Which ND filter for GH2 (14-140 and 20mm)

Rmax said:
Thank you for all this details i found this one like pilpop
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/46mm-62mm-STE...Filters_JN&hash=item3366b417ac#ht_2335wt_1082
Your lens hood can also be use for the 20mm with this step up ring ?
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That lens hood can be used with the 62mm LCW ND filter as it has a front filter size of 67mm (with the ND mounted on either the 14-140 or 20mm). It will not fit the 20mm pancake without the ND. Here is what I use with the 20mm with no ND:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003Y32PHG
 
I'll not use the lens hood without the ND on the 20mm anyway so again thank you it's very kind of you i'll try all this new toy ;-)
 
how does this LCW MK2 affect skin tones? I bought a cheap VariND on ebay and found it made people look like corpses so sold it to buy a set of non Vari ND's.

Asside from the softness over 50mm (I'll need to look into that and see just how bad it is) are there any other disadvantges of this filter (ie - the corpse effect!)
 
tikigod19 said:
how does this LCW MK2 affect skin tones? I bought a cheap VariND on ebay and found it made people look like corpses so sold it to buy a set of non Vari ND's.

Asside from the softness over 50mm (I'll need to look into that and see just how bad it is) are there any other disadvantges of this filter (ie - the corpse effect!)
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I have not done extensive tests but nor have I noticed it change much in skin tones. Here is a little fun video I made of various sound tests for shoot, this was with the 20mm and the LCW MK2:


And here is the final version where I used the 20mm and LCW for the main subject interview (in the stables, not the ladies indoors):


I hope that helps. Overall I have been quite happy with the LCW Vari-ND MK2.

EDIT: I should provide a bit more info; both videos where shot in 24p in 'S' mode at 1/60 shutter with auto WB, ISO limit for 800 with no color grading in post (I'm still learning all this :)
 
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Grisnjam said:
Maybe i'll get the kids to help with some test shots soon. I like tests being an engineer and all :)
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Here it is. Quickie test with storms rolling in. I did some at longer focal lengths but it got too dark for the slow 14-140 + ND. I hope this helps.


EDIT: I updated this video with more focal lengths. I think that even at 140mm it is still sharp enough to use. At 140mm + ETC things go very wrong though.
 
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Hi, I have been using Marumi circular polarizers with no problem since over a year - until I got VARIO 100-300m for my GH2... With Vario 100-300mm lens it softens the image badly! Also degrades resolution under the level that I could not accept. Similar issue with 4xND. The lens alone is razor sharp! Same polar was perfectly fine with Vario 14-42mm and some other MTF prime lenses I use on GH2. What is going on..? Would you advice me some other CPL, that works fine with 100-300mm and/or some good ND?
 
valdi99 said:
Hi, I have been using Marumi circular polarizers with no problem since over a year - until I got VARIO 100-300m for my GH2... With Vario 100-300mm lens it softens the image badly! Also degrades resolution under the level that I could not accept. Similar issue with 4xND. The lens alone is razor sharp! Same polar was perfectly fine with Vario 14-42mm and some other MTF prime lenses I use on GH2. What is going on..? Would you advice me some other CPL, that works fine with 100-300mm and/or some good ND?
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Most ND filters will impact IQ at high focal lengths. Maybe the Singh-Ray does better?

http://www.singh-ray.com/varind.html

Of course they cost as much at that lens ...
 
Totally agree!

I tried the faderND and returned it because of softness.
SingRay served me much much better.

BE WARNED THOUGH - as you go past 50mm the image softens up a lot. A SingRay would be better for these purposes
Click to expand...
 
I'd get 77mm and 52mm filters.

52mm filter is compact and light. Many legacy lenses have 52mm threads.

62mm... I wouldn't get it. 77mm for future proof. It's just a tad bigger than 62mm. Protect your investment.
 
I gave up on faders and now use a 64x B+W filter, for the most part, and couldn't be happier. I end up adjusting the iso sometimes, but imo the image quality is far superior to to using the fader mark II, and you can pick one up for a fraction of the price.
 
I recently used LCW's 62mm Fader ND on a Canon FD 50mm F1.4, set at F2 the entire time.

The setup was GH2 -> ciecio7 adapter -> Canon FD 50mm -> 52mm to 62mm step up ring -> collapsible rubber hood -> LCW Fader.

At F2, the stills were decent, but it still had some purple shadows. I didn't step down at all during the entire time, although I should have. Can't say for sure if it was the lens or the filter, or both.
sixalfourv_dd3477459777.jpg


F2 seemed fine for video, and I had the LCW cranked up almost to its max setting at some points.

This was the first time out for me with this camera, lens, and filter, my GH2 Setup was:
Vibrant Mode, 0-0-0-0
ISO 160
F2 on the FD
All video done at 1080p, 24FPS (not hacked)


Other than the shaky video and focusing issue, I was playing around with the shutter speed the entire time trying to get the exposure relative close to what the metering said on the GH2. I realize I was breaking the 180 deg shutter rule but maybe having a shallow DOF all the time wasn't such a good idea, it sure as hell made the focusing a real pain. Having a 50mm prime lens probably wasn't the best choice either.
 
I bought a Hoya Pro-1 ND1.2 and it's been fantastic.
No softness at 50mm and beyond, unlike the LCW fader ND. Works beautifully with my Samyang 85mm.
 
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