GH2 Variable ND Filter Users - Input Wanted

Tim Polster · November 30th, 2011, 05:32 PM

I tested some more today. The banding is always there. I can see it in the viewfinder while I am shooting. After comparing footage with and without, the GH2 creates its own banding in the sky. You can not see it much unless you manipulate the levels in post but it is there. Interestingly enough it is a different pattern than the variND.

So there seems to be no hope. I am looking into a Cokin "P" setup where I could switch in and out square filters and make up the rest with camera adjustments. The variND is a great concept but the banding and the uneven exposure across the frame just make it less than optimal.

Shawn Clary · December 5th, 2011, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Polster

Anybody else use variNDs with their GH2?

I do; I ponied up the $$$ for the Singh-Ray Variable ND "thin" filter (77mm) and step up rings. Couldn't be happier.

Tim Polster · December 5th, 2011, 10:11 PM

Shawn,

If you have a second, could you shoot a clip of the sky at F2.8 or so with the variND on and see if you get banding in the sky?

Thanks.

Jeff Harper · December 5th, 2011, 10:35 PM

Shawn, that Singh is the one to have, if you can afford it. Nice filter!

Tim, is there a reason for shooting a bright blue sky at F/2.8? Even with a moderate ND filter your shutter speed would likely be unnecessarily high.

I would think you would try using higher f/stop which would also mean your shutter speed would be at a more normal setting. Say even up to 400 or more, but because you're having issues with your image I would think you would choose a more conventional approach in your settings.

Depending on the lens, they generally are sharper past 4 or more anyway, though I just pulled that number out of the air, but you get my drift, the spot at which different lenses are at their sharpest vary greatly, of course. Some of course are sharp most all the way through.

Unless you are trying to achieve a DOF effect with an object in the foreground there is no reason to shoot with a wide open aperture, in fact it's not really "normal" to do so.

So while adjusting aperture and shutter speed to conventional settings may or may not help with this issue, I still think by underexposing or overexposing and reducing sharpness a touch you should over come this.

I have made this suggestion before but if you tried it you still have not reported back, or if you did I missed it.

November 30th, 2011, 05:32 PM	#16
Tim Polster Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 2,231	Re: GH2 Variable ND Filter Users - Input Wanted I tested some more today. The banding is always there. I can see it in the viewfinder while I am shooting. After comparing footage with and without, the GH2 creates its own banding in the sky. You can not see it much unless you manipulate the levels in post but it is there. Interestingly enough it is a different pattern than the variND. So there seems to be no hope. I am looking into a Cokin "P" setup where I could switch in and out square filters and make up the rest with camera adjustments. The variND is a great concept but the banding and the uneven exposure across the frame just make it less than optimal.

December 5th, 2011, 10:11 PM	#18
Tim Polster Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 2,231	Re: GH2 Variable ND Filter Users - Input Wanted Shawn, If you have a second, could you shoot a clip of the sky at F2.8 or so with the variND on and see if you get banding in the sky? Thanks.

December 5th, 2011, 10:35 PM	#19
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: GH2 Variable ND Filter Users - Input Wanted Shawn, that Singh is the one to have, if you can afford it. Nice filter! Tim, is there a reason for shooting a bright blue sky at F/2.8? Even with a moderate ND filter your shutter speed would likely be unnecessarily high. I would think you would try using higher f/stop which would also mean your shutter speed would be at a more normal setting. Say even up to 400 or more, but because you're having issues with your image I would think you would choose a more conventional approach in your settings. Depending on the lens, they generally are sharper past 4 or more anyway, though I just pulled that number out of the air, but you get my drift, the spot at which different lenses are at their sharpest vary greatly, of course. Some of course are sharp most all the way through. Unless you are trying to achieve a DOF effect with an object in the foreground there is no reason to shoot with a wide open aperture, in fact it's not really "normal" to do so. So while adjusting aperture and shutter speed to conventional settings may or may not help with this issue, I still think by underexposing or overexposing and reducing sharpness a touch you should over come this. I have made this suggestion before but if you tried it you still have not reported back, or if you did I missed it. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described." Last edited by Jeff Harper; December 6th, 2011 at 09:00 AM.