probably cost more for the Xume stuff that an ND filter.
 
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