Very nice vari-nd filter

Ryan Creason · June 1st, 2011, 12:49 PM

What should I be looking for when buying a variable ND filter? I know size, to make sure it's 67mm to fit the fs100, but anything else? I was looking at this one:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/758944-REG/Fader_Filters_VND_67II_67mm_Mark_II_Variable.html
If I get an ND filter, could I also attach a polarizing filter as well? How would that work? Thanks guys.

Ryan

Steve Mullen · June 1st, 2011, 04:04 PM

Not such a simple question. Unless you want to buy many -- you need to decide on what lenses you will buy. Then look at a filter than can be used via adaptors.

BUT, adding adaptors plus a lens will vinettee (SP). Adding a ANY second filter increases this worry. An ND is polarized lens. Go to the Tiffen or other site to learn more.

Jon Braeley · June 5th, 2011, 05:54 AM

Well here is the ultimate variable ND filter from all reviews - Phil Bloom just did a small review as well. Its expensive - Zeiss glass seems to cause that. Superb color and pin-sharp.

Turbolight - HedlerUSA - Heliopan 77mm Variable Gray ND Filter

Steve Mullen · June 6th, 2011, 01:56 PM

Great it goes to 1-stop, but you'll need 4- to 6-stops more light reduction for F3 and FS100.

Before ordering you might want to ask them about stacking ND filters. You would need a 4X or 6X additional reduction for 800ASA in bright sunlight to get minimum DOFat 1/48th sec.

Perfect for VG10.

Gabe Strong · June 6th, 2011, 03:57 PM

Why would you put the F3 in the same category as the FS 100? As I recall,
the F3 has built in ND.....so while it is possible that it might need
some additional ND, I don't see how in the world it would need as much as
the FS 100....?

Steve Mullen · June 6th, 2011, 06:40 PM

My bad -- was thinking of 800ASA cameras.

Bill Bruner · June 7th, 2011, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon Braeley

Tiffen have now entered the variable ND filter game....

Tiffen 77mm Variable Neutral Density Filter 77VND B&H Photo

B&H took down the price but when I saw this released they posted a $189 price - much better value than most out there with a good quality name brand. I use a Genus and it looks good so far.

Thanks, Jon. Looks like the Tiffen is available for $189.95 at

Amazon

Bill

Jon Braeley · June 7th, 2011, 05:44 AM

My FS-100 arrives today so I will test my Genus variable ND first before I start looking for better options - but he Tiffen is getting very nice reviews I hear.

John Godwin · June 7th, 2011, 06:17 AM

I've got the Genus, and found that with the 3.5 lens I have, wide open, the Genus range covers more than full sun at a 30th shutter. In very deep shadow I had to actually almost increase the gain. This is using a Canon EOS lens and no aperture control, yet. To my eye there's no difference in sharpness with the filter on or off the lens, although I'm withholding judgement on that until someone actually tests the ND with a chart. And even at 3.5 the shallowness of the depth of field looks great.

My single biggest concern with the FS-100 had been the lack of built-in ND but I'm thinking that's not really gonna be much of a problem. I do wish Sony had a negative gain setting, like the EX's, maybe in a firmware update.

Amos Kim · June 7th, 2011, 09:30 AM

Tiffen Spokeswoman says their new variable nd filter is completely neutral here:

YouTube - ‪NAB 2011 - Filmtools talks to Tiffen about their new Variable ND Filter‬&rlm;

But they don't mention that in their online print ads.

Ari Kesti · June 9th, 2011, 12:31 PM

Sorry. Posted at wrong place.

Gabe Strong · June 25th, 2011, 04:19 AM

I bit the bullet and spent the money for the Heliopan once I saw it in stock.
I got the 77mm size with a step up ring. I looked at the lenses I want to
buy, and they are all 67 or 77mm so with a 67 to 77mm step up ring that I also ordered,
I should be covered. Now I need to wait until it gets here
to figure out a sunshade. Obviously I can't use the one that came with the
kit lens as that is a 67mm one, and I don't think the fader ND filter has
threads on it to snap a sunshade on. Trying to find something that will work,
without spending $500 on a matte box, that would make one expensive sunshade.
But the pictures online weren't great, so maybe the heliopan does have threads on
the front? I'm not sure....if it did, that would be awesome, I could buy a $10 sunshade
with 77mm threads.

Brian Bang Jensen · June 25th, 2011, 06:45 AM

The Heliopan does not have threads on
the front.

Ryan Creason · June 26th, 2011, 07:21 PM

Seems like there is a lot of ideas for ND filters out there.

What would be the best 77mm variable ND filter that would allow a polarizer to attach to it as well? Also, are there any problems with using step up rings? Or differences between them?

Dave Sperling · June 26th, 2011, 09:04 PM

The vari-nd's I've seen already use pola technology, so I have a feeling your results trying to add another polarizer to a variable ND may not be what you hope.
Try taking a vari ND and rotating it for maximum transmission. Turn the entire unit to see whether there is a Polarizing effect. If so, set the effect the way you want it, and lock in the position/ horizon line of the rear filter. You can then use the front filter to limit your exposure, and should still have at least some of your desired combined Pola effect.

