GL2 ND Filter, other ND filter, or Polarizer?...what do YOU use?
 

Hi all,
Okay, I know the GL2 has a nifty ND filter that drops in place on command. But if YOU were going to be shooting lots of outdoor/sunlight footage, and you want the best results, do you favor...

- The GL2 built-in ND filter
- Third party (Tiffen, etc.) ND filter
- Third party Polarizer filter
- Something else?

I realize the polarizer provides other features aside from ND, but it was a recommendation from my GL2 dealer, so I thought I'd put it out there. I'm guessing that most of us shoot outdoors, and so there is a lot of experience with ND out there. Thoughts??

Thanks,
Robert

I would use a polarizer, linear or circular, and probably one from B+W.

A polarizing filter is essentially a color control instrument. While it does affect exposure, that is not its purpose. Use the onboard ND filter to control your base exposure range and the polarizer to control color saturation on sunny outdoor shoots.

That leads me to a question. I have a circular polarizing filter for each of my GL2's, but I have yet to actually use one on a project because I'm not sure how to use them. Do you just screw it on, and then rotate the filter to get the look you want? Are there situations other than bright, sunny days where you would recommend a circular polarizing filter?

And to respond to the original question, I use the onboard ND filter and it seems to work just fine.

As discussed in another thread (see: Matte Box) I find that a graduated filter is probably more use than a polarizer.

Robin

Thread hijacking? The posts previous to mine (including yours Ken, and the post after mine) were discussing polarizing filters. I just wanted to clarify when you guys used them and how . . . but whatever.

I find the in cam ND and a circular polarizer provide a great image. Having a variety of filters to choose from will help a lot, you'll be prepared to get a great image out of any given situation.

Rob or anyone out there, please

Can you help me, a beginner at video, to understand and organize the use of an ND filter with a circular polarizer with x1.75 teleconvertor on a GL2, please?

Can they be combined at all?
Brendan