June 1st, 2011, 12:49 PM	#16
Ryan Creason Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Corvallis, Oregon Posts: 39	Re: Very nice vari-nd filter What should I be looking for when buying a variable ND filter? I know size, to make sure it's 67mm to fit the fs100, but anything else? I was looking at this one: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/758944-REG/Fader_Filters_VND_67II_67mm_Mark_II_Variable.html If I get an ND filter, could I also attach a polarizing filter as well? How would that work? Thanks guys. Ryan

June 1st, 2011, 04:04 PM	#17
Steve Mullen HDV Cinema Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 4,007	Re: Very nice vari-nd filter Not such a simple question. Unless you want to buy many -- you need to decide on what lenses you will buy. Then look at a filter than can be used via adaptors. BUT, adding adaptors plus a lens will vinettee (SP). Adding a ANY second filter increases this worry. An ND is polarized lens. Go to the Tiffen or other site to learn more. __________________ Switcher's Quick Guide to the Avid Media Composer >>> http://home.mindspring.com/~d-v-c

June 5th, 2011, 05:54 AM	#18
Jon Braeley Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 528	Re: Very nice vari-nd filter Well here is the ultimate variable ND filter from all reviews - Phil Bloom just did a small review as well. Its expensive - Zeiss glass seems to cause that. Superb color and pin-sharp. Turbolight - HedlerUSA - Heliopan 77mm Variable Gray ND Filter

June 6th, 2011, 01:56 PM	#19
Steve Mullen HDV Cinema Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 4,007	Re: Very nice vari-nd filter Great it goes to 1-stop, but you'll need 4- to 6-stops more light reduction for F3 and FS100. Before ordering you might want to ask them about stacking ND filters. You would need a 4X or 6X additional reduction for 800ASA in bright sunlight to get minimum DOFat 1/48th sec. Perfect for VG10. __________________ Switcher's Quick Guide to the Avid Media Composer >>> http://home.mindspring.com/~d-v-c

June 6th, 2011, 03:57 PM	#20
Gabe Strong Major Player Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Juneau, AK Posts: 814	Re: Very nice vari-nd filter Why would you put the F3 in the same category as the FS 100? As I recall, the F3 has built in ND.....so while it is possible that it might need some additional ND, I don't see how in the world it would need as much as the FS 100....?

June 6th, 2011, 06:40 PM	#21
Steve Mullen HDV Cinema Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 4,007	Re: Very nice vari-nd filter My bad -- was thinking of 800ASA cameras. __________________ Switcher's Quick Guide to the Avid Media Composer >>> http://home.mindspring.com/~d-v-c

June 7th, 2011, 05:44 AM	#23
Jon Braeley Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 528	Re: Very nice vari-nd filter My FS-100 arrives today so I will test my Genus variable ND first before I start looking for better options - but he Tiffen is getting very nice reviews I hear.

June 7th, 2011, 06:17 AM	#24
John Godwin Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 190	Re: Very nice vari-nd filter I've got the Genus, and found that with the 3.5 lens I have, wide open, the Genus range covers more than full sun at a 30th shutter. In very deep shadow I had to actually almost increase the gain. This is using a Canon EOS lens and no aperture control, yet. To my eye there's no difference in sharpness with the filter on or off the lens, although I'm withholding judgement on that until someone actually tests the ND with a chart. And even at 3.5 the shallowness of the depth of field looks great. My single biggest concern with the FS-100 had been the lack of built-in ND but I'm thinking that's not really gonna be much of a problem. I do wish Sony had a negative gain setting, like the EX's, maybe in a firmware update.

June 7th, 2011, 09:30 AM	#25
Amos Kim Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 335	Re: Very nice vari-nd filter Tiffen Spokeswoman says their new variable nd filter is completely neutral here: YouTube - ‪NAB 2011 - Filmtools talks to Tiffen about their new Variable ND Filter‬&rlm; But they don't mention that in their online print ads. Last edited by Amos Kim; June 7th, 2011 at 11:01 AM.

June 9th, 2011, 12:31 PM	#26
Ari Kesti New Boot Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Sweden Posts: 5	Re: Very nice vari-nd filter Sorry. Posted at wrong place.

June 25th, 2011, 04:19 AM	#27
Gabe Strong Major Player Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Juneau, AK Posts: 814	Re: Very nice vari-nd filter I bit the bullet and spent the money for the Heliopan once I saw it in stock. I got the 77mm size with a step up ring. I looked at the lenses I want to buy, and they are all 67 or 77mm so with a 67 to 77mm step up ring that I also ordered, I should be covered. Now I need to wait until it gets here to figure out a sunshade. Obviously I can't use the one that came with the kit lens as that is a 67mm one, and I don't think the fader ND filter has threads on it to snap a sunshade on. Trying to find something that will work, without spending $500 on a matte box, that would make one expensive sunshade. But the pictures online weren't great, so maybe the heliopan does have threads on the front? I'm not sure....if it did, that would be awesome, I could buy a $10 sunshade with 77mm threads.

June 25th, 2011, 06:45 AM	#28
Brian Bang Jensen Regular Crew Join Date: May 2006 Location: Denmark Posts: 79	Re: Very nice vari-nd filter The Heliopan does not have threads on the front.

June 26th, 2011, 07:21 PM	#29
Ryan Creason Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Corvallis, Oregon Posts: 39	Re: Very nice vari-nd filter Seems like there is a lot of ideas for ND filters out there. What would be the best 77mm variable ND filter that would allow a polarizer to attach to it as well? Also, are there any problems with using step up rings? Or differences between them?

June 26th, 2011, 09:04 PM	#30
Dave Sperling Major Player Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Tinton Falls, NJ Posts: 780	Re: Very nice vari-nd filter The vari-nd's I've seen already use pola technology, so I have a feeling your results trying to add another polarizer to a variable ND may not be what you hope. Try taking a vari ND and rotating it for maximum transmission. Turn the entire unit to see whether there is a Polarizing effect. If so, set the effect the way you want it, and lock in the position/ horizon line of the rear filter. You can then use the front filter to limit your exposure, and should still have at least some of your desired combined Pola effect.